7 Money Saving Tips While Traveling
Do you have the desire to travel but believe you don’t have the money? Or do you currently travel but would like to learn new ways to get more bang for your buck?
The truth is, you don’t have to be rich to travel. You just have to be smart with the money that you do have. As an experienced traveler who has done it for more than 15 years on my own dime, I’ve learned ways to save money without compromising my experience.
These are my very own travel tips and, although, you may not put them into practice at once, picking and choosing the ones that fit your needs will make a difference in your bank account.
Money Saving Tips:
1. Tour on Your Own
Touring on your own can be more economical than hiring a tour agency. In this area, I do my research and compare the pros and cons. I consider how much or how long transporting myself by walking, taking public transportation, or renting a car to the place(s) that I would like to visit is going to cost me. Is food included? Is it an informative guided tour or is the agency just providing transportation? Will you be visiting multiple locations or is it just one? The answers to these questions should all be a factored into your decision.
Also, when traveling with tour agencies there’s no flexibility. This may be considered stress-free for someone that just wants to pay a price, no matter what it is, and have the logistics taken care of for them. But for those that have restrictions or want autonomy, touring on your own may be a better option.
2. Take Advantage of Free Attractions
In many cities there are free-to-access historical and cultural sites, free walking tours, free museums, parks, and natural landmarks that you can take advantage of that won’t cost you a thing. It not only saves you money but you won’t have time constraints and can come, stay, and go as you please.
Pro Tip: Not only is there no admission costs but many of these sites have experienced guides that volunteer their services. They will give you the lay of the land or provide historical background either for free or for an optional donation. Verify by calling the offices or checking the websites of the respective sites and visit when there is a volunteer guide available.
3. Cook More
Take advantage of the markets in your area and the healthier food that you may have access to, as every country has their own food regulations and practices.
For example, when I was living in Oaxaca, Mexico I had access to a carnicería/butcher shop within a few steps from my apartment that provided fresh meat on a daily basis. It was farmed and prepared right on site. The carnicería was a store front directly on the land so I knew that I was buying fresh, quality meat; true farm-to-table. The same with vegetables and fruits. I bought mine from a market a few steps in the other direction. The potatoes still had remnants of dirt and roots attached. So you knew they were fresh! Lol!
Furthermore, when you buy groceries you should consider buying from national brands instead of the imported international brands that you’re used to. It will help save you cash.
Pro Tip: Cook two out of your three meals to save money which also helps you monitor what you eat. When you’re cooking your own food you have a better handle on what you’re putting in it.
4. Buy Local and Eat Street Food
If you know anything about me by now or have read, For The Foodies, I LOVE to buy from local restaurants and eat street food when I go out. The food is less expensive and often times more delicious than eating at a food chain or multi-star restaurant. It’s also a way to immerse yourself in the culture, interact with locals, and give back to the people of the places that you’re visiting, which are personally important to me.
Furthermore, it’s an excellent way to try new foods; even if it’s just once!
5. Use Public Transportation
Public transportation can save you tons of money and is the easiest way to get around in many cities. It also gives you a chance to experience life like the locals.
If you’re thinking of public transportation as hot, dirty, and crowded, think again. Coming from the NY/NJ area, that’s the idea I had of public transportation. Although I used it often, even when I had a car, because it was convenient. It’s not until I visited France that I had a different experience. I remember returning from that trip and bragging about how clean their train stations were. Lol!
Now with much more experience, I can say, that many countries have incredible public transportation, not only European countries.
Pro Tip: Mexico has premium bus services with routes from city-to-city and state-to-state that offer comfortable seating, free wifi, TV screens featuring TV shows and movie options, snacks, and bathrooms on board.
For example, I took an 8-hour bus ride from Mexico City to Oaxaca City with all the frills for 753 Mexican Pesos ($37 USD). Then took a 1.5-hour bus ride from Zapopan to Tequila with little frill, but still comfortable and reliable, for 115 Mexican Pesos ($6 USD).
6. Don’t Book Hotels
Hotels tend to be more expensive than renting an apartment or a house on Airbnb or Booking.com. In addition, you’re limited to the amenities that you receive at a hotel that would come with your apartment at a fraction of the cost. These amenities include a fully functional kitchen, multiple bedrooms, laundry machines, and reliable internet throughout the space, just to name a few.
As a full-time traveler, it’s important for me to have places that feel like home. Especially, if I’ll be staying in a city for a long period of time. I also like to live among the locals and hotels tend to be in more touristic areas, which if I’m honest, I try to avoid.
7. Be Flexible
Being flexible with the date, time, and even destination that you would like to visit can save you a significant amount of money.
But let’s say you can’t be flexible with your date because you have a specific time frame to take your vacation or have obligations that limit your schedule. Try choosing a destination that is in the off (or low) season during the period when you can travel.
Pro Tip: Skyscanner and Google Flights allows you to search by destination for a whole month, providing you with a calendar view so that you can easily compare prices. Skyscanner also has a filter which allows you to search by the cheapest month and, in addition, provides you with the ability to enter “everywhere” in the destination search bar to view the cheapest destinations.
“Travel to as many destinations as possible for the sake of education as well as pleasure.”
Now that you’ve learned 7 money saving tips to help prepare you for your next adventure, which ones do you think you will implement first?
Please share your thoughts on this blog post in the comment section below, I would love to hear from you. If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to like and share with your family and friends. Subscribe to be the first to receive the latest content and click NEXT for more Tips and Info.
-Natali-
Updated: March 21, 2021
Photos sourced from Pexels