Tips:How to travel on a budget

For many people, travel is one of the best experiences in life. But for some, travel can also be one of the biggest sources of stress because of the cost. That's why we're going to look at several different tips for how you can score cheap flights and save money.

1. Fly during the off-season.

Decide when to visit your destination. Although you may have locked in on a specific time of year as the best time to travel, that's not necessarily the case financially. Unless this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (for example, if you've always dreamed of seeing cherry blossoms bloom in Kyoto), it's worthwhile to look into visiting during other seasons. Avoiding high-demand times can save you hundreds of dollars per flight, and the weather might not be as bad as you think.

Plan outside peak times. Consider going out of season wherever possible; this will help with finding cheap flights, cheap accommodation and cheaper attractions too! I usually recommend visiting destinations during these two periods: April/May or September/October for Europe; November/December for Southeast Asia; and May/June for Central America.

2. Research your destination.

After booking your flight, you'll want to research what there is to do in the area. A good place to start is checking out free activities in the city. Another way you can save on activities is by taking advantage of free samples at food stores and bars. You'd be surprised how much money this can actually save you--especially in larger cities where tour companies will have multiple stops that include samples of food and drinks!

3. Don't book at the last minute

To find the cheapest airfare when booking a flight, don't wait until the last minute to book. The exact amount of time you should reserve your flight in advance varies depending on many factors, such as time of year (summertime trips are less flexible than wintertime trips), destination (some places see a lot more demand than others), and day of the week (a Saturday night stay is usually cheaper than a Friday or Sunday). As a general rule of thumb, aim to book your flights at least two months in advance—this should help you get the best deals without losing out on them because they're no longer available.

4. Use credit card rewards for airfare.

Credit cards that offer rewards for spending are great ways to earn points or miles toward flights. These cards typically have high interest rates, so make sure you’re paying off the balance in full every month — but if you can afford to pay them off, they’re a great way to rack up travel points without having to spend money on flight tickets.

Look for a credit card that offers sign-up bonuses and gives rewards for everyday purchases (like groceries, gas or household bills), then use your card responsibly and pay it off in full at the end of each month to see your flight savings add up over time.

5. Travel during weekdays to save money on hotels

You'll save money on hotels and rentals if you travel during the week instead of on the weekend. Additionally, some hotels offer discounts for long-term stays (such as 10 percent off when you book 10+ nights). Just make sure to check with your hotel beforehand to see what discount options are available.

6. Stay in hostels

Hostels aren’t just for young people! They are a great way to save money and meet like-minded travelers on your trip. Hostels come in all shapes and sizes: some have private rooms, some have shared rooms, some have dormitory-style rooms, some have private bathrooms, and some even have pools!

7. Use blogs and online forums

One of the best ways to feel like a local is by asking a local. Luckily, these days we can do that even before we leave home. Online forums are an excellent resource for travel information, especially when it comes to learning about local attractions and restaurants. They're also great places to ask questions such as "What's the fastest way from [airport] to [hotel]?" or "Do I need to take a jacket in July?"

From our personal experience: Quora and Reddit is accessible for all inquiries.

8. Pack strategically

Pack strategically. How you pack for your trip can make all the difference when it comes to getting through security quickly and efficiently, as well as being prepared for whatever weather conditions you might encounter at your destination. One of the best things to do is to bring a reusable water bottle, especially if you're traveling during the summer. This will help cut down on plastic waste, but it will also save you money since most airports now have water filtration systems where travelers can fill up their bottles before boarding.

9. Eat like a local

Don't waste money on fancy meals in expensive restaurants or on touristy eateries with English menus just because you're nervous about getting sick from mysterious street food. With the exception of street meat, which is indeed a bit sketchy and best avoided, most street food is cheap and delicious! Keep an eye out for local favorites, or simply ask people you meet what they recommend. Eating like a local will not only save you cash, but will also give you more insight into culture and possibly even allow you to connect with locals who are willing to show off their favorite places to eat.

10. Get creative with transportation

While airfare or gas mileage to travel can be expensive, there are ways to get around without busting your budget.

You can consider taking the bus or train instead of flying, which is often a more affordable option. And you can also look for deals on car rental companies.

If you have time and would like an adventure, don’t rule out hitchhiking as an option either (just make sure it's safe). In this case, however, it's wise to have some cash saved up just in case since gas isn't always free.

11. Look for free activities

Visiting a park is always free and a great way to see the local wildlife, while experiencing some of the natural beauty your destination may have to offer. You'll also get some exercise along the way! While many museums are free, there are often additional exhibitions that you can pay and visit separately. One of my favorites is the London Natural History Museum: it's free to walk around and explore, but if you have an interest in dinosaurs then you may want to fork out for their special exhibition as well.

12. Stay positive

Most importantly stay positive when things go wrong. It's a fact of life that things can and will go wrong—but when they do, remember that this is part of what makes traveling fun! To stay positive, keep a list of funny mishaps in your phone (for example: "Suitcase broke", "Flight Delay"). Afterward, you'll be able to look back on these memories with joy rather than frustration.

Try these ideas to travel for less! You don't need to empty out your savings account to travel the world. Next time you're taking a trip, try these tips: