Top Tips for Budget Travel

Are you born with a severe case of wanderlust but often find yourself in a tight spot regarding money? Or are you one of those people who just like to travel on a budget because they believe it is more than about saving cash? This part is true, though. Travelling on a budget teaches you more smart and savvy ways of getting around in life. Whatever be your reason, we understand that travelling on a budget can initially sound intimidating. To ease your worries, we have jotted down a few tips to help you see the world in a more frugal yet convenient way:

1.       Keep a small pocket notebook where you can write down every expense, even the smallest ones. This can help you stick to your budget as well as trace out wherever you ended up overspending. This is a good habit to carry into you daily life as well, particularly for those of you who struggle to keep a track of your finances.

2.       Try to stay in one place for at least a week and travel everywhere that is close by. This helps to figure out the cheapest food and conveyance options nearby. And who knows, you might even be able to get a discount for the extended stay period!

3.       Go the local way. The best way to explore any place is to see it the way locals do. Take the public transport, eat where the locals eat; buy from the markets they shop in. Not only will you get the real feel of the place, but the prices are way more reasonable than the ones which are usually frequented by tourists.

4.       After a long time of sticking to a budget, it is quite natural that you will be tempted to splurge one day. We totally understand that but try not to make it a regular occurrence. And don’t give up on your plan of sticking to your budget even if it goes a little off-track every now and then.

5.       Some of the cheaper airlines may charge extra for checking in luggage. It makes sense to invest once in cabin luggage bags and save up on check-in costs later. If the cabin luggage bags are of good quality, they will last you long and you will get your money’s worth with time.

6.       Do your research well in advance. No matter the duration or location of the trip, it serves well to read up extensively on the place in advance, so you have a fair idea of how much money you are looking at. You should also research about the most economical yet safest way to get around. Also, advance bookings in some hotels, airline tickets etc. can come cheaper than booking them in the last minute.

7.       You should stay connected all the time, but in some places international roaming charges can be exceptionally high. Try to minimise the usage of your phone, particularly data. Data roaming charges can get out of control within minutes. Try to make use of free Wi-Fi zones like airports, café, lounges etc as much as possible.

8.       This might sound a little uncomfortable, but it is totally practical. In some countries like Italy, it is not customary to tip. Research on the tipping culture in the place you are visiting. Don’t spend unnecessarily on tips in places where nobody minds if you don’t. You are better off keeping the cash, and every little penny goes a long way.

9.       Some hotel chains and airline companies offer reward points for signing up with them. These reward points can later be redeemed for cash or for some perks. For programmes like these that cost nothing, it is always a good idea to join. After some time, you may end up saving a substantial amount of money.

10.   This one is a no-brainer. Always try to travel off-season. Not only will you end up saving the big bucks, but you will also avoid the rush of tourists during the peak season. For the Greek islands peak travel time is July and August so it is cheaper to go in June or September when you still get the good weather, but at a lower price. For destinations popular for business, but where there is still plenty to see, like Frankfurt, it is usually cheapest to fly in on a Saturday when there is little business travel.

These were some of our top tips to go backpacking around the world in style without burning a hole in your pocket. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your dream destination and enjoy a guilt-free holiday!