5 Tips for Traveling on a Budget!
Here I am back with another travel tips blog post! This is the first one I have done in a while since traveling was not on my mind for most of the pandemic. However, I have noticed a lot of people are just itching to travel again, almost everyone I know!
In the mix of all that a few people have asked what tips I have for budget-friendly travel in the US and Europe. So, let’s get to it!
1) Flights: I think the biggest thing to think about is the cost of your flight. It doesn’t mean you have to book a flight that has a million layovers just to save a penny. But, it does mean you have to be smart about it. The first few times I traveled to the East Coast and also Europe I really searched hard for a good deal and I found it. A big factor is the time of the year you go. If you are traveling in the middle of the summer you will have fewer options, go on off-season and you’ll have a lot of good choices. It boils down to, choosing your destination realistically and being flexible to wait for a good deal. If you live close to multiple airports or a big city you might have more options. Sometimes even flying to a bigger city and then flying out of there can be better in the long run. There are so many ways to do it, just be creative and find what works best for you. Anddddd sometimes (not all the time) booking directly through the airline itself can be cheaper or at least offer you more flight/time options then the ones listed on third party apps and sites.
Best flight sites: Hopper, CheapOair, Google Flights, Momondo.
2) Accommodation: This is where it can be super tricky, it all depends on your destination. Tricks that work for some places like big cities might not work for others such as small towns. I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is who you are traveling with. It is usually the same price for a 3-person Airbnb as it is for 4 people, only with the extra person you split it 4 ways and that saves.
The same goes for 1 -2 people. Hotels can have deals, even super nice 4-star ones. Search the internet and compare prices. One website might list it for 15% less than another. At the end of the day it all adds up in a travel budget.
Bonus tip: If you are staying in a city consider staying 20 mins outside the city. Yes, you’ll have to spend that time on the bus or train but the difference you could save in Airbnb prices compared to transport will be huge.
The first time my friends and I went to London years ago we did this, we saved about $300 by booking a house just across the river and 20 mins on the train. the best part was no matter what trains we took and transport it only cost us $7 a day so it was a smart move overall.
3) Food: This is a tricky one, food and eating out can be one of the best parts of a trip so you don’t want to miss out by trying to skip this. However, there are a few ways to make the most of your trip budget. When I had more of a tighter budget and was traveling a lot I would plan out what I thought was most important.
Going out to a few fancy dinners and drinks with my friends on vacation? Absolutely a yes! But did I need to spend every breakfast and lunch at a new foodie spot, not really. I found a way to prioritize what was most important to me and you can do that too. Sometimes a night in or two with some good wine, and fresh groceries from the local market or farm can also be a fun experience for cooking with friends.
4) Packing: One of the hardest things to do is pack for a destination especially if you have never been there or don’t know what to expect. I do think that if you keep track of the things you really need you are able to travel lighter. For some flights that is the difference of paying $75-100 for a checked bag if you can downsize to a carry-on ( which not to mention is sooooo much easier to do when going international ) and you save that extra $ to put towards something else in your trip!
I always find myself buying stuff on vacation, I forget to pack things, or I just like what I find. All of that is okay, but if you are on a budget just be mindful about the spending in gift shops, stores, etc. Try to pack what you need so you are not having to run out and buy everything you forgot.
5) Destination: last but defiantly not least is where you will go. I have found it so interesting that flying from California to Boston (which I love as a city to visit) might be $500-700 but a flight to Paris or London might just be $800. The point is sometimes staying closer is not always more budget-friendly. yes, international travel has its downsides and takes more time in the airplane but it can be worth it. At the end of the day, it’s your trip, and your time to enjoy so pick the place you are going to be happy you spent money on. There are so many package deals to be had out there, if you just do some poking around you might just find the perfect trip.