Cheap Budget Travel Tips

So how can you travel around the world on a Cheap Budget? Below are a few tips which will help you not to waste money on non-essential spending, therefore giving you more money to continue traveling!

1. Plan in Advance

Don't wait to the last minute. Sometimes you hear about those good last minute deals. Many websites actually specialize in last minute deals. However, if you have your heart set on going to a particular place, you're not promised to find "a good deal" on the last minute deal website. Thus, you'll be forced to spend more money than expected or forced to go somewhere that wasn't on your Top 10 list. Planning your trip out in advance allows you to shop for good tickets, places to stay and to know cheap or free things to do once you arrive. You'll also have time to talk to friends who have been there or thoroughly research the place to know the best and cheapest things to do.


2. Bus, Walk, Bike

You have now finally arrived at your destination. Now the question, "What is the cheapest way to get around the city?"

Before leaving, check to see what is the cheapest way to get from the airport to the city or where you are staying. Depending on your destination, most places have public transportation that will take you from the airport to the city center. Often times, the bus is the cheapest. It might take longer than the train or a taxi, but it will help you save money! If you are forced to take a taxi, try to fill it up with other passengers going in your direction. Splitting the fare will save you money. If you are looking to visit an area outside of the city, again normally the bus is the cheapest way to get there. This also helps you to mingle with the locals making your vacation more authentic and you will see how the locals live!

Walking is one of the best means of exercise. It is also FREE!! Once you've dropped your bags off, start walking around the city! Apart from this being the cheapest mode of transportation, it's also a great way to see the city. Walking around means that you will more likely stumble upon those hidden treasures, cheap restaurants and the perfect picture. Take your time and stop at what you really want to see. Walking also helps you to really know all the ins and outs of an area. The best way (and the CHEAPEST way) to see a city is on foot.

So if you're tired of walking around but still looking to save money, check out bike rentals. Many cities now offer bike rentals for the day or even for the week. In many European cities, you will pay between 1 - 3 dollars for the day. As long as you park the bike at one of the countless bike stations well placed all around the city within 30 minutes from when you took it, you will not pay any more. Biking around the city is a great form of exercise, excellent for covering all ends of the city and best of all CHEAP!!

3. Eat like a local!

One of the best things about any place you visit is the new and exciting food that you eat. Every corner of the world has its speciality. It could be a different way to make a certain type of food that you already know or it could be something that you have never heard of. However, trying new foods can quickly get expensive. Solution? Eat what and where the locals eat! Locals won't waste money on bad food, know where to go and don't want to spend a lot.

What?
Only in NYC do the locals go to Starbucks everyday. So if you're not visiting NYC and you want to eat like a local, don't go to restaurants that you can find in your city. Before traveling get an idea of the different foods that are common to where you are going. Upon arrival, look for the mom & pop restaurants. They usually have a wide variety of local foods. Ask the locals what do they like to eat.  Check out the local grocery stores; you will find a large choice of local snacks and meals.

Where?
Search online for restaurants that specialize in local cuisine and check out their online menu for prices. Ask the different people you meet on the street, other tourists, hotel staff, taxi drivers and anybody you meet for ideas on good local restaurants. Tell them you want good cheap local food! They will tell you about places you won't find in your guide book. Also check out Groupon for any 50% off deals on restaurants. In many open air markets you will find a huge array of local foods at local prices.


4. Friends, Hostel, Hotel or Apartment

No matter where you go, you always ask yourself "Where am I going to stay?" Lodging can be one of the biggest expenses of your holiday. As you weigh your options consider the pros and cons of each.

Friends:
Pros- Staying with friends is nice because it gives you a chance to catch up with someone whom you probably haven't seen in a long time. It's also FREE!! More than likely they will take you around to the city's hot spots and will tell you what's fun and cheap to do. You can also cook (if they have a kitchen) saving you money from eating out everyday. However, be considerate. You're already saving a bundle by not getting a hotel. You should always bring a gift or buy them something to say thank you. Contribute to groceries, cooking and cleaning. And don't stay too long! Nothing worse than a person who doesn't know when to go home.
Cons- Your friend might not be on vacation. So you coming home at 1 or 2 in the morning and making noise probably will disturb him. Depending on the size of the place, you might be sharing a bed or on the floor. They might not live in the city center making it hard and possibly expensive for you to get around.

Hostel:
Pros- It's cheap! Hostels are normally always the cheapest way to go. They are usually located in a central area making it very easy and cheap for you to go sightseeing. They are full of other travelers on a tight budget who are very willing to share what great cheap things they already found. Most staff members are friendly and eager to help you. Hostels are great if you're traveling alone or even in a group and really need to save money.
Cons- Some hostels can be dirty... Read the reviews before choosing. You will be in a room with 4-20 other people, guys and girls from all over the world. Some will come in at 3 in the morning and think the party just moved to your room, some will go to bed at 6pm, some will snore loudly and some will run around naked like they are at home. Some hostels have a curfew. Be prepared for anything!

Hotel:
Pros- If you plan it out well and get a good deal, you might find a reasonably priced hotel within your budget. In the room will only be you and whoever else you invite. Hotels are usually very secure and often equipped with a safe in your room. Some hotels have activities or excursions which you can join in. You might even get a good deal on an all-inclusive hotel resulting in you saving money on not having to eat out. Some might have microwaves or refrigerators to heat up an store your food.
Cons- If left to the last minute or if traveling alone, hotels can be expensive. Like any other place, they could be dirty or not attract the type of crowd that you are looking to stay around. Hotels are usually scattered around the city. Find out how close your hotel is from the city center and how convenient and cheap it will be to get there.

Apartment:
Pros- New websites are offering apartments to rent and the option to swap houses with someone. This method gives you more of an "at home feeling". You will now see what a local house or apartment looks like on the inside. Having a kitchen will also help you to save money by being able to cook some of your meals. Depending on the size of your group, this is usually a little be more expensive than a hostel but might be cheaper than a hotel. You will have lots of privacy and it's very ideal if you are staying for a long period of time or if you have a big group and you all want to stay together.   
Cons- These are not always located in central areas. Some are even outside of the city. Figure out what your activities will be and how much you will spend daily just trying to get back and forth to the city. You are staying in another person's fully furnished house. Be sure your children (or you) don't break anything. Renting an apartment is not always the cheapest way to go.