Traveling on a shoestring budget is a lot cheaper than you think. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to see the world and do new and exciting things. To save money on travel and travel comfortably on a budget, check out these four budget-friendly tips.
Flexibility is Key
If you want to travel on a budget, you have to be flexible. Being flexible with your dates and times can make travel a lot more affordable. You can find incredibly amazing experiences in the spur of the moment. Sometimes, same-day planning can really pay off when you’re traveling. For example, tropical activities like swimming with dolphins or sharks might be cheaper if you book the day of and take advantage of last-minute cancelations. Activities like swimming with sharks can be found in places like Hawaii and other islands. A lot of people chicken out at the last minute and leave their slot open. The shark tourism industry generates about $314 million every year. This incredibly popular activity can make for some wonderful memories. Stay flexible with your travel plans.
Save on Lodging
You can save money on travel by moving out of the epicenter of the tourist areas. You may have to travel a little bit to get to the sights but the savings can be significant. Another way to save on lodging is to look into renting a timeshare. About 84% of resorts that have timeshare programs also have rental programs. These resorts offer all the bells and whistles. You can save on lodging costs because you’re using a timeshare that someone else cannot use. It is a win-win situation for everyone.
Another way to save on lodging is to find someone that is traveling to the same place and at the same time that you are and offer to split costs. It’s a great way to meet new people and to keep travel budget-friendly. There are groups online of singles that want to travel with other people to save money. Consider joining a travel forum. You can also stay in a venue that offers free breakfast or discounted rates on meals. Eating out constantly while traveling gets really expensive. Plan on eating only two or three meals out and making your own food if you can.
Travel During the Off Season
Every destination has an in-season and off-season. If you travel during the off-season, you can expect to find a lot of budget-friendly options for lodging, activities, and more. Of course, you will miss out on the crowds as well. However, there is one drawback — a lot of off-season areas have limited activities during the off-season.
Use Available Discounts
If you are a student, there are discounts out there for student travel. If you are a current or former member of the military, there are discounts for you as well. Take advantage of any and all discounts you can find. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to stack up the discounts and get some amazing savings. There are a lot of people that travel frequently enough that know where to find discounts. Consider joining a social media group that is focused on budget travel to get some tips on where and how to find discounts.
About 37% of U.S. citizens have never left their hometowns, while about 63% have moved to other communities. It’s possible that many of the people that never left their hometown have never traveled outside their own state. Don’t let a small budget keep you planted where you are. Travel for less by following these tips.