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Too often, people feel like they have to spend a tremendous amount of money if they want to go on vacation. Even though it is true that traveling can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to save money. Budget travel is possible, and there are plenty of travel tips you can follow if you want to save money on the price of your next vacation as well. Regardless of whether you are thinking about traveling to Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, or even backpacking in South America, there are plenty of ways you can save money. Take a look at some of the top hacks below, and see if you can save a lot of money during your next trip! You can follow a few of these budget travel tips to cross several locations off of your bucket list!
Plan Early and Book in Advance
Without a doubt, one of the most important tips you need to follow is that you should plan early and book in advance. Booking flights will get more expensive if you wait until the last minute, so you should try to stay away from last minute travel when you can. Cheap flights and hotel rooms are often available if you plan your trip early. You might even be able to get a low-cost trip to Mexico.
Even though it is possible that you might be able to score last minute deals, these are not always available. The local market will typically dictate that prices will get more expensive the longer you wait. If you want to get the most out of your travel budget, you should try to plan your travel experience as early as possible. This is even important if you are traveling to some of the less expensive Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.
Get the Right Credit Cards
There are a lot of people who believe that credit cards are meant for things that they want to purchase now but cannot pay for in full. In reality, you should try to pay off your credit card statement in full at the end of the month to avoid paying interest rates. Furthermore, you can take advantage of some amazing travel rewards if you pick the right credit cards. For example, there are amazing rewards that are available if you decide to sign up for the Chase Sapphire reward program. There are multiple levels of this program, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Even though these cards do have annual fees, they give you access to amazing travel rewards that make it worth it.
Furthermore, there is a significant sign up bonus that is available. Even though the bonus can change from time to time, it could be enough for a free plane ticket internationally. For example, you might be able to book a flight to Iceland, the Caribbean, or even New Zealand. Furthermore, many of these rewards will give you access to amazing airport lounges that you can take advantage of during your trip. If you have been waiting for that amazing trip to Central America or Eastern Europe, you might want to use the right credit card to help you. You can take your points from the grocery store and convert them to travel dollars that can help you pay for your next flight or hotel room.
Consider Driving During Your Trip: Cars and Public Transport
For a lot of people, flying is the most expensive part of the trip. Fortunately, you do not necessarily have to fly at all. You may want to take a road trip to your favorite destination instead. Airfare can be thousands of dollars, so you may want to consider driving to save money. For example, if you are planning a trip to Disney World, you may not want to fly to Orlando. Instead, you may want to drive. You can take the interstate down I-95 until you reach Florida.
There are plenty of other advantages that come with driving as well. During the road trip, you may see a few interesting cafes you want to check out. If you are on a plane, you cannot ask the pilot to pull over because you saw something interesting. On the other hand, if you are driving, you have the flexibility needed to take advantage of these amazing locations.
Driving can also make for a more leisurely adventure. There are a lot of people who get innately stressed out when they arrive at the airport. You never know if your flight is going to be delayed, and you are worried that something could happen along the way. If you want to avoid this type of stress, then you may want to consider driving instead. This is a great way to save money while also working some flexibility into your trip. You might even want to sign up for free walking tours to save even more money.
Go During the Off-Season
Another way to save money during your trip is to go during the off-season. Using the Disney World example from above, the theme parks are busiest during the summer. Therefore, it might be a better idea for you to go during the winter. Prices can be significantly less expensive, and this gives you more money to spend when you get there. If you have a wifi connection, simply take a look at a few price charts to figure out when to go. You may need to go a bit off the beaten path, but you can save a lot of money. Because not as many people like to travel to Florida or the Caribbean during the winter, prices are usually lower. You can have an amazing time while saving money.
In addition, prices can fluctuate on a weekly basis. Even though it is true that the tropics are more expensive during the summer, plane tickets are also more expensive on the weekends. A lot of people like to leave to go on vacation as soon as they get off of work on Friday. As a result, plane tickets tend to be more expensive on Friday. Then, a lot of people like to fly back on Sunday because they want to get as many days of vacation as possible. Therefore, you should expect plane tickets to be more expensive on Sunday. If you are able to choose a different day of the week to go flying, you might be able to save money. Try to go during the offseason, and always take a look at the surrounding days to see if you can save money.
Don’t Stay in a Hotel
If you have a credit card that has a lot of perks, then you may be able to splurge on a hotel room because you have points to spend. On the other hand, if you are looking to save money, then you may want to avoid staying in a hotel at all. For example, you may want to consider checking out Hostelworld to see if there are cheaper locations available. Even though it is true that you may have to share your space with someone else in a hostel, this is a way for you to save money. You can even find one if you go to Canada or New York!
You might want to check out an Airbnb as well. For example, a country like Italy has a lot of history. There are a lot of amazing locations that are off the beaten path that you may want to check out. For example, instead of staying in the Hilton Hotel, you may want to stay in an apartment or condo closer to town. That way, you can get the true Italian experience, experiencing everything that the amazing history of this country has to offer.
