Stepping into a world full of beauty can be tempting, but it might seem out of reach. International travel doesn’t always have to mean an expensive vacation; it can also be budget-friendly travel. You can check off the destinations on your bucket list without breaking your bank. If you ever think international vacations are expensive, we are here to prove you wrong. Backpacking and road trips have become exciting and have captured the hearts of millions of people. Do you want to know the secrets to making your vacation a pocket-friendly one? Then you are in the right place. No matter what kind of traveller you are, here are the best budget travel tips for you.

Budget-friendly destinations

Not all destinations can be pocket-friendly, but you can choose the ones that match your budget. Fortunately, there are ample beautiful countries that you can pick out from without having to spend your fortune. You can also considerably reduce the costs by planning beforehand. All you have to do is think about what kind of travel experience you want and do a little research on the destinations. It is wise to compare these destinations before finalising the one for you.

If you are looking for expert suggestions, consider

Vietnam
Thailand
Indonesia
Cambodia
Nepal

Still have not applied for passport? then checkout: Apply for a Passport from Wherever You Are in India

Plan your travel budget

In order to have a stress-free vacation, you need to set a realistic budget to begin with. Are you confused about budgeting your trip? It might seem a boring and difficult task, but ultimately it is an essential part of making your travel the best.

How can you budget your trip?

The two best ways of budgeting your trip are

Set an overall budget and create a breakdown of costs.
Create a table of all the costs involved and add it to get the whole budget.

What are the expenses to take note of?

Once you finalise your destination, the next step is to create the budget table. You must have the following in your cost table to have the budget planned thoroughly.

Flights
Stays
Travel insurance
Internal transportation
Entry fees for attractions
Activity fees
Visa fees
Daily food expenses
Shopping
Miscellaneous costs

Accommodation bookings

One of the huge expenses you will have to think about is your stays when you travel abroad. Timing and choice of accommodations matter in getting the most out of your money. Don’t panic; we have some cool tips to get you started.

Type of accommodation: Looking for budget stays? Hostels, guesthouses, Airbnb, and camping are some of the best budget options available. Take a look at these and select the one for you considering your occasion.

Booking apps: Compare and check the prices on various tools before booking your stays. Some of the booking apps for budget-conscious travellers include Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld, Airbnb, and Trivago.

Ways to get good deals: Make sure you book in advance, at least 3 to 6 weeks in advance, to avail good prices. Sometimes longer stays will fetch you discounts. One other way to reduce your cost is to not book in major areas that are surrounded with attractions.

Travel time: Avoid travelling during the peak season as it tends to be too crowded and expensive. It can be relatively cheaper during the off-season as the demand is less, making it a perfect time for you to travel.

Transportation expenses

Now that you know where to stay, let’s focus on how to get there. This might be a complicated part of your planning, but once you figure it out, you are done with the toughest part.

Heading to your destination

Flights: A number of budget airlines are available between various countries and regions. Long distances have become reachable and affordable.
Trains: There are specific trains that connect you with different countries. Especially in Europe and Asia, you can find numerous railway lines connecting various countries.
Cars & others: Crossing the borders on the road is possible. If you are considering a road trip or visiting a neighbouring country, this can be a great choice.

Getting around your destination

Shared cabs: For short distances, you can use apps like Uber or Lyft to compare prices and move around the city for reasonable prices.
Public transport: Buses, metro, and trams can be a good option for both intercity and intracity travel. Passes and multi-ride tickets can get you some discounts also.
Carpooling: It is the best way to get around different regions at affordable prices. Do sign up early to secure a spot.

Pro tips to get good deals

Book in advance: Make sure you book your flights at least 6 to 8 weeks before your intended travel date.
Use passes or travel cards: Make use of rail passes and travel cards that let you frequently travel between destinations.
Youth discounts: Check if you have student or youth discounts, as some of the travel companies offer special discounts for young travellers.
Sign up for alerts: Get price drop notifications for flights and trains by signing up for alerts on various websites.

Life-saving apps for budget travel

Isn’t it a challenge to piece together every detail of a trip from scratch? We can sense your frustration. Let these incredible apps help you make the smart choices and lessen your worry.

Navigation: Google Maps, Maps.me, and Citymapper
Cheap flights: Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Momondo
Accommodations: Booking.com, Airbnb, and Hostelworld
Currency converter: XE Currency, Revolut, and Currency Converter Plus
Cheap transport: Rome2Rio, Skyscanner, and Uber/Lyft
Itinerary planner: TripIt, Google Trips, and Roadtrippers

Challenges of Budget travel

Travelling on a budget means you will have to make some compromises, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your trip to the fullest. You might encounter some of these difficulties, but we know you can handle it better.

Limited comfort: Public transportation and basic stays may not give you the comfort you expect.
Managing food: Sometimes you have to make your own meals to possibly cut down on food costs.
Unpredictable expenses: You might find that small expenses add up unexpectedly.

Now you are ready to take on the world. What is holding you back from taking that flight? Remember, the best memories are always made outside your comfort zone. If you ever need a helping hand, you can always rely on Pickyourtrail’s international tour packages. Prove them wrong who say international travel is a complete luxury. Get ready to live the most beautiful moments of your life!