Losing a job, being laid off, or suffering some other financial catastrophe isn’t fun, but life goes on. If money’s tight, you may need to travel to see your sick spouse so you don’t lose touch. Or maybe you’re moving to a new city across the country because your job was relocated. Or perhaps you’re in the military and just serving your nation. Whatever the reason, you’re traveling on very little money and need tips on how to save money while on the road.
Traveling the world is a great goal, but it can be hard to reach if you don’t have much money. Luckily, that’s when you need to plan your trips carefully. Here are 9 tips for traveling when you have no money.
- Check online travel sites. If you are on a budget and you need a break from the everyday work grind, your best option is to book a trip. These trips can be quick weekend jaunts or cross-country getaways where you don’t have to spend much time and money. There are several websites dedicated to helping you make the most of your travel dollars, and one of the best is TripAdvisor.
- Call hotels directly. When going on a budget, you want to stay on budget and be as frugal as possible. However, sometimes you have to spend money and money that comes in unexpectedly. For example, when you had no one to call a hotel directly, you stuck with whatever hotel was booked by the site you found the cheapest.
- Use a travel agent. Travel agents can help you plan a vacation even if you don’t have a lot of money. With a little research and planning, you can travel on a budget. You don’t have to travel by car, and you don’t have to stay in a five-star hotel.
- Use public buses. Getting around can be an even bigger expense when you don’t have any money. Luckily, there are some cheap but very useful public bus transportation systems out there that can take you to your destinations so that you can go about your day. Read on for a guide to using public buses as a cheap alternative to get around town.
- Stay in hostels. Traveling can be very expensive, especially if you’re going far from home and on a budget. That’s why it’s best to seek out budget accommodation, such as hostels and pack light. But, how do you stay in a hostel without breaking the bank?
- Use Couch Surfing. Couchsurfing, the “social travel” site, is a fantastic way to save money on travel. When you sign up, you post your profile, looking for a place to stay anywhere in the world. Then, travellers can read your profile, check out your photos, and invite you to stay in their town. The travellers of Couchsurfing are from all walks of life—from students to musicians to retired professors—and some even have their couch surfing businesses.
- Stay with friends and family. Traveling is no cheap endeavour, so if you’re planning a trip and don’t have a lot of spare cash, then staying with friends and family might be a good option. It might even be the best option.
- Use Airbnb. Luckily, Airbnb helps solve this problem. With Airbnb, you can rent out your home when you’re not there. In exchange for lodging, you get free accommodation, courtesy of your host.
- Use hostels and Couch Surfing. Traveling can be hard on your wallet, and many people deal with a financial struggle. But there are ways you can manage your finances and still travel. Consider making friends with locals and using the resources they have. Use apps like Couchsurfing and Hostel world to find local hosts to foster connections with during your stay. And a hostel is an excellent budget-friendly option that keeps you close to the city you’re visiting while still saving some money.
Planning a long-distance trip can be quite expensive, especially if it’s your first time. However, there are ways to make it economically feasible while also making it a somewhat relaxing vacation. So, before you pack your bags, do research as much as you can for your safety, then check out these below tips for traveling on a tight budget for you.