The Ultimate Guide to Travelling on a budget

The hardest part for most backpackers is making your money stretch. Not having a huge savings should not stop you from travelling. All you need is a plan and the right attitude. If you are like me and want to travel on a budget, here are my top 20 tips on how you can travel for longer, cheaper and, still have all the fun.  Content Table 

1. Choosing the Right Destination  2. Pick the Right Time to Visit 3. Find the Cheapest Way 4. Find Cheap Flights 5. Fly Light Fly Budget 6. Be Bus Friendly 7. Hitchhike 8. Try Couchsurfing  9. Keep in Touch 10. Stay at Hostels 11. Work for Your Bed 12. Stock up on  free breakfast 13. Cook your Meals 14. Free Walking Tours 15. Get a Travel Money Card 16. Check out the Free Stuff 17. Get a Local Sim Card 18. Walking is key 19. Think Before You Buy 20. Be flexible

1. Choosing the Right Destination

Let me start with the obvious. choosing the right destination is important when travelling on a budget. Don't get carried away with just cheap a flight. Be sure to check on accommodation, transportation and, the general cost of things. Do your research and make sure that the country you are visiting fits within your budget.  Leave the big cities behind and explore the countryside instead. If you find yourself in Europe consider travelling east. Be open to new places and visit countries like Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Romania. Why not visit North Africa for a change. These countries are a lot more budget-friendly and equally entertaining as other major European countries. 

2. Pick the Right Time to Visit

Summer is a great time to visit a country but the most popular destination will be crowded and overpriced. Sure, if you have to travel during this time then go ahead by all means but why not explore a country during the off-peak season where you feel like you have more space and time to enjoy your surroundings, and guaranteed better rates for your accommodation. 

3. Find the Cheapest Way

Catching a flight to your next destination would be the fastest way of getting there but might not always be the cheapest method. If you have time on your hands' check out other alternatives like buses, trains and even carpooling or rideshare. Look no further than  Rome2rio. Put in two points anywhere in the world and the search engine shows you how to get there. It shows results for flights, busses, trains, ferries, taxies, and even a combination so you plan your trip exactly and purchase your tickets online. Omio provides the same service for Europe, the UK, US and Canada. Websites such as BlaBlaCar and Rideshare have great apps for carpooling. These are easy to use and will save you money.

4. Find Cheap Flights

Airfares probably take up a huge chunk of your travel budget and finding the ideal flight can be time-consuming. Fly midweek, choose flights with a longer layover or mix and match your airlines to find the best flight for you. I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flight. 

Don't put yourself in a tricky situation when airlines ask you for proof of onward travel if you only have a one-way ticket. You can rent a ticket for 24 or 48 hours from websites such as Onwardfly or use Keyflight to create a free flight itinerary. You can also check out the techniques I use to find the cheapest flights below.

Related Post: 7 Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights

5. Fly Light Fly Budget

Budget airlines are a great way to save on the price of your ticket. These days you can find low-cost airlines flying to almost every destination. They may not be as comfortable as the major airlines but the airfares are a lot cheaper which means you have more of your budget to spend when you reach your destination. Remember to pack light and travel with just carry-on luggage to maximise your savings when you fly budget airlines. For most short-distance flights, check-in luggage will cost you as much as your ticket itself. Be smart about the way you travel and work the system in your favour.

6. Be Bus Friendly

  I'm the biggest advocate for busses. I've spent hours on end and crossed countless countries in busses. This is the cheapest means of transportation. Especially if you are travelling for an extended period and you want to keep your travel plans open. Flixbus is great for Europe and Busbud or Busrada are excellent search engines that give you bus routes anywhere in the world. Buses these days offer a comfortable travel experience. You get luxuries such as airconditioning, free wifi, infotainment, meals, and reclining seats on board. One of the easiest ways to not paying for a night's accommodation is by taking an overnight bus to your next destination. I do this all the time and save myself a tonne of money.

7. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a great method for saving money on transportation. You need to have plenty of patience and luck on your side. In saying that, if you are travelling with a female partner you increase your chances of getting picked up. It helps to have a clear sign, travelling with just a backpack, starting near highways, and learning the art of picking the right car. Just keep in mind there are risks involved and you may not reach your destination at the desired time. However, the more times you attempt it the better your odds become.

8. Try Couchsurfing 

The only thing better than cheap accommodation is free accommodation. Familiarize yourself with the Couchsurfing app. This is a great community app that brings locals and travellers together. It's easy to use and you can chat with locals who are willing to host you in their homes for a few nights.  You can spend as much time with your host and get to know a place like a local. They would offer their couch or the spare bedroom for the night. It is nice to return the favour with a kind gesture. It goes without saying, you should exercise caution whenever staying at strangers' houses.

9. Keep in Touch

Not everyone has friends around the world but when you travel you have the chance to meet a tonne of people and you tend to stay in touch with some of them. So the next time you visit a city, callup a friend and ask if you could stay at their place for a few days.  Most people are welcoming and happy to reunite with a friend they met during their travels. It gives both of you the chance to catch up, and what better way to see a city than with a friend who lives there.

