How to Save Money When Travelling

I have a severe impulse control problem. When payday comes around, it is not uncommon for me to instigate the following email exchange with my partner: 

We each have a priority list of places we’d like to visit. But more often than not, our travel is dictated by a) airline points and b) cheap flights. This is why we might go to Riga in the dead of winter. £40 return, y’all! Anyways, this sort of spontaneous (more negative synonyms to use here might be rash, irresponsible, impetuous…) mentality often leaves us on a shoestring budget once we arrive wherever we’re going. There are a million ways to save money and even more blog posts and articles detailing those ways. Here are my top picks.

1.       As mentioned above, you can get a cheaper holiday if you’re flexible about your options. Use SkyScanner or another similar search engine and search the entire month, or leave the destination open-ended. This will give you the cheapest options. You don’t have to take them, but if you’re flexible, you are more likely to find something that fits whatever off-hand budget you have.

2.       Rent a room in someone’s house instead of an entire place to yourself. Hotels are often the worst value for money you can find when traveling. Not only do the rates start at a higher place, but you can’t cook your own food or easily buy water (I have added “water” so I don’t seem like a total sloppy boozebag, but where you really save money is on alcohol. Get drunk in your room and then explore the night! Healthy habits!) to keep in the room. AirBnB offers reviewed accommodations, so you don’t have to stress staying in a stranger’s house. If you’re traveling, you probably won’t be spending much time in the apartment, anyways. You just need a place to sleep, shower, and keep beers cold. Many of these places have doors that lock so you can feel safe leaving your things there.

3.       Check TripAdvisor for budget food reviews and cross-check against local blogs or review sites. TA is infamous for tourists’ restaurant reviews being somewhat clueless sometimes. Many times the BEST PIZZA EVER is just the most centrally located or obvious. Get off the beaten path and not only will you find a more local food experience, it will likely cost you less.

4.       Small meal, small meal, BIG MEAL. This is my bible when travelling. You can move BIG MEAL anywhere in the day, or can substitute two small snacks for a small meal. Or swap two small meals for a BIG MEAL. Alcohol counts as a small meal. Try to keep up. Keeping that schedule in mind helps you to not overdo it on the food when you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking. It also helps to keep your wallet happy. Snacking also lets you try more of the local cuisine. My partner and I will split a few snacks instead of each ordering our own. Variety is the spice of etc etc etc.

5.       Carry it with you:

·         Refill a water bottle before you leave the house.

·         Pack hand sanitizer and, if the country calls for it, a bit of toilet paper.

·         Pack an apple if you’re one of those people who gets mad cranky (or “hangry”) when your blood sugar drops.

·         BYO map. Don’t rely on signs or public maps. They’ll cost a lot more when you’re buying them in tourist town than if you just print them out before you leave home.

·         A pen

·         If you’re travelling alone, a small unicorn, or bear, or some sort of statue to put in your photos to entertain your FB friends when you post 900 pictures of landscapes and buildings with no people in them.

·         And this doesn’t really fit the “carry it with you” theme, but pee before you leave any establishment with a free restroom. This is more applicable in some countries than in others, but if you don’t want to pay 30 cents to squat over a gaping hole in the floor, you’ll listen.

6.       Research, research, research. Many museums offer free entry on certain days of the week or month. Most cities have a lot of free things you can see, even if it means missing out on some of the pay places. Doing your research in advance can help you to make the most of your time without spending a fortune.

This list is so general. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed. In the future, I will write more detailed posts about specific things. Have any questions or preferences? Holla!