How to travel on a budget

Everyone loves travelling, right? Unfortunately, depending on where you want to go, money can sometimes be a problem … but not if you’re prepared. Here are my top tips for making the most of your travel experience, no matter how much you have in the bank!

Tip 1: Decide where you'll go, based on your budget.

The cost of your trip can depend greatly on the countries and cities you want to visit. So, knowing the average costs in a country can help you plan and decide the best option for your next trip. For example, countries like France, Italy, the UK and the USA can be pretty expensive to visit, so you’ll need more money for a holiday in these places. By contrast, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia and South America are cheaper (in Poland, a three-course meal for two people costs 100 zlotys – about £21!) and they still offer great cultural experiences and rich histories.

Tip 2: Choose hostels and campsites.

Yes, everyone loves the luxury of a five-star hotel. But sadly, in a lot of places, this is just not realistic for those on a budget. That’s why whenever I travel to countries which I know are expensive, I choose to stay in hostels or campsites. Hostels are a sure way to meet other travellers and this creates a great atmosphere, giving you potential travelling companions whilst also saving money. Camping is also a great choice for budget accommodation, especially if you’re a person who enjoys the outdoors. However, I would only recommend camping if you’ll be travelling during the summer months!

Tip 3: Don’t always rely on restaurants.

Another advantage of staying in hostels is that you will always have access to a kitchen. Eating meals in a restaurant can be very expensive, so you can easily save by cooking your own breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many cities have markets where you can buy fresh food and vegetables on the cheap, and if you feel brave you could even try to make the popular cuisine of the country.

Tip 4: Look for discounts on major attractions.

Obviously when you’re travelling you want to see everything the country has to offer, including the attractions which bring millions of people every year. But before paying a fee to see these, you can research and see if it’s possible to see them for less. Many tourist attractions have a student or youth discount and some attractions are free for everyone on certain days, like the Louvre Museum in Paris which offers free entry on the first Sunday of every month.

So you see, if you come prepared, you can easily travel the world, no matter what your budget is!