Wondering how to save money while traveling?
We all know that traveling is expensive, and in many cases, it exceeds the expected travel budget we have in mind. But should that stop you from traveling altogether? We think not! The cause could be anything from high gas prices to the high cost of hotel bills due to a rise in demand.
Travelers around the globe say that traveling on a budget does not mean that you lower the quality of your trip. Traveling on a limited budget can improve the quality of your trips. You will be surprised to know that travelers prefer this kind of trip as it increases the amount of adventure and lets you experience your trip to the fullest.
Here we have listed several tips to help you save money while traveling. Some might even make you go, “ Oh, why didn’t I think of that.”
So let’s dig into it!
Plan your travel in advance
As soon as you plan on traveling, it is best to spend time searching and comparing flights and hotels right away. Starting early can help you avail any deals that might spring up that can help you cut the expenses. With flights, it is especially difficult to time when you can get it the cheapest, so start searching early and often! Flight prices tend to be at their highest right before the date of departure.
Meanwhile, you can check into the local eateries and stores of the place you are traveling to; this can help you shortlist the places that look good and are affordable. This can help you save both time and money.
Set a budget for the trip
Having a travel budget can certainly help you avoid overspending. Setting a budget enables you to understand the limit you will be spending. It will help you avoid the temptations you might have while traveling. Moreover, you will avoid any extra expense that will make you spend the money faster.
However, it should be kept in mind that setting up a budget and not following it is useless. It is necessary to keep track of your spending during the trip to ensure you are on track and not spending more than you intended to.
Opt for off-season travel
Traveling off-season helps you avoid the crowd and headache that comes with it and can help you take advantage of better deals. The prices of flights and hotels are often higher during the peak season as there is high demand. However, planning your trip in months that are not heavily booked can help you travel at a cheaper rate.
Avoid staying in a hotel
If you are traveling with a large group or plan on staying for a longer period, you might want to rent a place instead of looking at hotels. Renting a home is significantly cheaper if you are traveling in a group as you can split the bill between everyone, which is more affordable than the price of one hotel room per individual or family unit.
Additionally, if you are travelling in a smaller group or for a shorter period, you can look for hostels instead of hotels as they cost far less than a hotel room.
Shop from local stores
This is one of our favorite tips—you can simultaneously save money and enjoy the culture of the place you are visiting by shopping at local stores. Visiting a local market can be an adventure in and of itself as it helps you experience the culture and tradition of a place. It also lets you meet various people selling things that you might not find in your homeland.
You might get to try various delicious foods to eat at a reasonable price. This can help you avoid the overpriced food of cafes or hotels.
Cook your food
This might sound like an off-putting tip, as who wants to cook while traveling? But trust us when we tell you that it can help you save bucks. Eating out is expensive and can end up taking up most of your budget. However, cooking your food can help you save money. Shopping from local grocery stores and cooking wherever you’re staying is a great tip if you plan to travel on a budget.
You can also purchase snacks for your trip at your local store. This can help you avoid spending as much on airports’ and hotel minibars’ overpriced food.
Consider alternative car rental options
Instead of renting a car at one of the popular (and expensive) companies, consider Turo. You can find some great deals on people’s extra vehicles that they’ll rent for sometimes half (or less) the regular cost.
If you want to avoid the car rental cost altogether, you can take public transport. This is significantly cheaper and can even help provide a more immersive travel experience. If all else fails, you could choose a place to rent that is within walking distance of the places you want to visit. Walking can help you save money and let you truly experience the beauty of the place you are traveling to.
Do things that are free
Even the most expensive cities like New York or Paris offer you things to do for free. Even just walking around the city and taking photos is a fun experience and helps you save money. If the goal of your trip is to get refreshed and make memories, there are surprisingly great options in tons of cities.
Look for free or cheaper places in the area you are traveling to. Visiting a museum, hiking, or having a picnic in a park are a few things you can do around the city for cheap and can make wonderful memories.
