Planning a trip can be a daunting task, especially when trying to figure out how to fund the adventure. Between the cost of gas, airline tickets, food, excursions, and villas the price of a trip can seem prohibitive. However, with a little preparation and a willingness to let go of some of the ultra luxurious amenities, travel doesn’t have to be just a daydream.
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1. Overcome the Airfare Nightmare
Getting to your destination is often the largest expenditure when planning a trip, which means that plenty of time should be spent shopping around for the best price. Use a website that searches the web for you to find the cheapest flights and sign up for updates so you know when the lowest fares are available.
Also, if you are a student or under 26 it is possible to use a website geared towards students to find even less expensive flights. Finally, if you are traveling with a large group consider booking all the tickets at one time to get the lowest price.
2. Live Like a Local
Constantly eating out is a luxury that many people enjoy while traveling, but it can also become an extremely expensive practice for those on a budget. Consider purchasing food from a grocery store while strolling through town and enjoy it while picnicking in a park. You save a bundle and get to enjoy the outdoors.
Purchasing some of the locally grown treats is a great way to experience the culture and save some money.
3. Rent a Room
The cost of staying in a hotel, especially in large metropolises, can be steep. Look for holiday rentals where you have the option of staying with a local in a spare room or renting an entire apartment from a private owner.
This is a great option if you plan to stay in one place for a while and gives you the option to make a few of your own meals. It is often less expensive to rent a room than stay in hotel, which makes the trip much more affordable.
4. Take the Road Less Traveled
There are thousands of places to explore and cultures to experience in this world, so consider going some place other than the typical tourist destinations. If you love the beauty of Paris check out Budapest, which is brimming with culture and exudes charm and is a much less expensive city to stay in.
Perhaps you are drawn to the beach resorts that dot Thailand’s shores, but do not have the cash to cover the cost. Instead, consider visiting the pristine white sand beaches of Boracay in the Philippines.
5. Do Your Homework
Embarking on a trip comes with its headaches and calls for a certain amount of flexibility, but a bit of pre-departure planning will help to alleviate some of the stress and can help cut down on the cost. Research all of your options and make decisions about what you really want to do.
Do not try to take on too much while traveling and know that you probably will not be able to see and do everything. There are also many opportunities for travel bargains that must be booked early, like tours or passes, that can help cut down on costs.
Travel is meant to be enjoyed and is accessible to anyone regardless of their budget as long as you do some research and are realistic with your budget.
Heather Johnson, the author of the “Cheap Travel Secrets from a Budget Guru” is a travel blogger and writes for a number of UK and US travel websites.