If you’re keen to do some traveling but you’re worried that it’s going to be out of your budget and that’s stopping you from even thinking about it, you’ll be surprised to learn that there are many different ways to save money when you’re traveling which means you can finally go and experience all those adventures you’ve been dreaming of. Read on to find out how it can be done.
Shop Around
Before you do anything at any point in your travel journey, make sure you shop around to get the best price. There might be a sale somewhere that you didn’t know about, or perhaps the site you first looked at is just a particularly expensive one. Whatever the reason, if you shop around you should be able to find some better prices, or perhaps easier ways to pay which can be just as helpful.
Start at the beginning by checking out travel sites that will compare costs for you. This way you’ll know you’ve got the best prices when it comes to your hotel and flight costs. Remember to do the same when you go to buy food, take a tour, or anything else; even if it’s just a few dollars difference, that could add up to a lot by the end of your trip.
Eat Out Less
After your travel and accommodation expenses, the next biggest cost you’re going to come up against when you travel is food. Eating out three times a day is going to add up to a lot, and it might even be the reason why you’ve yet to venture on a journey. If you eat out less (or not at all) and cook your own food, this will save you a huge amount of money. Of course, you’ll need to choose accommodation with a kitchen area, but once you’ve done that, you’re free to cook what you want.
If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on the authentic taste of whichever country you’re in, there are always ways around this. Check out the local food markets and find some recipes online and you can make your own authentic dishes. Alternatively, if you really do want to eat out at least a few times, track down restaurants that are further away from the tourist areas; they will be cheaper and more authentic anyway.
Look Carefully At Exchange Rates
When choosing a country to visit, look carefully at the exchange rates on offer. It might be that your home currency can buy you a lot in a country with a weak currency, and that means it’s a good choice – your spending budget will go a lot further.
If you opt for an expensive country, one that has a stronger currency than your own, then you’re not going to be able to buy very much without overspending. Unless you know you’ve got enough money to see you through the entire trip, this is best avoided. Not only that, but countries with a poorer exchange rate tend to be much less tourist-filled and will need your money more, so it’s a good thing all around.
*Post contributed by travel lover and wordsmith, Eran Summers.*
