This is an advertorial by Stuart Cooke.
Do you dream of traveling the globe, seeing far-flung shores, meeting new people, and just experiencing our incredible world?
Of course, you do, but there’s one big thing standing in your way.
Your bank balance.
Well, we have some good news for you. We are here to help you make your dreams of traveling a reality by teaching you about the art of traveling on a shoestring budget.
Sure, you’ll still need to save those pennies as much as possible, but using our thrifty traveler’s guide, you’ll learn how to explore the world without breaking the bank.
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned pro or you’ve never been on a plane before, we’ve got a whole host of top tips for every traveler who wants to see the world on a budget.
Here are seven tips!
1. Planning is key
One of the most important things you can do when you want to travel for a fraction of the cost is to plan, plan, and plan some more.
A big part of this is setting yourself a clear budget. This will help you to determine where you want to go and how much you can spend in each place. It will also help inform decisions like where to stay and what activities you can afford.
We will look at these aspects in more detail later in this guide, teaching you how to stick to your budget.
Another critical part of the planning process is doing thorough research to better understand which destinations are best for budget travel, which are affordable places to stay, and which are the best times of year to travel.
2. Travel off-peak
Following the last point, timing is everything when you want to save money on travel. For example, if you plan to go during the summer holidays, you will pay for it.
Meanwhile, if you travel during the off-peak season, you can instantly save on your flights, accommodation, and more.
To top it all off, you won’t have to fight the crowds and are more likely to secure the accommodation and activities you want.
3. Be flexible and make the most of comparison sites
As well as traveling off-peak, it’s a good idea to be flexible about your dates and destinations. Using comparison sites, you can search for the most affordable travel dates, accommodation, etc.
This might involve flying mid-week rather than at the weekend or traveling to or from an alternative airport. Both can be a great way to cut costs.
If you are given the option through comparison sites to subscribe to fare alerts, do it. That way, you could be the first to know about the best deals.
You could also follow relevant travel deal websites and their social media accounts.
4. Be smart about your transport
You need to be clever about how you travel daily, whether getting to your chosen destination or exploring the country, cities, and nearby areas when you’re there.
Sure, we’ve already mentioned traveling off-peak, but that’s not the only way to save money on your transport.
For one thing, you don’t always have to fly. In many places, getting a train, bus, or even boat to your next location is cheaper. This means that travelling times may be longer, but saving some money is worth it.
You should also be careful about your luggage. It’s tempting when you travel to pack everything but the kitchen sink. But we suggest packing as light as possible to save money and effort on your luggage. After all, no one wants to shove a full suitcase into a packed train carriage.
Or, if you really must take extras with you, consider shipping your bags ahead of time when you can.
Another advice when exploring new places is to remember that traveling on foot is always free. Alternatively, consider hiring a car or bike for longer journeys, getting the train, or hopping on the bus.
We’re saying to avoid expensive taxi rides when you can, especially in busy cities.
5. Embrace the hostel lifestyle
Hotels are great, but they are also expensive. If you want to see the world on a budget, we suggest you embrace the hostel lifestyle as soon as possible.
Not only do these offer affordable accommodation, but they are also a great way to meet new people. Plus, they are often located in central or desirable places, so you’re close to the action.
If you’re uncomfortable in a dorm-like scenario, that’s OK too, as many hostels will also offer private rooms so you can get the balance right.
6. Cook your meals
One of the greatest things about traveling the world is trying different foods and sampling local cuisine.
Now, we’re not saying that you shouldn’t do this. You don’t want to miss out on this beautiful travel experience.
However, it’s not feasible to eat out every day, for every meal, if you want to keep to your budget.
So, by all means, have the odd meal out and see what the country has to offer, but you can also get an excellent taste of local flavors by shopping at your local supermarket and cooking for yourself.
If you choose accommodation with a kitchen, this is far easier, and as you get to know people, you might start to share the expense of shopping and cooking with one another.
7. Find free or low-cost activities
Finally, depending on where you go in the world, some activities will be non-negotiable.
For example, you may have your heart set on scuba diving in the Red Sea, Skydiving in Dubai, or taking a tour to see the Northern Lights. Sometimes, you will want to pay more for these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
However, there are loads of free or low-cost activities you can do during the rest of your travels.
Some examples of these might be museums or galleries that are free to enter, visiting historic sites, going on hikes, attending local festivals, seeking out the best sunsets, and simply swimming in the sea.
You can look for some of the best free or low-cost activities during your initial planning and research stage, but you can also speak with locals or fellow travelers to discover new things along the way.
