Do you dream of travelling, seeing the world and having new experiences? Your answer is probably “of course!” That’s usually followed by a but… For most people the idea of travelling the world seems like a pipedream as they just don’t have the money needed to it. It does cost money to travel but not as much as you might think, especially if you apply these 5 thrifty travelling tips that will help you to see the world on a budget.
1. EAT IN MORE
One of the biggest expenses when it comes to travelling is eating out. Of course it’s ok to eat out sometimes as it’s good to immerse yourself in the local culture, try different food and socialise, but you don’t have to this all the time. If you are travelling for more than 1 or 2 weeks then it’s vital that you set a food budget and stick to it. That way you can still have the odd meal out but on the other days you can cook for yourself. There are lots of ingredients that you can get anywhere, that will go a long way, and will help you to cut back on the costs of your trip. Rice, pasta and potatoes are great for this. Cutting down the amount of restaurant meals you have will also help you keep healthy while travelling; if you are travelling for months at a time all that rich food will take its toll!
2. DON’T PAY EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES
Airline baggage fees have been steadily increasing for years. If you are travelling for an extended period of time then you are more than likely going to have a large amount of baggage with you. Most people assume that they just have to pay for excess baggage fees, but did you know that there are companies who will collect your luggage and ship it ahead for you so that’s it’s waiting at your hotel when you arrive? As well as saving you a lot of time while going through the various airports you will have to visit, it’s also a lot cheaper than paying airline excess baggage fees so if you’ve got a lot of luggage with you then this really is a no brainer. If you are travelling as a family or large group, this can be particularly useful.
3. TEAMWORK WINS
Travelling as a group can save you a lot of money when it comes to accommodation and things like day trips and taxis. A lot of people are also surprised at how much more they can get for their money when holidaying as a group. If you are travelling with a group of friends, then you could rent an entire apartment for less than it would cost you to book a single room in an average hotel. Stay in better accommodation for less money and get to hang out with your besties? That’s what I call a win-win!
4. WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT SUMMER?
If you are flexible with when you can travel then you can save yourself a lot of money. If you aren’t overly fussed on travelling during the hottest seasons or actually prefer the milder weather (like me!) then you are at a great advantage as you can save a fortune by visiting countries during the less popular times of year. You will pay much less for flights, hotels, meals, pretty much everything. There’s also more chance of you getting upgrades and less stress and delays as there are just fewer people about.
5. BUS IT
When travelling it can be tempting to just order an Uber or flag down a taxi to get you from A to B. This is also extremely expensive. Instead, get to know the local bus routes and do a bit of research to find out if there are any free transport services. You will be surprised at how many places offer a free service like this. Of course, even better than using public transport is to walk when you don’t need to go that far. When you take the bus, ride a bike or walk you’re not only saving money, you’re getting to see much more of the country you are visiting as well, which is the aim of your trip after all.
Let me know if you have any other tips for saving money while going travelling in the comments below, I’d love to hear your ideas!