For many people, including myself, choosing luxury travel is not an option. However I have learnt that there are times when we must decide when to save and when to splurge. In fact I won't always recommend the cheapest route. I have discovered and experienced myself many times that spending the extra money was well worth the expense. However, when it comes to traveling, especially at a young age, it would be reckless to always chose comfort or convenience over saving money. So through my own experiences I'll share what I believe is optimal budgeting in three main areas of travel; transportation, accommodations, and tours and attractions. When, where and why should we make these decisions to spend or save, and will we regret them if we don't?
1. Transportation
For many people transportation is one of the largest expenses of travel. For some people booking a trip is a matter of simply choosing where you'd like to sit on a plane. For others it is days and sometimes weeks of comparing flights, and websites for the best price. Is transportation an area of splurging or saving? Do you prefer to spend the extra cash on a direct flight and larger leg room? Or will you grind out that 9 hour flight in the name of cost?
I strongly believe that travel is all about the journey and not the destination, so why rush! Personally I feel the sensible choice here is to save, not splurge. Will that extra leg room really be what you remember after your time abroad? Or will it be that interesting layover in another country? Last year I spent an exhausting 9 hour layover in Amsterdam in the name of saving a few dollars on my flight costs. Though honestly my excitement for my trip never faded, and to me, it was 9 extra hours of living in the moment of the journey. I was exposed to a different language and food. I even exchanged wonderful conversation with other passengers waiting for their next flight. None of which would have happened if I opted for a convenient direct flight.
When it comes to flying I always choose budget. With airlines such as Ryanair and Vueling offering flights from Barcelona to Pairs for 15 euros or Munich to Rome for 25 euros it would be absolutely silly not to take those offers. It leaves more money to spend while at your destination on souvenirs! Although they are not the most comfortable planes they do get you from point A to point B, which is the whole point after all.
I know many people will argue, "well if i'm stuck on this plane for 13 hours I might as well enjoy it!." Those people have reason, if you can afford it, why not. However, in my experiences I can tell you that for the most part we all like to read, watch a movie or sleep on a plane. So it's almost like paying extra for a glorified nap. I've never had a memorable experience on a plane. Never has a plane ride effected my travels so greatly that I actually recall every moment of it and retell it. So here is a place to save! Spend that extra money instead on an experience worth retelling and remembering forever.
There are some cons to this approach though. Be careful when opting for cheap flights, because there are almost always loop holes. Hidden fees which could accumulate to cost you more than if you had bought the expensive ticket. Whether it be the 50$ printing fee that Ryanair charges upon checking in. Or an unreal fee for overweight baggage. Do your research and see what airlines will charge you extra for, and how to avoid them before arriving at the airport.
If you're not flying and still seeking to travel, there are websites that offer ride sharing. It is an opportunity to travel cheaply and meet interesting people! This is a major pro to budget travelling, meeting people you would have never crossed paths with otherwise. If riding with strangers is not your style you can usually find cheap bus tickets. However be aware that some companies that offer low cost bus tickets also offer low quality experiences. Some times I do prefer spending a few extra dollars to choose a bus with wifi or at least a toilet.. this could make a huge difference in your experience!
When it comes to transportation, know that if you do your work, and search online you will surely find something that is exactly right for you. Whether you prefer luxury or budget traveling there are pros and cons to both methods, pick one that will add the most enjoyment to your personal experience.
2. Accommodations
So you've made it to your destination and your ready to settle for a rest. Do you choose the comfortable hotel with a private washroom and 24 hour check in times? After all, travel can be exhausting on your body, wouldn't you prefer to be welcomed by a king size bed and clean silky-white quilts? My answer to that question is of course! However, is that really practical? If you're on the road for long lengths of time, hotel costs can chew up a large amount of your travel funds. Why not consider some lower cost options, the pros here may surprise you!
I've stayed in many hostels in several countries and I honestly prefer staying in a hostel over a hotel. The social attribute of hostels is my main reason for this. Most hostels have a canteen, lounge or bar where solo-travellers and groups can relax and unwind. It's easy to start up a conversation in an environment like this. The food and drinks are usually cheap, therefor if you're a traveller on a budget you might find yourself surrounded by like-minded people. Many hostels also host pub-crawls and other social events so you can enjoy your destination with people and make friends! Even for a shy person like myself, it is easy to socialize and find other nomads to explore with while staying in hostels! Unlike hotels where you may spend most of your time in your room, enticed by the T.V to stay in.
