Today, having a lot of money, especially for traveling, is not easy at all. I myself struggle a lot to find strategies to spend as little as possible and to help who wants to understand how to travel with little money. Over time, by dint of wagging my tail around the world, I have collected 8 important information that will be very useful for you to go and visit places in low cost mode!
Home exchange
Have you ever heard of home swapping?
I'll explain it to you in a few words giving you an example: let's say that you want to leave for Peru and that in the same period a Peruvian wants to visit your city, thanks to the home exchange portal (if you are both registered) you can get in touch and change apartment in order to save on the entire stay. Some even exchange cars so as not to spend a single euro on car rental.
To access the site you must pay an annual fee, enter your personal data and all the information about your property describing the precise place where it is located. Before proceeding you can get to know each other through a video call in order to clarify the fundamental points about the home and feel more confident about who we will host. Respect for the goods of others is mutual because it is true that someone will come to live in your home but it is also true that you will stay in the apartment of the person you are hosting.
On my blog there is a specific article in which I tell you about this saving method, try to take a look 🙂
Avoid direct flights
I don't know who has decided that direct flights are more comfortable (I hate them) but it seems that most people prefer to sit and arrive directly at their destination. I feel bad just thinking about it because, strange to say, I am terrified of flying. Fortunately, this phobia of mine goes hand in hand with saving money because connecting flights, in most cases, cost less and less than direct and scheduled flights. Obviously, the exception to the rule or a breakeven price can always happen, but most of the flights that took me around the world at low prices all had a stopover.
Choose to stay in a hostel
The hostel is a way of experiencing the journey completely different from the ordinary: you make friends with other guests, chat, tell each other experiences, help each other, share the costs of transport or trips, etc., etc. In short, if you have an open character for sure you will be well and will save a lot of money.
If you want to get an idea of the price, I'll settle you immediately: keep in mind that more or less you could spend 5 euros per night while going to the hotel, even the cheapest on the market, you will spend a minimum of 15 euros per night.
Avoid the high season
If you like to travel in August and December know that it will be very difficult to travel with little money. These months are categorized as “high season” so if your employer gives you flexibility in choosing your holidays, opt for another time of the year. If you have no choice, you can decide to leave for destinations that are not part of the high season. I'll give you an example; Last December I flew to Peru for a month but the ticket prices were very low because the most expensive period starts in our spring and ends in autumn. Knowing the seasons of the individual countries will help you to spend as little as possible on airfare, which in general is always the highest expense when it comes to traveling.
Don't spend money on unnecessary things
Another secret to traveling with little money is to settle for it. Do you want to travel more? Then settle for what you have and I assure you that you will reach many countries.
It is more than right to enjoy life and it is also true that we need a little bit of everything. Sometimes I also lose my head for some garment or accessory or I want to go to a restaurant eating a lot and well, the important thing is to give yourself priorities. Be balanced otherwise traveling will become a nightmare not a pleasure.
Establish an alternative destination
Focusing on a destination is never good. I know, having to change destination to spend less sometimes annoys because our head was fossilized on a specific place, but if this involves a lot of savings why stamp your feet and empty your wallet? Countries do not flee to another planet. Sooner or later, a great offer will come to fly to the place of your dreams.
Did you know that before booking for Peru, Fabilandia and I would have preferred to go to Mexico? The tickets were too expensive (in December going to Cancun and the surrounding area was crazy because of the proximity to the sea and the excellent period) and so we opted for Peru as the tickets were very discounted!
Use the student card
If you go to university, use the student card! You will enjoy a lot of discounts!
Book when there are sales
And yes baby, you got it right. Also in the world of travel there are sales. Have you ever heard of the Black Friday? Black Friday is the most convenient day of the year for shopping of any kind, even for low cost flights!
Study the destinations
If you leave unprepared, it is more likely that you will spend a little more than expected. Try to find out as much information as possible about the destination you need to reach: where can you eat cheaply? What public transport is available to get around low cost? Where are the local markets located? Finding the answers to these questions before you leave will save you from financial blunders and rip-offs.
Read the forums, ask for info to more experienced travelers, to locals via social networks (they are always available to help you), subscribe to the Facebook groups “Italiani in… (add the country you are interested in) and read some printed and online guides.
After telling you all the tricks I know on how to travel on a budget I hope you will be able to save a lot and don't mind if you make a mistake in the beginning. You are not born learned! Some think they know how to organize and book a trip when in reality, even if it may seem simple it is not at all or at least it is not at the beginning.
Remember that the limits are only in your head.
Selly Gherardi - Traveling with me
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