Traveling the world can be easy and it can be cheap. As a matter of fact, with a little bit of effort and practice, you too can travel the world with very little money. For a long time now, the idea that “traveling is expensive” has prevented many people from experiencing adventure. Below, we are going to cover the top ten ways that anyone can travel the world safely and cheaply.
10. Choose the Right Location to Travel
One of the easiest ways to save money before you even venture out on your journey is to choose the right location. Keep in mind that certain areas of the world are much more expensive to travel than others. For example, countries like New Zealand, Japan, and Europe tend to be relatively expensive while countries like South America or South-East Asia tend to be relatively cheap.
9. Don’t Book Accommodations before You Arrive
As tempting as it may sound, don’t book your accommodations prior to reaching your destination. A lot of travelers tend to book hotels or hostels for a week only to figure out that they want to leave after one night. Here is a useful tip: if you do decide to book accommodations before you arrive, make sure that you only book for the day that you arrive. This will give you an entire day to determine whether or not that location is a suitable match for your needs. Also, if you are going to be staying in the same place for an extended period of time, don’t be afraid to try and negotiate a discount.
8. Participate in Free Activities
When traveling on a budget, one of the best things you can do is to participate in free activities. This is especially true when you are visiting expensive countries like Europe or Australia. When you make it your goal to do only those things which are free, you accomplish two things: one, you save money and two, you stay busy which essentially lessens the chance of you slipping up and spending more money than you have to. When traveling, try going for a walk, taking some pictures, and sitting down at a local café and enjoy some cheap coffee.
7. Buy Local Food
While traveling, few can argue that food tends to be one of the most expensive aspects about a trip. This is especially true if you are staying in an area that is predominantly known for serving Western Style food. If are staying in an area that promotes it, try food shopping from local vendors. This is where you will find the best deals and not to mention, some fairly decent meals. And despite what many travelers may believe, most vendors sell fresh and healthy food so the chances of becoming sick are small.
6. Pack Light
If you only bring a single backpack full of all your possessions on a trip then you will be saving yourself a lot of money and a lot of hassle. For example, you won’t have to pay your airlines the extra fee associated with bringing on too many bags. Plus, you will be able to walk more places (and not take taxis) when you are carrying a small bag full of stuff. You don’t need to bring your entire kitchen and the truth is that you can perfectly manage with a small amount of things while traveling.
5. Bring a Friend
Traveling with a friend or even a group of people for that matter will ultimately save you a lot of money. You will be eligible for group discounts and also be able to split the price of all your accommodations. And even if you only manage to bring one friend with you, that will still cut traveling expenses in half.
4. Stick to Beaches
If you’re visiting a country that has a few beaches, make them your new hang out spot for the majority of your stay. You would be surprised by how much money you can save by lounging on the beach all day while drinking cheap drinks and receiving cheap massages. Not to mention, areas around beaches tend to be a lot of fun and can provide you with a lot of cheap activities like scuba diving, surfing, and swimming.
3. Bargain for Everything
If you are from the United States or any other Western part of the world then you probably aren’t accustomed to doing a lot of bargaining. Prices in these areas are generally set and there isn’t much wiggle room to make offers. The opposite applies in the Eastern part of the world. Most countries here are built around bargaining and you would be surprised by how much discount items you can get your hands on if you simply ask.
Here is a simple rule of thumb: the price that you see for most items is often double of what the actual price is. Don’t be afraid to bid low and never feel ashamed to walk away empty handed. In some cases, they may come back to you with a lower price.
2. Ride Bicycles
While this tip may appear silly, it actually works. Instead of taking public transportation everywhere you go, try riding bicycles. They are cheap, efficient, and can take you anywhere that you need to go. Not to mention, you can receive a nice workout if you are using them most of the time. Plus, if you are following our other tips and packing light then you can simply take all of your possessions with you and take a full sightseeing trip of the city that you are visiting.
1. Have Money Coming in
This tip may be the hardest to utilize but it also happens to be the most effective. If you can have money coming in while you’re traveling then it will save you the trouble of needing to tighten your budget. Some people do part time freelance work while traveling while others try to find general labor positions around the city they are visiting. Either way, this is a good tip to follow so that you can have money in your pocket while traveling.