It’s never a good time to travel when you don’t have a lot of money, but you can go anywhere in the world for a fraction of the cost. It doesn’t make sense to buy expensive plane tickets and break the bank because your vacation budget was slashed. Here are some tips on how to travel on a budget, from renting an apartment in Paris instead of spending thousands on hotels to finding free activities that will give your city or country as much as it gives you. So do yourself a favor and take these steps towards saving big money so you can one day travel without breaking your piggy bank!
If you have a passport, you have a new world to explore! You can go anywhere in the world with a bit of research and advanced planning. As soon as you’ve decided where you want to go, start dreaming about what type of trip you’d like. Many people get caught up in how much it costs or how long they’ll have to be gone just because their work won’t allow time for this trip right now. It can be challenging to travel if your job is too demanding or if you just don’t have time off. But if you’re not in a position to quit your job and live the monk’s life, you can go on vacation but do it differently. Try these tips that can help you save money on your next trip:
Stay Busy When You do Not see the Sights
Rushing from attraction to attraction is possible, but it’s not necessary. Instead, take your time and enjoy the things that don’t cost money. Many people skip museums or attractions because they seem dull or they’re concerned about what they might be like, but you shouldn’t ignore these places if they interest you. Most museums have a unique perspective on a fascinating subject, and if you’re traveling, you should take some time to learn about where you are, even if it doesn’t cost money. You can get a lot out of historical sights and cultural events. It’s important not to waste your trip on the wrong things.
Stay in Cheap Accommodations
Most people travel to see new places and meet new people, but the accommodations only represent two or three nights of your trip. You can save money by staying at hostels or Airbnb rentals that offer cheap places to stay. These places aren’t as luxurious as those hotels that charge a lot of money, but they can be just as comfortable. You can save a lot of money if you stay in these hostels and rentals rather than a hotel. Airbnb is a great way to find accommodations.
Rent an Apartment
You don’t have to spend a considerable amount of money to live in a nice place. You can find deals online, so you won’t have to stay at the first place where you see an apartment for sale online. This is especially important if your trip involves traveling with friends or family because it will be much cheaper than staying in one location where you need transportation all day long. Instead, find apartments in big cities that will give you a real taste of where you’re going.
Upgrade Your Transportation
If you’re going to be traveling by plane, it makes more sense to pay a little bit extra for a ticket on a plane with better seats and more amenities. There are always airline awards, which allow you to fly free if your seat is paid for on the plane. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on transportation just because your schedule won’t allow time for traveling the way you want. These upgrades can add up over time, though, so keep that in mind when you think about buying tickets on a plane each day of your vacation.
Use Free Activities
Most attractions are overpriced in significant cities, but you can get free things to do in big cities if you know where to look. You can visit significant landmarks, explore the city’s parks, and observe its history without shelling out money for tickets. These are all great things to do if you want to explore a new place without breaking the bank. It’s worth it to check out free events that are held around town when you travel. You don’t have to feel like you have wasted your trip if it costs too much money because there are many ways for you to save while traveling.
We’re not saying that you should go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower – but for a lot less, you can take the TGV train up to get a great view of Paris. It’s 15 minutes from the city center. So here are some ideas on how to get around the world without spending a fortune…
If you make your living in advertising, marketing, or public relations, there are always opportunities for work-related travel regardless of your location. And while some opportunities are paid, there are many ways to reduce the cost of business travel.
The goal? Make your time away from home, billable hours, and travel look like work (or at least, look like you’re working hard on the road). Meetings, events, presentations, and workshops all can be beneficial to your career…and, more importantly, your company’s bottom line. But watch out for these common mistakes when attending industry events.
Accept Only The Most Valuable Events Invitations
While many average business travel experiences might be free or cheap (thank you corporate credit card), the most coveted opportunities command a hefty price tag. Want that all-expenses-paid trip to Tokyo to meet the Japanese distributor who might buy your products? That’ll cost you. Just as with non-work-related vacations, don’t expect to find the same value as those who paid the total price, but do try and attend events with a good ROI and high business potential.
Keep Track Of Your Expenses
If you don’t have a corporate credit card – and most of us don’t – it can easily track your expenses. So make sure you know how much everything costs, including your travel expenses (plane tickets, taxis, etc.), meals, and activities. And don’t forget about that pricey event registration. Bonus points if you work it into your overall budget before you go.
Plan Your Business Travel Expenses Before You Go
Before you get ready for business travel, plan on how much it’ll cost. You can quickly figure this out by looking at your bank account or credit card balance and comparing what you typically spend for monthly expenses (mortgage, food, utilities, etc.). Don’t forget to include the cost of the trip, too (airfare, hotels). Then allocate funds to your employer for expenses like the conference registration fee or any transportation costs like taxis or Uber/Lyft rides (if they allow that). Or, if your employer will reimburse you, be sure to save receipts and take photos whenever possible.
Don’t Overpack
It’s easy to overpack for business trips – after all, it’s not like you’re going out for a weekend at the beach. And because you can afford to buy certain things, there’s a tendency to bring everything and the kitchen sink. Don’t do it. There are plenty of excellent affordable options available at your destinations, so don’t waste space on unneeded items. If you must carry on your luggage with flights included in the travel package, avoid these most frequently searched for packing mistakes.
Consider Using AirBNB While Traveling
At a fixed rate, you can stay in a gorgeous apartment for a whole month in the heart of Paris. With Airbnb, you can find unique places to stay in your city, and they’re not all located in the best neighborhoods. Have fun discovering less popular parts of your city while staying on budget! Remember to check out local sites for hostels/AirBNB opportunities before you go on trips. Some sites will send you an email with suggestions when you type in “city” + “Airbnb” into the search bar.
Use A Local Cell Phone Provider
Research your destination first. If you don’t regularly buy local SIM cards, you might want to shop around to give yourself the best deals. Of course, many travelers might bring their phones along, but if you’re planning to use your phone regularly for making calls and checking emails, it makes sense to purchase a SIM card for your specific city – it’s cheaper, and you can keep track of the roaming fees. You can find out what providers offer the best deals by searching “cell phone provider” and your destination city.
Buy A Smartphone Sim Card In Your Country
Most significant cities have cell phone companies that provide cheap local phone plans for visitors. This means you can use cheap local SIM cards when you travel to their city. This will save you a lot of money on roaming fees and a lot of money when it comes to getting a phone in your own country again. It may be a good idea to get a local SIM card before going away, but it’s not necessary. And if you forget, no worries – most retail outlets offer to sell SIM cards at meager prices.
Stay Social in the City
Many people who travel like to stay in hostels, which can be fun and save you money. But if you’re older, you may want something with more privacy. You can find an apartment or room in someone’s home that is relatively cheap by using Airbnb or other virtual home rental sites. These are usually much cheaper than staying in hotels. Want to meet fellow travelers? Meetup is the best website for finding social events, activities, and groups in your city.
That’s all for my introduction to saving money for work travel. I hope you enjoyed the article!
