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Who isn’t trying to make their money stretch as far as possible? I know I am always looking for smarter ways to spend my money!
Not all travel budget tips I can recommend… I’ve seen some very strange ones. I can, however, recommend these 10 tips for traveling on a budget. Some of these may be helpful if you’re trying to plan your 2023 vacations!
1. Have an account for travel savings
If saving or managing money is difficult, consider setting up a completely separate savings account for travel only. This way you know exactly how much money you have set aside for traveling. If that is too much, I currently do the “envelope system” and save money for travel that way! I use that system to save money for other things too, but it is very helpful to have a separate place to keep my savings for travel.
2. Stick to your budget
If you are insistent that you stick to your budget, you are less likely to overspend! A lot of times during vacation I tend to forget that I have budgeted out specific areas and when it comes to the end of the trip I realize I’ve spent way more than I ever planned to. Intentionally sticking to the budget you create is best to ensure you don’t spend too much accidentally!
3. Check out free attractions
Nothing can help you stretch your money like doing something for free!! Free is the best way to go when you’re trying to stick to a budget, especially a small one. Many tourist destinations have free attractions of some sort. Take advantage of free excursions or activities that your hotel or hostel may offer. If there are free-entry days for museums, try to arrange your itinerary around those!
4. Travel in the off-season
Traveling during the shoulder season is the best for saving money on accommodations and transportation! Another perk of traveling during this time is that you get to avoid crowds. Traveling during holidays can cause prices to rise in all areas. If you are traveling on a small budget, you will want to travel during a destination’s off-season and definitely avoid the holidays!
5. Book in advance
Waiting until the last minute will often cause you to have to pay a lot extra. I’ve seen many different articles that would show otherwise when it comes to booking flights though. Anytime I’ve ever looked I’ve found prices to be ridiculously more than if I had planned in advance.
6. Stay in hostels
There are a couple of options when it comes to staying in hostels. You can choose a private room if they are offered, or stay in a dorm room setting. If you choose a private room it will cost a bit more but that comes with the privacy of course. Hostels can range in price but they are meant for budget travelers and backpackers! Find a great deal for your destination here!
7. Avoid ATM fees
There are several ways to avoid ATM fees but check first with your bank to see if they have anything in place to help you avoid those fees. Use in-network ATMs to withdraw money and be sure to withdraw enough at one time so you don’t have to find another one. If you have to use an ATM that charges a fee, withdraw a large amount so that you don’t have to keep going back.
8. Carry a reusable drink bottle
Instead of purchasing a new water bottle every time you need water, carry around a reusable water bottle, like a stainless steel Hydroflask water bottle. In some cases, this may not be possible if you cannot find drinkable water to refill your bottle, but if you know you will be able to access drinkable water, this can help save money! My Hydroflask also helps to keep my water cold as well.
9. Use public transportation
If you are traveling to a place with a great public transportation system that is safe to use, this is going to be the best option for sticking to a smaller budget. Places with terrific public transportation often make it pretty easy to navigate the system as well. Even if it is not something you are familiar with, after you try it a few times, you’ll eventually get the hang of it! This option is usually significantly more budget-friendly compared to renting a car or using taxis/rideshares.
10. Book accommodations where you can walk
Although public transportation can be a cheap option, walking is as cheap as it gets. If you are looking for a free way to get around, walking is going to be the option for you. If you want to do mostly walking to save some money, try looking for accommodations near the attractions you want to visit. No reason to stay across town if you’ll have to find transportation to get you to the other side every time you want to do something or go somewhere. Also, it’s nice to step out of your hotel or hostel and be right down the street from whatever it is you are planning to see for the day!
Which of these budget travel tips would you use? Are there any that you already do when you plan a trip? The way I see it is the more money you save, the more trips you can go on! Try stretching your money this year by trying out a few travel budgeting tips (and let me know how it goes).
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