10. Stay at Hostels

Staying at Hostels is a great way to save on accommodation and there are plenty to choose from. It's ideal for solo travellers and those on a budget. It's a great way to meet other travellers, share stories and, make new friends.  Airbnb is a good alternative but I prefer hostels because you can book at the very last minute. They are generally located in and around the old town where most of the historical sights are including supermarkets, bars, cafes, and restaurants.  These are ideal spots to stay at because they are easy to get to and you can explore the city on foot and save some money. My go-to when booking accommodation is Hostelworld. They offer a great mobile app with easy to search options and an excellent rating system. You can read guest reviews and choose the appropriate one for you. I also check booking.com because some hostels choose not to pay commissions and advertise on all platforms.  Check for hidden costs like city taxes or extra charges under terms and conditions before booking your room. This will not be clearly reflected to attract travellers to a cheaper price.

11. Work for Your Bed

Many hostels need an extra pair of hands when it comes to housekeeping or reception workers. Such hostels offer free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work each day. This is another way to save you even more money on accommodation.  Feel free to ask if any help is needed once you arrive at the hosts. You can also arrange this before arriving there. It's as simple as emailing the reception and asking if they require your services. Alternatively, you can register on Workaway which is a paid service and check for any job listing.

12. Stock up on  free breakfast

Almost every hostel I've stayed at in the past offered breakfast, or some refreshments. It might not be the best, but it definitely saves you a few dollars each day. Be sure to take full use of this and even pack some for later. A free meal goes a long way. I'm many cases I've picked a hostel based on recommendations on how amazing their breakfast is. Some hostels even offer free dinner once a week to get everyone together. It's always a fun time to interact and get to know the staff and other staying at the hostel.

13. Cook your Meals

Part of the excitement when visiting a new country is tasting the local food. However, try not to fall for tourist traps and avoid overpriced cafes and restaurants. Most hostels would have a functioning kitchen for their guests, so head to the nearest grocery store or visit the local markets and buy some supplies and cook at the hostel.  When I'm out exploring during the day I'm bound to find something new and exciting that I want to sink my teeth into. I make it a point to see what's on offer and try some street food.  Once back in the hostel I try and cook dinner and save that money for another day. More often than not I find stuff left behind by other travellers that are free to use. So try not to eat your money away.

14. Free Walking Tours

Avoid expensive tours and check for free walking tours next time you visit a new place. This is a great way to get a feel for the city. In the end, you just tip the guide with whatever you are comfortable giving. These guided tours show you all the interesting sights, landmarks and explain the significance of the place. They teach you part of the history and culture, most importantly recommend cheap places to eat and drink around the city.

15. Get a Travel Money Card 

An easy way to be safe with your money is by using a travel money card. It allows you to load different currencies and lock in an exchange rate and has zero transaction fees. This is ideal because you forego the risk of carrying large sums of cash wherever you go. You will also save money on overseas bank fees when using this card to purchase flights.

Visa and Mastercards are widely accepted as we are moving toward a cashless society. By using a travel money cards its easy to keep track of all your expenses and best manage your travel budget. You can also apply for one that rewards you with air miles on every dollar you spend.

16. Check out the Free Stuff

One of the first things I do when researching a city is check for all then free things I can do there.

A simple google search will give you all the details you need to know. I also use Visit a City which is a great app that helps you plan your day and see all the important landmarks. 

Some cities have museums and galleries free for public viewing or free on a particular day of the week. Also, be sure to carry your student card to get discounts at various venues. 

17. Get a Local Sim Card

It is advisable to spend a few dollars and get a pre-paid local sim card rather than paying exuberant amounts for international roaming. Getting a sim card in Europe means you can use that across all the European countries  It is always handy to have internet while travelling to keep in touch with friends and family, book accommodation, check maps and do some research on the go. This is a sure way to save you money on your phone bill.

18. Walking is key

The next time you stick your hand out for a taxi think about how much it would save you if you decided to just walk to your next location. Let's say you'd spend a minimum of 10$ a day on taxis and your on holidays for a month. That's 300$ savings back in your pocket. Think about all the other ways you can spend that money. On food, accommodation and other important travel. When I'm on holiday I want to experience more of what the country has to offer and one of the best ways to do this is by walking everywhere. It gives me a better understanding of where things are, a chance to interact with people on the streets and see all the interesting things happening on the roadside. Maybe stop for a snack or something catches my eye. You will not get this experience sitting inside a cab. 

19. Think Before You Buy

It goes without saying that when you are on a budget you have to ask yourself if it's worth it. Be wise about how and on what you choose to spend your money on. Learn to haggle, if you find something you like don't just settle for the first price. Most often the vendor knows you are a tourist and tries to get the most out of you. Learn a few local words and try to bring the price down. Having a smile on your face helps you get what you want.

20. Be flexible

Budget travel is all about being flexible and having the right attitude. Not everything is will go according to plan and you will face some setbacks. Don't let these setbacks get in the way of you having a great holiday. Be flexible with your choices and see where it takes you and treasure the experience. It's time to leave your comfort zone and venture out.