7 Ways To Travel On A Budget
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

7 Ways To Travel On A Budget

Travel the world the smart way.

3118
7 Ways To Travel On A Budget

At some point in all of our lives, we’ve experienced wanderlust to a degree. The desire to travel and to explore the unknown can be undeniable at some points. When you start feeling restless and want to embark on an adventure, it can be easy to get excited looking up plane tickets and fantasizing with your friends—oh, the places we’ll go! It can be just as easy to become discouraged by the price tag. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to cut expenses and make the trip you want happen. Here are seven easy ways to travel on a budget:

1. Camping

At first, camping might not sound as appealing as a hotel or a resort, especially if you aren’t already an outdoorsy person. Camping forces you to go outside of your comfort zone and spend some time away from things that could be distracting. After a long day of traveling, it can almost be a habit to want to veg out in front of a TV and disconnect from the world. When you’re camping, it brings you to appreciate your surroundings and the new environment you’re in, and to intentionally invest in those you’re traveling with. In addition to these benefits, camping is often less than half of what you’d pay if you stayed elsewhere. Some national parks even allow you to camp for free—which fits right into the budget!


2. Buying plane tickets ahead of time

If you choose to fly to your destination, it’s important to remember to buy your plane tickets as soon as you are able to. Buying your tickets early makes them cheaper than they would be if you buy them last minute as the flight is filling up. Being on top of things can aid you in saving money and a lot of unnecessary stress later on!


3. Packing your own food

If it’s an option, bringing a cooler with your own food can be useful. Buying food from a grocery store and eating that along the way comes out far cheaper than going out to eat three times a day (not to mention those gas-station snack breaks). Bringing your own food also encourages you and your group to eat healthier and overall feel better during the trip.



4. Driving

Plane tickets can get spendy! If you have a car available, driving to your destination get-away is a good way to save money. Carpooling with friends and having everyone pitch in for gas cuts prices way down. Driving also allows you to spend more time with your friends and family.


5. Finding less popular locations

Over spring break, destinations such as Las Vegas or Cancun are popular. As a result, the airline tickets and prices in the area skyrocket. Finding a less popular area to fly into, and then driving to your destination can make a serious difference in cost. Or, finding a new destination altogether is an option. Just because a location doesn’t seem as popular doesn’t mean that it isn’t a hidden gem waiting to be explored. It’s more exciting finding new locations, and you’ll have extra cash.



6. Take advantage of natural entertainment and free events

During the summers especially, lots of communities have free events going on. Finding free events to participate in will help you to have a better feel for the area and can add to the experience in ways you might not have anticipated. Another option is to utilize the natural entertainment—does your destination have mountains? An ocean? A rainforest? Hiking, lounging at the beach, or sightseeing is another cost-effective way to enjoy your trip while still getting out there and making the most of your time. You’ll experience more doing these kinds of activities than getting caught in a tourist trap.


7. Plan, plan, plan

Having a solid plan can keep you within your budget. For example, packing a map can save gas money when your phone’s service cuts out and you have to go without a GPS for a while. Making sure that you’ve packed enough food and water in order to be efficient with your resources can help you to resist the urge to impulse buy all the snacks at the gas station.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57832
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37259
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958956
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192088
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments