Introduction
Travelling can make for a great life experience, whether you’re travelling alone, with family or friends, or taking an educational trip. But all trips come at the cost of money. Even with a decent budget, you’ll still want to find ways to save, so that you can get the most out of your journey. In this article, you will learn some effective budget travel hacking tips, to help you keep your trip expenses within budget so that you can focus more on the experience and less on counting your expenses.
Start Planning Early
When you start planning your trip, the biggest area of savings will often come from planning in advance. Not only can you get better deals because you’re booking early, but you can also get more time to research and plan better. In some cases, a few months of planning can save you hundreds of dollars, compared to booking last minute.
Book your flight, hotel and car rentals several weeks or even months ahead of time and always keep an eye out for discounts. You can often find discount codes for hotels and rental cars. You can also set up alerts to be notified about upcoming promotions or deals.
Do Your Research
Doing your research goes hand-in-hand with planning in advance. You can spend some time researching the destination to figure out the average cost of basics such as groceries and meals out, as well as the cost of transportation within the city.
It’s also a good idea to research into the different modes of transportation and the different services available. Renting a bike, using public transportation, or even taking the bus or train can be cheaper than renting a car for your entire vacation. Make sure to check out all the options and compare prices.
Think About Accommodation
Accommodation takes up a big portion of most travel budgets. To save money, you can look into alternative low-cost accommodation options, such as hostels, budget hotels, camping sites, bed & breakfasts, or even private apartments.
Airbnb can also be a great option for anyone looking for an affordable yet home-like experience. You can save even more money by booking for longer periods or by looking for properties in distant suburbs or towns.
Cut Back on Sightseeing
Just because sightseeing can be expensive, doesn’t mean you have to give it up entirely. There are ways to go sightseeing without actually shelling out too much. First, skip the tour buses and instead opt to explore the city on your own. If you’re visiting a national park or a museum, there could be an entry charge. Research and find out if there are any discounts available, as these can help you save quite a bit of money.
Eat Smart
Eating out can also be one of the more expensive things you’ll budget for on your trip. So, if you are travelling on a budget, it’s always a good idea to be mindful about where and when you eat. Eating street food, visiting local markets for groceries, or visiting cheaper restaurant chains can help you save some money. You can also opt for pre-made meals at grocery stores or convenience stores, or even look for restaurants that offer free or discounted meals.
Ditch the Guide
Using a travel guide or tourist guide can be a great way to learn more about a destination, but it can also be quite expensive. Instead of hiring a guide, look up information in advance, or browse the web and read up on the destination you’re visiting. You can learn just as much without the added cost.
Search for Deals
It’s also worth noting that there are some great deals and discounts available to travellers, if you know where to look. You can use websites like Groupon or directly search for travel discounts. You could also research and look for packages from airlines, hotels and travel companies. These packages can help you save money.
Get Creative
Think of other creative ways to save money, such as looking for cheaper alternative flights, using credit cards that offer rewards or discounts on travel, using cashback programs and other similar deals.
Final Word
If you plan in advance, do your research and think outside the box, you can easily find ways to save a ton of money on your next trip. These budget travel hacks can go a long way in helping you keep your trip expenses within budget while still getting the best experience. From booking early, researching different modes of transportation, and cutting back on sightseeing to getting creative and finding discounts, you’ll be able to make the most of your blogging adventure without worrying too much about money.