Let’s be honest. No one wants to have their trip of a lifetime cut short because they’ve run out of money. You might think you’ve got it all sorted out, everything budgeted down to the very last cent, but what if you need emergency cash when you’re abroad? What if your wallet and cards are stolen? Or what if you accidentally end up spending more than you planned?
There are thousands of scenarios that could result in a backpacker running out of money whilst thousands of miles from home. Whether you’ve paid for your travel adventures via your savings or your ISA – check out this site for the latest information on ISAs – you need to be proactively saving on the road to keep your finances in check.
Granted, it sounds daunting and difficult, but believe it or not saving money is relatively simple on the road, and if you do it right, you won’t have to deny yourself any treats or experiences either.
Want to know more, read on for 5 ways you can save money when you’re travelling.
Book accommodation with a kitchen
You may not like the idea of cooking whilst travelling or on holiday. But, if you’re prepared to cook your own meals you could save a small fortune on food and eating out. Choose accommodation with a kitchen, an oven or even just a microwave to save as much money as you can. You can also head to the local market place to get fresh, local ingredients which you’ll find is significantly cheaper than buying ready-made snacks and meals from convenience stores. You’ll also enjoy a much more authentic travel experience.
Keep your location in mind
If you haven’t yet booked your accommodation, then make sure you’re taking the transportation costs into consideration. If you’re out on a limb or all your planned activities are on the other side of the city, then paying for transport each day could prove costly. Keep your location in mind when you’re booking your hotel/hostel.
Take your own snacks with you
Again, food is a huge expense when you’re exploring a new city. So, to keep costs down bring along your own snacks and water for your daily excursions. Basic snacks like sandwiches, crackers, breadsticks, cereal bars, fruit and nuts are ideal for storing in a day bag along with a refillable bottle of water.
Do free things!
Many of your planned activities and excursions may be more expensive at certain times of the day and only request a donation during others. You may also be able to save money by booking in advance. Check local information pages to find out what free things there are to do in the area. Festivals, markets, plays and shows etc.
Do you really need the best room?
Sure a huge suite with a rolltop bath and several rooms to enjoy sounds amazing, but do you really need the best room in the hotel? If you’re planning to utilise your hotel room as a simple base where you sleep, wash and rest during your break then you’re only going to need basic, good-value accommodation.