Every time you open Instagram, a new person goes on vacation. When you see so many people going out and exploring the world, you must think about how they have so much to spend on trips. Some people might have that kind of money, but you can also travel the world on a shoestring budget. Don't let money be the only factor stopping you from travelling. A few intelligent fixes here and there and spending money mindfully can help you save a lot on travelling. In this article, we have discussed some expert tips on travelling the world on a shoestring budget and enjoying your travels to the fullest without breaking the bank.
1. Plan Ahead
Please plan your trip before you leave. When you leave things to the last minute, you must settle for expensive options. So, book your hotels or other accommodations before leaving, and you can easily weigh your options. As for the flight, go for off-season flights, and you can get them at an even lower price if you book the flight a few days earlier.
2. Save on Accommodation
Hotels can be costly. Even the cheapest hotel room would either be out of your budget or, if it is, it would be too bad to stay. So better options are homestay and couch surfing. In a homestay, you get a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning, which is very cheap compared to hotels or Airbnb. For my usage, I prefer a homestay because I come back to the hotel only to sleep, and that's what you only need to pay for. If you are going with a group of friends, couch surfing is also an excellent option to save money on accommodation.
3. Look for Secondary Destinations
Secondary destinations are the places near the central city you plan to visit. These can be any countryside towns or villages connecting to the commercial tourist spot. Though they are near the, se secondary destinations are way cheaper than the central city. You can easily visit the places you want to explore and save a lot on accommodation and food while staying in that nearby town. One thing you need to be careful of is that the place should have transportation options to reach it and be near the tourist spots you are planning to visit.
4. Connect with the Locals
No matter how many of your friends have already been to the country you are visiting, they can never guide you as well as any local would. You can connect with locals through couch surfing or in Facebook groups for locals. They will help you choose the best place to stay and what to eat within a budget. Once you connect with locals, you can also explore the place better.
5. Save on Transportation
Tourists spend a lot on transportation, which is the one thing tourists spend so much on. You don't have to spend so much on taxis and cabs when you can easily travel by local transport. Have the transport schedule and buy weekly local transport passes. Tr trains are also a budget-friendly option if you want to travel longer distances. Another option is a rideshare app where you can share the ride with others going to the same place and split the fare.
6. Eat on A Budget
If you are staying in an Airbnb, cooking your meals is the best way to save money on food and drinks. You can buy enough groceries to last you for the trip and cook your meals. You can opt for local street food or eateries instead of eating at expensive restaurants or hotel foods. Trust me, the taste of the local foods is a lot better at such small eateries.
7. Take Advantage of Free Activities
Hiking, visiting parks, taking walking tours, visiting heritage landmarks, and exploring natural landscapes are free. Yet these places are most common among tourists, which sets them apart. You can save a lot of money if you explore these places because most are free or cost very little. You can even find tourist discounts at many places, so watch out for them.
8. Work Abroad
If you have gone for a more extended trip, you can also work there in your spare time. You will find many daily wages or hourly jobs, which will make you enough money to help with your food, accommodation, and other entertainment during your stay there. Pet sitting and home sitting are the most common job options, and many people look for English teaching jobs that pay well, too.
9. Be Money Smart
Being money smart does not mean that you don't spend, but you spend wisely. It would be best to prioritize the activities and then spend on the most important ones. When you are spending, please keep a record of the money; you can manage it well with a money budgeting app. As for the debit card and bank, opt for no foreign transaction fees or a debit card with no ATM fees. Not exchanging currency and paying directly through the card will save you so much of your money.
Bottom Line
Travelling on a shoestring budget requires flexibility and willingness to give up on luxury over experiences. Follow these tips and spend your money mindfully; you can have the best adventures without spending a ton. By the end of a trip, you will only cherish the culture you explored, the experiences you gained, and the connections you made. Learn to cherish memories over material things; you will have the best travels within a skinny budget.
These tips will help you save money on your next trip. If these helped you or if you have any other suggestions, let us know. We would love to share it with our audiences.
