How To Travel on a Budget

raveling can be very expensive. Many of us miss out on trips and vacations because we are worried about spending too much money. However, there are many ways you can go on your favorite trips by making a few changes in your overall spending habits! 

Start early

Plan trips you want to go on well in advance. This way you will be able to start saving up some money if you have the means, and you will also have time to plan out your budget. The more money you save the more options you will have when it comes to finding a place to travel. If you're looking for travel inspiration, researching road trip ideas in Ireland can be a great place to start. You can plan out your route, check out different accommodations along the way, and make a budget that includes all the must-see attractions and activities -- and taking a DIY approach like this makes your trip extra budget friendly.

How to track your budget

Did you know there are tools online that allow you to keep track of your budget? Check out one of these tools such as Mint, a free online money management service that will actually suggest ways to cut down on your expenses and keep track of that budget. You should also create some type of list going over every single item or payment you make along with all other purchasesThis will also keep you accountable for how much you’re spending. Many times we feel more comfortable making purchases when we know we won’t keep track of our bank accounts. But learning to track your budget could help immensely to reduce your spending costs overall.

Lifestyle changes

There are some habits you can change in your everyday life that will help you to save money before you go on a trip:

• If you tend to eat out a lot, start cooking more at home and invite people over as a means of hanging out. 
• Engage in more outdoor activities in your free time including going on walks and riding your bike that will not cost you anything.
• Instead of spending $5 each morning on your coffee before work, get a coffee maker! (or at least start using the one you have).

Sell your personal items

Go through certain areas of your house to find things you no longer use that could be worth selling. If you have a lot of clothes you no longer wear, consider giving them away to a local clothing store who would be willing to buy them off you. You can also join online platforms such as Depop where you are able to sell and ship the clothes yourself to whoever buys them. If there are other items that are worth getting rid of such as a bike you might no longer use, consider holding a garage sale. You can also sell other items on sites such as eBay and Craigslist. 

Don’t overpack

To avoid those sometimes outrageous checked bag fees, make sure you don’t pack too much. With a lighter amount of luggage, you’ll also have a much easier time getting around while you are traveling.

Sometimes we’re indecisive, and it’s difficult to figure out what exactly we want to take with us on our trip. Here are some ways you can do a better job of packing light: 

Pick clothes that you can mix and match. Bottoms and tops that go well together, accessories that match, etc.

• Don’t pack too many pairs of shoes. They take up way too much space in your luggage, and you really only need a few pairs. It’s easy to find shoes that will go along with just about any outfit.
• If you pack too heavy, you’re not gonna be as tempted to bring back as many gift items and souvenirs! This is because you have limited space you’re working with. 

Where should I travel to?

If you’re not sure where you want to visit, check out this blog where you can find some of the best places to travel in your 20s. Bora Bora for example is a great place to travel especially if you want to minimize costs on activities. You can enjoy the gorgeous scenery with turquoise and clear blue waters all around. You can spend most of your time snorkeling and hanging out by the beaches without spending a dime! 

Canada is also a fabulous place to visit while being affordable with many well priced flights all throughout the United States. Especially when you book during an off season month such as February! Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto are the top places to check out whenever you visit Canada. In Montreal, the food is the main attraction—the  steamé is world-renowned. Toronto, Ontario is also a great place to travel during a month like February because of the activities you can do virtually for free. Check out the beautiful arts and lights at the Toronto Light Festival or the Bentway Skate Trail. 

How to save on the trip itself

Transportation expenses 

Depending on where you decide to take your trip, you may need to factor in airline tickets. Cheapflights is a great site to find the best deals on flights nationally and all over the world.  If you’re driving to your destination instead, you will still need to factor in gas prices (which seem to be increasing more and more recently).Whichever form of transportation you will be using, it’s important to start figuring out how much money you expect to spend. Transportation is probably the most boring part of a trip, so look at all your options wisely.

Accommodation

If a hotel is more your preference, you can find hotel rate types that are more affordable on site such as booking.com. If it’s common for you to visit hotels pretty frequently, consider using any hotel points you might have. If you’re a part of a hotel rewards program, you’re given the option to accumulate those points each night you stay. For stays you book through points, you also have more  to avoid all of those added resort fees, and you may even get some extra added discounts. 

Personally, whenever I travel (especially in a group) I go for an Airbnb instead. If you’re not familiar with Airbnb, it’s a platform designed to allow you to book apartments, houses, and rooms. They are run very similar to a hotel, where you pay each night. If you happen to be traveling to another country, consider booking a hostel instead. You can find many hostels that can be as low as $5 a night! 

Meals

The cost for meals will ultimately depend on where you are staying. If you will be staying in a hotel, you should plan to spend a bit more money on food. This is because you will be eating out for most, if not all of your meals. Food can easily become one of the most expensive parts of a trip. 

When you are staying in an Airbnb or Hostel however, you have the option to cook most of your own meals, which will help maintain your budget. You will just need to figure out the right amount of groceries to get. Food can easily become one of the most expensive parts of a trip, so plan your meals wisely! 

Start planning your trip today!

Take the time to start your budget, pick up quick ways to make some extra money if needed, and research places you are interested in and that you know can be affordable for you. While you’re on the actual trip, remain aware of all the costs you are chipping into and prioritize spending the most amount of money on what you know you will enjoy the most.