Best Ways to Save Money When Traveling
• Posted July 11 • 2024.
After some time, we have finally saved up for our much-desired trip. However, we might not want to spend too much on this journey; instead, we may want to save as much as possible, whether it's to experience more, be prepared for unexpected events, or simply because we are already thinking about our next adventure. Whatever the reason, there are several very effective ways to save while traveling. Let's explore them.
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Arriving at Your Destination
Take advantage of the deals available when traveling during the off-season, where flights are often much cheaper due to lower demand. Also, look for the most economical flights, which might involve a layover or two. If your goal is to save as much as possible while traveling, this could be an excellent option. Additionally, you can save on extra flight fees by not paying for seat selection or traveling with only carry-on luggage. You don't need three pairs of shoes for your adventure; pack light and save those dollars.
Sleep for Cheap
Avoid hotels, not just the expensive ones but also three-star hotels. You can find good rooms in one or two-star hotels; they are clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced, with bonus points if they have a kitchen. Also, consider staying in hostels, where you can save a lot on accommodation. Many offer private rooms with their own bathrooms, which can add comfort while keeping your trip within budget. If sharing isn't an issue, dorm rooms in these places are very economical and full of people who, like you, are looking to save money to see more places.
It’s also possible to find affordable Airbnb options, although they might be farther from central or tourist areas. Make sure they have a kitchen so you can save even more by cooking your meals instead of dining out.
Cook Your Own Meals
By finding a room with its own kitchen, you've managed to save hundreds of dollars. Not only because of the cost of the room itself but also because you can cook your own meals instead of spending money on eating out multiple times a day. No matter how cheap food is in a place, it will always be more economical to cook our own meals. This also helps avoid issues with local food, especially if it's spicy or heavily seasoned. If you're staying in a hostel, they usually have a shared kitchen, so it's still possible to cook your meals. Also, consider preparing snacks for when you're out exploring to avoid spending on costly treats.
A good tip is to ask locals about the best places to buy food for budget-conscious travelers. Ask at your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel; they will know. It might be a street market or the discount section of a supermarket, but there are always places with better prices for buying food ingredients, helping you save even more.
Don't forget to try local food at least a couple of times, prepared by locals, but try to avoid the more touristy areas where prices are always higher. Look for small places or ask your accommodation for recommendations on cheap restaurants. They will know where the best ones are. Once there, if you're with friends or family, we suggest sharing meals so you can try more local flavors without going over budget.
Use Public Transportation
When we're in saving mode, using the destination's public transportation can help avoid the costs of taxis and Ubers, adding extra dollars to our travel savings. However, it's necessary to know the routes, services, and locations in advance to use the local public transportation network effectively. This depends entirely on the destination; it might be a small coastal town with a couple of bus routes or a large American city with bus routes, subways, trains, taxis, and more.
Tip: Also, ask your accommodation about the safest public transportation routes. Remember that everything looks wonderful and perfect on destination websites, but reality can be different. It's better to ask locals about this to ensure not only more savings but also safe stays and transfers.
Save on Activities and Adventures
When you live in a tourist city, it's surprising how many free activities and adventures are available to residents and travelers that are completely unknown to visitors. Once you arrive at your destination, ask your accommodation about free or cheap activities, and you'll see they offer options not listed on tourist websites, simply because they don't know about them or aren't interested in promoting activities from which they don't gain economic benefit. But the fact is, these activities exist and are available to everyone.
Examples of these include art and dance festivals, guided tours of historical sites, and in some places, travelers can join hikes and explorations to visit nearby parks, gardens, or forests. It's just a matter of asking and diving into the adventure.
Look for Discounts on Everything
Finally, we recommend maintaining a careful budget. Stick to it, don’t overspend, and always look for discounts on everything you do and consume. For example, if you’re dining out, see if there are 2-for-1 deals, age discounts, or weekday promotions. In many places, these promotions are used just like in America, to attract customers during slow times. Also, seek discounts on activities. While free options are great, some experiences may have a cost; for those, look for discounts or coupons to save even more without missing out on the experiences you want.
For buying souvenirs, you can ask locals for the best places to shop, away from expensive tourist shops. It’s a fact that many times you’re sold the exact same product for ten times the price in tourist areas compared to shops on the outskirts. This way, you can buy keepsakes while saving more money.
In conclusion, saving money while traveling is possible. It may not be easy for everyone, but for those in saving mode, it certainly is, especially because what matters most is the experience of the destination—seeing a new place and its wonders, not necessarily the accommodation or long flights. Budget travelers care about exploring and enjoying the destination without luxuries, simply saving money, because for them, the real luxury is traveling and discovering new places.
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Tastes of La Paz.