One awe-inspiring trip later, you’ve got the travel bug. Unfortunately, you don’t have the income to keep feeding it, so now you’re looking for ways around it, maybe even a compromise.
If you can’t wait to see more of the world and are willing to do pretty much anything to make it happen, don’t forget to use these tips.
Transportation
Flights and other transportation costs can end up taking the bulk of your cash. One of the best things you can do to cut those down is avoid peak travel times for popular destinations. On top of getting cheaper prices, you’ll likely have less of a tourist mob to compete with when getting into museums and taking iconic photographs.
Looking for even more of a break? Look at flights using multiple airlines. Just be sure to check arrival and departure times for your layovers to make sure there’s enough time to make connections even with delays. You can also use public transportation and walk as much as possible between destinations within the same city.
Luggage
You’ve likely planned to hit several destinations on this one trip, and even though it may be a few weeks or months of travel, bringing more baggage will only be a nuisance. Instead, pack only the necessities in a bag that will be easy to carry and take on your flights as a carry-on.
Any clothing you bring should be light and easy to wash, even if you’re planning on cold weather. If you went with multiple airlines, this is also a good idea to prevent any lost luggage.
Accommodation
Everyone would love to stay in hotels everywhere they travel, but the truth is hotel rooms are pretty expensive. Use your friends’ and family’s travel connections to stay with host families who don’t mind someone sleeping on the floor or couch. If you’re doing this, be sure to leave them with a host gift.
Though they probably won’t equal your BYU-I girls’ housing standards, hostels and Airbnb locations will be your next best bet if you haven’t built up travel connections yet. Make sure you thoroughly vet these before booking, as accommodations may be in parts of the city you might not feel comfortable being in on your own.
Meals
Half the experience of traveling is trying all the new foods, but this is also an aspect that can dig deep into your pockets. You should plan out how often you’re okay with eating out while you travel, then mimic the locals by visiting the shops. You can still get delicious, authentic food shopping at the grocery store without the hefty price tag.
Activities
With a hundred different things you want to do and see before it’s time to go home, it’s easy to book spots on different tours to pack your day with the important monuments. If you really want to experience each location, it will be smarter to cut down on how many sites you visit, then go on your own.
And why not look for as many free options as you can? Some of the most fun experiences are free, like local hiking trails or walking tours. You’ll be able to keep more money in your pockets while having amazing experiences most people miss out on.
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