The idea of getting to know another country is something really exciting and planning the trip is not something extremely difficult. Although it can get a little more complicated when the budget is limited. If you don’t know how to travel to other countries on a budget , take note of the following tips.
Travel to other countries on a budget
Having a tighter budget to travel is not synonymous with a bad trip. It is not necessary to have unlimited money to enjoy a country, what you have to have is desire, enthusiasm and the will to want to do so. The first step is to find a destination that, in addition to being interesting, fits the money available. The second step is to separate essential expenses from those that are not. And, from here, go on doing.
Low budget, what can you spend on?
There are expenses that you cannot do without, such as transportation, accommodation and food. But there are some that can be avoided, such as private tours, compulsive souvenir purchases, taxi rides … And if you want to save, you have to take everything you need from home to avoid extra purchases at the destination, such as personal hygiene items, clothes, smartphone charger …
You also have to think about the reason for the trip very well. That is, if the objective of the trip is clear, expenses caused by whims of the moment or impulses can be reduced. For example, unless you are traveling to enjoy a film festival, it doesn’t make sense to spend money to see any movie in a theater that is not of any tourist interest.
Or if what you want is to know the gastronomy of the place, it is absurd to spend money in museums just because they appear on the essential page of the guide. With this we do not mean that there is only one way to travel in order to save, only that you have to be very clear about the reason for the trip and focus on that. In this way, in addition to making the trip fit the budget, the place is enjoyed more.
How to get to your destination on a budget?
There are travelers who assure that a large part of their budget always goes to transport. To save you have to look for the cheapest alternative to make the journey. The car, the bus and the train can sometimes be cheaper than the plane. But it is true that there are situations in which the plane can be, in addition to being cheaper, faster and more comfortable. Sometimes it is also the only option because the destination is too far away. Whatever the means of transport, you have to try to find the best deals.
We recommend a car for relatively short trips. The train and the bus, meanwhile, are perfect for getting around within the same country. And the plane is ideal for international travel. To get good tickets, we recommend signing up with the newsletters of the main companies so that promotions do not escape. In addition, we recommend avoiding travel agencies and searching different web pages until you find the one that offers the cheapest prices. Many of these websites give the option to activate alerts to track prices.
The day and time of the trip, the time of year and how far in advance the tickets are being purchased can also influence the price. It is best to avoid traveling on weekends, at peak times (first thing in the morning and last thing at night) and on holidays or during the summer months .
What accommodation to choose?
Once the transport issue has been solved, it’s time to find accommodation. There are websites where you can find accommodation at fairly good prices , but when the budget is quite tight, it is best to opt for a hostel or an apartment because they tend to have cheaper prices.
Another option is to make a trade. If the apartment is owned or the rental contract allows it, there are numerous websites that put people from different countries in contact to make an exchange during the holidays. If this option is chosen, it is best to do it through a website that gives confidence and security.
We advise not to take an accommodation that is on the outskirts of the city because, although the offer is very good, the cost of transport and the time that will be invested in travel may not compensate for these savings.
Where can you eat during the trip?
When the budget is tight, you should avoid restaurants that are in highly touristy areas . Most of the time you only have to cross a couple of streets to find much more authentic and cheaper places. By this we mean that it is not necessary to spend large amounts of money to try local dishes. We also recommend buying in supermarkets and improvising dinners at the accommodation .
How to get around the city?
Walking to the sites is the best way to save and the best way to get to know the place. However, when the distance between one point and another is very great, there is no other option than to find a means of transport. Renting a bicycle or motorcycle can be a very good idea, but if these options are not possible, it is best to take the bus or metro . Especially avoid taxis, which tend to be more expensive.
Other tips for traveling to other countries on a budget
In addition to all that has been mentioned, to travel to other countries on a low budget it is best to choose dates in the low season , which is when the prices of transport and accommodation are lowest. In addition, the main tourist attractions are much quieter.
We advise avoiding compulsive souvenir shopping . It is not mandatory to bring gifts to everyone, nor is it necessary to take countless useless objects as souvenirs. These kinds of things tend to be quite expensive, and most of them have no use beyond being an ornament.
We also recommend finding out in advance if there are days when monuments or museums have free entry, looking for the best place to exchange currency and traveling light to avoid checking suitcases .
