HappyLifestyleJournal
Are you letting your limited budget stop you from travelling? Do you know that you can both travel (and enjoy yourself) and save some money as well? All you need is good organization, and some pre-thinking. Yes, you can actually go to some of the destination you’ve always wanted to go without spending all the money from your bank account. You think that it’s impossible? Well, read on and be convinced that it’s not.
Namely, when you travel, you have to think about the expenses on the way, the food, the accommodation, the attractions… When you add it all up, it can turn out to be pretty expensive, and sometimes even unaffordable. However…
1. Plan in advance
Last minute trips tend to be more expensive than you’d like to pay. But if you plan your trip and buy plane tickets in advance, it will come off much cheaper. There are various websites that offer travel discounts which charge around 5 dollars for their service, but save much more of your money and usually give you a great deal. Also, you don’t always have to go from point A to point B only with one flight. Yes, changing flights can be a little tedious, but it can save you a lot of money. When it comes to airlines, it is also important to think in advance how much stuff you’re going to bring, because they charge extra in case you have 2 or more bags. Travel light, and you’ll save money. That doesn’t mean that you should bring a couple of shirts, and go without enough clothes. You could pack some light clothes which are not as heavy, and then later, if there is a need for that, you could wear layers of clothes. Finally, buying a two-way plane ticket is much cheaper than buying a one-way one. Because of that, in order to save money, go back to the same airport where you landed.
2. Be careful about the currency
When you travel to a different country, you may be faced with another currency. Before you go on your trip, check the currencies online or with a trusted source, and when you land find the exchange office which offers the best deal. Don’t go to the exchange offices which offer a bad deal, as that way you’ll lose a lot of money for nothing.
3. Save on car rentals
If you have a child and you think about carrying a car seat, think twice. As airlines charge for any extra luggage, it may come off cheaper to rent one with the car. Search the internet and try to find coupon codes that y can use to get a discount at a car rental company. Also, if you don’t have children and don’t have a lot of luggage, chose a small car, as it will be cheaper to rent and those cars usually use less gas than the large ones.
4. Eat in your accommodation
The cheapest option when it comes to food on your travels is to make a meal at home and then go out and explore. If you’re trying to save some money, it would be great if you had an accommodation where you could cook for yourself. It doesn’t have to be boring, especially if you’re doing it with someone you care about. Eating at hotels and fancy restaurants can be pretty expensive, so try to do that only in special occasions, if you don’t have money to throw around.
5. If you’re planning to go to a fancy restaurant…
You should know that at fancy restaurants, dinners are much more expensive than lunches. Therefore, it would cost you less if you went out for lunch and ate dinner at your accommodation. Street food can also be amazing, and pretty cheap.
6. Search for discounts for public transportation
If you’re going to a European country, there are some multi-trip discounts you can use that will cost you much less than buying a ticket for each individual trip. Those passes allow you to travel for three days without any limits and they are completely worth your money if you’re planning to explore the city you’re in. Public transportation is also much cheaper than a taxi, and you’re probably aware of that fact. For a price of one taxi ride, you could probably buy 3 or 4 subway or bus tickets.
7. Find cheaper accommodation
If you’re going to a big city, it might be cheaper to find accommodation in the neighboring town, and it can even pay off if you travel by public transportation from there to the city. One 15-20 minute bus ride could save you tons of money. Also, vacation homes and private accommodations are often much cheaper than hotels, and sometimes they are even better and more comfortable. Do your research, either over the internet or the phone, and make sure you’re getting the best deal.
8. Save on shopping
Of course, when you’re traveling, you’re going to buy something for yourself and your loved ones. In some countries you can get tax refunds, simply by filling out some forms. If you’re buying a lot of things, that can save you a lot of money. Find out as much as you can about the place you’re going to and make sure you have a great time without emptying your bank account.
