Traveling around the World may be on your bucket list, but with limited vacation and funds it may seem like an impossible task. I constantly get asked how do you travel so much? How can you afford it? Saving money while traveling is the way to do it. This isn’t the penny pinchers guide (I still love to do nice things), but ways to save money where it doesn’t effect you but allows you to do more while traveling or take another trip. In this blog post, I’ll share valuable tips on how to save money when traveling abroad, allowing you to stretch your budget further and make the most of your adventures.
Here are 7 ways to save money while traveling abroad.
- Let the destination choose you: If you have limited time off or can only travel during peak season, let the destination pick you. What I mean by that is create a list of your top 10 places, search for flights anywhere (google flights is easiest) and you can see which dates and which locations are the cheapest that fall in your top 10. I have done this for long weekends or mid week travel.
- Book and then rebook: This may seem obvious but leaving things (especially like car rentals, flights etc.) to last minute can add up quickly. Planning ahead also enables you to find discounted accommodation options, attractions, and local deals, ensuring you get the most value for your money. But specifically with hotels and rental cars, go ahead and check a couple weeks out again and prices may have dropped since you last booked. I cannot tell you the amount of money I have saved by doing this, thousands at this point. This was a tip my mom gave me years ago.
- Travel during the off-peak season: Choosing to travel during the off-peak season has multiple benefits. Not only will you experience fewer crowds and shorter lines, but you’ll also find lower prices on flights, accommodation, and activities. Off-peak travel allows you to immerse yourself more deeply in the local culture, as you’ll have more authentic interactions with the locals. Additionally, popular tourist attractions might offer discounted or even free entry during slower periods. By planning your trip during the shoulder or low season, you can save a significant amount of money while still enjoying a memorable experience. You also don’t have to go to far off season for example my trip to Greece we went mid September – October and it was still warm and everything was very discounted, especially our lodging in Paros. This was an easy way to save money while traveling.
- Open a travel credit card: If you don’t have on yet, this credit card is our favorite for travel. We can access lounges at major airports (free food and alcohol, save money or earn money at hotels etc.) earn free nights we hav used on trips, gotten travel upgrades and discounts for rentals, flights, Ubers, and more. It doesn’t effect your credit score to apply. Use the link and you can get $80,000 points (think free hotels, flights etc.) if you spend $6,000 in 6 months.
- Use public transportation if available and safe: One of the easiest ways to spend money in other Countries is by taxi, Ubers, drivers etc. By using public transportation, you can significantly reduce your costs. We have saved hundreds in each location we have visited by doing this. Apple maps most likely can guide you where you need to go train, subway etc. It just takes a little bit of extra effort. These options not only save money but also provide an opportunity to experience the local way of life. Many cities offer tourist passes or travel cards, providing unlimited access to public transportation at discounted rates.
- Use local currency and avoid excessive fees: When traveling abroad, be mindful of foreign exchange rates and transaction fees. When using a card always choose to pay in the currency of the country you are in. Avoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist areas, as they often have unfavorable rates. Instead, use ATMs to withdraw local currency, ensuring you get a better exchange rate and know the fees you may have if withdrawing outside of your bank. However, be aware of any withdrawal fees charged by your bank. Also many credit cards have no foreign transaction fees for larger purchases. Also get less cash out than you think, there is nothing worse than coming home with a wad of foreign currency you can’t use anywhere else.
- Move hotel locations: If you are planning to stay multiple nights in one area we have found that staying a few nights in the more popular expensive part of town then a few more on the more local outskirts not only saves money but allows you to explore areas you wouldn’t if you stay in the same location. London for example, we stayed in the heart of Notting hill for a few nights and then stayed at a Sonder a few streets on the outskirts of Notting hill and save around $1000.
Traveling abroad doesn’t have to drain your bank account. Hopefully these money-saving strategies, can make your international adventures more affordable and sustainable. I encourage you to book the trip! Happy travels!
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