Youth is a special period in life when a person is eager to get new impressions and experiences. No wonder all young people like travelling. But it’s hard to afford it being a college student mostly because of the lack of money. Still, a proverb claims that if there is a will there is a way. So, just every student can afford to travel.
Some Tips on Low-Budget Travelling
Travelling is a complex process that includes several stages: planning, packing, transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, eating, etc. At each stage, it’s possible to save money and this way afford to see and visit more places. Let’s consider those possibilities of having a great trip travelling low-budget.
- Start your travelling preparations by saving money. Even if you can afford to save only $20 per month, this still will make $240 per year. And this sum is enough to pay for a hostel, for example, for a week-long journey.
- When planning your trip, don’t forget to get ISIC (International Student Identity Card). Many companies worldwide give discounts to these cards owners. This way you will be able to afford to visit many famous sights with discounts.
- Check the way your credit card will work abroad. Of course, it’s necessary to use your credit card wisely in order not to get into a big debt. But still, it’s great to have a working credit card with you for emergency cases.
- Consider travelling to not famous tourist destinations. National parks, small towns away from tourist’s routs will give you the possibility to feel the flavour of the country, to understand its real life. And, of course, travelling to less famous places will cost less.
- Research well the way you will travel. Small airlines, as well as low-cost ones, offer great prices. The price can be lower if you use small airports instead of big ones near big cities. In many places travelling by train or by bus will significantly reduce your travelling expenses. A good idea is to travel with friends. When travelling by car you can save on gas this way.
- Consider travelling off-season. Then you will get serious discounts just for everything – transport, accommodation, excursions.
- To save on accommodation it’s better to stay at hostels, at your friend’s or using services like Airbnb or others of the kind. By the way, hotels also often give serious discounts offseason.
- Travel light. You will have to pay for your check-in bag at most airlines except international ones. So, it’s better to pack thoughtfully and have only a backpack. But don’t forget a padlock to use at a hostel.
- To save money on eating, firstly, pack sandwiches to have a snack at the airport, as food there is notoriously expensive. If you are staying at a hostel or other place with a kitchen, consider buying groceries in bulk and cooking yourself. This way you will save money for a special dinner or for trying a local dish. Having snacks, like apples or granola bars on you will also help to save some bucks.
- Research local public transport system. It’s usually comfortable enough and much cheaper than renting a car or use a taxi. You can also rent a bicycle or a scooter. This way you will be able to get quickly wherever you want sometimes even outside the city limits.
- Think thoroughly about the way of communication. Phone calls from overseas might be very expensive. It’s better to use the Internet. But don’t forget that you will have to pay for the usage of a computer at a hostel, so it’s better to take your laptop with you. By the way, Wi-Fi is usually free at hostels.
- You can save money by spending them. How? Buy a city pass available at many places. Such passes offer serious discounts or even free access to many tourist destinations. In many places, you can also travel for free around the city with this pass.
- Find out what places you can visit for free. This might include parks and even museums that often have one day free.
As it’s clear, travelling even having a low budget is possible. Thoughtful planning and some little tricks used when travelling will help you to visit a lot of places and get unforgettable impressions even having little money.