This world has no limit of wonders to explore, but our pockets do.
If you've ever put your trips on hold just because you're worried about overstretching budget, you are not alone.
Don’t worry, We've got good news! Today we will reveal our top tips and tricks for a budget-friendly trip.
1. Travel off-season
This trick may sound fairly straightforward, but it is by far the most effective! If you want to reduce costs at popular destinations, avoid peak summer times and local school holidays. Flights, accommodation and most tourist attractions tend to reduce their prices, depending on the time of year.
For example, mountain holidays outside of ski seasons are a great way to see nature and relax in peace and quiet, all for a fraction of the cost.
2. Pack light!
Are you guilty of packing FAR too much stuff?!
The benefits to packing light are endless: no waiting in queues at baggage claim, no additional fees, no lost luggage, no extra weight to carry around and the list goes on.
Pack versatile, durable items which can be used in multiple situations and it won’t take long to see the financial rewards!
3. Travel where your money goes far
This trick is especially important if you live in a country with a ‘strong’ currency.
It applies to all purchases but is perhaps most noticeable in accommodation, transportation, and food costs. Some great examples of affordable destinations are Thailand, Estonia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Tanzania where your daily spending - without being too stingy - can average around $25/30!
4. Book your Flights in Advance and Fly Midweek
If you’re really devoted about saving money, then we suggest you track flights regularly and book your tickets as early as possible.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are your best bets for cheaper prices not only for flights but also for hotel transfers and other services. Skyscanner, Kayak and Expedia are a few examples for flight comparators website, but make sure to use a private navigator while surfing them!
5. Travel Overnight
Travelling overnight kills two birds with one stone: accommodation and travel fares. Connections are substantially cheaper and they allow you to spend more time exploring during the day. The chances are that you’ll fall asleep on a long journey anyway, so you might as well save some money from it! Make sure you research this tactic thoroughly though, as comfort quality varies dramatically from company to company and county to country!
6. Prioritize Walking or Using Public Transport
No matter the destination, walking is the best way to explore a city. We guarantee you will find a few hidden local gems on your way.
Tourist destinations often have travel deals, such as a daily or weekly travel pass that covering all types of public transportation.
All aside, you can feel smug about helping the environment!
7. Buy a local SIM Card
This is one of the more underrated ways to shave a few dollars off your budget.
Far from home, data roaming and connection charges can rack up quickly if left unattended.
Constantly looking for directions, searching on the go, and not to mention the Instagram post and stories add up before you know it, and the last thing you want to come back home to a surprise phone bill. That's why we would recommend buying a local SIM. These can be purchased at any travel shop and is one of the easiest ways to minimize stress as well as money.
8. Stay in hostels or shared & low cost accommodation
There are so many reasons to look for shared accommodation! You can find new friends who might be visiting the same places as you, and of course sharing significantly reduces the cost of your trip. Some good examples of places to find such shortcuts are Airbnb (you can find the biggest discounts on long-haul stays), Hostelworld (ideal for <$20/night) and Couchsurfing (an app which lets you stay in someone’s house for free). If you’re willing to slash your spending completely, and the climate allows, then you could also consider camping: not recommended for a city break though!
9. Make Use of Various Discounts
There are so many ways to benefit from discounts, even if you’re not a student. In some places, people offer discounted or free tours to visitors so that they can practice their English. In others, guides will show you around their city for ‘free’ — you pay a ‘tip’ at the end, but the amount you pay is up to you.
When traveling solo, try looking for tours with special discounts for solo travelers; this is also one of the best ways to meet new people. Subscribe to discount travel apps or student reward systems such as Unidays, Cheapoair and StudentUniverse to make the most of your time away.
10. Use Martee instead of travel guides
We know having a guide around is bliss. You get to experience your destination for what it truly is and escape the tourist traps.
But what if there was a better and cheaper way to do it? Martee is the key. Our app lets you explore the best local spots and plan your dream travel in advance. Martee is simple and easy to use. Try it once and you'll never look back!
We told you! Traveling abroad, even to the other side of the world, doesn’t need to be expensive. We hope these tips have inspired you to orchestrate your next budget-friendly trip, Everything can be expensive if you're not equipped with the ways to get around the costs. Martee can save you money, time, and energy, removing the stress and hassle from travel planning. You’re welcome!
