How to Travel on a Budget My 10 Best Tips
There are so many ways to travel on a budget, even for free! You don’t need to be super rich in order to travel the world. All it takes is a little bit of creative research. Most people see traveling as impossible without having saved a lot of money, well I’m here to tell you that is a big fat myth. With the right budget and information at hand, you can make your travel dreams a reality.
Here are my 10 hottest tips for traveling on a budget when you’re completely broke AF.
1. Fly Budget Airlines
Without a doubt, flying would have to be the most expensive part of any trip. So when it comes to saving money on flights it’s best to take the budget airline route. Most of the time they are cheaper than your normal regular airlines and will save you a ton of money when traveling.
Keep in mind budget airlines can come with its disadvantages like extra baggage costs etc. so make sure you check their policies and restrictions before booking. If you would like to know more about finding cheap flights then check out my post below.
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How To Find Cheap Flights Like A Boss
2. Stay Connected For Free
Overseas data can be quite pricy when you’re on the road. Taking advantage of free wifi where you can this will help keep those pesky data roaming prices down. Most places these days offer free wifi anyway. However, when you are stuck with no wifi I recommend downloading free apps like rome2rio or language translate. These apps will store important information even when you’re offline.
3. Avoid Peak Season
Avoiding peak season is a massive step to saving money. Flights, accommodation, tours EVERYTHING increases in price during peak season, sometimes they almost double. Timing your trip around these times will certainly keep your bank account happy.
4. Make The Most Of Public Transport
Using public transport is a great way to travel around and see the sights at a fairly good price. Whenever I can, for long-distance I like to travel by train or bus. If you’re also looking to save on accommodation, overnight buses & trains are definitely the way to go. They are fully equipped with reclining seats/beds, air conditioning & restrooms, everything you would need for an overnight sleep.
5. Eat Like A Local
Don’t be afraid to get out there and try the street food, trust me some of the best dishes I’ve ever had have been from local food vendors. Most of the time they are super cheap and very tasty compared to most overpriced restaurants. Shopping at the local markets is also great if you want to cook at home and save a few dollars.
6. Consider Housesitting
Housesitting is awesome if you’re looking to save on accommodation. You can sign up to be a housesitter and look after someone’s house while they are away. Basic duties would include watering plants, collecting mail even looking after their pets. In exchange, you are able to stay at their house for free. This is great if you are looking to travel long term. Check out Trusted Housesitters.
7. Look For Free Attractions / Tours
Finding cheap or free attractions is one of my favorite things to look out for when I’m out exploring. There are so many free walking tours and biking tours around. This is an awesome way to scout out a new city. I have recommended this book before in another post but Lonely Planets – The best things in life are free is a really great book to find free attractions and sites around the world. It literally is the ultimate money-saving guide when traveling.
The Best Things In Life Are Free – By Lonely Planet
8. Travel Light
Save more money by traveling light. Consider packing ‘carry on’ only to avoid extra baggage fees. Using just a backpack is also a great way to carry just your essentials and leave out those items you don’t need.
9. Rent A Bike
Need to travel that little bit further? Consider renting a bike. This is my favorite way of getting around. It’s fun, cheap, and keeps you in shape. I find biking around a lot more useful especially in bigger cities. Another fun way to get around is renting an electric scooter (aka BIRDS or Limes). This is fairly new I think and I’m not sure if every city has them but you basically find a scooter, rent it through an app, and off you go. It’s so much fun! We tried these in LA and San Francisco and had a blast.
10. Make Money While You Travel
Making money while you travel can certainly help you reach those long term travel goals and also give you more travel opportunities. Here are a few ways you can earn extra money while you travel.
Au Pair – An au pair is a live-in nanny who helps a family take care of their children and helps out with the everyday housekeeping duties. In return, you are given a small wage and a free place to board. This is great for people who are looking to study abroad.
Teach English – Teaching English in a foreign country is a great way to earn money. Keep in mind you do need to have a good understanding of the English language like a degree and be able to speak fluently. Many countries like Southeast Asia are always looking for teachers in this field.
Seasonal Worker – Resorts, parks, and hotels are always looking for seasonal workers, these jobs may include bartending, waitressing, lifeguards, tour guides, etc. Seasonal jobs are normally short-term which is great for travelers on the go.
Extra Travel Budget Hacks!
Travel To Cheaper Countries – There are some places in the world that will certainly offer you more bang for your buck. Consider traveling to places in Southeast Asia like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos where you can backpack for as little as $30 a day.
Explore Off Beaten Paths – Try and avoid high tourist traps and overpopulated locations and attractions where prices are inflated. Doing some research & exploring more underrated areas you may find cheaper attractions & experience much more private unique locations.
Opt For Experiences Rather Than Souvenirs – Some of my most cherished & favorite travel memories have been experiences I have chosen to do on my travels. Don’t way your bag down with overrated souvenirs, instead make fun travel memories and experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.
My Go-to Budget Websites
Here are some of my favorite travel budget websites I love & use when I want to travel more on a budget. You can find more on my travel resources page here
Skyscanner & Google Flights – Best for finding cheap flight deals.
Expedia & Travigo – My go-to for comparing the best hotel deals
Hostelworld.com & Couchsurfing.com – Great for booking cheap accommodation
Rentalcars.com – For the best hire car deals
Found this post helpful? Be sure to share the love & let me know below some of your best tips & hacks for traveling on a budget.
Just a heads up! This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog. You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
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