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Sometimes, the best way to travel is to do it on a budget. It doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy international destinations or luxurious accommodations—it just means that you’ll have to be smart about how you spend your money. You can still see the world in style and experience all sorts of things without spending a fortune. In this post, we’ll discuss some tips for traveling on a budget while still having fun.
Use public transportation.
If you’re traveling on a budget, public transportation is your best friend. It’s cheaper than taxis and usually faster than walking (unless you’re in New York City). Plus, it’s a great way to meet people from all over the world!
Avoid expensive tourist traps
Museums are a classic tourist trap. They’re expensive, crowded, and filled with people who have no interest in the art or history on display. You can spend hours wandering around without getting anything out of it except for some new knowledge about how much time you wasted.
Instead, try going to local art galleries instead of big museums–they’re often much less crowded and more affordable, making them perfect if you’re traveling on a budget! If there’s something specific to see that you really want (like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers), then go ahead and splurge on entrance fees; otherwise save yourself some money by taking advantage of free days at museums around town instead.
The same goes for tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower or Times Square: they’re expensive places where tourists congregate because they’ve been told that these are “must-see” destinations when traveling abroad. Don’t fall into this trap unless there’s something specific about these places that interests you personally; otherwise opt for exploring less-known neighborhoods instead!
Eat at restaurants near your hotel instead of touristy ones.
If you’re staying in a hotel and want to eat out, find the local restaurants near your hotel instead of touristy ones. You’ll be able to get better food at lower prices.
To find these restaurants, ask the concierge or do some research online before going out. If you don’t know how to read or speak the language of where you’re traveling, try looking for signs that say “local cuisine” or “traditional cuisine.” Then ask someone who does speak English what they recommend–they’ll probably have their own favorites!
Read more: 15 Shortcuts to Eating Like a Local on Your First Day in Any Country
If possible (and especially if there are many tourists around), avoid ordering anything with raw seafood because it’s more likely than not going to come from an area where people don’t know how to properly store fish so they can sell it at markets later on without getting sick themselves first!
Research prices before going to a new place.
The best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal while traveling on a budget is to do your research before you go. Researching prices and activities will help you know what kind of budgeting needs to happen while traveling, which can help prevent overspending later down the line.
- Look up prices for activities: If there’s something specific that interests you, such as tours, custom clearance or excursions, look up their prices online before booking anything through an agency or tour guide (which usually has a higher price tag).
- Look up prices on things like food and transportation: The same goes for transportation costs–if there are public transportation options available that cost less than taxis or Ubers, consider taking them instead! And when it comes time for dinner? Dig deep into those pockets because eating out all the time isn’t cheap either!
Couchsurf
Couchsurfing is a great way to meet locals and save money on accommodations when traveling on a budget. You can find hosts all over the world by searching for local Couchsurfing groups or by reaching out directly through their website.
Once you’ve found someone who’s willing to host you, be sure to read their profile carefully so that you know what kind of person they are before messaging them. Also take some time going through other people’s profiles so that when it comes time for them (or anyone else) to message you, they’ll have an idea of what kind of traveler/personality type they’re dealing with!
It’s also important not just being a good guest but being a good surfer too–if someone offers up their home as a place where travelers can stay while visiting another city or country, there might be other guests staying as well! So if someone asks if he/she could crash at your place while passing through town? Be sure not just say yes; maybe offer up some ideas about how many nights he/she could stay instead so everyone gets along better
Rent an apartment or house instead of booking a hotel room.
If you’re looking to save money on your travels, consider renting an apartment or house instead of booking a hotel room. You’ll have more privacy and independence, which can be great if you want to cook your own meals and not be tied down by the daily schedule of the property.
You’ll also save money on food and transportation because there’s no need for taxis or buses when you can walk everywhere! If this sounds like something that appeals to both your wallet and soul, here are some tips for finding affordable housing options around the world:
Look into free days and free admission days at museums and attractions in your destination city.
When you’re planning your trip, look up the free days and admission at museums, attractions and other places of interest. Many cities have their own tourism websites, which often offer this information. If you don’t find it on those sites, try doing a Google search for “free days in [destination city]” or similar terms.
Read more: Top Free Things to do in New York City
You can also check out social media accounts that promote local events; they often post about free admission days as well. The same goes for newspapers and radio stations–they may post deals like this too! Finally, look through magazines or newspapers at home; they sometimes publish articles about upcoming events with tickets being sold at reduced prices or even being given away completely free of charge (this is known as “door crasher” promotions).
Conclusion
If you’re looking to travel on a budget, these tips are for you. You can see the world without breaking the bank by staying in hostels and campgrounds instead of hotels, eating at restaurants near your hotel instead of touristy ones, researching prices before going to a new place, staying in apartments or houses instead of booking hotel rooms–and so much more!
About the author:
Qasim is an amateur astronomer, a writer, and an artist. “I love reading and I believe that learning keeps you alive. I am writing blogs for several websites and I enjoy doing it.“
