There is a common myth that travelling is expensive, but that is not always the case. If you
can't live without caviar and room service, of course, it's going to be expensive, but for the
rest of us people in the world travelling cheap is easy to do. It is just about planning and
taking the right steps. The more you can budget when you travel, the longer you can
travel for. You must decide if you would prefer two weeks of luxury or six months of being
frugal.
Create A Daily Budget
The key to travelling for an extended amount of time is budgeting. You need to take how
much you have saved and divide it by how many days you want to travel. By doing so you
can work out a daily budget.
Search For A Low Airfare
With a few extra stopovers on a flight, you could save hundreds of dollars. Searching for
flights regularly and at least six months ahead of departure will generally get you the best
deal.
Take Buses Instead Of Flights
In many destinations, you can take cheap quality buses instead of flights. They have low
priced buses in most destinations around the world. It is just a matter of doing your
research and finding the bus stop.
Make Your Own Food
Of course part of the reason we travel is to try the delicious food different cultures have to
offer. But that doesn't mean you have to eat out three times a day. Try to book
accommodation that has cooking facilities available and then check out the local markets
where you can get cheap food. Even just cooking breakfast or lunch at home can lead to
savings of 3-10 dollars a day.
Don't Book Accommodation in Advance
If your travelling long term, only book the first night or two in advance. Sure it may not work
out sometimes, but there is nothing worse than having a fixed itinerary and then finding
your favourite spot in the world halfway through the trip. You become torn between not
losing the money on what you pre-booked or leaving a spot that you enjoy.
Negotiate Accommodation
Book in for a night or two and see if you like the place first. If you do stay longer, if not you
are ready to go find someplace you prefer without a hassle. If you want to start longer go
and negotiate a better deal at the front desk. This technique only works when travelling to
spots with higher levels of vacancy.
Book Long Term Accommodation
Generally, if you are going to stay at your accommodation for one week or less, you will be
Pack Things You May Need That Are Expensive Overseas
Plan ahead and look into the cost/availability of items where you plan to go. Good
sunscreen is expensive overseas, but cheap at home. If you're going on a surf trip, it
might be cheaper to buy a used board at home. (If it is free in your checked baggage.)
Don't Be Cheap On Adventures
Sure cut out a few drinks and cook some of your own food but when you arrive in a place
with lots to do just take the plunge. All that money you save elsewhere gives you the
freedom to enjoy the tours, hikes and adventures available. You're not going to remember
the beer you drank in ten years but you will remember the volcano you climbed.
Woofing and Farmwork
Working on a farm for free accommodation and meals is a great way to extend your travels.
There are a few websites that you can use to find farms, one I have had success with is
called workaway.org. There was a twenty-dollar fee to sign up, but it paid for itself almost
immediately when we found long term places to live for free.
Get a Job Overseas
If you really want to see the world and get to know other cultures, why not consider getting
a job. To do so you apply for a work-travel visa if it is available in the country you want to
stay in. Then when the bills are paid you can spend the rest of your time having fun and
exploring a new country.
a job. To do so you apply for a work-travel visa if it is available in the country you want to
stay in. Then when the bills are paid you can spend the rest of your time having fun and
exploring a new country.
