It might seem like travelling abroad is solely available to those who have money to spend, but there are plenty of ways to venture abroad on a budget without compromising on the satisfaction factor. By investing in some research, planning and creative thinking, there are a multitude of tips to save cash and experience a trip that you will remember forever.
Let’s look at how you can travel abroad on a budget.
Book Flights in Advance and Check Comparison Sites
It’s wise to book as far in advance as you possibly can as the later you book, the more expensive the airfare prices. Ideally, between three to nine months ahead of time is good to aim for.
Also do your research on comparison websites. These will offer different deals and prices on flights that typically aren’t available by going directly to the airline.
Be Flexible on Travel Date and Time
Travelling between a Tuesday and Thursday and overnight is generally cheaper and you can also save money by avoiding taking a direct flight if you’re heading long-distance. Flights where you have to change will take longer and might seem more hassle, but it can save you a good amount of money that you can allocate elsewhere!
Pack Light
Be extra vigilant with your packing to avoiding paying extra baggage costs.
Be Creative when Considering Accommodation
There are many ways to save money on accommodation. These can include checking comparison sites for package deals, which also have the advantage of managing your flights, transfers and accommodation in one booking.
For frequent travellers, utilising any forgotten hotel reward points can sometimes score you a free night here and there.
Hostels tend to get a bad reputation and you need to do your research! However, there are many hostels that are substantially cheaper than hotels and Airbnbs and offer a variety of room types (depending on your budget), decent facilities and are conveniently located. Hostels can be a great option if you’re simply looking for a base to rest and freshen up.
Some other ideas include considering home exchanges and house or pet-sitting, which is where you stay in a stranger’s home in return for taking care of their house or a pet. There are sites you can sign up for to find these and it can be a fantastic way to avoid spending on accommodation entirely!
Avoid Tourist Traps and Arranged Tours
When it comes to accommodation and eating out, try to avoid the big cities and tourist traps and instead, opt for those lesser-known destinations. You can often find some real hidden gems for a fraction of the cost and get a far richer, authentic experience of the place you’re travelling to!
Being creative helps one to travel on a budget Elsa. I like your tips.
Love this article! One of my promises for the new year was to take more trips abroad and one of my main concerns was the cost. I found this article super helpful in providing budget-friendly tips. The biggest takeaway is avoiding the “tourist traps.” It’s so easy to get blinded by the textbook list of places to see/travel but I’ve found that some of the best places to go are out of the way and less populated by tourists.