Visiting the places you love doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and neither do you need to break the bank to go on holiday. I love travelling and visiting exotic places, and I know how frustrating it can be when you want to go on vacation, but your finances can’t allow it. To help you rise above this challenge, I have compiled some proven tips that can allow you to travel on a budget.

Have a Plan

I love travelling spontaneously, but only when I have the luxury of money and ample time. When I am travelling on a budget, the first thing I do is create a plan outlining all the places I will visit, the activities I will participate in, and how much I intend to spend. You don’t have to create a tight itinerary, but you should know the places you will visit and what you will do. When I have a plan, I always spend less because I avoid last minute flights and accommodation bookings which often cost more.

Travel during Off-peak Season

You should avoid travelling during peak season when the travel industry hikes prices to take advantage of the many tourists. I save a lot of money by ensuring that I don’t travel during major holidays or when the schools are opening. I often travel right before or after the peak seasons when the prices are much more affordable. Many hotels and airlines lower their prices to attract customers during off-peak season, and I always take advantage of this.

Seek Affordable Accommodation

You can still have an enjoyable vacation even if you trade the expensive hotel room suites with more affordable dorm rooms. While travelling on a budget, I sometimes share accommodation with other tourists and enjoy the opportunity of meeting and making new friends. Websites like Couchsurfing and Airbnb allow you to seek accommodation in a local person’s apartment, which is much more affordable. At times I even stay with family and friends, enabling me to make great savings on accommodation costs.

Carry everything you need

While travelling on a budget, I pack properly to ensure that I have everything I need. By doing this, I avoid shopping while I’m away. You should ensure that you carry proper clothing in case of unexpected weather conditions. You should pack according to the type of vacation. However, it won’t hurt to spend some money on affordable souvenirs to help preserve your travel memories.

Book all Flights in Advance

I book all flights in advance while travelling on a budget. It would be detrimental to run out money abroad without a guaranteed air ticket back home. Some airlines avail their flight seat bookings up to a year before the travel date. The earlier you book the flight, the more affordable the ticket. I often book flights months before the intended travel date, which enables me to make fantastic savings.

If possible, you should travel during weekdays because midweek travel prices are much lower than weekend travel prices. Whenever I travel mid-week, I enjoy shorter queues at the airport check-in desks in addition to paying lower prices. The money I save on cheap travels comes in handy for my meals and accommodation costs while on vacation. When planning a short trip, I pack light to save some money on hold luggage.

Avoid Eating Away all your Money

I prefer to wander around before choosing a place to eat lunch or dinner. Comparing several cafés will help you avoid overpriced restaurants. If you eat in the first restaurant you come across, you won’t know whether you are overspending. You could buy affordable lunch in a fresh food market or supermarket.

Consider Public Transport

If possible, you should consider using a bus or a train, which are more affordable than air transport. Taking an overnight train to your preferred destination is not only affordable but also adventurous. Spending the night on an overnight train also means that I save one night’s worth of accommodation fees.

Travelling doesn’t have to be expensive. You can travel on a budget and still enjoy the fine things in life. I have visited amazing places without digging too deep into my pocket, and you can do the same. If you take the time to plan your travel, you can save money and still have an enjoyable vacation.