Michaela Krajanova
Travelling the world on a budget is absolutely possible. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip:
- Plan your trip in advance. While travelling spontaneously is great if you have the luxury of time and money, it's best to come up with a rough plan if you're travelling on a budget. This will help you avoid unexpected spends on last-minute flights and accommodation.
- Travel out of season to avoid price hikes during school holidays. Research the best time to visit your destination and travel just before or after these dates.
- Be savvy with your accommodation. Trade expensive hotel suites for dorm rooms in hostels, or book a room in a local person's house through websites like Airbnb.
- Book flights in advance – especially return flights. Running out of money abroad without a guaranteed ticket home is never ideal.
- Fly midweek as midweek travel prices are lower than weekends.
- Embrace public transport – buses and trains are cheaper than planes.
- Cook your own meals instead of eating out for every meal. Shop at local supermarkets or fresh food markets.
- Earn while you travel – working holidays are a brilliant way to fund your travels.
What You'll Learn
Plan your route and budget in advance
Planning your route and budget in advance is essential when it comes to travelling the world on a budget. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare:
Research your destinations:
Start by making a list of the places you absolutely want to visit. Then, for each location, research the average cost of living, transportation, food, and accommodation. This will give you an idea of how expensive each place is and help you set a daily or weekly budget. Websites like Numbeo and Expatistan provide cost-of-living comparisons between different cities, which can be helpful in your research.
Decide on transportation:
Transportation costs can vary significantly depending on the region and mode of transport. Research the different options available, such as buses, trains, flights, or car rentals, and compare prices. Sometimes, buying a regional rail pass or booking flights in advance can save you money. Websites like Rome2rio and Skyscanner can help you compare transportation costs and find the best deals.
Choose the right time:
Travelling during the off-season can result in significant savings. Accommodation prices tend to drop, and you may find better deals overall. However, keep in mind that some attractions or businesses may be closed during the off-season, so it's essential to strike a balance between cost and availability.
Create a daily or weekly budget:
Based on your research, decide on a realistic daily or weekly budget that covers all your expenses, including food, accommodation, transportation, and activities. This budget will help you stay on track and ensure you don't overspend. It's always a good idea to have a little
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Travel off-season
Travelling off-season is a great way to save money. You'll find that prices for flights and accommodation are much lower during this time, as it's outside of the school holidays. This is called the 'shoulder season', where you'll still have a great trip, but the sun might not shine quite as brightly.
If you're looking for a bargain, it's worth researching the best time to visit your intended destination, and then travelling just before or after these dates. You'll still have a fantastic trip, but it will cost you a lot less.
Travelling off-season is also a great way to avoid the crowds. You'll find that popular tourist destinations are much quieter during this time, giving you more space to explore and enjoy your trip.
So, if you're looking to save money on your travels, consider travelling off-season. It's a great way to experience a new place on a budget, and you might even find that you prefer it to peak season!
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Stay in hostels or with locals
Staying in hostels or with locals is a great way to save money when travelling. Hostels are a much cheaper option than hotels, resorts or rental homes, with some hostel beds costing just a few dollars per night. They also offer a more authentic experience, with a backpacker atmosphere and the opportunity to meet other travellers.
Hostelworld is the biggest site for finding hostels, but there are other sites to check out, too. When looking for a hostel, it's worth paying attention to the overall rating, the 'Atmosphere' rating, and the filters. For example, you can filter for hostels with secure lockers. It's also worth checking how the hostel markets itself – if it mentions 'daily bar crawls', it's probably aimed at younger, wilder audiences.
If you're looking for a quieter, more personal experience, you could try staying with locals. This is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and get to know how people live in your destination. Homestay.com, for example, lets you pay to stay with a local person who will host you.
Other sites that connect travellers with locals who are willing to provide free accommodation include Couchsurfing and Servas. With Couchsurfing, it's worth checking that your host has a picture and a filled-out profile, and that they are active on the site.
If you're looking for a home-away-from-home experience, you could try a short-term vacation rental on AirBnB. These are ideal if you're planning to spend a week or more in one place, and they often work out cheaper than hostels if you're travelling as a couple or a group.
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Cook your own meals
One of the best ways to save money while travelling is to cook your own meals. Eating out for every meal can be expensive, especially if you're travelling in a group. Here are some tips for cooking your own meals while travelling:
- Stay in accommodation with a kitchen: If you're staying in a hostel, book a room with access to a kitchen. Airbnb and Couchsurfing hosts often have kitchens that you can use as well.
- Shop at local supermarkets: Buy groceries from local supermarkets or markets to save money on food. In some places, you may even be able to find discounted food at the end of the day.
- Pack your own containers and cutlery: If you don't have access to a kitchen, you can still make sandwiches and salads on the go. Not every meal requires cooking!
- Plan ahead: Research local food prices and plan your meals in advance to stick to your budget.
- Be flexible: You may not always have access to a kitchen, so be prepared to adapt. Consider buying food that doesn't require cooking, such as sandwiches, salads, or ready-to-eat meals from supermarkets or street vendors.
- Socialise: Cooking your own meals doesn't have to be a solitary activity. Invite your fellow travellers or hostel mates to join you for a communal meal. It's a great way to socialise and save money at the same time!
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Embrace public transport
Buses and trains are cheaper than planes. It’s that simple! A journey on an overnight train also means you have one less night in a hostel to pay for.
If you’re travelling somewhere that is considered to be expensive, there are top tips for travelling on a budget. From things to do in Vienna on a budget to free things to do in London, as well as cheap things to do in Copenhagen, there are definitely plenty of ways to go backpacking in Europe on a budget. There are even ways to save money when travelling in Australia, and budget travel tips for New Zealand!
- Research in advance: If you’re able to, it’s worth researching public transport options before you travel. This will help you understand the different options available to you, and how much they cost.
- Buy tickets in advance: In many places, you can save money by buying public transport tickets in advance. This is especially true for trains, where you can often get cheaper ‘advance’ tickets.
- Consider travel cards: If you’re going to be using public transport a lot, it might be worth getting a travel card. These often offer discounted rates compared to buying single tickets.
- Walk: Sometimes, the best way to get around is simply to walk! It’s free, and it’s a great way to see a place.
- Rent a bike: If walking isn’t an option, renting a bike can be a cheap and fun way to get around.
Public transport is a great way to save money when you’re travelling. It can also be a fun way to experience a place, and you might even get to meet some locals!
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Frequently asked questions
Research the average costs of transport, accommodation, food and other expenses like entry fees for the places you want to visit. If you're on a tight budget, travelling to one of the cheapest countries will make your life much easier.
Search for flights in incognito mode on your web browser and be flexible with your travel dates. Airlines often offer cheaper flights on Tuesdays, for instance.
Decide what you really need and what you can live without. Pick a few places you're desperate to try out and make a budget for them. The rest of the time, you can cook your own meals.
Trade expensive hotel suites for dorm rooms in hostels. Sharing a room naturally divides the costs and communal bunk rooms offer the opportunity to meet people who might be keen to explore with you.
