Keeping a budget while traveling might be tough. Especially when you are in a new city and are not sure where to spend your money on.
It’s important to keep a budget while you are traveling and to know whether the amount of the money you are spending is worth it. In order to make sure you are not wasting your money, it’s very important to keep a record of all your spending. When you have some idea of how much you are spending on what, try and see if you can cut down your spending on these items:
1) Accommodation: I mention budget accommodation many times. This is because accommodations are what eats away at your wallet most of the time. It’s a necessity and at the same time the most expensive thing you have to pay for. If you don’t mind being surrounded by other travelers for cheap accommodation, go to a hostel. If you want to get to know some locals and aren’t too picky about privacy, couchsurfing is free and awesome. If you do want privacy, are traveling with someone else and want to split the cost, instead of hotels and even private rooms in hostel, look into getting Airbnb. A lot of times Airbnb rooms are the cheapest options!
2) Food: Food is probably where I will spend the most money on. I love food and I love trying out different types of food. I don’t like food just for the sake of eating but for the idea of sharing it with others, trying out different cuisines, and experiencing different dining cultures. However, part of it is also looking for budget options such as a hole in the wall dining area tucked away in the back alley, trying out street food, going to the grocery store to see what they sell and cooking at home (even perfect if you cook with your couchsurfing host)! Try not to eat out at fancy places too often!
3) Shopping: I am not a shopper even when I’m not traveling. Sure, I have my moments and I don’t necessarily hate shopping (I’m a girl after all). I love shopping, I just don’t purchase. Going to the local stores looking at different souvenirs for all around the world is fun but I’ll be satisfied with just walking around. Buying souvenir can be a waste of money and it’s also just one extra thing for you to have to carry around with you. Just think whether it’s worth it and maybe put that money towards experiencing something new.
4) Transportation: Transportation is not cheap. However, there are ways around it! When I travel, I make sure to check out every single transportation system that is available from point A to point B. I will check prices for trains, buses, flights, etc. to see what the cheapest option is and book accordingly. Also, booking in advance helps for trips around Europe and the U.S.!
5) Big Tours: Big tours can be great but not always worth the price. There are ways you can do the tour on your own without having to pay the large fees. Touring on your own rather than following a big group can also be more fun since you can tour at your own pace. You don’t have to be at a certain place at a certain time so if you wanted, you could stop for a quick coffee break, check out stores and restaurants in between, etc. I like to use mobile apps like TripAdvisor City Guides App and Triposo, which work offline, to do my own tours!
What are some ways you save money while traveling?