There are even opportunities for you to go couchsurfing. Even though you might not necessarily want to spend every night of your vacation on a couch, this could be a way for you to bridge the gap as you go from one place to the next. You can save some money, get to know some interesting people, and come home with an interesting story. Staying in a hotel is not necessarily a bad thing, but you may want to consider staying somewhere else if you want to save money. There are plenty of opportunities available, so make sure you consider all of them.
Travel With Other People
Everyone should experience the serenity of traveling alone at some point in their lives. On the other hand, if you want to save money, you should try to travel with other people. There are plenty of reasons why traveling with other people can help you save money. First, you might be able to share a hotel room. This can immediately slice the cost of your lodging in half. Think about how much money you can save if you don’t have to pay for your hotel rooms on your own.
Traveling with people is also a great way to save money on the cost of transportation. It is true that everyone will have to purchase their own ticket if you take public transportation; however, if you are taking a taxi somewhere, you might not necessarily have to pay more money just because you have more people. Then, you can split the cost of the taxi with the other people you are traveling with. This is another way you can save money that you can spend elsewhere.
Traveling with other people is also important for safety purposes. If you travel alone, you increase your chances of being taken advantage of by someone on the street. You don’t want to fall victim to a pickpocket, and you will have an easier time keeping your belongings safe if you travel with other people. You might even be able to sign up for a tour group that can give you some extra protection. You need to think about your safety when you travel overseas, and traveling with other people can help you do that. Take a look at the safety ratings of each location before you decide to plan your next trip.
Finally, different people who travel might have different word programs. For example, someone may have a credit card that gives better rewards for plane flights while other people have credit cards that give better rewards for hotel rooms. You can split up the booking, allowing people to pay for the parts of the trip that give them the most rewards. Then, you can take this money and spend it elsewhere.
Get Ready for Your Next Trip
There is nothing quite like traveling the world. A lot of people wait their entire lives to go someplace interesting. Even though it is true that traveling can be expensive, it does not necessarily have to be. There are plenty of ways for you to save money on the price of your next trip. You should try to book your vacation as early as possible. That way, you can take advantage of the lowest rates. Then, you should make sure to take advantage of credit card reward programs. There are plenty of programs out there, and you can find one that has been specifically designed to help you save money as you travel.
Finally, remember to think about when you decide to go. If you can book a trip during the offseason, you can save a lot of money on the price of a plane flight and hotel room. You might be able to travel with other people, helping you reduce the cost of your trip further. If you need help planning your next trip, reach out to professionals who can help you. There are plenty of inexpensive vacation rentals available, and this could be a way for you to make your next trip more affordable. You don’t have to wait your entire life to go on a nice trip. If you start planning now, you can save money on the cost of your vacation while still maximizing your adventure.
Consider the Currency Exchange Rate
If you start haggling with people in a local market, you may think this is an opportunity for you to save money. Even though it is true that you can haggle with street vendors, you need to think about the exchange rate. When you travel internationally, you always need to have some cash available. Not every place takes credit cards, so you should have some local currency. At the same time, you should think carefully about how you exchange your money.
In general, you will get the best exchange rate if you go to your local bank before you go on vacation. If you wait to exchange currency at the airport, hotel, or any of the locations you see on the street, you are going to pay a premium. This is one of the most common ways people waste money on vacation. You do not want this to happen to you, so make sure you pay close attention to the exchange rate. Swing by the bank before your trip, and see if they will offer you a better exchange rate. You can save a lot of money if you simply plan ahead of time.
Then, be very careful with how you spend your cash. For example, you may want to spend your cash to give people tips when they help you out. On the other hand, you should try to swipe your credit card when you can. This is smart because you can get rewards on your credit card if you swipe it during your trip. At the same time, make sure you do not have to pay an international transaction fee. Transaction fees on credit cards can be significant, but if you have a travel credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire, you should not have to pay any transaction fees overseas. Try to reserve your cash in case you need it in the event of an emergency.
Pack Properly and Lightly
There are plenty of other ways for you to save money as well. For example, you may want to pack properly and lightly. If you are going on a long trip, there is a tendency for people to overpack. You probably think about everything you need to bring with you. You don’t want to do laundry overseas, so you try to pack as many pairs of socks and underwear as you can. Unfortunately, this can also get expensive. Think about how much money it costs you to check your luggage on the plane. This is one of the most common ways people waste money. If you can avoid checking a bag on the plane, you can save hundreds of dollars on the cost of the flight. Think about how many bags you need to check, and think about how many flights you will be taking. It simply is not worth it.
It might be better for you to do laundry overseas. That way, you can pack fewer pairs of clothes. Furthermore, if you save money by staying in an Airbnb, you may have access to a washer and dryer. That way, you don’t have to pack as much, and you might not have to check a bag at all. Finally, keep in mind that you need to leave room for souvenirs. You are probably going to bring items back with you, so you need to leave room in your bags for them. If you pack properly, you can save a lot of money on your next trip.
