With economies around the world struggling, it’s a difficult time to take a vacation. Trips abroad can be expensive, and even at the best of times it can take a lot of saving to get away. However, it’s perfectly possible to take great vacations on a tight budget. Here are some tips to help you plan for a vacation that doesn’t mean spending too much.
Lower the Cost of Your Vacation
Stay At Home: We almost always think that taking a vacation means going abroad. However, until half a century ago vacationing abroad was virtually unheard of. Today we’re so eager to visit other countries that we forget there are many great things to see in our own backyard – things which people from other countries come to see every year.
Staying in your own country means you don’t have to pay for expensive international flights. You probably won’t need to pay for organized tours either, and it’s possible that you’ll be able to drive your own car wherever you go, meaning that you’ll only be paying fuel costs for transport.
If you have friends or family who live near places that you might like to visit, it’s possible that you could get your accommodation for free. If that doesn’t work, then check out youth hostels in the area, or search for cheap guest houses.
Save Money On Transport: If you want to go abroad, then the first thing you should do is check out the best air-fare deals. Usually, this means avoiding travel agencies. Instead, visit price comparison websites on the internet to look for the best flight deals available, and buy direct. Being flexible about your destination and/ or travel dates can really help save some cash.
If you’re a more adventurous sort of person, there are other ways to keep travel cheap. Once you arrive at your destination, make use of local transport instead of tour buses. You could also try hitch-hiking!
Bring A Tent: Accommodation can be expensive, and sometimes you might not a find a place you want to stay. This is especially true if you want a more flexible vacation where you’re free to explore your destination at your leisure.
If you’re staying in a hot country, it’s often possible to simply sleep outside. Alternatively, try to find out if there are places that will let you stay for free. In some countries, temples will never turn away someone who needs a place to sleep for the night, or you can bring your own tent/ hammock and sleep surrounded by nature.
Eat On The Street: One of the most expensive parts of your vacation can be food. Eating like you do at home can cost a lot if you’re in a country with different eating habits. Try to eat what the locals eat and you’ll more than likely save quite a bit of money.
You can also try eating the local street food. Usually, street food is cheap and pretty tasty. Look for food stalls that get frequent visits from local customers and you’ll usually improve your chances of getting something that’s of decent quality.
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