Another alternative is couch surfing. This relatively new concept has been breaking ground as more young people have the freedom to travel in this age of technology. Couch surfing functions on trust, sharing and community. Residents open their homes to travellers and in return travellers give them their company and share their experiences. No money is exchanged, it is absolutely free. Couchsurifng.com is a huge online community where strangers provide their spare rooms and couches to travellers in order to gain friends from different corners of the planet. Not only that but it is a great way to network, as you meet people from all over the world! I personally have had a great experience as a couch surfer and while hosting travellers. I've had the chance to eat home cooked meals while on the road and really get a local's perspective of the city i'm visiting. Although it is a very rewarding experience, I know it's not for everyone. I'll admit, when living out of a back pack sometimes you just need that king size bed and silky white quilts all to yourself at the end of the day.
There is a time to save and a time to splurge when it comes to accommodations! If travelling with groups try pooling your cash together for an Airbnb! A lot of the time you can find unique character homes to rent in groups for much cheaper than a hotel. If you're a solo traveller and up for meeting new people a hostel or couch surfing is the way to go! The experience in my opinion is far more valuable than the perks of a hotel room. Remember to keep in mind, which part of your journey will you retell? That normal and over priced hotel room or the interesting people you met in the themed hostel?
As much as travelling is about stepping outside of comfort zone you will enjoy yourself the most where you feel you can rest easy. If the idea of sharing rooms with strangers doesn't sit well with you, then there is no shame in paying the expenses of a hotel. Find another area to save in and do whats best for you!
3. Tours and Attractions
I feel this topic isn't discussed enough. There can be a lot of confusion around purchasing tours and how to get the best deal. Because tours are often offered by private companies they will have a set rate, sometimes implemented by the city. Unless you have a Groupon forget about bargaining for a lower price. Most times there is just no way around it. However here is a few tips to keep in mind next time you are wanting to visit a popular attraction on a budget.
If you are a student bring your school I.D card with you. I can only speak for Europe and North America for the time being but many places will give you student discounts to visit Museums and places of interest. These discounts may also apply to members of the military as well as some professionals such as teachers.
If you are on a budget and theres no discount available for that very expensive tourist attraction that you just have to see, then my advice to you is splurge! Do it! This is a time to use any money you saved on flights and accommodation to tick that bucket list item off! This is why it is wise to save in at least one of these three areas so that you can treat yourself every so often when you see it necessary.
I can tell you now that there are some attractions I passed up in order to save expenses. I would save myself money or even time by not standing in line for hours and miss perhaps an iconic tourist attraction. I really do regret this. I didn't realize the value of seeing these certain attractions because I was so concerned with the value of money instead. Bad move.
There can be times however when this strict attitude towards your finances actually pays off. In Venice, last year, I wanted so badly to take a ride through the grand canal in a gondola. I had seen it in movies before and it was certainly on my bucket list. After speaking with the guide I realized the 30 minute ride would cost me 80 euros. I didn't have that kind of money to spend and I was absolutely dismayed. So after several hours of attempted bargaining without success I realized it wasn't going to happen. I spent my last hour in Venice sitting on a quiet dock away from the crowds, very disappointed. Until the most amazing thing happened. A boat pulled up that read "Casino shuttle." The boat itself looked like something out of a James Bond film; classy, sexy and fast! In broken Italian we asked the captain for a ride to Casino di Venezia . We soon found ourselves on a free boat ride through the grande canal! I'll admit this was a lucky find, but if you stray away from the major tourist traps you can discover a whole new experience, and sometimes even for free!
However, I do still stand by my opinion to splurge on local attractions. Especially if you are a fan of history many tour guides will be able to tell you things that cannot be found on Wiki. Tours and attractions can offer the classic tourist experience of any iconic attraction or city. Unless you speak with the locals and really take the most out of exploring on your own, tours can offer you some incredible perspectives and information!
