I believe every frequent traveller is on the lookout for ways to have budget trips. Of course, this may not be the case for those who travel less often or prefer to stay at a luxurious resort. Budget travelling needs a lot of groundwork; from choosing the destination to buying tickets, getting accommodation, and looking for cheap ways of sight-seeing, there are lots of things to prepare.
At the same time, budget trips don’t mean that you spend most of your time at your hotel, visiting only those places you can get to cheaply! There are many different ways of spreading out the travel expenses you may incur at your destination. Some stay at a relatively expensive hotel while eating cheap or using public transport, while others use cabs and stay at a hostel; the choice is up to you! Keeping all these in mind, here are five basic ideas to save some extra money while you’re out on your next adventure.
Look for good travel deals
It’s always best to book travel tickets well in advance to get the best deal. But, this is not always possible as sometimes trips are planned at short notice. In either case, be on the lookout for travel deals while booking your tickets, as well as discounts offered by both the flight and by booking agencies to get the very best deal.
Many airlines have frequent flyer programs where passengers earn credit points doing everyday things like shopping or dining, which they can then redeem for a seat on their next flight. There may also be special deals and added discounts applicable to specific payment types or gateways (for example on a specific bank card) which might benefit you.
Cook for yourself
Coking for yourself may be the last thing you want to do on a vacation, but it can be one of the best ways to have budget trips. When you stay at a hostel or an Airbnb, you will most likely have a shared kitchen with utensils which you can use to make your own food. Electrical equipment like a fridge and microwave are also provided.
Some places even offer spices and a few other basic ingredients you may require. However, you can buy most of the ingredients required for much less than you would spend on a meal at a restaurant and use this to cook small breakfasts and dinners. This can also be an excellent opportunity to try some delicious local ingredients and to meet new people
Also Read: How To Meet New People When Traveling Solo
Couchsurfing
If you want to meet and stay with locals without spending a lot of money (or any at all in some cases), Couchsurfing may be the best option for you. Couchsurfing hosts loan out extras rooms or any free space to travellers who can enjoy their stay almost for free. It is a great way to meet locals and make new friends while on the road.
There are also other options where you can get accommodation in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work – this can be found in some hostels in Europe and is also available through websites like Worldpackers or WWOOF.
Work while you travel
Speaking of working while you travel, many travellers may also work part time or full time while they travel. There are lots of ways to travel and work at the same time. Becoming a travel guide or an English teacher, working in hostels and bars, getting a job on a cruise ship, or working as an archaeological volunteer are just some of the many ways to earn a living while travelling. Some travellers may even work on farms, or showcase their talents on the street to earn a bit extra. Working while you travel is the best way to have budget trips.
Also Read: Some of the Best Travel Career Options to Try
Look for discount cards
Another big budget savior can be found in discount cards. There are lots of ways to get these. They can be combined passes to various attractions, public transportation passes, or even shopping vouchers left in your hotel room. Student cards and senior citizen cards can also get you significant discounts. If you plan to go on a series of adventure activities like bungee jumping, hiking, and skiing, you may even be able to get discounts on these. These cards can often be a wise choice to save a little extra on your trip. But remember, these discount cards are often valid only for specific periods of time.
Also Read: 50 of the Best Travel Planning Apps You Must Check Out to Make Life Easier
These are just a few of the multiple ways to have cost-effective budget trips. They are sure to help any traveller who’s looking to save a bit of money on their next vacation. So, don’t wait further and start planning your next budget trip soon!
