3 Tips to Traveling on a Budget

Could you be lounging on a couch with a packet of potato chips, watching your favorite sitcom? Suddenly you ask, “When will I get enough money to travel?” Do you wonder how some people seem to have lots of money to go on vacation frequently? Contrary to popular belief, traveling is not an expensive affair. It may take planning, but you will enjoy a trip that costs way less than your coveted expensive gadget. Here, we highlight three key points to unlocking your next vacation.

1. Shop on a budget

The flipside of being a tourist is buying souvenirs at tourist shops with marked-up prices or getting charged foreign transaction fees on credit cards.

Do your research.

Learn about the forex exchange rates and foreign transaction fees on credit cards. Get a cheat sheet that will help you familiarize with common currency denominations and the exchange rate equivalent to the countries you visit. Find out if your credit card has foreign transaction fees attached. A card without foreign transaction fees will save you a lot more than a card with almost 4% fees on everything you purchase.

A. Visit the local flea market.

Open-air markets and flea markets offer a variety of choices and unique gifts at affordable rates. Always engage your bargaining skills and charm in these markets. In most tourist spots, vendors mark up prices by up to three times the local prices in an attempt to make money off of tourists. To access these places, you may need to organize transport to and from your hotel. RideshareApps website provides worldwide information on transport providers and rideshare companies to get around unfamiliar places.

B. Know where to shop

If you travel through different countries or cities, shop in the most affordable city that you can. A piece of artwork could cost you several hundreds of dollars in one city, while in another it could be less than $30!

2. Look out for accommodation deals

When traveling on a budget, it is advisable to stay in tourist hostels. Hostels offer cheaper rates when you pay per person per bed. If you are an expert risk taker, sometimes booking accommodation at the last minute, gets you a better deal. Hotels tend to reduce the prices for last minute guests if the occupancy rates are low.

Booking a bundle deal where you book your accommodations and flight at the same time, gets you amazing discounts. This is always easier than you think. First, search for bundles deals online. Most sites give you the option of booking the hotel first (there are lots of them) then add flights later. The sites let you know how much you save on a bundle deal. The deal could be too good that the flight is basically free.

Traveling alone always gets a notion that one person accommodation or logistics is more expensive than a group. On the contrary, if you make a reservation for one or get a quote for single occupancy, you could get a discount on a double room- that is if single rooms are fully booked.

3. Get affordable meals

Devouring, tantalizing or nibbling on desirable food is the defining moment of a trip. Some exotic meals taste awesome while some are outright bland. Having 5-course meals leaves a huge dent in your travel budget especially in metro cities. With these smart ideas, you will savor the local delicacies without stretching your budget.

A. Research the tipping culture of the place you intend to visit. Some countries have an assumed 10-20% tipping range while others do not take tips kindly. Whatever you tip, do not over tip the wait staff.

B. Commit to a one sit-down meal per day, especially breakfast or dinner. Always take advantage of the included breakfast in your accommodations. During the day, you could snack, eat at the market or grab some picnic food. For dinner, you could enjoy a full course dinner at a local hotel.

C. Eat like the locals, this means frequenting local eateries. They are much cheaper and more authentic.

Remember, when in Rome, eat as the Romans eat.