If you have made it to this post, then you may have the mindset that traveling is too damn expensive, and way out of reach for you. I’m here to share through my experiences that this is not the case. Traveling isn’t always about staying in 5-star hotels, going on shopping sprees or “flexing” on social media. Having a budget in mind is key for a realistic approach to seeing the world. In this post, I’ll give you some inside tips to navigate the world, with a thin wallet.
Transportation on a Budget
Now this shouldn’t come to surprise to you, but having flight tickets will allow you to reach your destination. The question is, where do I purchase flights on a budget, and how do i minimize my expense? Fortunately for you, I have learned the hard way, and I’m writing this to share work-arounds to finding cheaper flights.
- Going.com
Formally known as ScottsCheapFlights, Going offers you the cheapest possible flights for over 900 destinations worldwide. The site is simple, choose your US departure airport, Going will keep a close eye on over 900 destinations, when the prices drop, they will notify you, then book. This is a very budget friendly approach to traveling if you are willing to travel to someplace you didn’t have in mind. I love this method of traveling because it allows for spontaneous adventures at extremely low prices (insert golf clap).
- Googleflights.com
Google flights has been my primary method for booking flights. The site is great for securing a low price flight for a specific destination.
Keep a few factors in mind when purchasing flights to lower your expense:
- Date of the week (typically Tuesdays-Thursdays offer cheaper flights)
- Time of the year (busy times like Christmas, Spring break, Summer tend to be more expensive)
- Country (traveling to Asia from the US will be exponentially more expensive then say…Mexico)
- Baggage (adding checked-bags will obviously add an expense, thats why I travel with a 50L checked bag)
Once you’ve reached your destination successfully (I hope) you’ll need a means of getting around. There are a few approaches to this that can save you plenty of money, depending on where you are in the world of course. I typically look into renting a bike/scooter/moped for weeks or months on end as this typically is the cheapest option and allows you the freedom to venture off on your own. Bike rentals vary from country to country on price, but I have found that they all range anywhere from $50-100 (week), $120-150 (monthly). Other means of transportation include:
- 12go.com
- Rome2rio.com
- Ride Sharing (most travel apps have “ride sharing” options)
- Public Transportation (travel like the locals do)
- Taxi
Accommodation without Breaking the Bank
I have stayed in nice places and I have stayed in shit-holes, the question you need to ask yourself is how much are you willing to spend on comfort, location, and amenities. When choosing accommodation there are multiple options to choose from:
- Hotels (usually the most expensive)
- Air-bnb/VRBO (plenty of options with wide range of pricing)
- Hostels (cheapest option typically, great way to meet people)
- Homestays (extremely local experience, highly recommend)
- Workaway.com (volunteer time, for a free place to stay)
Choosing a place to stay is entirely up to you and your budget. I have stayed in all of the above and they all offer unique experiences which is why I urge you to give them all a try. Some may be for you, some may not be, and thats ok we are all different.
Avoid Imports
All travelers have experienced the temptation of buying imports because it is what is most familiar to them. Whether it’s a foreign food from the grocery store, a specific liquor or beer or a pack of cigarettes, avoid purchasing for a cheaper, local alternative. Not only will this save you some coin, it allows you to try new things that are local to the country you are visiting. And trust me when I say this, after awhile in a foreign I fold and have to visit the local fast food joint (McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc.). So don’t feel pressured to fully stay away from imports, because theres nothing better than eating/drinking things that taste like home.
Eat Locally
Some of the best food I have had was off the side of the street by a sweet, welcoming local. Not only is it ridiculously cheap, but insanely delicious. Street food is hands down the best food you can find locally in the country visited. I have been fortunate to have had the experience to try so many different local street foods. From Thailand to Central America, the flavors street-vendors offer are something a restaurant can mimic, but not match. I highly recommend trying as much street food as you can, and be open to new foods.
Use Google Maps offline, so you can still navigate even without a connection
If you’re driving or walking between places and don’t have a data connection, use Google Maps’ offline mode. It’ll still give you directions and useful information like the distance to your destination, what streets to take, and how long it’ll take to get there.
You can also download a map of your places of interest ahead of time, and then you get to use it anywhere – even on things like subways!
Bring a travel friendly credit/debit card
If you are traveling to another country, it’s always a good idea to bring your travel credit card from your home country with you.
I always bring my credit card from home, as well as one from the place I’m going or alternatively an international card such as Revolut. In case anything happens, I always have a way to get some cash or make payments.