8 steps to budget-friendly travel

Have disappearing COVID-19 restrictions around the world reignited your desire to travel? Are you looking for ways to travel on a low budget? Read on for simple, tried-and-true methods for seeing the world while saving your cash.

1. Choose the right place at the right time. Look for destinations with a low cost of living and consider going there in the off-season. Popular low-budget destinations include Southeast Asia, South Africa, Greece, and parts of Latin America.

2. Find the best price on transportation. Get the best flight prices by using a price aggregator such as Skyscanner. For ground transportation, try trains, buses, rental cars, Turo (like Airbnb for cars), bicycles, and your own two feet—the cheapest means!

3. Find the right accommodation for the right price. Hotels can be expensive. Use a price aggregator like booking.com to find many low-budget options. Airbnb, Couchsurfing, and hostels also offer great low-cost alternatives.

4. Find alternatives to eating out every meal. Find a cheap B&B with breakfast included. Book accommodation with a kitchen and cook with ingredients from the local shops. Get sandwiches and other cold lunch items from the supermarket for half the restaurant price.

5. Substitute expensive tours for self-guided adventures. Prices for popular attractions and guided tours can be steep. Do a little research online or with a guidebook and you can show yourself around many of the same places others pay for.

6. Earn travel points. Airlines, hotels, and credit cards offer great incentives through points (essentially cash for future travel purchases). Credit card points are usually the most versatile and easy to acquire. Always check if you have points you can spend.

7. Cut down on luggage. Many airlines charge more for checked bags and then you have to find somewhere to store them. The less you bring the cheaper and easier your travel becomes. Could a backpack be enough? Think carefully about what you actually need on your trip.

8. Earn money while you travel. For those looking at longer term travel, finding a job on the road makes a huge difference. WWOOFing, English teaching, and house-sitting are among the options that can provide accommodation or even extra cash while abroad.

Bottom line: Traveling at home or abroad doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of options at your disposal to cut costs while still having amazing experiences. Start with the list above and do your own research to become a savvy and thrifty traveler.