The idea of traveling to beautiful places sounds enticing to people of all ages and backgrounds. However, many people are intimidated by one huge factor: how much money is this going to cost me? While taking a luxury vacation can definitely set you back a few thousand dollars, it is still possible to travel to amazing destinations without completely breaking your bank if you create a travel budget. All you need is a plan of attack. Creating a travel budget doesn’t have to be difficult. Let’s break this process down into doable chunks.
Figure Out Your Destination
Sounds like a no brainer, right? Truth is, your destination influences basically every part of your budget. If you’re traveling to Paris, you’re definitely going to spend more money than if you were going to Thailand. Location can determine how much money you will need overall to cover your trip. It can also help you set your priorities based on the places and activities you’d like to experience.
If you’re planning on visiting another continent, your plane ticket will easily be the biggest chunk of change you’ll have to set aside for your trip. The best place to look for affordable plane tickets is SkyScanner.If you’re only traveling a few hours away, look into other forms of transportation: commercial buses and driving can be more affordable than flying in some areas.
Another big aspect of your trip will be your accommodations. If you’re looking to save some money for other activities, you may consider staying at hostels rather than a hotel. A good place to look for a hostel is www.hostelworld.com .Do some research in the general area you want to visit to get an idea of a rate per night. Remember, during major trips, you only really need a room for sleeping and showering. The excitement will be out in the destination you’re exploring.
Keep Yourself Fed and On the Go
One of the most exciting parts of visiting a new place is exploring the local cuisine. There’s something exhilarating about going out to eat in a new place and experiencing delicious plates you wouldn’t usually have. Make sure to keep this in mind while budgeting! If you’re traveling to an area where you know you will likely be eating out, factor that into your budget. However, if food isn’t an important part of your trip, save some money by buying groceries and preparing your own meals.
If you’re visiting a major city, public transport will be a great way to maneuver around the area to see the sights. However, in more rural areas, you may need to arrange for private transportation. This can incur an additional cost that you will need to keep in mind.
Plan Your Activities
What are you planning on doing during your trip? Are you planning on booking a tour or visiting a museum? Chances are, most activities you will want to do on your trip will need to be taken into account. You may have to sacrifice one activity in order to keep another. Just make sure that you are saving up for those one-of-a-kind experiences that you can only get from being in that place. It’s all about what your priorities are.
Speaking of priorities, building your budget means making sure that you’re willing to compromise on certain aspects of your trip for the sake of staying within your financial limits. Instead of spending money on a lavish hotel, stay at a hostel and use the money for an amazing tour instead! Create a travel budget in order to get the most out of your travel experience.
More Tips On Budgeting
There is one rule you should always live by, traveling or not: always have a backup plan. There is nothing worse than getting caught in a bad situation in a foreign country without any money to get by. Make sure you always have some money saved for emergencies and extenuating circumstances.
Another great tip is to keep track of your expenses during your trip. No, you don’t have to be counting your change after every single purchase. However, it is smart to have a general idea of where your expenses are at the end of each day. That way, you can make sure that you aren’t overspending and you’re staying on track with your budget.
The first step to embarking on your next adventure: start saving up as soon as possible! Stay motivated and think about your final destination. Every penny you saved will be worth it once you’re living in your next adventure. Best of luck and bon voyage! For more in-depth information we suggest you checkout our article 5 Incredible Tips to Help You Afford Travel to help you reach your budget after you create a travel budget!
