Best Ways to Save Money on your Next Trip
Human life has become monotonous and boring because of the mechanical work system and routine schedules. So, to break free from all the stress and boredom accumulated in our lives, we need a method of refreshment every now and then. That is by going on a vacation. Nonetheless, going for a vacation can be expensive, so we need to save money to not get bankrupt by ourselves, right? Therefore, I have found some great ways for you to save money on your next vacation, so that you may really enjoy your trip and yet be carefree while returning.
Here is the list of some easy ways to save money on your next vacation/trip:
- Create a budget- Creating the budget is the first and most important step to save your money on your trip. It’s understandable that there are a few who love to travel without any plans, however, creating a budget helps you estimate the money that you require to complete the trip successfully and to estimate the expenses as well. Also creating a deadline for your trip helps you plan your finances and save the money required for the trip in advance.
2. Use public transportation- When abroad with no vehicle of your own, it’s always smarter and cost-efficient to use public transportations even if you go to a nearby supermarket. If you can walk, that’s a great option but it doesn’t make sense to walk for three-four miles especially in an unknown country. So, wherever possible, take the metro instead of taxi or use shared taxis such as Uber, Ola cabs (in India) and other shared taxis. Also, it enables people to get jobs so it’s always great to help someone while helping oneself. Therefore, you can take the bus, train, metro or even a railroad train/tram if you haven’t experienced commuting in one previously, then this would be a good opportunity to do so as a first timer.
3. Local information- Always do a research of the place that you are about to go so that you don’t face unwanted surprises and the best way to do that is to learn about the language, culture, tourist attractions and in some cases it is best to have some knowledge about the practices there so that you do not fall into any sort of unnecessary trouble.
- Cut down on the modes of travel- Travelling is a major part of the trip. If you are on a tight budget, the best way to cut short the expenses is to switch to a lower transport method, like to lower the preference from first tier to third tier ( AC class) on a train, business class to economy class in air travel. For example, if you are in France and you want to go to Amsterdam, you can travel by train instead of flying. It is not only cost efficient but rather, you can witness the scenic beauty of nature through the locomotive windows.
- Avoid unnecessary shopping- There will be a lot of things that you may find amusing on the streets of the place you would be visiting. The best thing to do is to recognize the things that are not available in the place where you belong to. Make it a point, if you have to buy something, buy something that you can’t see or buy in your place.
- Travel in groups- Travelling as a member of a group is always an advantage and can cut short your expenses when you visit a place where it requires a guide to share the guide’s fees for excursion tours. It’s also safer because you are not alone, so the guide can’t fool you.
7. Hostel and Home-stays- Believe it or not, but a hostel or a home-stay would be one of the best experiences you can have if you are a solo traveller or travelling in a very small group. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and socialize. Also the rent for hostels or home-stays are really low compared to hotels.
8. Location of the stay- Getting a hotel or a place to stay is really easy, but it wouldn’t matter if all the local attractions and market places are away from the location of the stay which would cost you since you have to travel there with a transport. Pay a little more for the stay when close to the market, and other convenient places to cut short your cost of local commute.
- Rent vehicles- Commuting as a tourist can get really expensive and difficult abroad. So, renting a bicycle is a great alternative as it is cheap, doesn’t pollute, safe and easy to ride too. Sometimes, even motorcycles and cars are given for rent. Motorcycles can be really useful to commute, just like scooters in some countries, because of the two wheeler and fuel advantage which can go for long distance rides. However, renting a car can cost a lot more if the travel/tour is short. On the contrary, if you are willing to go for long drives as an excursion then paying for a rental car might be worth it.
- Pack Smart- Make a priority of the stuff you “need” and “want”- pack smartly- use packing suitcase hacks from the internet/YouTube, make a list of the essential things you need to have and only then if there’s space for the extra stuff. If not, then eliminate the extra stuff. However, this way you can prioritize the essentials and then have enough space for the extra items in your suitcase and it also looks very organized and cool. Also, you wouldn’t need to buy those extra items in the country you would be visiting which would evidently make you spend more.
11. Food- Eat local hygienic street food wherever possible. It is possible to order the same things that you can get in any hotel. However, don’t be afraid to try out the local cuisines and cook as much as possible to save more money than ordering food from outside or simply eating out. Cooking at home is always the best option as it’s hygiene, quality and quantity is under your control.
- Learn a language- Learn the language of the country you are planning to visit, this would help wonders to save money as you can visit a country and communicate with the locals like a native speaker; which would rather make them happy and help you with certain things you need to know. They would know places to see which normally a tourist would not have come across on a travel website. So, there’ll be higher chances of adventure if you know the culture through the language. So, do you want to speak as a native speaker?
Bonus: Well, you are lucky because I know about an online platform called Language Mingle where they have free trials and often free lessons too! Not only that, they have courses which are custom made only for you, as a learner, at affordable prices focusing primarily on your goal! How exciting, right? Get ready to join this resourceful and fun journey now at www.languagemingle.com Have fun! 🙂
