You can never question all the wonderful things you’re poised to gain from traveling. Not only does it bring you out of your comfort zone and expose you to unfamiliar environments but it also gives you the chance to learn and hone life skills like handling a negotiation or making the most of what little you have. The experience allows you to work your way around these challenges while being on your own.
It can be challenging and stressful if it’s your first time but all you need is proper advice on how to achieve a fruitful experience on your initial try. In any case, it all starts with how well you’re able to manage your expenses so you can still come home with plenty of cash to spare. To help you with that, here are a few budget-friendly travel tips to help you nurture memories and still keep your finances intact.
1. Give yourself more time to prepare
Some people prefer to go on a spontaneous journey which is often the case if they have enough cash to splurge on a last-minute travel plan. In your case, you will need ample time to save enough resources and come up with a strategy.
Ensure your passport is valid and in good condition, so you won’t encounter any problems when it gets scanned by an MRZ scanner on the day of your flight. You also need to take this time to secure the best travel deals. This gives you a larger window to shop around for promos offering massive flight and accommodation discounts.
As you do this, take time to look for a travel agency that offers packages to your dream destination. Look up one you can trust based on positive reviews from clients. What’s more, be cautious when dealing with agencies that have recently been established. There’s a good chance you’d fall for a scam if the agency seems shady on the surface You will know if a travel package is too good to be true when the rates are significantly lower than the average. If that’s the case, spend as much time as you need coming up with a shortlist of legitimate agencies.
2. Opt for off-peak times
Any experienced traveler will tell you to avoid peak seasons. These are the times when demand for flights and hotels picks up at your destination. This does not only mean longer queues and greater difficulty in finding accommodations but peak seasons are also when prices surge. With this in mind, consider the best time to travel to your destination when you don’t have to compete with seasonal travelers. You may miss out on seasonal attractions by doing this but you can always look for alternative experiences for a unique stay.
3. Immerse yourself in public transportation
Once you reach your destination, you may be tempted to book a local ride-sharing service to help you reach the first attraction on your itinerary. Then again, the convenience you get comes at a higher price. You can save even more money by taking public transportation.
Be sure to learn about the best routes to take. Watch travel videos for walkthroughs and tutorials on how you can navigate cities with complex metros such as Tokyo and London. It may entail longer travel times but commuting like the locals provides a more immersive and cost-effective experience that ride-sharing services can’t deliver.
4. Ditch the hotels
Much of your travel expenses will be spent on expensive accommodations. It might make sense if part of your travel goal is to savor high-end life in your chosen destination. However, if you only have so much in pocket money, you might as well look for alternative accommodations. Consider booking an Airbnb but do a background check on the host offering the living space. If you want bigger savings, consider calling up an acquaintance who is more than willing to offer you a safe and comfortable place for free. Other than that, you can also try asking locals online if they are willing to accept couchsurfers. It’s also a free alternative to booking a hotel and it can be the perfect Plan B in case you don’t know any friends who can let you stay in their place. Just be sure to do a background check first and see if the hosts you’re contacting has had international guests before.
5. Go for free tourism activities
You don’t have to spend a single cent to take in all the best parts of any destination. Throughout your trip, you may have to pay large amounts of money for entrance fees, meals, tips, and everything else. However, there are activities you can try out for free or for a small fee. Publicly owned historical sites often allow for free admission and sometimes come with samples of local cuisine. You can also ditch a costly city tour to explore the place on foot. Just make sure to do your research first and pick places that offer better safety and, at the same time, provide you with exquisite views.
You might also want to visit attractions such as parks, museums, and zoos that are generally open to the public. If you’re goal is to collect a treasure trove of travel photos, then bring a camera when you enter these places and capture unique sights and landmarks you can’t find at home. With this,you get to come home with souvenir snapshots free of charge!
6. Travel in a group
It might seem like you’re watering down your first travel experience by getting friends and family members to tag along, but there are valuable benefits when you take a trip as a group. Coming up with an itinerary is stressful enough but when you have other people with you, the entire experience becomes easier to handle. There’s also the added benefit of improved safety. Wherever you go, your travel buddies will be there to watch your back to make sure you don’t lose your valuables or lose yourself in a sea of people.
Still, the biggest advantage of a group trip is that it’s more cost effective compared to going solo. Everyone gets to chip in for fees and food. Other than that, you also get to avail of massive discounts if you book a group tour. Most attractions offer additional perks when you reach a certain number so if you have no problem traveling with loved ones, then have them go with you on your first excursion.
Endnote
If you’re traveling for the first time, don’t think that you will have to pay a fortune just to experience the best that a new place has to offer. Consider these tips and make the most of what you have to satisfy your wanderlust.
