With the time and money we spend traveling, it’s not uncommon for us to find ourselves wondering how we can save money on our next international getaway. It’s hard to know where to start with so many ways to save money when traveling. We’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to save money when traveling, so you’re ready to go when you get the chance.
Here are some tips on how to save money while traveling abroad:
- Check for the prices of public transportation before arriving
It’s never easy to find the best and cheapest transportation option, especially when trying to get somewhere new or traveling with friends. So, before you try to find a new route or cheapest ticket, make sure you check the prices. Of course, it’s easy to do this by simply asking someone on the spot, but there are a couple of online tools that can help save you time and money. Check the prices of public transportation before you go to make sure you will find the best deal.
- Buy a new sim card to avoid charge costs
It is always wise to check what your carrier charges for international or domestic calls before traveling. The same goes for data roaming charges and international text messages. If you want to save money on your next trip, understanding how to avoid data roaming charges is crucial. When planning to travel abroad and use your phone, you will likely need a new SIM card. Alternatively, you could opt for an eSIM, offering seamless connectivity without the hassle of swapping physical cards or dealing with international SIM card logistics. To find such SIM cards or eSIMs, you can conduct a quick online search using keywords such as “best esim for europe“.
- Ask around to find a cheap place to eat
Finding a cheap place to eat is a difficult, time-consuming, and nerve-wracking task. Many different factors will influence your ability to eat cheaply, and there is no point in frantically searching for the best deal when you are on vacation. When traveling overseas, you’ll find that many of the places you visit offer free food for tourists. Some cafés, restaurants, and hotels are known for the free food they offer. It is usually a nice gesture, but the free food is usually of the highest quality. With food being such a large part of traveling, finding a restaurant or café that doesn’t charge you for food can be difficult.
- Have a fixed budget
Traveling can be expensive. And there are so many options out there – which can be scary. The best option is to make sure you have a fixed budget for someone who doesn’t want to drop a lot of money on a trip.
- Be resilient and plan trips based on cheap airfare
When traveling, it’s important to plan where you are going and how you’re going to get there. Whether you’re going on a short-term trip to a nearby city, or a few months-long vacations, you want to be able to plan and make informed decisions. For example, you can use cheap airfare to find the cheapest flights. Or, you can use Google Maps to figure out how to get to your destination, even if you don’t know where it is.
- Before enlisting to a tour, check first if you could do it on your own
Before you sign up for a tour, check first if you could do it on your own. If the tour is for less than 50 people and you are already planning to attend it, it’s not necessary to sign up for the tour itself. You could also sign up for the option that lets you pay for the tour with cash or by credit card – this can save you some money.
- Choose trendy hostels rather than hotels
Choosing a hostel over a hotel can mean two things. The first is that you can save money. The second is that you can get a little taste of the local culture. If you are a seasoned traveler and have a bit of swag, then hostels are the best way to save as you travel while still getting a taste of the local flavor. Many people will tell you that hostels are a little rough around the edges, but that’s part of the charm.
Traveling can be expensive. Whether you’re going to other countries for the first time or taking a week-long vacation, it’s always good to learn how to save money when traveling abroad. Pack light, skip the expensive museums and don’t go shopping until you’ve reached your destination.