Introduction to Travelling on a Budget

Travel is one of the most fun, entertaining, and fulfilling activities a person can do.  I started this blog to help people travel more often, and to more places.  I feel that travelling is a great way to experience different cultures and expand ones boundaries.  You can also see completely new and unique things that you can't find near home.  In my first article I'm going to explain what I mean by travelling on a budget.  Budget travel can mean many different things to different people.  I want to address the ways that you can save money on your trip.  Then when you are planning, you can decide which sacrifices you are willing to make to still have an enjoyable trip.  So without further ado, I give you 10 sacrifices you can make to make your trip cheaper!

1. Time- When on vacation, an easy way to save money is to not use your car or rent a car.  This means using public transportation and/or walking.  Getting from place to place may take more time, but if you have a lot of time, this option could be a good one.

2. Food- Some places are known for their food.  Others are not.  If you can get by without trying the local cuisine, that's less dollars out of your pocket.  The two easiest ways to save money this way is to stay at a hotel with continental breakfast and buying your food from a grocery store.

3. Location- Is staying in the center of the city important to you?  If not, try staying in the suburbs or even further out of town.  You might have a longer drive to get to where you want to be, but the money you save can be worth it.

4. Time of Year or Time of Week- Many vacation destinations have peak seasons or off seasons.  Some prices can even vary widely from a weekday to a weekend.  Going to a national park during the week might require you to take time off from work, but it could get you more money in your wallet, and less tourists to dodge around,

5. Travelling in a Group- Travelling with a group of people can be a hassle.  Many personalities could lead to arguments and never figuring out what to do. Instead of getting hotel rooms, a group of people could all rent a vacation home.  Splitting a house with multiple bedrooms could save every member of the group lost of cash.

6. Camping-  Staying in a campground instead of a hotel can help your budget immensely.  If you don't mind sleeping on the ground and having  community bathroom and showers, camping could be for you.

7. Budget Airlines- Taking a budget airline looks good on paper, but make sure you follow through.  Just take your carry on and don't check a bag.  Checked bags could cost you 100$ on a round trip.  Don't pay more for seat selection either, budget airlines are cheap, but all the fees can add up real quick.

8. Hotels- My main tip for hotels is make sure they have some sort of free breakfast.  1 meal a day can add up.  If you don't need the super comfy bed, or the luxurious bathroom, your options for where to stay on a budget can be huge.  Added bonus is if the hotel comes with a fridge and microwave.

9. Researching the Best Deal- You could just go to Disney's website and get tickets for when you go, or you could look up any deals there may be online.  There will almost always be some sort of cheaper option for any major attraction, make sure you do the work to find it.

10.  Go Crazy- Want to save lots of money and still travel, well go crazy.  Hitchhike somewhere.  Try to couch surf, find people who would be willing to take you in and help you enjoy your vacation,  Just know that this does take a certain person and I certainly wouldn't expect most people to do it.

When travelling on a budget, know what you're willing to sacrifice.  If you don't want to sacrifice food going in, just know that it'll take a bite out of your total vacation budget.  It's fine though, make sure you won't regret going somewhere and not experiencing things that you want to do. 

I'll be posting travel guides, road trips, and just general travel tips in this blog.  I hope to help you find a better, cheaper vacation. I believe that travel is an important part of the human experience.  The world is a huge and diverse place, and you should get out there and see it!!