Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t get the most out of your international experience. You just have to be a little savvier and get creative. If you’re wondering how to save money traveling, or at least how not to run out of money traveling, check out the following budgeting tips.
Better food. Better prices. A more authentic experience. How can you go wrong?
Paying for a place to stay makes up for a big bulk of travel expenses. If you can stay somewhere for cheap, you can really slash down the cost of traveling.
Tourist spots are a little bubble abroad where everything costs more and everyone speaks English. Be adventurous and venture out to areas that are a bit more local. It will save you money and offer a more authentic look at the country.
Check online or ask around to see if there are any free cultural events going on. That’s likely where the locals will be and it will be a free and fun event so you don’t have to pay anything.
Parks are a fantastic place to relax and people watch. They’re also completely free!
Snap photos and enjoy your experience rather than purchasing your memories. Avoid gift shops and use your travel time for adventure.
If you’re able to be flexible, you can really find some extra cheap airfare that will save you a considerable amount on your whole trip.
Traveling with another person cuts costs and makes the entire process more fun. This doesn’t have to be a friend back home – it could be someone you meet at a hostel or at your internship program.
Know what you want to see and do beforehand and check prices. If you plan ahead, you should be able to save some money by finding better value restaurants, going to museums on free days and prioritizing what is worth spending money on and what’s a waste.
Assume everything will cost more – because it probably will. Travelers generally underestimate their costs so it’s good to plan accordingly.
If you’re able to be a little flexible, you may end up finding some inexpensive places to stay or a cheap excursion on the fly. If you don’t have every day planned exactly, you can take advantage of opportunities for some thrifty adventures. Be spontaneous!
If you have friends or friends of friends abroad, why not reach out to see if you can crash on their sofa in exchange for a little gift from back home or a home-cooked meal?
When you’re hungry you’re more eager to say “yes” to a restaurant even though the prices are high. Grab a small, inexpensive snack to tide you over – like crackers or an apple, and then shop around a bit more for a more affordable spot to dine.
You can save a lot of money by preparing a picnic and finding a good spot at a park or plaza to enjoy a lunch or dinner. It’s a great way to be outside, enjoy the scenery the city offers and keep expenses down.
In Europe, trains can get you there faster, but if you’re short on money and have a little extra time, it may be worth it to travel via bus.
Not only are flea markets a better deal, but you can haggle oftentimes to bring the prices even lower.
If you can split your Airbnb room, for example, between four people, why not squeeze together and save some cash?
Sources: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111595511, https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/thrifty-50-tips
Photo 1. based on Exchange, by Jason Devaun, CC-by-ND 2.0
Photo 2. based on Untitled, by Izabela Pawlicka, CC-by-ND 2.0