Planning a trip abroad can leave you stunned at how much money it may take just to enjoy your trip. Whether you’re planning to backpack through Europe before heading to college, celebrating your honeymoon in the Caribbean or you simply want to explore your roots, there’s a few great tips that will help you get more out of your vacation for less money. Although looking at vacation plans may make it seem like your trip is impossible on a budget, you should find that there’s many corners that can be cut that will make it absolutely affordable. So, find your favorite knapsack and get ready to see some amazing things while you keep your budget flourishing.
1. Fly Wisely
Your heart may sink the first time you look at plane tickets for your destination of choice. Typically, tickets are in the four figure range, which isn’t exactly a pleasing number when you’re just starting out your vacation plans. There are a few ways to lower the number though. For starters, always make sure to shop around and talk to a travel agent. You may be surprised as to the difference in price you find when you do this. However, after doing a little research, make sure to clear your cookies so you can find the same deal again. Also, if you have time to book ahead, make sure to do so at least 6 months in advance. If possible, book at the end of summer to get more savings than expected. Planning is also a key factor in the flying experience. Try to book your plane ticket for a Wednesday departure and return on a Tuesday. You may also want to be open to alternative routes. This will find you some extraordinary deals. Last but not least, take the layover. It will actually allow you to get a bit more out of your traveling experience as you may get some time to check out an area you may not have otherwise seen.
2. Talk To a Travel Agent
In today’s day and age, talking to a travel agent isn’t always the most convenient way to do things. After all, most people are connected to the internet which allows you to connect to numerous websites that seem like amazing deals. However, travel agents are often privy to deals that you can’t find online. With a few calls they can probably find you the best deal possible, with little to no effort on your end. This is especially great if you plan on traveling abroad. The travel agent can get the ball rolling on your passport details as well as find out about any VISA information you may need to travel. They can also offer basic language and custom guides as well as secure you a hotel room so you won’t have to worry about anything but packing light!
3. Alternative Accommodations
Hotels can be luxurious and comforting, but at the same time, they’re also quite expensive. This is especially true when you factor in the currency rates which aren’t always going to be in your favor. Instead of immediately booking a hotel, you may want to try out some hostel options in the area in which you’re traveling. Luckily, thanks to many review sites you can log in and make sure it is a location you will be comfortable in. Hostels usually cost next to nothing so, if you plan on only staying for a few hours to catch some sleep and shower, then you’re in the right place. However, if you’re looking for a longer stay or a more authentic experience then you may want to consider renting out a room in someone’s home for a night. Many websites offer this service and will ensure you get a nice family setting which will give you a better taste of the culture. You can also rent out someone’s home, which is perfect for family’s that plan on staying in one location for a few nights. Finally, you can plan on camping out in many areas. With a simple light weight tent, you’ll be set to make sure your backpack experience is unforgettable and frugal.
4. Withdraw Currency
One of the worst things about traveling abroad is the fees that seem to follow you around everywhere. If you plan on using your credit or debit card while you’re abroad then you may be looking at hundreds of dollars in fees by the time you get home. So, instead of taking the plastic along as your primary funding source, you may want to pull out some cash. If you’re going to only one location then you can pull out the proper currency in your own bank. Make sure you have somewhere secure to keep the money and you should be set for the trip. Of course, if you’re going to be visiting a few different places, then you have a few options to consider. You can still withdraw the money from your bank, but take some time to budget so you’ll know just how much currency you’ll need for each country. You can also pull out the cash you need and exchange it for currency every time you enter a new country. There’s readily available booths that will provide you with an easy way to do so upon arrival. Remember, you may end up losing money via the exchange as currency values range based on their economy.
5. Look For Discounts
Even though you’re not on the home front anymore, you still may be able to find some discounts to help you make your trip a dream come true. You should start looking for discounts before you leave the country. Try to look for help with your travel company, as they often offer discounts for military members, senior citizen, the disabled and some members of clubs or organizations. This is also true if you need to buy special clothing or equipment before you go backpacking. You may even be able to find some deals on currency exchanges or credit card wavers if you are a member of certain banks. Of course, one of the biggest ways to save while abroad is to wave your student ID. Some places will recognize any student ID, but you may need to get an international student card if you plan on saving big time throughout the trip. You can use this for hotels, hostels, food, clothing and just about anything else you can think of!
