Traveling on a tight budget can be tough, but you don’t have to spend all of your hard-won cash to get the kind of experience you’re looking for. Instead, travel abroad while spending your own hard-earned cash smartly, and get a rewarding and easy experience at the same time. Don’t think me wrong? Learn how to travel on a budget using these top 10 money-saving travel hacks. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save!
If you want to know how to travel on a budget without getting cheated or sacrificing any of your necessities, then read on. First, find affordable airfare to your destination. This is perhaps the most important aspect of planning your trip because airfare prices vary widely depending on the time of year, which destination you’re traveling to, and even if you book online. Booking far in advance can save you money, so always consider a long-term plan when traveling abroad.
Next, use apps like Viggle or Skimpp to keep up with local prices. Local searches are one of the easiest ways of finding cheap fares, and it only takes a few minutes to perform. For example, if you know that you’re going to be visiting Madrid, Spain during the summer months, try searching for flights to Malaga or Seville. Both cities feature cheap flights but booking early will let you grab the best seats available.
One of the most convenient ways to find flights and destinations is to sign up for travel credit cards. These cards are like cash when it comes to booking airline tickets since they deduct the money from your savings or credit card balance when used. This allows you to book your flights using as little as $10! However, it can be tricky to know which card to choose, since there are many options. American Express offers the best value, as do Chase and Discover.
Another popular budgeting tool is to work exchange rate conversions. Just about every country will have exchange rates on certain goods, including airline tickets. However, many people prefer not to work with rate conversions, since they feel it takes away from the experience of visiting the country. However, by knowing how much to exchange at home, you can make the most out of your trip without spending any of your own money!
Another way of cutting costs when planning your trip abroad is to avoid flying on peak times. The days and times when the cheapest flights are available to tend to overlap with popular holidays or sporting events, which can drain your bank account. Instead, stick to the off-peak times, as flights cost less during these times. Some of the world’s most popular destinations are well suited for budget flying, as are many European cities. Cheap flights to Prague and other European cities, in particular, can help to reduce the overall price of your trip.
Of course, some destinations are simply not suitable for saving money, no matter how budget conscious you are. Some of these include major cities like Paris and London, which can be expensive to fly to. Flights to Turkey, Egypt and Jordan are also popular, but you may find that other cheaper destinations are more appealing. If you cannot afford to fly to one of these countries, look into the possibility of taking a bus, train or car across the region to reach your final destination. While this method does require more planning and research, it can save you significant amounts of money, allowing you to visit the places you want.
While many people assume that traveling on a tight budget is impossible, it is possible to plan a trip that provides an affordable means of getting there. It is important to plan your itinerary well and get as much information about your destination as possible before leaving. You can look at the various websites that offer budget travel options and compile a list of the places you could visit. Planning ahead can make money go further and make life easier by cutting down on the costs of transportation.
