Travel Safety Tips

9 Tips for Traveling on a Budget

9 Tips for Traveling on a Budget

Traveling can be an amazing experience. Unfortunately, it can also be an expensive one. However, there are definitely ways that you can customize your trip plans according to your finances. Do you know how to travel on a budget? Let’s take a look at nine things you can do to save money as you travel the world.

1. Travel Off-Season

Traveling during the off-season means that you’re vacationing during a less popular time. A decrease in tourism means a decrease in revenue across the travel industry. Consequently, hotels, airlines and even country governments will try to entice travelers with lower prices and package deals. Plus, with fewer fellow travelers, you’ll have a greater chance of getting the amenities you want. 

2. Pack Smart

Saving money while traveling starts with smart packing. You’ll want to do what you can to avoid paying additional baggage fees for overweight or extra baggage. At the same time, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for an excellent trip. This means packing for the weather and considering the available resources in your destination country.

3. Avoid Data Roaming

When you travel internationally, your phone may charge you roaming fees. In the past, travelers didn’t have solid alternatives to data roaming, but technology has advanced to the point where these chargers can be easily avoided. Apps like WhatsApp make it easy to communicate with your loved ones back home for free. You can also get an international SIM card for under $10.

4. Book Early

Typically, the earlier you book your flight and hotel stay, the cheaper they will be. Waiting until the last minute to buy your tickets or book your reservation limits your options and usually guarantees you’ll have to spend more.

5. Eat on a Budget

One of the great joys of international travel is partaking in the local cuisine. But this doesn’t mean you should lose sight of your spending. To save money as you experience a country’s culinary delights, avoid tourist traps. Areas with a lot of tourists are more likely to have bars and restaurants that overcharge. Another thing you can do to stay under your food budget is splurge on lunch. While it may seem counterintuitive, splurging on a big midday meal will actually prevent you from having to pay for dinners, which tend to be more expensive than lunches.

6. Choose Your Destination Carefully

Some countries are simply more expensive than others. While you may want to go to, say, Tokyo, that might not be within your budget right now. Finding the right destination for you is a balancing act between where you really want to go and what you can comfortably afford.

7. Search out Free Activities Ahead of Time

No matter where you go in the world, there will always be free things to do. Factor some local research time into your trip planning. Search online for local event calendars and you might be surprised at the amazing experiences you can have for free. From free concerts in parks and street fairs to museum exhibits and art installations, there’s a lot to explore. And the best part is, building these activities into your itinerary is an excellent way to ensure that you truly experience the culture of the country you’re visiting.   

8. Work While You Travel

The rise of the remote workforce has made it possible for more people to travel while they work. These travelers, known colloquially as digital nomads, country-hop, while working remotely. When you’re on a workcation, you’re saving money and PTO days.    

9. Get Trip Insurance

For Americans traveling abroad, trip insurance has many money-saving advantages. With trip insurance, travelers can protect themselves from having to pay thousands of dollars if their trip doesn’t quite go as planned. Trip insurance covers certain expenses related to flight disruptions, baggage loss and even urgent medical care. 

And there you have it, travel on a budget is really that simple. So the next time you’re thinking about exploring the world, these traveling on a budget tips can help you save money and enjoy your trip even more.

Save Money with Trip Insurance at VisitorsCoverage                       

When you’re ready to book your trip, you’ll want to protect your investment with trip insurance. But don’t just pick the first plan you see; you want to make sure your plan has exactly what you need. That’s where VisitorsCoverage comes in. Our site lets you get trip insurance quotes, compare plans and buy the right policy for you in a matter of minutes. Have questions? Our Customer Success Team of licensed trip insurance experts is happy to help.