People tend to put things off for the perfect circumstances, but sometimes those circumstances never come and they don’t get to follow their dreams. You don’t have to let that be you. If there’s a trip that you want to take, consider ways to make it happen, even if you don’t have a lot of money to work with.
For budget travelers, there are tips and tricks for cutting on expenses when traveling so you can get the most out of a trip with the least amount of money. Check out our top tips:
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Save on your means of transport.
One of the biggest expenses of your trip will be how you get to your desired destination. So, if you’re looking to save money on this part of the trip, it’s a good idea to look around for a cheap flight or choose to travel by land if it’s cheaper. Obviously, for some destinations, you won’t be able to simply drive your car to where you want to go, so take time to consider options if you want to spend less.
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Shop around for your lodging.
Aside from your flight or gas for your car, lodging is also a big expense while traveling, if not the biggest one. Fortunately, there are a variety of more affordable options to choose from, such as room-stay sites or cheap hotels, and even hostels. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind sharing a bedroom with other people or don’t mind not having a mini bar at your hotel, and other luxury items, finding cheap lodging is entirely possible and can save you a lot of money in the long run. You could also invite a friend who would be willing to share a room with you to save on lodging as well.
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Travel off-season.
When it comes to certain places, you may find that off-season is much more affordable, in terms of tours and lodging. This is because many places like beach destinations or ski resorts have a season where they will receive a lot of visitors due to the good weather or in the case of ski resorts, the great snow. While you may miss out on the fresh powder, most hotspots have plenty of things to still enjoy in the off-season and you could save a ton of money.
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Skip the extras.
From the minibar to dessert at dinner to the perfect seat on your flight, there are some extras that at the end of the day aren’t really necessary. If your flight isn’t that long of a flight, you may not need to pay extra for the window seat or if your meal was nourishing and satisfying, why tack on an extra expense? From tours to lodging, there are various extras that are easy to miss, so make sure you’re not paying for something you’re not even going to use. While at times the extras are a pleasant part of the experience, when traveling on a budget or cutting on expenses, these extras are easier to let go of than comfortable lodging or a great seat on your flight.
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How you get around the city matters.
If you want to cut down on expenses even more, consider how you’ll get around the city you’re visiting. If your hotel or accommodations are close enough to main hot spots, you can simply walk there instead of taking a ride-share. Perhaps you could even rent out a bike, so that you can go further and see as many places as possible on your trip. Ubers and taxis add up, especially in places that are more popular, so consider public transportation like buses or your two feet to avoid those costs.
In Conclusion
Traveling on a budget is possible and cutting back on expenses allows you to see places you otherwise wouldn’t or would have to wait to see until you’ve saved up the money you’re thinking you need. Life is short—take that trip!