How To Stretch Your Travel Budget

If you’ve been planning your vacation for a long time you may have saved up some travel money already. Some of us may have managed to save to pay for the initial flights or the vacation its self but still need to save some spending money. You’re going to want to make sure your money stretches through your entire vacation. The worse thing is having money determine what you can and cannot afford to do. In this article, we’ve come up with a number of ways on how to stretch your travel budget so you can make the most of your money.

Save on flights

When you decide to go away on vacation or travelling look at booking your flights at least 6 months in advance. you can sign up to airline newsletters or even lookout for deals on social media sites. Travelling mid-week can also be cheaper than going on a Monday or a Friday. If your finding a non-stop flight expensive it may be cheaper to look for an indirect flight. These are flights with a stopover however if your looking to stay overflights may be expensive the following day. There are many apps that notify you when flight tickets are at their lowest price for some recommendations read our blog on The best travel apps for 2020.

Travel overland

Ever felt like getting on your bike or motorbike snd travelling through Europe or through the U.S.A? there’s nothing better than travelling through these wonderful landscapes on these modes of transport. If you don’t find your self as the active type you can always travel by train or coach stopping off at historical sites or monuments. This may not be your idea of comfort but it most definitely the cheapest way to see the world.

Travel at night

Travelling at night can save you money in many ways. firstly not many passengers want to travel at night making this option a lot cheaper. Secondly, you can save money on accommodation. Night trains and red-eye flights can be the cheapest option when it comes to travelling from place to place. You can even get some sleep which isn’t such a bad idea.

Avoid hotels

Many of us tend to stay in hotels when going on vacation. There are many alternatives such as hostels and family-run b&b’s. Not only can these save you money but they can also help support local businesses and even the local economy. If your travelling for a couple of days you’ll want to spend most of your time outside exploring so this is a great way to save on accommodation you’ll only sleep in.

Another great idea is to book an apartment or condo if you’re travelling as part of a group but make sure you plan ahead.

Planning on travelling long term? why not try couch surfing this enables you to stay for free at a local’s place. You can pay this back by hosting a traveller in your home country.

Keep track of spending

Writing down everything your spending on can be a great way to save money. Bring a note pad or even on your phone jot down everything from accommodation to food so you know where your money is actually going and you can cut down. Many travellers tend to spend their money on shopping beware of overspending on items you don’t really need.

Try local food

Most travel funds tend to be spent on food. There are many ways in which you can eat well without breaking the bank. If you see a place that is full or busy then its likely to be good food as well as cheap. You can ask the locals for their advice on cheap foods places they can recommend as they tend to know the best. Not only is the local delicacy going to cheaper its also a great part of the travel experience.

Use Public Transport

There are many ways in which you can get around. Many travellers tend to get cabs everywhere as its the easiest options but it doesn’t have to be the only. Try to avoid cabs especially when you leave the airport. Buses and trains tend to be readily available especially in big cities. If you book beforehand and do a little research you could save some money. If you’re staying for a couple of days you may want to look into multi trips for the trains and buses as this can also save money. Some cities also have bikes you can hire per hour if you not travelling far ask locals for directions and take in the view on the way.

Don’t be afraid to haggle

If your willing to bargain for your good you can get a discount on anything such as food, shopping and even transportation. Some small hotels may give you a free upgrade or even a free night. When I travel I tend to ask for free breakfast, you can go out for breakfast but in many of these guesthouses, nothing beats a warm cooked breakfast.

Enjoyed our blog on how to stretch your travel budget? Why not read our blog on staying save while travelling.