If you are looking for basic travel accommodations at a budget price you must know, than you have come to the right place. There’s nothing sweeter than saving big without emptying your wallet. It’s all about smart planning and simple choices that last longer.
For starters, if you grab early flight deals, travel during less crowded periods, or find budget-friendly accommodations, you can save enough for another trip overseas! So, get ready for an awesome, travel friendly adventure as we take you through the smart and savvy ways travel on a budget.
Planning Your Budget Travel Adventure
You probably think I wanna travel, but I don’t know where to start. When creating your trip budget, starting with a baseline of your typical monthly expenses is important. For instance, your average monthly expenses are around $15,000.
Now, let’s consider some factors specific to your adventure.
If you plan to go on an RV trip in an expensive place like the United States, you may want to increase your auto and fuel expenses budget. In this case, you should have a budget of $1,300 per month, a 215% increase from your usual spending in the travel budget sheet.
And since you can’t compromise on the fun and adventure aspect, you’ll also need to factor in entertainment expenses. Considering this, you need to set aside about $380 per month for this category, which is 20% more than you usually spend.
For travel and lodging, anticipate increased expenses due to more frequent travel. Budget around $620 per month, considering an average of $20 per night for a 31-night month.
On the other hand, you can make some cuts in various categories to offset these increases on your travel budgeting template. For instance, you can reduce your monthly food and dining budget by 45% to $1,000.
Also, cut childcare expenses on how to make a travel blog for friends and family, if possible. This will reduce your traveling budget by $2,344. You can find similar adjustments in other categories based on your lifestyle and priorities.
Now, this might sound like rambling to you, but what we’re doing here is saving you a fortune to make your adventure way to travel without breaking the bank.
Setting Realistic Expectations and Budgets
To set your travel budget, consider the cost of living of your destination. Here are some recommendations you need to follow before your next trip:
- Plan and Be Flexible: Booking flights in advance can save you up to 20%, and consider flying midweek, which can be $100 cheaper. So, put that on your how to plan a trip to Africa on a budget plan.
- Set a Realistic Budget: Based on your destination, you need to create approximately $50-100 per day budget for food, activities, and hotel check-in.
- Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations: Southeast Asia can cost as low as $30 daily, while Scandinavian countries will run you $100 or more for the same experience.
- Travel Light: Avoiding checked luggage fees can save $30-50 per flight, so carry only essentials.
- Use Public Transport: Choose buses or trains over taxis. This can save you up to 50% on transportation costs, and consider overnight options for long trips.
- Eat and Drink Locally: Relish street food at $5-10 per meal because that’s a fraction of restaurant prices, but beware of food-related health costs.
- Explore Free Activities: Enjoying museums, parks, and walking tours at no cost can save you around $20-50 per day on entertainment because, after all, you are on a budget.
- Get a Local SIM Card: Save $50-100 on data roaming fees by buying a local SIM card, which will provide connectivity without overages.
- Travel Off-Season: Avoid school holiday price hikes and save hundreds on flights and accommodations.
Choosing Your Destination Wisely
Here are some of the most exotic travel destinations you can add to your bucket list:
- New Orleans, USA: Immerse yourself in the vibrant jazz scene and savor Cajun cuisine on a budget.
- Laos: Discover unspoiled natural beauty and immerse in Southeast Asian culture affordably.
- Sri Lanka: Enjoy stunning beaches, diverse wildlife, and delicious street food without breaking the bank.
- Nepal: Trek through the majestic Himalayas and embark on thrilling adventures within your budget.
- Bolivia: Experience breathtaking landscapes, including the Salar de Uyuni, without overspending.
Timing is Everything
Traveling in the off-season means saving a lot of money, sometimes up to 50%. Fewer people visit due to bad weather or the end of events, so prices drop drastically. You can get cheaper hotels, flights, and even discounts on things to do.
So, don’t be shy to pocket discounts as it is the caveat to basic travel accommodations at a budget price, you must know.
Money-Saving Tips for Budget Travelers
When considering basic travel accommodations at a budget price, you must know that finding affordable accommodation can save you a lot. Consider options like hostels, work exchanges, Couchsurfing, home exchanges, or even camping.
Hostels are economical and often provide essential amenities. Work exchanges let you stay for free in exchange for some hours of work. They can save up to 50% on accommodation costs while offering unique experiences and learning opportunities.
If you’re still crunching on numbers, here are a few tips for saving on food while traveling:
- Local Eateries: Opt for local restaurants and street food stalls for affordable and authentic meals.
- Self-Catering: Go for an accommodation that comes with a kitchen facility. You can hook yourself to a meal and save a lot.
- Daily Specials: Look for daily specials or fixed-price restaurant menus for affordable dining.
- Picnics: Enjoy picnics in parks or scenic spots with groceries from local markets. It might not sound aesthetic, but it’s affordable!
- Food Markets: Explore local food markets to sample inexpensive and fresh dishes.
- Avoid Tourist Areas: Dining in touristy areas often comes with higher prices; venture to less crowded places.
- Share Meals: Share large portions or dishes with travel companions to save money.
- Water: Drink tap water where safe to cut down on beverage costs.
- BYOB: Bring your beverages to restaurants to reduce the bill. It’s way cheaper than sneaking in food at the movies back home.
- Research: Use apps or websites to find budget-friendly dining options in your destination.
Transportation Tricks to Keep Costs Down
Traveling on a budget? Consider cost-effective transportation methods like buses and trains, which can be up to 50% cheaper than flights or car rentals. Use rideshares to save even more, and you could reduce your transportation costs by 20% or more. So, that’s the way to a cheap commute.
Stretching Your Dollar Without Sacrificing Experience
Free and Low-Cost Attractions
Get the most from your budget travel experience by following these budget-friendly tips:
- Explore Local Parks: Enjoy the beauty of nature and relax in local parks, often free to the public.
- Visit Museums on Free Days: Many museums offer free admission on certain days or during specific hours.
- Attend Community Events: Check out local festivals, concerts, and events, often with no or low entry fees.
- Take a Walking Tour: Explore the city on foot with self-guided or low-cost walking tours.
- People-Watching: Sit in a park or a busy street and people-watch, a free and fascinating pastime.
Insurance and Safety – Protecting Your Budget
Travel insurance can be a financial lifesaver. You must know that various unforeseen situations can save you thousands of dollars on basic travel accommodations at a budget price.
From medical bills and emergency evacuation to reimbursing non-refundable expenses, its value becomes evident when the unexpected occurs.
So, whether you’re exploring new horizons or sticking to familiar terrain, our budget travel advice is to go for travel insurance.
Wrap Up
And that’s all about the basic travel accommodations at a budget price you must know. Remember, choosing affordable destinations, going in the off-season for savings, and finding cheap accommodations and food does not make you a cheapskate.
Saving big money can get you enough for another trip. So, don’t be shy to use buses and trains instead of costly flights.
And remember, travel insurance is a financial safety net. Go through our travel budget template so your short trip doesn’t turn into beachouse nightmare. Happy traveling.