Travelling is something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience throughout their lives. Planning a trip has become easier because of the internet, however, the cost of it might not always be budget-friendly. Here are a few ideas on how you can keep costs to a minimum and still have an amazing trip.
Budgeting
It is first most important to take a minute and think about how much money you would like to spend on different expenses throughout your trip. Factors such as accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and maybe even souvenirs are all things you should consider allocating a limit so that you can ballpark an estimate of your total budget and prioritize where you want to put your money. For example, if the quality of your flight or accommodation is not as important to you, you can put that money towards a fun activity or nice meal on your trip.
If you are going to another country, it is also important to look up the exchange rate. If you are looking to travel on a budget, traveling to a country with a lower exchange rate might work to your advantage.
Dates and Destinations
“Right place, right time” is everything if you want to keep your costs on the lower side. Choosing a destination and what dates you want to travel will most likely determine how expensive your transportation and accommodation will be. Traveling closer to the holiday seasons or booking last minute are often things that are going to increase costs significantly. It is always beneficial to prepare in advance if you know you have the time to travel.
Decide your mode of transportation
Determining what the best and most affordable modes of transportation are is sometimes difficult when you don’t know where to look. For flights, using websites like Google Flights or SkyScanner show you the most affordable airline options and give you the ability to apply filters that best fit your budget. Although, sometimes flying isn’t the cheapest option, and looking into the cost of taking a train (like Amtrak if you are in the U.S.) or driving might be great alternatives to consider.
Know where to look for more affordable flights
Knowing the average budget on how much to spend on a flight to a specific destination is not always common knowledge. Time Magazine shared these airfare price points as a good deal if you are flying from the U.S.:
Flights to Africa: $700 or below
Flights to Asia: $550 or below
Flights to Australia: $700 or below
Flights to the Caribbean: $300 or below
Flights to Central America: $300 or below
Flights to Europe: $500 or below
Flights to Hawaii: $400 or below
Flights to South America: $550 or below
Of course these price points will differ depending on where you are in the U.S. but it is always great to know a general ballpark of how much you should be spending on flights.
Finding cheap places to stay
Aside from transportation, accommodation is one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip. If you are looking for the most affordable route, hostels and homestays are your best bet! GlobeSisters is a homestay service that puts an emphasis on truely immersing yourself in your travel experience rather than a transactional stay between traveler and host. Not only is it a cheap way to stay, but it is also a fun way to travel and get to know the people and places you are visiting.
Still eating well on a budget
If you are staying in an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette, eating in will always bring costs to a minimum. Allocating the same amount of money that it costs to have a meal at a restaurant could be able to buy you ingredients or food at the grocery store that will last you more than one meal. If you are doing a homestay through a platform like GlobeSisters, working out a plan with your host to have a home cooked meal together is a great way to keep costs down and get to know your host!
Overall, traveling can be expensive and might seem like a big deterrent from taking your next trip. However, there are so many different ways to keep costs down that if you prepare and have the means, it is almost always doable! With an open mind and a little bit of practice, your trip can be fun and budget friendly!
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