“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” This famous quote, often credited to St. Augustine, tells of the perspective-altering wonders of travel. For many people, travelling is a way to learn about the different cultures around the world. For others, it is a way to escape the routine and lose themselves to the sights and sounds of another geography. For others still, it is a way to collect experiences, widen their interests, and add a layer of richness to their lives. Being well-travelled is a tag many aspire to have.
As great as travelling is, there is a downside that stands as a huge obstacle for those who wish to travel more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was closed borders and a lack of flight options. However, now that we are easing into post-pandemic reality, the number one reason that prevents people from travelling is the expenses associated with travel. From flights to stay, sightseeing and tours, unique ‘bucket list’ experiences, and other incidental expenses, there are a ton of costs that you need to consider when going on a trip. However, like all things in life, you can make travel more affordable too. How? With a well-planned budget and a little bit of planning. By following some simple rules for travelling on a budget, you can make the most of your travels without being too heavy on the pocket.
Rule #1: List your biggest expenses
When you’re travelling there are certain things that will always form the biggest chunk of your expenses. Usually, these will include your stay and your flights or any other mode of travel such as trains, buses, or even your own car. When you’re creating your budget for travel, you first need to list your biggest expenses. Do a bit of research and find the average daily hotel prices in your destination. If you’re going to be visiting multiple places you will obviously have to look for the average daily hotel prices in every place.
Next, conduct research on how you will travel to your destination. Will it be one direct flight? Will it be multiple flights? Do you need different kinds of transport, such as a combination of flights and a bus? Whatever you discover, write them down.
Remember you may also want to do a little research on the most recommended way to get to and around your destination. For example, many places in Italy don’t allow cars within city limits, which means you won’t need any type of commute if those places are in your itinerary. On the flip side, not renting a car to travel through Iceland could be a bad idea as you’d have to depend on tour buses and won’t be able to explore the stunning Icelandic countryside as you should.
Find ways to reduce your costs
Now that you have your biggest expenses listed, it’s time to see how you can cut them down as much as possible. Let’s start with your stay. Instead of staying at a hotel, you could choose a cheaper bed and breakfast or serviced apartment. You can easily find a list of affordable options on a site like AirBnb. In fact, you may also be able to find certain offbeat stay options if you’re feeling adventurous.
You can also look for hostels. Many of them offer great private rooms, so you wouldn’t be staying with a bunch of strangers. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to meet fellow travellers. Hostels also offer some great local experiences that you may not find otherwise.
If you’re really looking to make your stay as affordable as possible, you can also consider couch surfing. You’ll be able to sleep in an extra room or quite literally someone’s couch in a new place, giving you an automatic local host and possible access to discovering a place as locals would.
Next, when it comes to your travel, there are several ways to reduce the costs of flights and other travel expenses. For one, you should pick your flight carefully. Avoid travelling on weekends and Monday mornings. Choose a mid-week flight instead. Choosing flights with early boarding times (such as the wee hours of the morning) or late in the night to pay less.
Another tip for bagging cheaper flights to your destination is by flying to an airport close to your destination, rather than your destination itself.
To find the cheapest flights, make sure to use a website like Skyscanner that lists the cheapest ways to fly to any destination (including the connecting flights you can take). You should also check for seasonal discounts by airlines and take as much advantage of those offers as you can. Another often overlooked tip to get cheap flights is to make sure you always search for flights in incognito or private mode, as prices can skyrocket once certain sites discover you’re searching for flights.
You should also check if there are cheaper modes of transport. These may take longer but could save you a big chunk of money, especially if you book in advance. For example, while it would be better to book yourself on the Eurostar from London to Paris, you may find low-cost flights that will take you for cheaper. Or you could opt to take the bus instead and save your money for other pursuits. Speaking of which …
Rule #2 - List your priorities
All of the things you can do in a place can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to travel on a budget. There may be famous landmarks to see, experiences to have, and places to explore. Some locations may have an array of adventure activities while others are steeped in culture. Some may offer breath-taking natural sights, while others offer exciting nightlife. Most places tend to have a mix of all of these. So, how do you make sure your travel expenses stay limited to your budget? Simple. You decide what exactly is worth spending on, and what you’d be willing to compromise on. You can do this by making a list of your priorities in advance and then plan your budget around what you want to do most. After all, travel is not just useful for learning about the world, it can help you learn about yourself too.
Make a plan for must-see’s and do’s
For example, if scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is something you absolutely must do, then you can make sure you have enough money set aside for your dive by skimping on your stay and foregoing another expensive activity instead. You may decide to take a cheaper accommodation that is perhaps a little further away from the sights than you like or book a connecting flight that will take longer but save you a ton of cash. On the flip side, if living comfortably is more important to you than spending on an activity or experience, you may choose to book yourself into a plush hotel room and enjoy that over a hectic day shopping in a local bazaar.
When you align your budget with your desires, then the compromises don’t feel as uncomfortable. Even while travelling on a budget, it is important to keep space for things you really want to do, even if they’re a little expensive. Your budget needs to be flexible enough that it allows you to indulge yourself when it comes to things that matter.
Rule #3: Plan for contingencies
One of the good things about having a budget is also budgeting for an emergency fund. You should always carry more money than you need. Or always have access to more funds than you need in the form of credit on your credit card, traveller’s cheques, etc. There is a popular piece of advice about travelling that goes, “Take double the money and half the clothes.” It’s perfect advice when you’re travelling.
Another way to make sure you have all your bases covered is to take travel insurance. While your optimistic self may like to believe that everything will go right, your travel insurance will help you a great deal if things do happen to go wrong. Travel insurance can be claimed for several reasons from missed flights to lost baggage, overbooked hotel rooms, accidents, illnesses, and more. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your travel plans.
List every precaution
Of course, along with money you also need to make sure you’re up to date on the correct vaccinations for your destination. Vaccines are a cost that you should always build into your travel budget as they’re essential. On the same lines, you should also conduct research for your visas and set aside money for your visa fees. Many countries offer Visa on Arrival for Canadian citizens. However, you should have your spending money with you so that you’re not left at the mercy of an agent, a non-working ATM machine, or a card that is not accepted right off the bat. So, make sure you take all your mandatory fees into account when making your budget.
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