Now that tourism is back, and everyone seems to be busy booking flights for their next big travel escapade, it can be hard to not feel a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out). While travelling does cost money, it doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Don’t let money get in the way of your travel plans, since there are many ways you can travel from one country to another on a tight budget. If you worked hard to save for your vacation, there is no reason to go over budget and make life more stressful when you come back!
So here are 7 tips that will help you save a bunch if you’re travelling on a tight budget:
Carry A Debit Card Or A Travel Credit Card
The best way to keep track of how much money you’re spending is to use a debit card or a prepaid visa card. By doing so, you can avoid going over budget since there is a limited amount of money in your bank. Besides, it also makes travelling much easier since you don’t have to carry a bunch of cash with you while you’re travelling. If you need cash, you can just use the ATM to withdraw money – just watch out for the expensive ATM and exchange costs.
While debit cards are great for those who don’t wanna go over budget, it’s always a good idea to carry around a credit card just in case of emergencies. Travel credit cards can help you get rewards while you’re on vacation, and they come with perks like free travel insurance and discounts. Look for a card that suits your vacation needs, such as getting discounts on airfare or getting points when you spend on shopping or entertainment.
Travelling Out Of Season
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. The travel industry usually hikes up prices during public and school holidays since most people travel during those periods. So instead, do some research on the best time to visit your intended destination, and then travel just before or right after those dates. While the sun might not shine as brightly, this is when hotels and airlines lower their prices to attract customers. Not to mention, your travel destination would be less busy and much less crowded!
Book Your Flights In Advance
Nabbing a flight six months or longer in advance means lower prices. Plus, last minute deals are a godsend if you’re travelling on a budget. Airlines would usually release their flight seats up to a year in advance, so the closer you get to your departure date, the more the prices increase, especially in the last month.
Fly Smart
Book your flight midweek, since travel prices are lower as a premium is added to weekend flights and you’ll breeze through shorter queues at airport check-ins. So try to fly between Tuesday to Thursday if possible. It’s okay to save your money on cheaper seats, especially if it’s just a short flight. Low-budget airlines usually have a lot of cheap deals too, so make sure to look out for those. As for luggage, always try to pack light, since you can save some money on hold luggage.
Utilise Public Transport
If you’re travelling to a city, make sure to make use of their public transport! Try to avoid taxis and e-hailing systems, since they are BY FAR the most expensive form of transport (as we all should know by now). Learning the routes and pricing systems of the light rail, underground and bus stations can save you tons of time and money compared to renting a car (not including gas money and parking).
You can also opt to walk everywhere, since it literally costs nothing; or you can rent a bike, which is still 10 times cheaper than e-hailing taxis nowadays (no tea no shade). Plus, it’s an easy way to keep fit during your travels, which is a big plus in our books.
Spend Most Of Your Money On Experiences
We know some of you foodies out there are probably looking forward to savouring all the local delicacies while you’re on vacation. But eating out a lot can add up quickly and take away from your budget during your trip. So it’s totally fine to cook some simple meals or go for some cheaper options, like getting food from the local supermarket. Most hostels and homestays would often let you have access to a kitchen, so make sure to utilise them!
While it’s tempting to splurge on food, you can get a lot more out of fun experiences, and take lots of pictures and videos, which all last way longer than a meal. To make the most out of your trip, you can try to do one or two paid activities per day, and going for free activities for the rest of the day. This will make sure you’re having fun while also sticking to your budget. Look for free things to do or free places to go wherever you’re heading, like local museums and parks.
Choose Less Well-Known Destinations
When you travel to tourist hotspots, there is bound to be a bunch of tourist traps that would make you spend more than you actually need to. Instead, research less-well known spots and hidden gems you can visit on your own. And if you’re looking for local restaurants, avoid those on the main strip and try to look for something more low-key instead. The food will probably taste better and cheaper.
