My number one favorite things to do in the world is travel. I can’t get over how much I enjoy seeing the sights, trying new things, and experiencing other cultures. Last year, I made it to 6 countries, 12 states in the US, and traveled over 35,000 miles; all on a shoestring budget.
According to common belief: Travel is too expensive! 1) That’s a limiting belief (more on that in a future post) and 2) Not all travel is expensive.
It drives me absolutely crazy when I hear about people going into debt to take a vacation! You should never go into debt for travel; especially because you don’t have to! If travel is in your future for 2019 then keep reading below for my top Budget Travel Tips!
Getting There Tips
Don’t care where you go. If you just want to travel for a good price but are open to different locations you can score a great deal. Sign up for a mailing list for flight deals and if a good deal comes up then take advantage of it.
Watch for deals on the flight you need. Put in a price watch alert on a flight you are eyeing. Google’s flights search feature has a great price tracking feature.
Rack up some travel points. Get a credit card with travel rewards, use it but always pay it off, and accumulate the benefits! *only if you pay your card off in full each month.
Consider alternate airports. Flying in or out of an airport nearby can offer a surprising discount. For example, JAX (30 mins away) can be way more expensive than flying out of MCO (2 hours away). Also, when flying to more remote areas it is almost always cheaper to fly into a major city and then take a bus.
Win your trip. I know this is not always an option but you have to play to win. Enter some giveaways and possibly get lucky. One time I won an all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywood!
General Tips
Travel to cheap countries. Number 1 on my travel wish list this year: Thailand. It’s not uncommon for budget travelers to spend $25/a day or less in “budget” destinations.
Enjoy free attractions and sights. Many parks, self-guided or walking tours, museums, viewing architecture, and other activities are free or you can find low-cost options. Enjoying free activities is one of the best budget friendly travel tips!
Always be clear on the price. Whether its a taxi ride, a drink at a bar, souvenir at a market, or a meal at a restaurant make sure you are clear on the price or you could end up with an unpleasant surprise.
Be careful with adders and fees. Checked bag fee, bags on a bus fee, “tourist” fee, resort fee, gratuity fee… be sure to read the fine print and know what you are getting into before you commit.
Hoof it. Trying to budget travel? Get out there and walk around. You will see so much more then you could ever imagine. 2 years ago we took a trip to DC and walked ALL OVER town! We saw so much more than we planned and had an awesome time.
Don’t exchange money at the airport.
Talk to locals. Make a local friend or go to a meet up and ask about their favorite restaurants or their favorite places to go.
Accommodation Tips
Visit your friends! Although Japan is not considered a “cheap” country to travel to, I went this past year (2018) to visit my friend and meet her husband and baby! Since I was able to stay in their beautiful home it made this trip not only possible but affordable.
Travel during the off-season. The off-season can offer some serious budget travel discounts. One of my favorite times to travel in Europe also happens to be the off-season. I love to go in late November. The weather is not always the best but the prices are low and the Christmas decorations start to come out.
Take up backpacking and camping. Although there are upfront costs for gear, you really get your money’s worth when you treck amazing locations.
Stay in budget accommodations. You can camp, #vanlife it, stay in a hostel, budget hotel, Airbnb, Couchsurf, or stay with a friend. The options are endless but the point is you don’t need a lux resort to have an amazing experience.
Meal Tips
Go grocery shopping. Get snacks, sandwich supplies, and local items from the grocery store. Trust me, you can have a “culinary experience” without eating out every meal. Some of the best cheese I ever had was from a grocery store in the Netherlands!
Pack airplane snacks. Airport food can be expensive and usually unhealthy. Pack yourself some sacks in case hunger strikes or there is a delay in travel plans. Having a bit of food can be not only comforting but also budget friendly.
Pack a picnic. Pick up a pack of crackers, some cheese, and a bottle of wine and go sit in the lawn overlooking say the Effile Tower. Pack up some sandwiches and sit out by a harbor or canal and watch the boats go by. A picnic can be an amazing experience while traveling.
Don’t eat at touristy locations. Eat like a local, where the locals eat at. Not only do you save money, but you also get to experience new foods and culture.
Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Drink local. Buy alcohol at the store and not the restaurant. If you’re having a drink at a bar or restaurant try a local brew.
Safety and Health Tips
Always pack a first-aid kit. In an emergency or in a time of discomfort you will be willing to pay a premium for whatever is you need. If you are prepared then you will be much less likely to pay an obscene amount of money for a 2 pack of Peptobismal tablets.
Be cautious of unmarked taxis. If the taxi is unmarked (and it’s not an Uber or Lyft type of service) or there is no meter running than you could be getting ripped off. Be cautious and stay safe.
Divide up your money. When you have cash on your person, stash it in different places in case of robbery. Some people even go as far as to have a decoy wallet. Although I hope to never have to use it, I always stash some cash in the sole of my shoe when traveling.
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Hi, I'm Mindy and welcome to BudgetByDesign.com! I believe in living your best life with intention and by your own design. With a passion for life and a knack for finance, I bring you my ideas, tips, and tricks for budgeting, saving, making more money, and organization. 