Traveling on a Budget: Best Tips if You’re Budget Traveling

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So many wishful travelers have this idea that you need to be rich to see the world. But travel really doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Yeah, I didn’t believe it either. Until I was able to travel in Europe for two months and then in Latin America for six weeks on a huge budget. There are affordable places all over the world you can travel to, and budget traveling allows you to save money towards a future trip! These are some of the things I have learned about traveling on a budget.

Don’t forget to check out my list of creative ways to save money on travel!

Research

Rule number one of traveling: Always do your research.

Rule number two of traveling: ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH.

No matter where you’re going, how long, or who you’re going with, it is so important you do your travel research ahead of time. Doing simple research before a trip can help immensely when it comes to traveling on a budget.

You can easily look up best places to visit while traveling on a budget and find affordable locations that appeal to your travel preferences. Take a look at the currency exchange rates if you’re traveling to another country or at locations where the cost of living is lower. You can also find cheap excursions and free sites to see in your chosen location, in addition to the most affordable accommodations.

Create a Travel Budget

Taking the time to create a thorough budget for your trip can save you money in the long run. After determining the max amount you are willing to spend, you can easily create a budget sheet in Excel or use the numerous free budgeting tools you can find online. There are even some online budgeting charts that are specifically designed for budget travel.

It is also wise to set aside an account specifically for travel emergencies. Whether big or small, emergencies can happen and it’s always good to be safe rather than sorry. I have had to dive into my own emergency account after being stranded in some airports or needed to book an extra accommodation for a night after missing a flight. You just never know.

Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time

Sometimes it really pays to plan ahead! Booking accommodations, flights, other transportation and excursions in advance can definitely help you save money. Flights tend to increase in price a month before the departure date and accommodations like hotels and hostels tend to be cheaper roughly three months in advance.

Cook Your Own Meals While Traveling on a Budget

This may not always be an option while traveling, but if you happen to be staying somewhere with a kitchen, you can save a lot by cooking your own meals. If you stay near a city center, there are always markets nearby. Exploring nearby supermarkets is also a great way to experience the local culture and allow you to get creative in the kitchen.

Buy Travel Insurance

Yes, travel insurance does have an initial expense but if something happens outside of your control and you need to cancel the trip, you’ll end up saving money in the end. I also recommend insuring expensive items you might travel with, such as laptops, tablets, jewelry, cameras, etc. I have a number of friends who had some expensive items either lost or stolen on their travels and they regretted not insuring them ahead of time.

Travel Credit Cards

Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to earn rewards and discounts that can be used toward travel. They can even help you get free nights at certain hotels and free flights. There are many different credit cards to choose from: general travel cards, airline cards, and hotel cards. When you spend money, you can earn points that you can save and spend on various travel perks.

Here’s a tip: this is especially helpful if you are planning a big event like a wedding or a reunion. I had a friend who opened a Delta credit card and a Chase Sapphire card before getting married and put every single wedding charge on these two cards. She ended up booking a two week honeymoon in Europe for practically free (including flights, hotels, and excursions) with all the points she earned on her cards!

Of course, make sure you are able to pay off your credit balance in a timely manner before opening a new card!

Walk as Much as You Can

Walking is by far the cheapest transportation option and it’s a great way to explore your new surroundings. This is typically what I opt to do when I travel. I will always try and book affordable accommodations as close to the city center as possible so I can easily walk to various destinations. It’s also an amazing form of exercise that allows you to get to know the city a bit better!

If you’re on the hunt for some comfy (and cute!) walking shoes here are two of my favorites: Reebok White Sneakers and this Poppy Barley heeled sandal.

And when walking isn’t an option, instead of paying for an expensive taxi I recommend…

Public Transport

A special shout out to my fellow Los Angeles natives, as taking public transportation is an insane concept for us. Living in Southern California for most of my life has made me reliant on my car, and I know this is the case for many living in cities where public transportation isn’t up to par. So when I started traveling, taking public transportation like trains, buses, and metros was completely out of my comfort zone. But I got the hang of it pretty quickly. And with modern smart phones, it has never been easier to check out public transport schedules and locations.

I have saved a ton of money in Europe and Latin America by taking public transportation. Some buses in Mexico cost me less than $2 USD ($40 Pesos) to go to amazing places like ancient temples, white sand beach, and historic towns. In Europe, it became so easy to hop on a bus or metro while exploring Italy, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. You can do and see so many things on a budget by utilizing cities’ public transportation, but be aware that some travel times may be a bit longer than the more expensive transport options.

Accommodations While Traveling on a Budget

Sometimes they say when traveling on a budget, you’ll have to sacrifice some of your comfort, but this isn’t always the case! When I search for rooms to stay in, I always look at the most affordable options in addition to the location. If you are close to the city center or public transportation then it might be smart to go ahead and book, as being that close to the center will already save you money in the long run. Just make sure you are always looking at safe locations! Remember rule number one.

My favorite website to use to find great priced accommodations is booking.com

Get a Local SIM Card

This is one that I wish I had known on my first two-month long Europe trip. My mobile carrier offered an international plan for $10 a day. When I initially booked my trip, I believed I would be traveling for no more than a month and signed up for the plan. Well, after constantly extending my trip and forgetting about my phone bill, I ended up with a total bill of more than $700. It was rookie mistake.

If you are traveling internationally for more than a week or so, I would recommend buying a local SIM card. You can buy them at any official internet provider store and an employee will help you replace your normal SIM card. I did this when I traveled in Latin America for more than a month and saved a ton of money.

Check out my guide to SIM cards here.

Travel During Off-Peak Times

This is a great budget travel tip I learned. When you travel in the most popular times of the year, prices are going to be much higher during high seasons and holidays. Not only are accommodations, transportation, and excursions significantly cheaper in the off-season, but you’ll also avoid the massive crowds that the high season brings. While not everyone gets lucky with the weather traveling during off-peak times, I, personally, have experienced decent weather more often than not on my travels.

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