I have been traveling longer, so during that time I have noticed a few things that I would like to share with you. If you dream of traveling the world and you are far from being a millionaire, then this is the right post for you. I am just one of many examples that prove that it is more than possible.
There have been many articles on this topic, and many more are to come, as traveling the world becomes a dream for many. Here are some of the tips I personally use to travel as cheaply as possible and still have a place to stay (not a lawn in the park or a bus station), food to eat, and lots of fun.
Save money on transportation
This is one of the most important things to travel cheap. Traveling by land is usually cheaper than traveling by plane, so try not to move too often from one place to another in the exact opposite part of the world. It’s better to get a ticket to a place and explore it more deeply, then move overland and not return, just move on to another destination. Make a route without returning more times to the same place.
If you can, hitchhike or rent a car if you are traveling with more people so that you can split the costs. Try to walk as much as possible and do not use taxis to move within a town. Your feet are your best friend. Trust me, it’s easy to walk even a couple of kilometers a day (which will also help you stay fit), and if not, use public transport. Remember, taxis are not allowed.
save money on food
There’s just one piece of advice to use when it comes to eating when you’re on the go: avoid eating at restaurants. Not only dinners, but also breakfast and any snacks can be very expensive when purchased, especially in some countries (eg Europe). Try to cook and prepare your meals whenever you get the chance, it will save you a lot of money. If sometimes you don’t have a kitchen available, try the local markets for the best fruit/veg/meat and in many cases you can also get a prepared meal there for very little.
If you have no choice but to go out for dinner, find a good place outside the tourist area. If the locals go there, it is the best sign. It will be much cheaper and probably even tastier as they have more time to prepare it without all the tourist hassles. Get the menu of the day. Be careful though, in some countries you can easily get a stomach ache or diarrhea if you are not used to the local food.
Save money on accommodation
Logically, neither 5* nor 4* hotels or all-inclusive vacations. The cheapest way is usually youth hostels, but you have to get used to sharing the room and bathroom with other people, so no privacy is offered. If you stay more than 2 or 3 weeks, rent an apartment.
Outside the center/away from the beach/or any place frequented by tourists is always much cheaper than exactly where everyone goes. Small hotels run by locals are less expensive than large hotel complexes. And for free, try home exchange or couchsurfing.org which are now widely used.
Save money on travel agencies
Most of the time, not only do travel agencies cost you more than if you took a trip on your own, but if they book the ticket for you, they also charge you commission for it. So use some websites like Scyscanner, Kayak, Expedia and take the time to go through everything to find the best deal. You can save up to half price or more by checking airline tickets correctly.
Or create your own travel blog and start promoting travel agencies to get a free trip in return (called a press trip).