The number one question I get asked most often about traveling really doesn’t have to do with actual traveling at all. Without fail, every time I take a trip I am asked, “How do you afford it?”
A lot of people are under the impression that in order to travel you have to be rolling in money or backpacking on a shoestring budget. I fall into neither of those categories. I’m not someone who would enjoy staying at hostels and doing things the cheapest way possible, but I’m also not being bankrolled by anyone other than myself either. Below are three tips that allow me to travel without breaking the bank.
1. UTILIZE BUDGET SITES FOR FLIGHTS
A common misconception about traveling internationally is that flights have to cost an arm and a leg. Not true! If I had to shell out thousands of dollars for flights, there is no way I’d be able to travel as much as I do. I have personally had success booking very inexpensive flights using the sites below.
Scott’s Cheap Flights
Momondo
Hopper
Skyscanner
Once I decide on a destination and time frame, I immediately set alerts on all sites that I am able to do so. Momondo, Hopper, and Skyscanner will notify you when prices increase or decrease, and Hopper will even advise you when is the best time to book your flight. If you’re flexible about your destination and timeframe, Skyscanner has a feature that allows you to look at the cheapest flights from your city of origin to anywhere in the world! Scott’s Cheap Flights operates like an email subscription and will send you emails daily about cheap fares their team has found to a specific destination, along with the average fare from cities throughout the US. The only drawback to using these sites is that you have to be ready to book at any given notice, because the fares you find most likely will disappear before the day is gone.
But seriously, some people would be absolutely shocked to find out how cheap you can get flights these days. Case in point: I just booked a roundtrip American Airlines flight to Amsterdam with only one short layover each way for $415. Can you believe?!
2. CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WISELY
As mentioned above, I’m not someone who would enjoy staying in hostel. No disrespect to those who do! It’s just not my style. Staying in a hostel is generally the cheapest kind of accommodation you can find, but if you’re like me and would prefer your own digs, there are plenty of other ways to find inexpensive places to stay. The sites below allow you to find accommodation that is up to your standards AND your budget.
Airbnb
VRBO
HomeAway
In my experience, booking with sites like these will be way cheaper than staying in any kind of hotel. I have only used Airbnb, but have friends who have used VRBO and HomeAway with similar results. No, you will not have a daily cleaning service or access to a concierge, but if that’s not a hinderance to you then this is your best bet. Plus, in most places I’ve booked through Airbnb the host even leaves a guide full of tips and recommendations for their city! The one our host left us in Edinburgh was particularly impressive. I think this is arguably better than a hotel concierge anyways because you’re getting recommendations from a local, rather than through a hotel that has been paid off by establishments in exchange for recommending their spot to guests (yes, this is a thing).
3. DO YOUR RESEARCH
It seems like an obvious statement to encourage you to research before a trip, but I think people would be surprised just how much I put into the planning process. When it comes to activities or tours, compare deals and reviews from multiple companies so you can choose the one that has the best value for you. I usually book all paid activities ahead of time, over the course of a few months leading up to a trip. Spreading out your activity expenses beforehand really helps with budgeting and allows you to continue to save for the big trip.
Don’t be afraid to strike out on your own as well! Often times, things are cheaper and easier to do without a tour or a group. For example, one of the main things my cousin and I wanted to see when we were in Munich last year was Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle, which is a stunning fortress built by a mad king in the 1800’s, is located outside the small town of Füssen about an hour outside Munich. The tours I found would take us from Munich to Füssen and on a thorough tour of the castle, but once I dug a little deeper, I found it would be so much more convenient (and budget-friendly) to do it on our own. We simply hopped on a train to Füssen and had the opportunity to wander around the idyllic town before meandering our way up to the castle. Doing it our way allowed us to see and explore things that we wouldn’t have been able to had we been on a pre-packaged tour.
Remember to take advantage of the free offerings at your destination. So many cities in Europe offer a variety of things to do that cost no money at all. In London, museums have free entry. In Edinburgh, hike up Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill. The list goes on…
Even with all of these tips in mind, it’s still important to save before a trip. I recently cut out my daily Starbucks habit, and I now set aside the amount of money I would have previously spent on coffee into a savings account to be used for travel. The majority of my money goes to food and drink when I’m in my destinations, so it’s imperative you know how much you are willing to spend and save accordingly.
If you have any questions about utilizing the resources above, or would like more specific advice on how to appropriately research to make the most of your trip without blowing up your budget, feel free to reach out to me at explorationendless@gmail.com.
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