10 tips for travelling on a budget
Choose a destination with proximity
Choose a place to travel that’s nearby. Whether that means travelling to Asia or New Zealand (for most Australians, you can fly there affordably), or travelling to a town or city within driving distance. Don’t discount exploring your own back-yard (not literally). Since we’ve moved to the mainland, we plan to do this more…drives to the coast, winery weekends, a quick trip to NZ – all good options for us as we try to save for a bigger overseas trip.
Book early
This is a fool-proof way of saving some $. We live on the anticipation of a holiday in the distant future, so we often book more than 6 months in advance. Another trick is to make bookings in increments, so book your flights first, then a month or two later, book your accommodation… that way the cost doesn’t hit you as hard in one go. By the time you go on holiday, it’s all been paid for, and all you have to worry about is pocket money.
Don’t eat hotel food
Hotel food is almost always overpriced. Do your research and make sure you’re staying close to hubs of restaurants or markets. The only way to really experience the culture of a new city or town is by eating like the locals do. A trick I love is to find the spots where all the locals are dining.
Book accommodation with a kitchen
Lately, we’ve been loving Airbnb. It’s often cheaper than booking a hotel, and I just love staying in a place that has a homely feel. You get an experience of living like a local for a little while, but you can choose a place that has all the amenities you need, like a kitchen and washing machine, which is really handy for longer trips and saving money. When visiting South Korea, we liked having a kitchen to have our cereal or eggs in the morning before a big day of exploring. This way, we weren’t eating out three times a day.
Shop at the local supermarket
This is a tip I got from a friend. What better way to experience a culture than checking out where they shop! It’s a great way to access local produce and a few new things. Stock up on supplies and have a picnic, or do dinner at home before heading out for drinks.
Ride public transport
We rode the Subway in Seoul every day and it was the best! Nothing like squishing into a subway like sardines during the morning commute. This was a super affordable way (and really the only way) to see the city. Do your research before-hand, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Check the price before you buy
Don’t get into a taxi, don’t order dinner, don’t agree to purchase anything until you're sure of the price. This is particularly necessary in Asian countries where they barter. Also, count your notes before you hand them over. I’ve accidently handed over $20, instead of $2 because the notes were a similar colour. Oops!
Travel where the exchange rate is good
Sometimes, the timing might be perfect to travel to a particular destination. When your $ is strong, go for it! Be aware of what your money can buy over there and budget accordingly. But don’t let this stop you… sometimes you might just have to travel closer to home to save for a trip where your money doesn’t go as far.
Don’t travel over peak season
I’m not a fan of huge crowds, so this will always be my first choice. However, know what you’re getting into weather-wise. You don’t want to get stuck in Fiji in wet season, or Thailand in peak hot season (death).
Research research research
Basically my core principle for all of the above is research. Research across multiple sources, check out other blogs and talk to people who have been there. Know what you enjoy and what you can afford and make your holiday your own.