How to Save Money When Traveling to Any Destination
Spending a lot of money on vacation does not mean that you will have a better time than someone who spends less. I have traveled the world for almost a decade on a tight budget and found that by following a few simple tips, you can easily travel on a tight budget and still have a great trip.
To save money on the road, we need to abandon the habitual thinking that traveling is expensive. This mindset, promoted by the people-spending-more-money tourism industry, tells us we need to stay in hotels, eat at world-class restaurants, or take package tours to have a good time. Of course, this is not at all the case, and there are many ways to have a good time without spending a fortune .
Below are various ways to save money anywhere around the world – from cheaper regions like Thailand to more expensive countries like Norway. They will save you a lot of money with minimal effort. I have traveled to over 75 countries in the past eight years. I even wrote a book on budget travel called How To Travel The World On $ 50 A Day . I know how incredible it may sound to say that you can travel the world on a tight budget in comfort, but I know it is possible because I have done it myself. Below are some of the best ways to save money anywhere, because when you spend less, you can travel more.
Affordable hotel alternatives
If you are not looking for a luxury suite, there are many options for finding affordable accommodations. Whether you work in exchange for room and board or just find a cheap hostel, here are some alternatives to hotels.
Hospitality exchange
The best way to save money on accommodation is not to pay for it – and the hospitality exchange allows you to do just that. You’ve probably heard of couch surfing, but there are other options as well. Hospitality exchange services connect travelers with locals by offering a free place to stay. Sometimes it’s a bed, sometimes a sofa, and sometimes it’s literally just a place on the floor. These sites work when users register, create profiles, and connect with each other. It is expected that one day those who are settled will pay in advance and arrange for someone else. You are not required to accept anyone in the future, but most people find the hosting experience useful and accept others. There are four main hospitality exchange organizations:
Do agricultural work in exchange for room and board
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms , or WWOOFing, matches people looking for work on farms with farms that require labor. You get free room and board in exchange for work! It’s an incredible way to stay in one place for free. You also don’t need farm experience. There is no international WWOOF membership, so you will have to buy membership in every single WWOOF country organization. An annual membership usually costs around US $ 30 per country. Obviously, this solution is not for everyone and is limited to certain areas, but it can be a good way to have fun experiences and save money.
Try staying at home for extended stays
Staying at home is the same as it sounds: while someone is on vacation, you keep an eye on their home and take care of any pets they have while they are away. Housekeeping obligations are usually long-term (for example, a month or more) and are suitable for travelers who wish to stay in one particular location longer. The biggest home sites are:
Stay in hostels
Hostels are perhaps the most common solution for travelers looking to save money. This is one of the cheapest forms of paid living in the world. Hostels are places that offer shared (and sometimes private) rooms for travelers looking for a cheap place to stay. These dorm rooms usually have four to 20 beds. The more beds, the cheaper the room.
Hostel prices are about a third of the cost of a hotel room. A cheap hotel in New York costs $ 100 and a dorm room costs $ 30. In Thailand, where a hotel costs $ 30 or more, you can rent a cheap dorm room for $ 5. In Australia, a dorm room costs $ 25 versus $ 110 for a hotel.
Use a serviced apartment
One option for group travelers, or even those traveling alone and not interested in hostels, are serviced apartments. This is an apartment that is owned, furnished and serviced by someone else that you rent like a hotel room. People indicate an extra room, sofa, or property they own and want to make money from. It’s like kush surfing, only you pay for it and get your own seat. There are many companies that can help you find these apartments all over the world, for example:
Savings on food and drinks
Food can be one of the most significant day-to-day expenses on your trip, especially if you are only staying in places that are frequented by tourists. Instead, go shopping and cook on your own, or explore local establishments that don’t necessarily cater to tourists.
Cook your own food
Groceries are cheaper for the week than restaurants for the week. I usually spend about $ 50-60 a week on groceries, not more than $ 20 a day in restaurants. This is a 70% reduction in food costs. Even if you are only leaving for two weeks on vacation, consider preparing some meals. Food costs are skyrocketing – snack here and dinner there, and you’ll spend a lot of money on food. Most hostels, guest houses and shared apartments have fully equipped kitchens where you can prepare your own meals. (They also provide pots, pans and utensils!) Even if you’re staying in a hotel without a kitchen, you can still make your own meal by making sandwiches. However, I recommend trying to stay in an area with kitchen equipment so you can cook hot meals and cut your expenses.
Eat specials for lunch
In many parts of the world, especially in Europe, you can dine on the lunch menu at special prices. This so-called plate of the day is one of the best deals in the world. For example, when I was in Barcelona, ​​I went to eat at seafood restaurants near the beach. Dinner cost about $ 50. However, returning the next day for a special lunch, I got the same meal for just $ 20. Singapore is another great place to dine. Although the city is very expensive by Asian standards – food here can cost as much as at home – restaurants here have fixed lunch menus that cost between $ 10 and $ 15 instead of $ 25 for dinner. In England, pubs offer set menus for as little as US $ 10.
