Traveling on a budget doesn't mean you have to sleep in questionable hotels, eat crackers for dinner, or convince yourself that RV travel is the only way to save money. Though honestly it can be surprisingly economical and you get to see a lot. Travelling cheap is an art. It's part strategy, part sass and part refusing to pay too much for a bottle of water at the airport. If you want to have adventures without your bank account sobbing quietly in the corner, here's how to do it.
Be flexible
If you want to be cheap with your travel then flexibility is the holy grail you need. The more you're willing to wiggle your dates, destinations, and departure times, the more deals will magically appear. Flying on a Tuesday at 6:00 in the morning is painful, yes, but it's also going to be cheap. If spontaneity gives you hives, don't panic. Just plan ahead and keep your options open. You can still pack up the RV and plan a road trip, for example, but cheap travel loves an adaptable king or queen.
Embrace the off season
Everyone loves to travel when the weather is perfect and the insurance. Instagram lighting is flawless, but those dreamy peak season prices are brutal. Traveling in shoulder seasons like spring or autumn for most destinations means fewer crowds. Cheaper stays on a smug sense of superiority when you pay half for the price of the same scenery.
Be careful with your accommodation
Accommodation can devour your budget faster than you can say continental breakfast, so consider your alternatives. Do you need to go to a resort or can you travel in an RV? If you're feeling bold, hostels can be brilliant too, but just invest in good earplugs unless you enjoy listening to the strangest snoring.
Try not to eat out
It sounds like a convoluted thing to do, but trying to eat at every single restaurant you come across is going to drain your budget. Restaurants are fun until the bill arrives and you realize you could have bought a week's worth of groceries for the price of your artisanal truffle omelet. So mix it up. One nice meal, one cheap meal, one picnic cobbled together from supermarket finds. Bonus: Eating local snacks on a park bench is basically a cultural experience.
Transportation should be thought out
If you're traveling in an RV, you don't really need to worry about this one, but it is a sneaky budget buster. Public transport should be your best friend. So one of the best things that you can do is park up at resorts and travel locally on buses or trams. Walking is even better. It's free, scenic, good for justifying more dessert.
Even the entertainment doesn't have to be expensive when you're travelling. The most underrated tip of all is to travel slowly. The faster you hop from place to place, the more you spend. Slow travel means fewer transport costs, better deals on long stays, and deeper experiences.
What are your favorite ways to save money on travel?
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