Some people are fortunate enough to have the expenses to have amazing trips and travel the world.
However, if you’re like me, those two things aren’t a reality. I’m not saying I’m poor, but I certainly do not have the finances to travel the world. It’s not fair.
But it doesn’t have to be like that.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to sell your first born child (they’d return him anyways) and a kidney to be able to travel. Whether your thinking of going cross country or a grand Europe trip, it’s possible with what some nowadays call “travel hacking.”
Travel hacking is a real thing and it doesn’t take as much skill as one would think. Here are some of the best tips I’ve gathered from around the net:
Nothing makes you immerse yourself into a culture quite like a work exchange.
This is by far, the coolest idea I have found. It’s not for someone who plans on having a vacation to get away from it all. But for someone who wants a different way to explore a culture, a work exchange is great. How it works is you “pay” for your stay and food by working on a farm. I have personally met someone who was able to stay and explore Japan by working on a rice farm. You have days off to explore how you want. You are responsible for paying for the travel to the farm and back. If this sounds like an option for you, here are some websites:
Sometimes hotels aren’t the cheapest option. Mom and Pop Bed and Breakfasts are the way to go.
Not only are you supporting local business, you’ll also get an experience with people who care about their business and their customers. Reputation can make or break a small business, so these places will make sure you’re word of mouth will be to their advantage.
As hard as it may be, going off the beaten path can pay off.
Avoiding “tourist traps” that will most likely overcharge because they know they can. This particularly pertains if you’re traveling in Europe. Restaurants that have multiple language translations are nice, but can still lead to some over priced meals because y’know, they can.
Don’t always book ahead.
Hotels in the slow season will sometimes give you deep discounts to fill rooms. Typically the “slow season” in Europe is October through April. Find rooms yourself. The time you spend will make up for itself with the money you would have spent booking through an agency.
Two words: Guide Book.
These little wonders can bring you experiences you wouldn’t find on your own. The $20 you may spend on one will be well worth it’s value. It also doesn’t hurt to do what the locals are doing. If there’s a long line at a deli with locals, chances are it’s good. If they’re going to a park for a local festival not advertised in big travel agencies, it could be cool. Guide books can help you find things like these too.
Be weary of your money and belongings.
This speaks for itself. Usually Americans are targets because pick pocketers know what to do. They know we have our money in wallets that can be taken out of our pockets with ease. Have a money belt. This keeps your money and belongings close to you. Be vigilant in crowds. Assume everyone is trying to rob you. Sounds harsh, but it can save you. When you got to restaurants, understand every charge on your bill. Always ask how much and do your own math. Don’t go to exchange bureaus that don’t show the buying and selling rate. They profit margin should be within 5%. If they don’t show both rates, they’re hiding something. ATMs will also be a better option than using a card. Most local places will only accept cash. Withdrawing larger sums less often will help you avoid some of the ATM fees.
Picnics and buying your own groceries will be cheaper than eating out every day.
Nothing wrong with tasting the local cuisine on occasion, but if you have access to a kitchen where your staying, it can pay off if you’re trying to stretch your dollar. Picnics run relatively cheap and can be enjoyed everywhere. Plus you can taste the local cuisine, it’s a win win.
Flights can be expensive. Know how to use Travel Miles (wisely).
There are a variety of credit cards that offer travel points. These can help pay for a flight alone. But there are pros and cons.
Pros: They can pay for a flight by just using them. You can add up points quickly by using them for bills and various expenses.
Cons: If you’re not familiar with the concept of credit cards, this could get you in more trouble than it’s worth. Always understand your credit cards policies with travel points and don’t go for the first card you find. Do your research!
Also, don’t let the points cloud your judgment. That more expensive hotel or restaurant is a little counter intuitive to saving for a trip.
Rental cars are not worth it in big cities.
Bikes are not only cheaper, but are better for environment! Rental cars can be unnecessary and costly in big cities between gas, tolls, and trying to find parking. If a car is absolutely necessary, park in a safe spot. Thieves can recognize tourists cars and an unattended parking lot can spell trouble for you. The fee for parking in an attended lot can be a wise investment versus paying for damage to the car. Driving in a group can also save on gas and is much cheaper than separate parties in separate cars.
Learn keywords and numbers in the local language.
This can save you money because getting tap water versus the mineral can save you. It will also gain you more respect and won’t target you to get ripped off. Not saying everyone would do it, but if you make that connection with someone by speaking their language, you are apt to at least get respect.
For the very adventurous, go backpacking.
Traveling by planes, trains, and automobiles is all well and dandy, but for those with a truly adventurous spirit, backpacking is the way to go. This can be expensive in the beginning with buying gear, but the money you save from not renting cars and hotels will be well worth it. The key to backpacking is everything has to be light. Think of yourself as a snail and you’re carrying your home on your back. You can still use all of the tips above with your travels and decide your own adventures.
For more information on backpacking check out some of these sites:
http://www.hikelight.com/20201ultralightbackpackingtips.html
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html
https://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/top-lists/top-10-cheap-backpacking-tips
A lot of our backpacking gear can also be found in our camping section:
https://shop.vtarmynavy.com/camping–outdoor-equipment-c12.aspx
If you’d like to know some more tips on traveling on a budget, here are some great sites I found as well:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/thrifty-50-tips
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/budget-travel-vacation-ideas-how-to-travel-the-world-for-free,14967/?page=2
Happy Travels!