Budget Travelling – How to Make the Most of Your Money

With the current recession going on and most people being laid off or choosing to go back to school, budget travelling can seem impossible. But as long as you are realistic about what you spend and about what you will bring home with you, then budget travelling is definitely possible. Of course, there are always going to be challenges when travelling but if you keep your priorities straight and know that you will have food and shelter, then you should have no trouble. But where do you start?

When it comes to budget travelling, one of the first things to cut costs on is airline tickets. If you want to get out of a country for the cost of a ticket, then book direct with airlines, or even check with other private providers for a cheaper fare. This is especially true when flying in peak seasons. You can also save money by getting deals with hotels and car hire companies when travelling – but again, peak season always seems to be more expensive than non-peak.

Another area to look into for budget travel is the costs of transport. If you can, try to find cheap taxis from the airport, which can save you up to 20%. And try to book a bus route that goes all through the city centre so that you can cut costs there, too. Just by being flexible about the times you travel and the routes you take, you can make massive savings.

One thing you have to remember about budget travelling is to always leave a little bit of money at home. Pack lightly so that you do not feel guilty whenever you travel. And don’t forget to stash away change for emergencies. A smart traveller always has change, some cash and a credit card. If you can’t bring anything with you in your wallet, take small amounts with you in your purse or pocket until you can afford larger sums, such as a holiday home.

Once you have your basics, you can start considering extras. Do not book a trip until you are sure you know how much everything will cost. It helps if you list the different components of your budget on a piece of paper. Or, better still, download an online budget planner and fill it in step by step. This way, you can review it at a later time to make sure that your decisions are well informed.

When travelling, one thing that people often overlook is the importance of a travel insurance policy. In order to avoid nasty surprises, buy a good policy that covers all your bases. It also pays to plan your trip in advance, especially if it is for a long holiday. For instance, if you want to visit Rome, France or Greece, then it is advisable to book your flights and accommodation way ahead of time. That way, you can get good deals on flights and accommodation.