Noteworthy tips for traveling the world on a budget without hurting your pockets

Being a travel enthusiast, I am always on a lookout for new and exciting destinations to explore. Traveling makes me happy and rejuvenates me for a few months till I start my hunt for another spot. From hills to beaches to wild, I love everything. Nature has some magic. It makes you forget all your problems and you are in a different world for a few days and that’s what one wants in life. Solace. Peace. A break from the monotonous schedule, routined and programmed life. But it is not possible to pack your bags and start traveling every second day. It requires a lot of planning, time, energy and most of all, money. I try to go out of my cocoon once in a quarter or every 6 months at max.

After relocating to Poland, I could explore a few more countries as we are on a Schengen Visa and hence don’t need a separate VISA to visit many European countries. Moreover, there are many small countries which can be covered over the weekend and we don’t need to take off from our work.

Many of my friends think I am making dollars here and shelling out a huge amount of money for my vacations but that’s not true. Here I am sharing a few practical tips from my personal experience of traveling the world on a budget.

Plan in advance:

Planning is the most important part of the travel and I focus the most on it. With two toddlers with me, it becomes even more important. List down the destinations that are on your bucket list and you want to explore. Check the availability and modes of the ticket of travel. Compare the cost of the trip among all the listed destinations and choose wisely keeping your budget in mind. Sometimes, you get a better deal on flights, almost at the same price as the rail. Keep an eye on the schemes and discounts the airlines are offering. Book your travel well in advance to get the best rates. There is an option to compare the rates on the entire month, explore and find when are you getting the best deal, book accordingly.

Offseason travel:

Unless I wish to attend any festival going on like “La Tomatina, Spain” or visit any particular spot like “Keukenhof Tulip garden, Amsterdam” which is open only for 2 months in a year during the peak season, I try to plan my travel during the offseason only. Visiting any location during the offseason has a few benefits like you get cheaper flight tickets, low hotel rates, a lesser crowd in public transports, a few travelers than in the which makes it easier to explore the location at leisure. You can take clear pictures at the popular spots without much of hassles of the other travelers. Win-win situation, isn’t it? 

Eat local:

Traveling to Italy and foraging Indian food, does it really make sense? Don’t just explore the destination, explore their food, their cuisine also. You can get Indian food all across the globe but you will end up paying a huge amount for it. Go local and try their delicacies and staples. Research well about the popular foods of the particular city/country you are visiting before you embark on your journey. You can ask for recommendations on platforms like Tripadvisor from the travelers who had visited the place before. Alternatively, you can also check with the locals. People love to boast about their place and can suggest some good places to dine out. You will not only save your money but also develop a new taste. Always carry some ready to eat and packed snacks with you just in case you get stuck somewhere and don’t find any eating option.

Book Airbnb:

Airbnb has become my favorite stay in the last two years. Not just they are cheaper than the hotels but also give you comfort like home. Nowhere they compromise on the comfort and cleanliness.  You have equal safety and privacy as in your hotel room. Another advantage of staying in Airbnb is the accessibility to the kitchen. As I travel with kids, a kitchen is a mandatory requirement for me to heat milk or to cook something healthy for them. You can cook your breakfast and leave for sightseeing. Also, you can carry noodles, quick ready heat and eat meals to save time and money. traveling the world on a budget

Download their travel app:

Taxis are very costly in many countries. We prefer communicating with public transports instead of hiring a cab. It may sound daunting in a new country and an unknown system but with some planning, it can be made easier and hassle-free. Download the travel app of the particular location you are traveling to. Also, download 1 or 2 cab apps just to be safe in case of an emergency or getting late to catch the flight or anything else.

Travel cards:

Many countries have travel cards for travelers with different plans, you get free entry to many monuments, museums, etc., free travel on public transport and discounts on various hotels/ restaurants. Like in Amsterdam, you have IAmsterdam Card, London Travel Card in London, Prague Card in Praha, etc. Explore these well in advance and you can save a lot.

So, these were a few tips on traveling the world on a budget. Would you like to share yours?