As much as seeing the world might be a dream for many, for lots of people it is something that feels like it is way out of budget. When you start to look at flights and accommodation from the off-set you're likely to start to panic and wonder how you will ever make any travel plans work. The good news is that there are plenty of ways that you can travel on a budget that allow you to see the world without having to worry too much about denting your bank balance too much.
Plan Your Travel
One of the best pieces of advice that can be given to you is to plan your travel. That doesn't just mean planning where you want to go but also to look at when & how. Planning a route that means you aren't darting backwards and forwards across the globe is a good way to make sure you don't spend too much on flights and international travel. When you are looking at travelling around a city or country make sure you research public transport options and the cheapest way to get around - this may well vary from country to country.
It is also worth thinking about when you want to travel. There are most definitely countries where the time of year makes a massive difference to the cost of flights and accommodation. Unless you specifically want to visit a big event, try to avoid visiting a country when something is happening. For example, you'll pay more to visit New York during New Year than you will at other times of the year.
Accommodation is likely to be a large chunk of your budget, so make sure you choose wisely. For example, if you're going to spend a couple of weeks in one destination then look at things like short-term lets and Airbnb rather than a hotel as this can often work out much more cost-effective.
Watch Your Money
If you're going travelling long-term then you need to consider it more than just a holiday. Although we can all be guilty of treating ourselves and being frivolous with our spending while on holiday, if you're travelling long-term then you need to be much savvier. This can be small things like taking a packed lunch with you if you're going out for the day rather than buying lunch every day or taking a coffee flask rather than buying coffee every day. Think of the things you do at home to save money and which of these could be used on your travels too.
Being safe with your money is also a must! Another piece of advice to stay on budget while you are travelling is to consider the options you have when you have to transfer money abroad. Avoid paying any additional fees that a bank would usually charge by choosing a provider who is offering cheap money transfers.
Be Mindful of What You Pack
Before you leave, think about where you are going and what you might need to pack. After all, if you pack wrongly then you might find that you then have to buy a new wardrobe or different shoes to suit where you are heading to. Try to pack things that you think you'll get plenty of use out of - so items that can be worn together and electrical items that use the same types of charger for example.
It is worth bearing in mind that as you travel, places may make you pay extra for a baggage allowance so consider that anything you pack you might well be paying to cart around with you.
Be a Savvy Shopper
Looking at what you need to buy while you are there & how you can save money is a definite must. For example, if you're staying in one place for a couple of weeks then speak to locals about the best places to buy groceries. This gives you a chance to try out some proper local produce but is also often a much more cost-effective way to get what you need.
If you are shopping online, then just as you would look for the best price when shopping at home you should do so when you're on your travels. Cashback websites and discount vouchers are likely something that you use at home without even thinking, so why should being on your travels be any different? No one wants to pay more for an item than they need to, so always be on the lookout for ways to save money and earn cash back on things you want to buy.
Depending on where you're visiting, you may find that tourist areas charge more for items - which is definitely something you want to avoid. Look at where locals visit, use the internet to do some research and make sure that you're shopping in the places that are going to give you the best value for money.
Earn While You Travel
Thanks to technology, there are some great ways for you to make money while you travel and help top up your travel budget. This could be something as simple as setting up a blog or social media channel to document your travels and build up a follower base this way. You can then earn money by posting sponsored content or sharing affiliate links.
If that doesn't sound like your thing then offering things like remote admin services or content writing can be a good way to earn some money. You might even be able to sell photos to stock photography websites if you're into photography.
Being able to travel the world is a great experience, whether you want to see just a handful of countries or you're interested in seeing much more. By taking these tips into account you no longer have to worry about your budget being a barrier, because as you can see there are some really easy ways to make travelling on a budget work for you.
