The most common comment that I get about my love for travel is how expensive it is. I always seem to shrug it off and shoot right back, well it's actually not that bad? Maybe I know something that others don't, so I'm here to share with you a few tips on how to save money to travel and while traveling!
1. LEARN TO LOVE LOW SEASON
Each destination has a "low" season. If there is a certain place that you want to visit, go when not "a lot" of other people are going. The cost of literally everything will be lower. I'm talking airfare, gas prices, hotel rates, tours, etc. The best way to learn about low season? Grab a copy of the city you're thinking about visiting's Lonley Planet book and read up!
2. GET A TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD...AND USE IT
I add "and use it" to this tip because I mean really really use it. Use it for everything you possibly can. Every day spending, big purchases, emergencies, etc. For every day spending, pay it off every time you get paid. For big expenses, save up, use the card, and pay it off with the money you saved. If you use every dollar possible on your travel card that is points that you accrue that will pay for your travel expenses. This is not a lie, my plane ticket for my upcoming trip to Istanbul/Italy was free thanks to my Bank of America Travel Rewards card! FREE. And we had left over points that we were able to put towards Caleb's ticket. Once again...I am flying to Europe for FREE! Since that purchase...which I used the card to make, I've accrued more points and now when we're actually there, all of our tours will be free. I'm talking wine tasting, trip to the Cinque Terre, and the Vatican. That's a lot of stuff for FREE! All thanks to my day to day spending, wedding expenses, and shopping addiction.
3. CUT ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have an option to stay with a friend in the place you are traveling to, ask them! You'll save 100's of dollars. If not, then do you really need to stay at the most luxurious hotel? If you're trying to travel cheap, and save money then probably not. If it's something you don't want to sacrifice then sorry to say you will need to find other ways to save, like not shopping, eating at lower end restaurants, and not seeing as many sites. My feelings on room accommodations is go cheap unless it enhances the experience. If you're going to a resort and will be spending all your time there, then of course go for the resort with the awesome room. If you're only going to be sleeping and showering there, do yourself a favor and go for the cheapest, but still clean hotel in the area. I've stayed in my fair share of Motel 6's and have had the best trips still. << Like my Sonoma County, California trip! Try sites like Expedia or even Airbnb for great deals.
4. CUT FOOD COSTS
Food is obviously essential for living, so you can't cut it out completely. Plus why would you want to, when there are so many different things to try in the world!? However, there are some things you can do to cut down on how much you spend on it. If the place you are staying at has breakfast included in the price...eat it. And eat a lot of it. Fill up for brunch so you cover breakfast and lunch. That way you're full and ready for a full day of exploring! If you get hungry throughout the day, stop in to some markets and grab snacks to hold you over till dinner time. Lastly, don't always plan an expensive dinner. Have a healthy balance of cheaper options mixed in with expensive options. I promise you will still get a great food experience and taste of the place you are visiting if you don't eat at a 5 star restaurant every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Heck most of the time, the little whole in the wall places end up being the best choice ever!
5. PLAN FREE ACTIVITIES
Not everything costs money! Hooray! There are some incredible things to see in this world for free. For example, the Columbia River Gorge just outside of Portland, OR. The waterfalls, the winding road, the river, all for free. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. There are plenty of things in this beautiful world that you don't have to pay a dime for once you've arrived at that location. Check out all my city guides, for great attractions that you can add to your trip itineraries that won't cost you anything!
6. SAVE BEFORE YOU GO
My philosophy for a trip is if you don't have the money, you shouldn't be going. Save up a sum of money before you leave for your trip and track your spending to make sure you're not going over that amount while you're on vacation. It's so easy to say yay I'm going *insert incredible destination here* and then max out all your credit cards while you're there. Do not do that. You won't be able to travel again for a very long time if this is how you travel. Save, spend, pay off right when you get home. Then it's done. You're not in debt, you're refreshed, and you had so much fun!
7. SLOW DOWN
Yes I think "live like you are dying tomorrow" is a great way to think and maximize your experiences, but in all reality we have our entire lives to travel the world! Slow down and check things off your list over a span of time. You don't need to quit your job, sell all your possessions, and jet off around the world tomorrow. Unless you want to be a nomad, then go for it! However, I'm not about that. I prefer to go to a few places here and there. This allows me 1. time to save, 2. less luggage to carry, which means I pay less in baggage fees, and 3. always something to look forward to! I know that last one doesn't have anything to do with saving money for travel, but having something to look forward to is so important! Actually, in a way it does involve saving money because if you have something to look forward to, then you will be more motivated to save the money to make that thing happen. So there! Winner winner chicken dinner.
Now go save, plan, and explore!
Follow me on Flickr for more travel photos!
Now go save, plan, and explore!
Follow me on Flickr for more travel photos!