We're all about finding ways to maximize our coins, without sacrificing our comfort or experience. People who don't travel think traveling isn't usually cheap, but it is possible to travel the world with little money.
It should be said that there are some expenses you shouldn't compromise on but there are tons of ways you can travel the world on a budget. Give these tips a try and they might work for you:
The timing of your vacation is the biggest money saver of all.
You have to first understand the seasonality of different destinations. For regions that experience different seasons, their summer will usually be peak season. People love heading to sunnier climes, enjoying the beach or having an ice cream in the shade of a beautiful cathedral. Exceptions to this rule are of course regions where winter is the main attraction like ski resort areas.
Seasoned travelers would extol the virtues of September-May travel so often you probably know them by heart: fewer tourists, greater cultural options and mingling opportunities with the locals, more relaxed atmosphere, cheaper airfares and hotel rates, and the lack of that summer swelter.
Choosing to travel on shoulder season instead is a much better budgeting decision. Also, hotel prices will be more competitive and places will be less crowded.
2. Book everything in advance or at the last moment (last-minute and first-minute)
If you're able to book 9 to 12 months in advance, you can look out for early bird deals. Last minute deals can offer huge savings with deals up to 60% off. Booking a last minute trip can mean waiting until the last two weeks before departure to choose your flight and accommodation. One of the best things about booking your vacation last minute is the excitement of not knowing where you're going until the very last second.
The biggest savings in booking in advance or last-minute can be found in accommodation, as many hotels tend to slash their prices the closer you get to the arrival date.
If you do manage to snag a discounted airfare, you could end up saving quite a bit of money.
3. Travel slow
Having more time to linger from place to place means you won't have to pay more for buses, trains and planes. Taking a plane rather than a bus will eat into your budget, but if you have lots of time to spare, taking a bus is cheaper and usually more interesting.
Traveling from Beijing to Shanghai on a first class, high-speed train costs 933 RMB ($140), but a seat on a slower sleeper train is a third of the cost ($45).
Traveling slow also teaches you mindfulness. Learn the language, become a regular at the arepas place down the street or befriend a tour guide who will invite you to his friend's finca for a weekend for free. You can do self-guided tours and go to museums on discounted or free days. Or you could do some freelance work on the side.
We hope you travel smart.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
