We always harbor the dreaming of taking an epic vacation, yet sometimes we feel like we don’t have enough money to make it happen. Travelling can be quite expensive, especially when we don’t plan for it in good time. It has often been said that traveling is an expensive hobby, one that only the wealthy can afford. It is so easy to believe that particularly when our pockets tend to be more empty than full. Here’s how I made my first low-budget travel:
Travel during Off-Peak Seasons
Most travel destinations have an off peak season. These are those times of the year when there is less tourism. This is mostly attributed to weather patterns. Tourists like to visit their dream destinations when the weather is warmer so they can enjoy their stay for longer and be able to engage in more fun activities. During these seasons when fewer people are going on vacation, accommodations are generally cheaper. Most services offered are also cheaper including plane tickets. Many people tend to travel as a hobby (you could read more about this on https://www.katcar-marrakech.com/2022/07/traveling-as-a-hobby-is-it-possible/) and this off-peak season strategy may not be a deal breaker for those who tend to have enough money to splurge.
Avoid Direct Flights
Many people enjoy direct flights, ones that you don’t have to change planes several times or have that wait several hours at the airport. However, these planes can really weigh down on your wallet. Indirect flights are way cheaper yet we can still enjoy our trips while on those indirect flights that seem to have outrageous layovers. Just ensure to look for flights with layovers in places that you are most interested in. This way, you will have more time to explore! You can also consider purchasing indirect flights to your destination as they tend to be cheaper. Moreover, we can choose one destination at a time. Instead of planning several flights to many places, you can choose to explore one region, city or country at a time. This will save on travel expenses and also on accommodation. If you don’t have any budget constraints, why not travel in luxury? You can visit this website to learn about a private jet charter service that will get you to your destination in style!
Consider Hostels or AirBnb
Hostels are an easier way to save on accommodation as they only offer beds and not rooms. Hostels are wallet-friendly as compared to resorts and rental homes, with most costing just a couple of dollars per night. Besides, one will enjoy an authentic experience and memories that will last a lifetime. We traveled to Los Angeles one time and we found AirBnb affordable. The experience was awesome! We got to meet the kindest people and we were offered breakfast throughout our stay! Some hostels also do offer free breakfast. If we can save more on such, then our vacation can be less upsetting.
Take Free Classes
We once traveled to Bali and during our stay; we were treated to an amazing local dance. Thereafter we were offered free dance classes! Many hostels around the world offer free classes for travelers. Depending on our passion, we can take a free surfing class, free yoga or even a few lessons on how to prepare some local cuisine.
Focus More on Experiences, Less On Souvenirs
Instead of focusing more on collecting souvenirs to show off to people once we get back, why not concentrate on having a great time? When you go around a place, say Hilton Head Island, for instance, by taxi or driving a car yourself, it tends to limit your interaction with the people and culture of the town. On the other hand, when you sightsee on a bike (you can rent one from somewhere like Sea Pines bike rentals), you can appreciate the beauty of that place on a whole new level, making your trip much more memorable. You should focus on such experiences rather than snagging a lot of souvenirs. In fact, souvenirs are so damn expensive and just make your luggage heavier. Would we be happier if our bags were much lighter and our wallets fatter yet we have had the best memories? Let’s remember to take a few or many pictures though.
Talk to Locals and Explore Local Markets
I once traveled to Australia and had to pay $350 to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge when I could just walk through the pedestrian footpath for free. If I were to go back there today, I would also take that Cogee to Bondi Coastal walk as it is free. We were given this information by locals on the last day of our vacation. They have invaluable information that might save you a few bucks. Don’t rely on hotel food; Take a walk to the local market and look for seasonal products. Seasonal fruits are cheaper as compared to those not in season.
I have traveled a few places before, made some mistakes that messed up my budget as I had no knowledge on how to save while travelling. The experiences have been helpful though as they have taught me these invaluable lessons that I hope will also be useful to you.