To spend or not to spend
There is always a time to save and a time to splurge. When you're travelling you must balance this! It will take time to learn in what areas to invest your money. Be wise, weigh the pros and cons and dissect the value of your purchases whenever you can. Being conscious however doesn't mean passing up on wonderful experiences! In the end everyone is different and the choice is up to you. Decide what will contribute the most enjoyment to your experience and go with that option! Travelling on a budget isn't impossible, but it does take some thought.
For many people transportation is one of the largest expenses of travel. For some people booking a trip is a matter of simply choosing where you'd like to sit on a plane. For others it is days and sometimes weeks of comparing flights, and websites for the best price. Is transportation an area of splurging or saving? Do you prefer to spend the extra cash on a direct flight and larger leg room? Or will you grind out that 9 hour flight in the name of cost?
I strongly believe that travel is all about the journey and not the destination, so why rush! Personally I feel the sensible choice here is to save, not splurge. Will that extra leg room really be what you remember after your time abroad? Or will it be that interesting layover in another country? Last year I spent an exhausting 9 hour layover in Amsterdam in the name of saving a few dollars on my flight costs. Though honestly my excitement for my trip never faded, and to me, it was 9 extra hours of living in the moment of the journey. I was exposed to a different language and food. I even exchanged wonderful conversation with other passengers waiting for their next flight. None of which would have happened if I opted for a convenient direct flight.
When it comes to flying I always choose budget. With airlines such as Ryanair and Vueling offering flights from Barcelona to Pairs for 15 euros or Munich to Rome for 25 euros it would be absolutely silly not to take those offers. It leaves more money to spend while at your destination on souvenirs! Although they are not the most comfortable planes they do get you from point A to point B, which is the whole point after all.
I know many people will argue, "well if i'm stuck on this plane for 13 hours I might as well enjoy it!." Those people have reason, if you can afford it, why not. However, in my experiences I can tell you that for the most part we all like to read, watch a movie or sleep on a plane. So it's almost like paying extra for a glorified nap. I've never had a memorable experience on a plane. Never has a plane ride effected my travels so greatly that I actually recall every moment of it and retell it. So here is a place to save! Spend that extra money instead on an experience worth retelling and remembering forever.
There are some cons to this approach though. Be careful when opting for cheap flights, because there are almost always loop holes. Hidden fees which could accumulate to cost you more than if you had bought the expensive ticket. Whether it be the 50$ printing fee that Ryanair charges upon checking in. Or an unreal fee for overweight baggage. Do your research and see what airlines will charge you extra for, and how to avoid them before arriving at the airport.
If you're not flying and still seeking to travel, there are websites that offer ride sharing. It is an opportunity to travel cheaply and meet interesting people! This is a major pro to budget travelling, meeting people you would have never crossed paths with otherwise. If riding with strangers is not your style you can usually find cheap bus tickets. However be aware that some companies that offer low cost bus tickets also offer low quality experiences. Some times I do prefer spending a few extra dollars to choose a bus with wifi or at least a toilet.. this could make a huge difference in your experience!
When it comes to transportation, know that if you do your work, and search online you will surely find something that is exactly right for you. Whether you prefer luxury or budget traveling there are pros and cons to both methods, pick one that will add the most enjoyment to your personal experience.
2. Accommodations
So you've made it to your destination and your ready to settle for a rest. Do you choose the comfortable hotel with a private washroom and 24 hour check in times? After all, travel can be exhausting on your body, wouldn't you prefer to be welcomed by a king size bed and clean silky-white quilts? My answer to that question is of course! However, is that really practical? If you're on the road for long lengths of time, hotel costs can chew up a large amount of your travel funds. Why not consider some lower cost options, the pros here may surprise you!
I've stayed in many hostels in several countries and I honestly prefer staying in a hostel over a hotel. The social attribute of hostels is my main reason for this. Most hostels have a canteen, lounge or bar where solo-travellers and groups can relax and unwind. It's easy to start up a conversation in an environment like this. The food and drinks are usually cheap, therefor if you're a traveller on a budget you might find yourself surrounded by like-minded people. Many hostels also host pub-crawls and other social events so you can enjoy your destination with people and make friends! Even for a shy person like myself, it is easy to socialize and find other nomads to explore with while staying in hostels! Unlike hotels where you may spend most of your time in your room, enticed by the T.V to stay in.
