Traveling the world seems to be on many people’s bucket list, but so many fail to actually follow this dream because they think it will cost them too much money. When you begin to travel abroad the price tag may begin to look overwhelming if you don’t know some of the trick to eliminate a large portion of the cost. Whether you want to explore the countries surrounding your own, or want to cross the ocean to find yourself in a whole new environment, there are many ways to eliminate cost so you can take the time to enjoy the beautiful world. You don’t have to refrain from your dream vacation, instead try reworking your numbers with some of these helpful tips.
1. Money Conversion
A lot of new travelers feel that they live in the digital world and shouldn’t have to carry around cash, which can be a huge problem when you go abroad. It isn’t that you won’t be able to find ATM machines or use your credit cards in stores, restaurants and hotels because most foreign countries will take these items as long as they are VISA or Mastercard. The fact of the matter is, when you use your card to make a purchase or pull out foreign currency you’re going to lose a lot of money in the conversion. Generally, most banks don’t charge a whole lot when it comes to converting your money for you, but by using the card abroad you will be looking at some major fees just for using the card outside of the country. Typically this will cost you two to five dollars, which doesn’t seem like much, but if you’re doing this often you might find that you’ve spend at least $100 on charges alone. The best thing you can do is get a set amount of money converted before you leave for your trip. It is usually best to do this at the bank as many airports will charge you a bit extra for this service. If you run out of money then you can use your card, but don’t forget to look around for a currency converter before you do this.
2. Tourism Cards
If you plan on going to a lot of places, or even if you don’t, a tourism card can be one of your greatest allies on the money saving front. These cards are generally purchased for a 24, 48 or 72 hour range which make them perfect for anyone who is not going to be in the city for very long. These cards are packed full of deals though, so make sure you look for one for each city you will be spending a large portion of time in. These cards are specifically designed to make exploration easier and cheaper for tourist. The cards allow you to get on public transportation for free, so you can exclude the cost of that expense when you plan your vacation. Typically, the cards also give you free admission to museums and other sites that tourist tend to flock to while on vacation, which makes your entertainment budget go down too. To top it all off you get plenty of discounts on a wide assortment of restaurants and stores, as well as some hotel rooms.
3. Accommodations
Many tourist have heard that hostels are the way to go when you’re traveling, which can be true. There is another option that has been made available due to the internet though. For many younger or single travelers a form of international couch surfing has become incredibly popular. Websites, such as couchsurfing.com, allow users to find a place to sleep while they are in a city for a day or two. This can be one of the best ways to cheaply travel as most people generally don’t charge you to crash on their couch as long as you can return the favor for them. This service also allows people to make friends quickly which can improve the way you see any given city. If couch surfing isn’t your idea of a good time then staying at a hostel is probably your cheapest bet. If you do want to stay in a hotel, which is better for families, try to look for one that is further away from tourist areas. This will allow you to save on a hotel as well as food.
4. Fresh Markets
While your out and about you might want to take advantage of the fresh markets that many foreign countries have. This is a great way to have a meal on the go that won’t cost you a whole lot of money. Most fresh markets will provide you with fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses and meats that will really give you the full experience of the country you are visiting. If you’re exploring the city try picking up some freshly baked bread or a nice piece of fruit to munch on while you walk to your next destination. Snacking like this in many cities is the best way to cut down on your food budget as most of the things you will be purchasing will only cost you mere cents. If your hotel has a place to cook you might want to grab some food for a later dinner, so you don’t have to eat at a restaurant every time you go out.
5. Transportation
Getting around abroad can be easier than you think. The cheapest way to get from one destination to the next, apart from walking, is to take public transportation. Usually, you can get a transit card for the day for very little money. This will allow you to commute from one area to the next just like the locals do. Most foreign places have a very good transit system, especially if you are visiting a city, so you won’t have to worry about wasting time waiting on buses to arrive. If you’re planning on staying in an area for a little while then you could also look into renting a bicycle. This will allow you to get around for cheaper and will give you a local experience you will love to talk about for years. When you’re abroad you should try to avoid taxis and rental cars because they will take over a lot of your budget. The best way to get around is to do what the locals are doing!
6. Pack Light
You might not realize it but packing light can help save you quite a bit of money. You don’t need a whole wardrobe when you go abroad and packing on can really hold you up when you’re traveling. For starters, bags that weight too much can actually force you to pay more fees at the airport when you go to check in. Heavier bags are also a lot harder to get onto buses and other forms of transportation that will get you to your resting destination. Not to mention, if you pack a full bad before you leave then you won’t have room for all of your souvenirs at the end of the trip. The best thing you can do is pack as little as possible. You can always do laundry while you’re abroad, so try to pack a bag that easy to carry and possibly might work as a carry on.
7. Airline
Choosing the right airline can be one of the most important choices when it comes to saving money on your trip abroad. Airline tickets generally seem to be where most people start when it comes to planning out their trip, of course, it is also where a lot of people stop. If you know how to look for the right airline you might not seem to think the price is too bad. For instance, a lot of airlines that are less popular will charge you less money to fly with them. You can also opt out of meal plans and other extras you know you won’t want on the plane. You should also look at less popular airlines when you fly too. If you plan on visiting more than one country on your trip then look into the various areas for the cheapest flight. While you’re abroad you will also find that is it much cheaper to fly from location to location. For instance, if you play your cards right you could get a flight from London to Dublin for only a pound! No matter what airline you choose you should always book your flight well in advance. This will give you a few extra savings to work with. Also, try to have someone drop you off at the airport so you don’t have to deal with parking fees!
8. Don’t Use Your Phone
With today’s world being so closely connected with social media it might be tough for people to actually turn off their phone and enjoy the vacation. Turning off your phone can be one of the most important things you do while you’re away though. Most cellphone companies don’t cover international use unless you have a specific plan, which can be expensive. This means that having your phone on can mean you’re racking up some major roaming cost. While you’re on vacation try to enjoy your time abroad without constantly talking to people on the phone. This will allow you to fully take in your surroundings without forcing you to pay a huge fee when you return from your trip. If you really need to get in touch with family then send them an email or post a social media status using wi-fi that can be found at many cafes.
9. Try the Special
When you go abroad try not to stick to your typical eating habits. One way to truly experience a country is to dine like the natives do, which might take a lot of courage on your part. An easy way of doing this is to eat the daily special at a restaurant you go to. Generally, the special tends to be something that is in season and that many people in the country will find to be comfort food. You might actually be surprised as to how much you will like some of the foreign dishes. The best thing is most of the time specials are about half of the price of a regular meal so you will get your fill for a whole lot less. If you can try to plan your meal time around lunch then you will save even more money and the food will help keep you full until you can buy something smaller for a later meal.
10. Free Sights
The best thing about going abroad is there are so many things you can see that won’t cost you a penny. For instance, if you’re traveling to Paris you can spend time in front of the Eiffel Tower for no cost at all. This will allow you to absorb the beautiful of the wonder as well as take in some French culture when you dine at the park next to it. You can still pay to go up into the Eiffel Tower, but it tends to be cramped and uncomfortable. You can also check out the Versailles Palace gardens for free, but they do charge you to go inside. In England you can go from museum to museum without paying a dime, which can take days to do. There are many other free things you can do abroad, so make sure you do your research before you plan your entertainment budget.
Everyone should have the chance to check out another country, but with a tight budget it might seem impossible. With these simple tips you too can finally have the vacation of your dreams without having to go broke doing it. You might even find something out about yourself that you never knew before, which will make the vacation well worth the cash involved.
Author: Chelsey McQuitty
