We all know that traveling tends to be way too expensive. The price is a huge deterrent for most people to pack their bags and fly. Here are some of my favorite ways to be money-smart while traveling.
Food: Food is incredibly expensive in most countries. Instead of eating out, go to the grocery store and by some sandwich ingredients, chips, fruit, and veggies to eat for lunch and dinner. You can just get some milk and cereal for breakfast. It’s ok to treat yourself for a few meals, but keep it to a minimum so you can save yourself hundreds of dollars to spend on activities! My favorite memory from doing this was when I was at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia where it was slightly raining and everyone ran inside to eat lunch while they waited for the rain to stop. I pulled out my handy-dandy lunchbox and started eating my lunch under my umbrella while standing with the giraffes – by myself. It was an awesome moment!
Accommodation: Hostels and Airbnb’s are a really great way to save money. You still can have decent sleep, while also having access to a kitchen where you can make your meals. Oftentimes, Hostels and Airbnb’s are much cheaper than a motel or hotel – and you get more for your money. I’ve had some of my favorite memories of traveling from hanging out with Airbnb hosts, and traveling to places they suggested!
Excursions: Excursions are usually the most costly part of a trip. Make sure to do your research before booking a tour and see what’s included (pickup, meal, etc.), how long it is, and always ask if they have a special discount! Compare different tours with different companies and see who gives you the most bang-for-your-buck, and be sure to read the reviews! You can also check on websites like Groupon to see if there are any sales happening. My biggest tip: Don’t be afraid to negotiate! Tours can almost always be negotiated. If you’re on a budget and just simply cannot afford it, ask them to decrease the price because they need you to do the tour more than you do!
Getting Around: Uber and Taxi’s tend to be expensive. Grab yourself a Public Transport card and download Google Maps. You can get around almost anywhere in the city using Public Transport. If you have to get an Uber, try to find someone to share it with so you can split the cost! This is a cool trick, especially when leaving/going to an airport since Public Transport often charges a lot to go to/from an Airport.
Be Social: Often times, if you are willing to put yourself out there, meeting locals can save you a ton of money.
Locals tend to know the best places, the best deals, and they can even be your tour guide for free! The biggest benefit of this is that you can experience the culture of the city you are in while you immerse yourself with the people.