Heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click and make a booking or purchase, I’ll make a commission (at no extra cost to you). I partner with companies I personally use and the $$ goes towards creating more awesome, free travel content.
A recent survey commissioned by Swiss-based luxury watchmaker and knife manufacturer Victorinox investigated the travel desires of people in the United States and the reasons stopping them from pursuing said desires. Not surprisingly, the results reinforced what everyone knew all along. In sum, a majority of Americans (76 percent) want to travel more, but many of them are held back from taking more trips due to a lack of finances.
Perhaps you also intend to visit more places and experience new things but are concerned about spending too much money to do so. Although it may seem too good to be true, there are, in fact, plenty of ways to make traveling possible without breaking the bank. With a bit of creativity, patience, and the right mindset, you can find ways to lower your expenses without completely sacrificing your travel desires.
Do you want to learn how you can get the best travel deals for all your needs? If so, read on. From putting together a travel wardrobe for a good price to saving money on accommodations, this piece will offer several strategies to help you fulfill your travel goals on a budget.
Money-saving Tips to Build a Travel Wardrobe
Traveling in style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you know where and how to look, you can buy hosiery, tops, sweaters, pants, and other travel clothing essentials at reasonable prices. Consider these money-saving tips:
Purchase Off-season
You can score great deals on travel garments by buying them when they’re out of season. This is because most retailers put off-season clothing pieces on sale to clear their excess stock. With that in mind, learn to go clothes shopping for your trips during the seasons when they’re usually not needed. Perhaps you can purchase a coat in May or a swimsuit during winter, for example.
Shop at Discount Stores
Scour the racks of different discount retailers in your area for the best deals on shoes, undergarments, and other clothing travel essentials. However, be sure to check the quality of the garments before buying, since many of the items sold at such places may have minor defects.
Look for Coupons Online
Whether shopping in-store or online, always look for coupons that you can use to purchase garments at discounted prices. If you don’t know where to find them, try downloading couponing apps on your mobile phone.
Top Ways to Reduce Your Transportation Costs
Whether you travel locally or internationally, you’ll need to set aside a substantial amount for transportation expenses. After all, gas prices, airline tickets, and car rental fees continue to rise as time goes on. Fortunately, there are still a couple of ways you can spend smartly to reduce your transportation expenses. Here are some of them:
Consider Going on a Road Trip
Instead of taking a flight, there may be cases where it’s cheaper to go by car to places that require eight hours or less of driving time. Sure, it will take more time to get to your destination, but you can save a lot on plane fares, baggage fees, and vehicle rentals. You can also download the GasBuddy app to find the cheapest gas that money can buy.
Book Early
Avoid waiting until the last minute to book your flight because it will cost you a lot more. Instead, score cheap flights when traveling internationally by booking your tickets several months in advance.
Prioritize Price Over Destination
If you’re not very particular about the place you’re going to, you may want to search for flights out of your local airport based on price instead of a specific destination. See what cheap flights are available, and then select a vacation place that’s to your liking.
Continue Monitoring Fares After Booking
Airlines are required to allow passengers to cancel their reservations and receive a full refund without penalty fees within 24 hours of booking. That’s why you should continue to keep an eye on plane fares even after you’re done booking a flight. In case you find a better deal, you can cancel your previous flight and use the refund to purchase the cheaper ticket.
How to Make Your Stay Less Expensive
Unless you have a friend or relative in the area who can provide you with a place to stay for a few days, you have no choice but to spend on accommodations when traveling. If you’re flexible enough, though, there are several things you can do to make your stay less costly. Here are a few tips:
Avoid Overnight Stays
If you’re moving to several different locations during your trip, you may want to schedule your flights or rides in the evening. Perhaps you can explore the area during the day and take an overnight train ride or a late-night flight going to the next city. That way, you can sleep while traveling and save a considerable sum on accommodations at the same time.
Opt for an Airbnb Instead of a Hotel
Renting a room or a condo through Airbnb or similar home-sharing platforms is often cheaper than an overnight stay in a hotel. Besides paying less for lodging, staying in an Airbnb often means you get access to free Wi-Fi as well as kitchen and laundry facilities.
Consider Housesitting
If you want to eliminate accommodation expenses entirely, you may try housesitting for someone living in your travel destination. That’s right: there are people who are willing to allow you to stay in their home in exchange for taking care of their place or pets. Connect with such people by joining house sitting websites like Trusted House Sitters. Who knows? Perhaps you can have access to luxurious facilities like pools and hot tubs if you get lucky!
Pointers to Save on Food While Traveling
As long as you’re okay with putting in a bit of extra effort, you’ll be able to come up with creative ways to reduce your food expenses during your travels. Below are several pointers to help keep you full and satisfied while vacationing without breaking the bank:
Choose to Stay in Places with Kitchen Access
You can save a lot on food costs if you can shop at a local grocery and prepare your own meals rather than dine out every time. Whenever possible, look for accommodations that offer access to a functional kitchen. Cooking food is even more cost-effective if you’re traveling with a partner or group.
Bring Snacks
Another way to bring down your food expenses is to pack snacks that you can consume for the first few days of your trip. For instance, you can bring a salad or a sandwich instead of buying expensive airport meals to eat while waiting for your flight. You can also bring pretzels, granola bars, or nuts that you can snack on throughout the day. That way, you don’t have to order room service or go out to buy food if you suddenly crave something to eat.
Don’t Buy Bottled Water
Instead of buying bottled drinking water every time you feel thirsty, always bring a refillable bottle with you when you go sightseeing. Fill the bottle with drinkable water at your place of accommodation before you head out. Then, simply refill the bottle at public drinking fountains as needed. By doing so, you can save a lot while minimizing your trash output.
Stay Away from Touristy Dining Places
If you have no choice but to eat in a restaurant, be sure to avoid touristy establishments. Such dining places usually offer meals at higher prices compared to local restaurants situated in quiet neighborhoods. To get the best value for your money, try to wander around town, use social media, or ask around for dining spots frequented by locals.
Traveling invigorates your tired mind and body, offers meaningful experiences, and boosts your happiness and satisfaction. Fortunately, a lack of funds won’t necessarily hold you back from experiencing all new sights, sounds, and tastes. Start planning and saving for your next adventure today. Keep all the money-saving strategies discussed above in mind, too. That way, you’re sure to get the best deals for your many travels.