The 9 most effective tips how to save money while travelling
The financial situation can be, for some travellers, a huge problem. Especially, when it comes to long-term travelling, the topic of how to save as much money as possible becomes more and more important. It has already been stated, that you do not need a certain amount of money if you want to go on a new adventure abroad. Most important is that you know how to save money while travelling and as well how to do so efficiently.
Budget travelling can sometimes be a huge challenge. But the following 9 tips and tricks will help you find your way to save your money efficiently. This does not include any unhealthy foods, missing out on highlights or starting to work – this is all about having the time of your life but with some saving hacks. This is about saving money while travelling and the best tips for budget experiences. Let´s go!
Compare the flights to find a cheap option to save money
For travellers, the flights are probably the most important expense. It is the flights in between the countries who can weigh heavy on your bank account. But what can you do? You still need to board a plane in order to get to most of the places in the world.
If you are on a domestic flight, always check out if there are other options such as taking the bus. And on an international flight, you should always use several websites to compare the flights. Never ever book with a travel agency, but rather do the research yourself. If you book well in advance, you can actually save a lot of money while traveling. Last minute flights can be a cheaper option as well.
Notes-from-a-traveller´s tip:
Websites such as sky scanner usually come up with some pretty good deals. But before you book a suitable flight, make sure to check out the prices on the official airline website. If you are lucky, they offer the route for an even better price!
Stay in Hostels and Homestays and outside of the main areas
Another important tip on saving money efficiently while travelling is your accommodation. These days, it is fairly easy to get a comfortable and clean room for a little budget. With more and more hostels and homestays being built, you can get some great deals.
A good know-how is also to stay outside of the main areas. If you book a hostel or a hotel a little outside of the city or the center, you can actually save quite a lot of money.
The probably best way to save money on accommodation is to share your room. Travelling with a friend or your partner helps you share all the costs. Consider this while planning your trip and if you want to avoid staying in a multiple bed dorm room (which does not necessarily have to be bad).
Ultimate saving tip: only book accommodation with breakfast included in the room rate (always the cheapest option)
Use only the public transport of the locals
Expensive taxis? Tourist buses? This is a BIG NO, if you want to save money efficiently while travelling. The transport which is used by the locals is mostly the cheapest and your best choice.
In countries in Asia, this might mean you need to go on an old and fully packed bus – but it only costs you about 30 cents. In bigger cities, you can always follow the path of the locals to check out the cheapest options. Means of transportation such as a tuk-tuk, a motorbike or the local bus can be a great way to save money on your long-term travels.
Eat local only (it´ s delicious and the No 1 buget tip)
Another big expense of travellers is the food (of course). While you can always dine in expensive western restaurants, there are way cheaper options. And you know what? These options are not only saving you a lot of money, but are as well even more delicious and bring you extraordinary experiences. Can it even get any better?
These options are called “local restaurants”. The local restaurants can be street food, food stalls or small restaurants in remote urban areas.
Of course, you should never go to places where you should not feel comfortable. But checking out some local cheap restaurants is absolutely worth it if you want to save money in the most efficient way.
In Indonesia, keep your eyes open for the so-called “Warung” and in Malaysia you should go to a local food court. In bigger cities in Europe, there are street food places where you can get the best meals for a cheaper price. Plus, the local places are always a highlight while travelling and you can connect with the local way of life on a different level.
Travel overnight to save money for accommodation
An absolute insight travel hack for budget travellers is the overnight travel. Especially when you decide to go on a tour through South America or South East Asia, this is the way to do it.
Yes, it might be a little uncomfortable sleeping in overnight busses, overnight trains or planes, but in the end, it saves you a lot of money. If you travel during the night, you do not only save money while travelling but as well you will have more time to explore the country during the day. This works very well on longer distances where you willbasically drive the whole night.
Use the free sightseeing opportunities
It would not be travelling without some sightseeing. And being a budget traveller, does not mean you have to quit on sightseeing. In most destinations, there are a lot of free options. The free sightseeing attractions allow you to get to know a city or a country better. Plus, it saves you some money.
Some cities offer free walking tours which you can join. In other places, the museums are free and in Asia some of the temples do not have an entrance fee.
But please note: if there is an absolute must-do which has an entry fee, do not quit on it! You only live once and might not get the chance to visit the attraction again. Saving money does not mean you need to restrict your experience. Always make sure you get the most out of a city, a village or a country.
A great way to save on sightseeing is to make a list of all the best things to do. Then do some research which are free to enter and for which you need to pay money and how much. Afterwards, select what you definitely want to do and eliminate some of the paid attractions. A great compromise and you will not have to miss out on any unforgettable experiences!
Plan your travels for the off-season for saving more money
During the high season, when many tourists come to a foreign country, the prices normally go up. You will even have to pay more for hostels and homestays. And as well, the flights and sightseeing attractions can get more expensive.
If you are not dependent on any time during the year, choose to go during the off-season. The off-season always holds the best deals and you can even check in into better hotels for a smaller price. This is a great way to save money while travelling.
Of course, you need to be aware that the off-season also has its downsides. It does not make sense to visit a country during a heavy rainy season. Make sure to do your research and find out a time where you can get some cheap deals and good conditions to travel around. Sometimes, this can be shortly after or right before the high season.
Get your booze in supermarkets
Travelling simply includes having some drinks at night and hang out with the locals or other travellers. You should never miss out on these unforgettable evenings because of saving money while travelling. If you are planning a fun night out, get your booze in a supermarket.
Let´s take Bali as an example. Instead of getting yourself a pretty expensive drinks at the beach bar during the sunset, make a stop at a local supermarket. They sell the beer and the other drinks for under 1 Euro and you can still enjoy it while the sun sets.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting drinks at a bar and some evenings are just made for it. Still, this is a great way to not miss out on any fun and saving money efficiently.
Explore by yourself – a budget version
There is barely any better way to save some money than by simply exploring by yourself. Skip the expensive tour guides and the taxis. Explore the area (as far as possible of course) by foot and avoid any paid tours.
Mostly, these are “touristy” things which keep the local experience away from you. In order to save money efficiently, it is best to find your own way. Leave your comfort zone and be your own guide through the different countries!
Saving money while travelling – it is easy
Travelling and saving money at the same time is easy. If you know how and you keep the best tips to save money efficiently in your mind, you can cut the expenses to the minimum.
Budget travelling does not mean you waive at comfort, funny things to do, good food and a great time – budget travelling is simply to be careful about what you spend your money on and to look out for cheaper options. Plus, it allows you to travel even with a small amount of money and have the time of your life. You should absolutely try it out!
A great place to travel on a budget is South East Asia. Get to know The best 6 countries to travel on a budget in South East Asia.