6. Travel Like the Locals
If you want to get more out of your experience you can easily travel like the locals, which will save on some money too. This may mean doing a whole lot of walking on your end, but it’ll be worth it to get the full experience. Many cities also offer rental bikes which are great for longer distances or rides by the beach. You may even feel a lot healthier by the end of the trip which is certain to make your time away even more worthwhile. Of course, this also may mean you’ll want to buy a transit pass if you’re going to be in the area for an entire day or longer. These passes allow you to hop on the bus whenever you feel like it which will make seeing all the sights a breeze. Buses will save you a fortune in comparison to taxis too which is definitely a bright side to the entire experience. Another option to use is trains, which can help you get to destinations that are further away. You may even prefer the fun ride to paying extra for a plane ticket to go between countries.
7. Get Traveler’s Insurance
One thing you shouldn’t leave the country without is traveler’s insurance. This insurance can come in handy if a wide number of things go wrong and isn’t so expensive that it will leave you reconsidering the entire trip. One of the things this insurance will help you with is any ailments or injuries that happen abroad. Some countries won’t offer medical care without proof of insurance which can be a real problem if you’re in pain and your regular insurance says they don’t cover out of country claims. Another problem that traveler’s insurance can help with are rescheduled flights that leave you in a big bind. Loss of passport, stolen luggage and other vacation destroying experiences can also be remedied by making this little purchase before you step foot on the plane.
8. Eat Like the Locals
If you’re not careful, your food budget could skyrocket while you’re abroad. Often, the restaurants marketed towards tourists are over-priced which means you’ll end up paying way more than you should. Instead of hanging out in the tourist haven, try to strike up a conversation with a local to see where they like to eat on an average occasion out. If you don’t trust asking other people then power up your smartphone and use restaurant review sites to pick a location. Here, you will be able to see most menus and prices which makes it a breeze to compare prices to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Of course, you’ll also be able to see top picks so you find a place that is unique to the area without risking wasting your money. Of course, if you’re really looking to save some money then check out a local grocery store and buy items you can make in your hotel. It may open your eyes to some of the customs of the other country and will show you how different/similar the shopping process is.
9. Look for Freebies
The key to saving money on your trip is to look for items to do that won’t cost you a dime. Luckily, most countries have plenty of free activities to choose from so it shouldn’t take you long to pick up an itinerary for each location. One of the most common freebies abroad, especially in Great Britain and Europe, is museums and historical landmarks. You can easily step into an art museum and enjoy generations of art for nothing at all. Some locations will even allow you to check out castles or palaces at no cost. This is a great outing for history buffs or anyone looking to be blown away by art and architecture. You should also look for free places to swim or hangout. Beaches and lakes are some of the more popular freebies to enjoy. With all of these items on your to-do list, you shouldn’t have a whole lot of down time to play around with.
10. Set the Budget
No matter what you choose to do or where you choose to go, sitting down and coming up with a budget is the best way to ensure your vacation is going to be affordable. Try looking around on the internet to see the average costs of food, water, hotels and activities and then allot the higher amount of money to be safe. You should also budget in currency rates with a little room to grow as these rates can change daily. When you’ve got your budget set then set out budgets for each even that will require money. You can even put them in envelopes so you know what belongs where. This will ensure you can maintain your plans and won’t be tempted to go overboard on items like souvenirs or food that’s a bit of a splurge. It will also allow you to add a cushion to your other spending areas if you don’t spend everything you’d allotted for one area of the vacation!
Traveling abroad can be a great way to emerge yourself in culture and have a good time! With these ten tips you should be able to enjoy your holiday without spending a small fortune! With the budget off your mind you should be able to have a blast without thinking about over-spending.
