Did you know that no matter your budget or income, you can still travel to explore new and exotic places on a budget? It may seem untrue because of the perceived cost of travelling, from visa application, flight fee, accommodation, feeding, etc. However, in this article, we will share practical tips on how to travel on a budget and still have the most experience.

What Is Budget Travelling?

For some people, budget travel might not be what they are looking for because of their financial stance. They can simply afford all the expenses that come with visiting their favorite Islands, tourist centers, new cities, etc.

While others on the other hand do wish to have the same experience, however, do not have the financial capacity to fund these wishes.

Hence, travelling on a budget means being able to visit your favorite destination without breaking the bank. It is to go on vacations, enjoy popular tourist centers and lodge in elite hotels without digging a hole in the pockets.

If you are a travel enthusiast but have not been able to live the dreams of travelling the world due to financial constraints, then we’ve got you!

In the next paragraphs, we will share insightful tips on how to travel on a budget and still have memorable experiences without splurging.

Also Read: Business You Can Start With No Money

How To Travel On A Budget

In the following paragraphs, we will share step by step guide on how to travel on a budget. It is noteworthy that this is not in any way financial advice. To make a more financial decision, we advise you to speak to an expert for guidelines. 

So here is how to travel on a budget if you are trying to save money:

Plan Early

If you want to achieve your goal of travelling on a budget, it is important to plan early. Planning early allows you to compare and contrast the best prices and choose the ones that best fit your budget.

Planning early also gives you an insight into the total cost of your desired destination and the portion of your income to set aside for the trip.

Another reason planning early is one of the great ways to achieve budget travel is that it allows you to build rapport with agents and tour guides. You do not want to make dire minute plans or fall victim to paying for express services because you want to travel urgently.

To avoid this, it is imperative to start the planning process as early as possible to avoid excess charges due to urgency.

Engage In Out Of Season Travel

Another best way to enjoy budget travel is to travel when others are not travelling. While travelling in season may be fun and exciting because of the opportunity to meet new people, it is, however, harmful to your finances as a budget traveler. 

The reason for travelling out of season is to find cheaper flights and hotels because, by this time, it is assumed that airlines are less busy and hotels are likely to empty or receive fewer guests. So this is the best time to move your travel plans from your notepad and make it a reality.

Travel seasons to avoid having the best budget travel experience are summer, Christmas, new years, Easter and any other festive periods.

If you are a working professional who wishes to travel, you can take your leave during March, September, October, etc. These are the periods with no holiday activities that will attract people to your destination.

Book Flights In Advance

This is one of the parts of planning early. When you book your flights in advance, it allows you to pay a moderate fee instead of paying outrageous amounts during seasons. You can contact booking agencies like bookings.com to process your flights or do it yourself if you are familiar with the flight requirements.

Booking in advance also allows you to save money, time and energy and it offers more options to choose from compared to booking at a dire minute.

Pack Properly

Staying organized during your trip is very imperative. To ensure that you do not leave your essential items like documents and visas, you should start packing early and properly. You can make a list of the essentials you will be needing and tick them off as you pack. This way, you stay organized and arranged before taking off at the airport.

Leverage Group Travels

Travelling solo might allow you to truly connect with yourself during the period of the trip, however, to save money and achieve the goal of budget travel, it is important to join a group travelling and split the travel bills.

For example, some companies like ZeeTravels offer shared travel plans for individuals who may not be able to travel on their own. This is one of the best opportunities to consider if your goal is to save money while visiting your favorite city.

Use Public Transports

When you land at your destination, it is financially unwise to use ride-hailing services when you are trying to save money. This will cost you a lot and may cause anxiety. You do not want to be under unnecessary stress while on vacation. You want to reduce expenses as much as possible and still have the best time of your life.

To avoid this, it is paramount to use public transport as a means of transportation to get to your hotel and other interesting places you would like to visit while on your vacation.

To make this easier, you can study the location on Google Maps and familiarize yourself with the different routes and the duration it takes to move from point one to point two. You can also make enquiries from the locals on how to move around in the city.

Remember the goal is to have the best experience with the lowest budget spent, so stick to the plan and use public transport while on the trip.

Leverage Online Bookings To Find Cheap Accommodation

One of the things that travelers spend money on is accommodation as hotels can be very expensive depending on the city. To curb this, it is imperative to find cheap and affordable hotels online via booking platforms. These platforms are the best fit to find accommodation that fits your budget and the city you wish to stay. Some offer shared apartments while others are best at sourcing for cheap hotels. Whether it is a shared apartment or a hotel, the idea is to find something for your budget on the platforms.

Earn While Travelling

If you are into tech, crypto, freelance writing or any other online business, then there is a huge potential for making money even while travelling. You can travel as a nomad, still carrying out your day-to-day tasks while enjoying the waterfronts of your favorite island.

However, if you are not in any of the aforementioned industries and still want to make money off your travelling, then you can create a YouTube channel, or a blog to document your experiences, guide others on how to travel on a budget and earn a fee for it.

Conclusion

Budget travel is essential for newbie travelers looking to build their travel history and also for travel enthusiasts who wish to live their travel fantasies without breaking the bank. We hope that these tips on how to travel on a budget are insightful and useful. Do you have any other tips you wish to add? Share with us in the comment below.