Remember the time when international travel was considered a privilege?
Well, not anymore.
Growing up, I had nearly seven countries on my bucket list. Just at the age of 25, freshly out of college and on a newbie salary, I can proudly say I have successfully ticked all the boxes.
As a US citizen, there is no doubt that passport privilege is real. We have access to most countries visa-free. However, visa-free doesn’t mean traveling is free; you still have to spend money. From ticket to accommodation and even food, you have to do it all.
So, how did it do it on a student budget?
Chances are that you are already familiar with the use of online travel platforms and different ways to save money. However, if you are not familiar but you are still planning to travel without breaking the bank, this write-up will help you understand how easy tech and the internet have made traveling affordable. By understanding this, you will be able to plan your travel on a budget easily.
Tip o Enjoy Traveling On a Budget
· Travel Apps
Getting out of the home without a phone? Impossible, right?
So, how can one imagine planning for an international trip without a phone? If you have a smartphone and a decent internet connection like Spectrum, rest assured that you are safe. For inclusivity, the brand also offers Spectrum Servicio al Cliente, which makes it an ideal pick for Hispanic users as well.
If you are a little tech savvy, just a phone and the internet are good enough to help you travel like a local. From map to travel app and review-based apps, everything will be at your fingertips. Before you start planning your trip, just watch a good YouTube video on traveling. Most videos cover all the details about the trip, travel destination, and even currency.
· Competitive Exchange Rates
While traveling, your first need is currency. In most cases, you have to visit the local currency exchange, get the rate, and then buy the currency. The process is quite straightforward, but there is one loophole; you can never be sure if the price is right. However, things are much easier now. With the help of the internet, you can now find competitive currency rates.
Moreover, you can contact the bank, find the nearest exchange or ATM where you can get your currency. Apart from this, some countries do not require any currency exchange. Instead, you can use the US dollar as an alternative. You can find information about these countries online as well.
· Off-Season Sales
Every travel destination has a holiday season. During that peak season, the weather is generally nice. However, nice weather attracts more tourists, so the prices are high, hotels are full, and tourist destinations are crowded. On the contrary, the off-season is generally less crowded, and the prices are quite affordable as well.
If you plan your holiday destination and then plan your trip during the off-season, you will be able to save a lot of money. Moreover, you will be able to enjoy more due to fewer crowded tourist attractions. As a tourist, all my trips were during the off-season. This helped me save a lot of money, and I was able to enjoy more, take better pictures, and relax more.
· Advance Bookings
Advance booking or an early bird discount is one of the best ways to save a lot of money on your trip. Popular holiday destinations generally get crowded during the holiday season. Moreover, places that rely heavily on tourism, like Thailand and Bali, have the same influx of visitors throughout the year. Traveling to these destinations means you need to stay prepared and book in advance.
Most travel apps do not put date restrictions. This means you can book one year in advance, if you have to. Moreover, there are early bird discounts that can help you save a lot of money and help you travel hassle-free. Some apps even offer advanced coupons and complementary services, so you can save a lot of money.
· Price Comparison
So far, my favorite way to save money while traveling is price comparison. Now I know you might be thinking that price comparison can only help you with basic booking details like air ticket and accommodations. However, you can even use price comparison for meals and recreational activities.
Most of the price comparison apps come equipped with a location filter, which means you can use the near me filter to know about all the cheap food and activity options. This is especially ideal for families and friend groups traveling together, as it helps in saving money on large groups. Apart from this, solo travelers willing to pool or share accommodation can also use price comparison sites to save money.
Simply put, in the world of Instagram, traveling is slowly becoming a status symbol. While most people think you need a lot of money to travel, in reality, your planning skills matter more than money. With the help of the above-mentioned tips, you can easily save money during your next trip.
