The word “traveller” brings to mind images of backpackers and grad students, but the reality is that most people who consider themselves travelers don’t actually visit the places they say they do. Instead, they spend their time hopping from one tropical country to another, jumping on cheap flights and staying in cheap hostels for months on end. If you think about it, this sort of travelling is exactly what a tourist is … Read More . . .
Save money on travel
Travel is expensive. The average cost of a trip to anywhere in the world is almost double what you’d pay at home. That said, it’s also possible to save a significant amount of money while abroad. It all comes down to finding a balance between saving money and having a good time. Sometimes, all you need to do is to be patient. Punctuality is a survival skill, and if you don’t travel often, you might not be able to rely on it when you’re on a tight budget. What’s more, if you’re not used to being on the move, you might miss out on some of the best experiences that are available when you’re on a budget.
Make friends with the locals
When you’re in a new country, you’re not just exchanging one language for another. You’re also being introduced to a new culture, a new way of life and, most importantly, a new community. The people you meet along the way can often bemore than willing to help out. When you’re in a new place, you’re more likely to make friends with the locals than if you were staying at home. This is because, generally speaking, you’re not a part of a large, established community yet. On the contrary, you might even be the only tourist in a particular city or country at a particular time.
Eat what you drink
When you’re on a budget, you have to make choices. Just because you don’t have money for a pricey meal doesn’t mean you can’t have fun doing it. One of the most common mistakes tourists make is to ask for drinks that are expensive on a local’s tab. Think about how much you would pay for the same thing if you were drinking it at home. You should, of course, try to use proper pricing practices when drinking out in a new place. But when it comes to drinking what you order, you should be prepared for anything. Alcohol is often expensive where you’re from, and being satisfied with watered-down beer or shakari (distilled spirits) back home would feel like a letdown when you’re in a foreign country.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
When you’re on a budget, people will help you out. Whether it’s with a lift, a hotel room or even a meal, you’re likely to find that people are more than happy to offer assistance. However, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. For example, if you don’t speak the language and you’re in a place with lots of traffic, it might help to have a written itinerary with you. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. You can usually get them when you don’t know where you’re going. On the other hand, if you do know where you’re going, it might be easier to ask for directions if you’re in a city or town where there are lots of people.
Always carry cash
Travel is a great way to get your financial house in order. If you’re an established traveller, you should know that when people aren’t sure about how to price things, they often resortsion to change. If you’re paying for things in cash, they’ll have to pay you in cash. This is good because it shows that they know the value of money and they respect your decision to not use credit or debit cards. At the same time, always remember to keep your money safe. Store it in a safe place where it’s easily accessible and you can take it out when you need to buy something.
Do some online research
When you’re on a budget, you have to do some research. You have to know where to go, what to expect and how to price things accordingly. Before you go, make sure you know where the best places to look for information are – online forums, travel blogs and guide books, for example. There are many great online forums and guide books that are specifically aimed at budget travelers. You can usually find them in libraries and bookstores. When it comes to where to look for information, you can usually go to the library first because they probably have the best information resources.
Get a mentor or go to a city guide course
If you’re planning on staying in a city for a long time and you want to get a feel for the place, you can always ask a local for help. It could be a friendly neighbour, a friend or a local guide. These people will often be more than willing to help out with recommendations, insights and even tours. You can also usually find guides and mentors online. If you’re interested in a specific city, city guide courses are a cheap way to learn about a city. You can usually find them for free online. They’ll usually teach you about the history, culture and sights of a city, as well as give you tips on how to get around and where to eat.
Learn a new language
If you’re on a budget and you want to experience life on the other side of the world, you could do a lot worse than learning a new language. Learning a new language can literally open your eyes to a different culture, different way of life and different way of thinking. You can start by learning the basics. Most travel blogs and websites will have resources for learning a new language. Once you’ve got the basics, you can start looking into advanced courses. Having a basic understanding of a language will help you communicate with locals, and it could also open up some interesting possibilities if you ever want to move to another country or getaway somewhere exotic.
Conclusion
Travelling can be an amazing and life-changing experience. You can explore new lands, meet new people and experience new food. Travelling on a budget is not only possible but it is also highly recommended. The best part about it is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time.
