The best gift that you can give yourself are experiences. Travel is a great way to do this as you can experience different places, cultures, people, food, art, sights, and sounds. Many of us dream of going to exotic places and leading a not-so-usual life, if only for a while. The problem that most encounter when planning such trips is the lack of resources to pull it off. There is no denying that travel can be expensive but here are many ways to reducing the cost. Other people are living their dreams thanks to some tips and tricks that have proven to be effective.
Discounted Airfare Tickets
If you have to lower your expenses, then concentrate your efforts on the big ticket items for the trip. These will include your airfare which usually cost several hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the distance. It should be obvious that you cannot go on first class. You will have to go to the back and use the economy seats if you want to slash your fare. Try the budget airlines as they are set up specifically to assist those who wish to travel with minimal perks. After all, you don’t really need reclining seats, free meals, or large baggage allowance. Pack light and breeze through airports. Hunt for discounted airfare tickets for your route.
Alternative Accommodations
Once you get to your destination, consider staying at an alternative accommodation. Hotels are convenient but they tend to be pricey. Even small rooms can fetch a high price every night which would eat up your budget pretty quickly. This doesn’t need to happen with the wealth of options offered to travelers. Check out backpacker hostels where nightly rates can be as low as $10 a night. These may be booked early through the Internet so do it in advance to secure your slot. You may also try guesthouses, couch surfing, and AirBnB listings for rooms that you can use. Read the reviews of previous guests.
Food, Drinks, and Necessities
Everyday expenses can slowly drain your resources if you aren’t careful. Make sure that you have a set budget for each day including the meals, the transportation, the necessities, and the occasional shopping sprees. Go to the local markets instead of the high-end shops. You will get a better feel of how the locals truly live and what they actually eat on a daily basis by doing so. You could also have priceless interactions with them in these settings. Try the street food and drink their beers. If your place has a kitchen, consider cooking your own meals.