10 Top Tips
- for Travelling on a Budget

by Sue Noble
(Bristol, United Kingdom)

Paradise doesn't need to break the bank!

Traveling on a budget does not need to be considered as challenging, it can actually be great fun, not only the enjoyment of the actual holiday, but also the process of all the booking & organisation.

If when traveling on a budget you bear these tips in mind you are almost guaranteed to have as good a holiday as the people paying full-price for everything!:

1. Travel in the off-peak seasons. You can save up to as much as 50% off air flights and accommodation costs if you plan to travel in low season / rainy season times.

2. Stay away from the most popular tourist spots (unless they are on your ‘must-see’ list). If you can go off the beaten track with your destinations, things can be cheaper to see and do and your cultural experiences will be even richer.

3. Try camping or homestay. Not only are they the cheapest form of accommodation it’s a great way to get up close and personal to nature. It’s the best way to see National Parks and Heritage listed areas.

4. Look for special travel offers (or packages). But make sure you check everything that they include - and don’t include, examine every aspect of them to ensure they are what they say they are.

5. Where possible invest in a "travel pass" where you are able. Most developed countries have a rail or bus transport system where you can obtain day, week or monthly passes that will get you around cheaply.

6. Get a work permit if you aim to gain employment while traveling overseas. Working can help subsidize places that aren’t so cheap, such as Europe and Australia, just make sure you check out the national laws of the countries you aim to visit & don't "moonlight"!.

7. Look for good exchange rates on your national currency. This may help you decide which country to travel to, keep an open mind & remain flexible to where you visit.

8. Think about shortening your visit to destinations that are expensive and increasing your length of stay in cheaper places.

9. Spend time looking into what are the cheapest ways to access your money whilst on holiday, ATM's are really flexible, but carry considerable "hidden costs", be aware BEFORE you travel.

10. When staying in a hotel, avoid ANYTHING that involves ‘extras’. Don’t touch anything from the mini-bar. Don't eat in the hotel restaurant, it's guaranteed to be much cheaper eating out.Don’t watch the in-house movies, hotel phone or room service.

FLEXIBILITY is the key to traveling on a budget, it does not have to be restrictive, it's actually great fun!!.