So you love to travel, but don’t have a lot to spend? Join the club. Luckily there are many ways to travel cheaply. Here are a few ways to travel on a budget.
Choose a country with more bang for your buck:
Don’t have a lot of dough? That’s okay! Find a country where your money is worth more! Choose a country with a currency exchange that favours the Canadian or US dollar. Some countries where the Canadian dollar is worth more are South Africa, Russia, and Japan.
Book your flight in advance:
Now that you’ve chosen a place to go, you have to buy your plane ticket. Usually it’s more expensive in the summer and around holidays (you know, when everyone else is travelling too) so it may be more in your budget to take your vacation time, and your flight, during down times. Sites like google flights, and apps like Hopper, will help you predict when the cheapest flights to your destination will be.
Spend on the flight, but not on the housing:
Another way to travel on a budget is to go somewhere where you know people. Have a friend who moved to Australia? Contact them! Maybe they’d be willing to have a house guest for a week or two. The plane ticket may be pricey, but if you can stay with a family member or friend, you’ll save a lot of money that you would’ve had to spend on a hotel. Just make sure to give them a nice thank you gift. Don’t have any contacts in other countries? Find a cheap hostel. Not only will you save money, but you may even make new friends you could stay with in the future!
Super broke?
The plane ticket alone is out of your budget? No problem! Book a hotel room in the metropolis closest to you! Become a tourist in your own city, BUT make sure you really become a tourist. Get tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, go to the tourist office and get all the brochures, choose a museum you’ve been meaning to go to, and go to it!
Super duper broke?
Go camping! It’s a super affordable way to have a completely different experience from day to day life. If you hate camping, rent a local cabin with some friends, or go to a bed and breakfast in your region. Sometimes it’s not about the places you go, but the people you go with.
Happy travelling!