Carry a reusable water bottle with you
You need to stay hydrated while traveling, and buying water every day is expensive. Buy a metal water bottle or reuse a plastic water bottle multiple times to save money. I usually use a plastic water bottle for about four days, or even longer if I can find a place to clean it. Instead of buying three bottles a day, I usually buy two a week. I may only save a small amount of money each time, but over a long trip it can really add up. I also reduce the amount of plastic used, which is good for the environment as well. This is a win-win.
If your local tap water is not potable, you can use Steripen to purify your water, save money, and cut down on the use of plastic bottles.
Never eat in the tourist area
This tip is simple enough but is often overlooked because it is easier to eat near attractions. Prices in tourist areas tend to be 20-50% higher because tourists usually don’t mind spending more money on vacations and generally don’t know what local prices really are.
Go away, explore the alleys and find a place where you don’t hear a lot of English. It’s harder and more work, but the food is much better and you will be paying the local price, not the tourist price. While in Barcelona, ​​my friends and I took a walk from the touristy La Rambla and found a local tapas restaurant. We filled our stomachs at $ 12 each, which would be twice as expensive as the Ramblas, where one dish can cost $ 20.
Is it inconvenient to just fly? To find local favorites, ask hotels or hostels, or check out Yelp, Foursqaure, or Openrice .
Transport and entertainment
No, you don’t really need to hire a private car to get around, and you’ll probably be missing out on much of the local culture if you do. Think like a local when possible and explore the city on public transport – or literally join locals with travel exchange services – while taking advantage of tourist-oriented passes that may offer admission to multiple museums and more.
Take local transportation
Forget about private buses, taxis and tour buses – do what the locals do and hop on local buses or trains. It may be easier for you to board this tourist bus as the companies will pick you up from your hotel or hostel and take care of any logistics for you, but learning about the local transport system is much more fun and much cheaper. Even in such expensive countries as Norway or Sweden, a city train fare does not exceed $ 4. It can take a while to figure out the map and where you need to go, but learning how to navigate is half the fun of traveling.
And even if I don’t speak the local language, there is usually a price on signs and timetables at the bus stop. If the price is not listed, I have never met a bus driver who did not understand “How much?” or at least the embarrassed look on my face when I hold the bill in front of me!
Get tourist cards
I will never understand why travelers do not use tourist maps more often. Local tourist offices (e.g. London Tourism, Paris Tourism, New York Tourism, etc.) provide maps for many of their attractions, tours and restaurants. These cards (for which you will pay a one-time fee) give you free admission and substantial discounts on many attractions and tours in the city, free local public transport (a huge plus), and discounts at several restaurants and shops. shopping centers. Cards are usually valid for 1, 3, 5 or 7 days. The first day begins when you use your card for the first time, whether in a museum or on public transport.
These cards are great for saving money because you get free transportation around the city and free admission to museums, attractions, and tours. For example, in Oslo, Norway, the VisitOslo Card, offered by the City Tourist Board, costs $ 60. However, each museum in the city costs between $ 12 and $ 15. The last time I visited nine museums in the city. I saved $ 30 on my pass and got free public transport. When I used the Paris Museum Pass while visiting Paris, I saved $ 85 on the regular museum price.
One important thing to keep in mind is that while these cards are of great value, their temporary nature requires you to hurry up to get the most out of them.
Take advantage of free days at the museums
Most museums have special discounts or free nights. Even famous museums like the Louvre and the Guggenheim sometimes offer free admission. If I don’t have a tourist card that offers free admission to the museum that I want, I go through their website to see what days and hours the museum offers free admission. Before heading anywhere, be sure to check the websites to see if the museums you want to visit offer free visiting hours.
Ask hostels for information
You can use the hostels for information even if you are not staying at them. They deal with the budget traveler on a daily basis and know the ins and outs of visiting this city on a budget. Stop by and ask them for advice on what to see and do on the cheap. They will always be helpful.
Use cards without commission for foreign transactions
Avoid repaying bank fees by getting a free loan, ATM or credit card . Don’t give the banks your hard-earned money – save it for the trip. Bank fees can go up and there is no reason to pay $ 3 to $ 5 on every purchase or withdrawal. To avoid commissions, get a free debit card like Charles Schwab . They never charge an ATM fee and reimburse you for any fees charged by other banks. The Capital One Venture Card is a simple, no-yearly fee card that does not charge any fees for overseas transactions.
Take advantage of local ride sharing services
Trains, planes, buses – these can be expensive. An easier and more fun way to travel is to take a local course in your direction. All you have to do is divide the gas price. It’s cheaper, you can meet a local, and you can take detours and pit stops if you like. Some recommended websites include:
- Liftshare (based in UK)
- Mitfahrgelegenheit (Germany)
- Gumtree (UK / Australia / New Zealand)
- Kangarida (Canada)
- BlaBlaCar (Europe)
Other websites dedicated to the sharing economy
The sharing economy skyrocketed in 2014 and has given travelers direct access to locals who can act as guides, hosts, cooks, and drivers. Use these services to bypass traditional travel companies and save money. Here are some companies to use:
These tips are suitable for anywhere in the world. Wherever you go, there are always ways to save money. Travel media tells us that travel is expensive, but years of experience have taught me otherwise. I wrote a book called ” How to Travel the World on $ 50 a Day” and am currently traveling the country on a book tour because I know the above tips and tricks in my book work. Get rid of the hotel / resort mindset, use the tips above and save money.