Saving Money when You Travel (photo by f-r-a-n-k)
1. Think Before You Buy
This may seem kind of obvious, but when you stop to think before you buy, you really do avoid a lot of impulse purchases.
Think about why you need to buy it, what will it be good for, and how useful it will be next year.
Will it be one of those items that sit in a box forever?
Only buy things you really need or things that you'll really cherish.
2. Couchsurf or Stay in Dorm Rooms
Accommodation can be one of the largest expenses when you travel, so being able to cut down on the cost of sleeping can be extremely beneficial.
Couchsurfing is a great way to save on accommodation and a great way to meet new people.
If you stay in a hostel make sure to get a bed in the dorm room for the cheapest rates.
Also, remember to always ask for a discount or for the best rate – you never know what kind of discount you may get!
3. Don't Use Guidebooks, Use the Internet
The internet has opened up an incredible world of information and ideas. Just about everything is available online and it's easy and fast to access.
With so many people writing and blogging, there's barely a need anymore to lug around a giant expensive travel guide when everything is available with a few internet searches.
Along with great information, you can also find online coupon codes for saving money when you travel.
Public Transportation in the Philippines
4. Use Public Transportation
Sure, taking the bus is often more hassle and more challenging than just hopping in a taxi, but traveling is all about the adventure!
Taking the local forms of transportation is not only more exciting but it also normally is the cheapest way to get around.
Day after day, you'll notice that taking local transportation is one of the best ways to save money while traveling.
5. Search for Great Deals Online
Just like searching for travel guide information online, the internet is the best place to search out great travel deals.
From airfare to booking accommodation, you can normally find deals and specials straight from the tips of your fingers.
A Bookit promo code makes it possible to search through all sorts of travel discounts and sales.
Free attractions like the view of the city!
6. Go to Free Attractions
One of my favorite ways to save money when traveling is to go to attractions that are free.
While many famous sites and museums cost money to enter, there are still plenty of free places to visit in every city around the world.
You may need to change your idea of what an attraction actually is, but there are lots of opportunities.
Take walks, people watch from a cafe – think and do things that locals do.
7. Know the Local Purchasing Power
In order to save money when you travel it's important to know your purchasing power.
Buying a meal for $5 in the United States is a great deal, but in Thailand $5 for a meal is expensive.
If you know your purchasing power in the country you visit and stick with the local way of life, you'll be able to make your money last much longer.
Don't travel with the monetary mindset of your home country – switch to local budget thinking.
Cook your own meals!
8. Cook Yourself
Depending on which country you are traveling through, eating out can cost lots of money.
Shopping at the local market or supermarket and cooking your own meals can translate to huge savings.
Of course, part of traveling is enjoying great food at restaurants, but stick with your budget and determine a meal plan that balances eating out and cooking yourself.
9. Travel Slowly
If you're on a long term trip around the world, make a point to travel slowly.
When you travel quickly you'll find that you spend lots more money – not just on transportation, but having to spend on all kinds of spur-of-the-moment expenses.
When you travel at a slow pace, remaining in a single location for a week or weeks at a time, you have the opportunity to space out your expenses and spend less overall.
These are just a few suggestions, but there are many ways to save a little money when traveling.
If you choose to make some of these saving tips a habit, your traveling adventure will last as long as possible!
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This post was written by Mark and brought to you by CouponCodes4u.
Mark was raised in central Africa before migrating back to the U.S. for University. After graduating, he decided to continue traveling the world. On Migrationology, he shares the cultural side of travel from a slow-paced local perspective that often revolves around his love for eating all forms of food. Join him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @migrationology.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
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Wednesday 13th of February 2013
There are a few types, mainly fine, regular, or rough. Comb the excess oil through the dampened hair, making sure to cover the ends of the hair. Though addressing these underlying causes is very important in order to prevent hair fall, coconut oil can also help to an extent. When choosing a treatment for your own hair, pick something organically grown or natural as opposed to something fabricated. As a hair growth stimulant, you can add 10 drops of rosemary oil, 10 drops of sandalwood oil and 10 drops of lavender oil to 50ml of carrier oil and massage it into your scalp.
Seth
Monday 9th of April 2012
A lot of European cities have museum passes that pay for themselves after a 3 or 4 museums. They're a tremendous value.
Zara
Friday 6th of April 2012
Good tips! Especially the "don't buy guidebooks, use the internet!" one. EVERYTHING is on the internet now a days, I don't see why someone would still spend money on guides...
Dave
Saturday 7th of April 2012
I think the maps in paper guidebooks are still useful, but to save money and weight, I broke my addiction to them in 2009 after arriving in Colombia.