If you are itching to hit the road again but is being held back by budget concerns, think again. Not every international trip needs a large expenditure. With the right level of planning and some effective tips, you can easily travel around on a limited budget. From choosing the season for travel to hotel booking and eating, a few right steps will help you to save money on each of these aspects. So here are a few tips that we have compiled to help you plan a budget trip.
The right planning
To travel on a budget, the right level of planning is essential. Spontaneous trips are exciting but they will surely cost you more money. Last minute travel bookings usually come at a much higher price. You need to do some research on the time you will be sending in each location, choose the best options for staying and plan the best route for optimising expenses. The right level of planning also ensures that you do not leave much to chance.
Plan for an off-season trip
Keep in mind that all aspects of travel including accommodations, transport and even food will be available at a much cheaper rate in an off-season. Apart from the discounted rates, you will also find crowded places relatively empty during this period. This will enable you to spend more time in the best spots, experience the local cultures more intimately and also enjoy the best cuisine. You will also find the weather not entirely hostile during the off-season.
The choice of accommodation
Accommodation is one of the most expensive aspects of travel and choosing it wisely can reduce your overall budget by a lot. You can opt for dorm rooms that come at much lower costs or choose a local home for spending a night. Choosing a local home will also ensure an authentic feel of the local culture and getting effective tips for the best uncommon tourist spots and eateries. You will need to sacrifice some of the comfort factors but travelling on a budget has its own share of fun.
Choose local transport
Renting a car is hassle-free, but it is also expensive. On the other hand, choosing local means of public transport can be one of the best ways to cut down the costs. If you are staying in a city for a longer duration try buying a travel card. At times, hiring a bicycle or taking a walk is also a good option for saving costs. These can help you to explore a city from close quarters and also provide excellent opportunities for photography.
Pick the best flight timings
Flying on off days may sound simple but it can help you save a significant amount of flight costs. For international flights, try to book an onward journey on Tuesday or Wednesday and a return trip on a Monday or Tuesday. In general, midweek travel prices are lower than those on the weekends. You can make use of the “Discover” feature on google flights to find about the best deals in your trip route. Check out the discount offerings that are often provided by various airlines for getting the best deals.
Eat wisely
Choosing cheap lunches at a local eatery or a food market can be a good option instead of selecting expensive restaurants. Consuming hard drinks with every meal will also have an effect on your wallet so try to restrict heading towards the bar. It is best to explore a place and find the best option for eating local dishes which are much cheaper than international delicacies. That way you will also be able to check out some of the best local delicacies.
Interact actively
In order to negotiate the best deals for hotels, try face-to-face interactions with a friendly and kind tone. This will increase your chances of getting the room upgrades or the pecial requests approved. Interacting with the locals will also help you to get the right advice or find the relatively cheaper places for enjoying a meal.
So while planning your next trip, keep these tips in mind to enjoy a pocket-friendly holiday.