Another alternative is couch surfing. This relatively new concept has been breaking ground as more young people have the freedom to travel in this age of technology. Couch surfing functions on trust, sharing and community. Residents open their homes to travellers and in return travellers give them their company and share their experiences. No money is exchanged, it is absolutely free. Couchsurifng.com is a huge online community where strangers provide their spare rooms and couches to travellers in order to gain friends from different corners of the planet. Not only that but it is a great way to network, as you meet people from all over the world! I personally have had a great experience as a couch surfer and while hosting travellers. I've had the chance to eat home cooked meals while on the road and really get a local's perspective of the city i'm visiting. Although it is a very rewarding experience, I know it's not for everyone. I'll admit, when living out of a back pack sometimes you just need that king size bed and silky white quilts all to yourself at the end of the day.
There is a time to save and a time to splurge when it comes to accommodations! If travelling with groups try pooling your cash together for an Airbnb! A lot of the time you can find unique character homes to rent in groups for much cheaper than a hotel. If you're a solo traveller and up for meeting new people a hostel or couch surfing is the way to go! The experience in my opinion is far more valuable than the perks of a hotel room. Remember to keep in mind, which part of your journey will you retell? That normal and over priced hotel room or the interesting people you met in the themed hostel?
As much as travelling is about stepping outside of comfort zone you will enjoy yourself the most where you feel you can rest easy. If the idea of sharing rooms with strangers doesn't sit well with you, then there is no shame in paying the expenses of a hotel. Find another area to save in and do whats best for you!
3. Tours and Attractions
I feel this topic isn't discussed enough. There can be a lot of confusion around purchasing tours and how to get the best deal. Because tours are often offered by private companies they will have a set rate, sometimes implemented by the city. Unless you have a Groupon forget about bargaining for a lower price. Most times there is just no way around it. However here is a few tips to keep in mind next time you are wanting to visit a popular attraction on a budget.
If you are a student bring your school I.D card with you. I can only speak for Europe and North America for the time being but many places will give you student discounts to visit Museums and places of interest. These discounts may also apply to members of the military as well as some professionals such as teachers.
If you are on a budget and theres no discount available for that very expensive tourist attraction that you just have to see, then my advice to you is splurge! Do it! This is a time to use any money you saved on flights and accommodation to tick that bucket list item off! This is why it is wise to save in at least one of these three areas so that you can treat yourself every so often when you see it necessary.
I can tell you now that there are some attractions I passed up in order to save expenses. I would save myself money or even time by not standing in line for hours and miss perhaps an iconic tourist attraction. I really do regret this. I didn't realize the value of seeing these certain attractions because I was so concerned with the value of money instead. Bad move.
There can be times however when this strict attitude towards your finances actually pays off. In Venice, last year, I wanted so badly to take a ride through the grand canal in a gondola. I had seen it in movies before and it was certainly on my bucket list. After speaking with the guide I realized the 30 minute ride would cost me 80 euros. I didn't have that kind of money to spend and I was absolutely dismayed. So after several hours of attempted bargaining without success I realized it wasn't going to happen. I spent my last hour in Venice sitting on a quiet dock away from the crowds, very disappointed. Until the most amazing thing happened. A boat pulled up that read "Casino shuttle." The boat itself looked like something out of a James Bond film; classy, sexy and fast! In broken Italian we asked the captain for a ride to Casino di Venezia . We soon found ourselves on a free boat ride through the grande canal! I'll admit this was a lucky find, but if you stray away from the major tourist traps you can discover a whole new experience, and sometimes even for free!
However, I do still stand by my opinion to splurge on local attractions. Especially if you are a fan of history many tour guides will be able to tell you things that cannot be found on Wiki. Tours and attractions can offer the classic tourist experience of any iconic attraction or city. Unless you speak with the locals and really take the most out of exploring on your own, tours can offer you some incredible perspectives and information!
To spend or not to spend
There is always a time to save and a time to splurge. When you're travelling you must balance this! It will take time to learn in what areas to invest your money. Be wise, weigh the pros and cons and dissect the value of your purchases whenever you can. Being conscious however doesn't mean passing up on wonderful experiences! In the end everyone is different and the choice is up to you. Decide what will contribute the most enjoyment to your experience and go with that option! Travelling on a budget isn't impossible, but it does take some thought.