Traveling on a budget is a skill.
It’s something you acquire when you’ve done it so many times and made way too many mistakes.
And sometimes, they’re mistakes you make more than once because it’s a travel day and travel days are stressful (and exhausting).
But after having been a full-time traveler for a while, I decided to share some of my best pieces of advice for traveling on a budget.
You can actually avoid all of the mistakes I’ve made, and know all of the cool hacks I’ve learned without having to travel full-time yourself!
Oh, and if you have any budget travel tips yourself, then let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear about them!
You Will Learn About:
1. Pick a Location in the Opposite Hemisphere
Photo Above: The view from the place we stayed in Mauritius. That island has some of the most beautiful sunsets!
When it’s summer for those in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter for those in the southern hemisphere, and vice versa.
And as someone who primarily lives in the northern hemisphere, I’ve found that there are so many beautiful locations to visit in the southern hemisphere with great weather when it’s hot and uncomfortable where I live.
And here are all the reasons why this is one of the best things you can do:
1. Last year, I traveled to Mauritius, a country in the southern hemisphere, during their winter and off-season. It’s a tropical island with beautiful beaches and their winters are perfect! Weather in the 70s for many of the days. So if you’re looking for a destination that isn’t hot and muggy, then this is a great idea.
2. You can haggle and get some amazing accommodations (among other things) for a much cheaper price because it’s their off-season.
Side Note: Traveling to a country in the opposite hemisphere isn’t always budget-friendly. But if you’re flexible about your time, then you can find flights that have a pretty good price!
2. Plan Your Outings Before You Arrive
So many times, people will head to a location but have no plans for what they want to do.
They’ll gather a whole bunch of brochures in the lobby of the hotel and then pick whatever works for them.
But planning the activities you want to do ahead can give you some great deals (+ experiences) you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
3. Use Couchsurfer.net (It’s a Lot Better Than You Think)
Photo Above: A boulangerie our Parisian host took us to for breakfast.
I know this one sounds questionable, but it was how my husband and I had an incredible time in Paris.
We could have stayed in a hotel or Airbnb but we had heard about the site, Couchsurfer, where people who want to meet travelers will open up their homes for free. So we decided to give it a try.
Now you could sleep on their couch, but our experience has only ever been sleeping in the guest bedroom.
I’m honestly so glad we took this option, and here’s why:
We met a very kind person who opened up his place to us, took us out for great meals, and showed us some beautiful locations in Paris.
It was so much more than we expected.
Side Note: It might take a bit of work to find the right person, and you might need to send out a good number of requests, but when you do get the right person, it can be an awesome experience!
4. Plan Your Restaurant Experiences
I think one of the main costs of travel that a lot of people might not think about are restaurant experiences.
So if you want to be a bit careful about how much you’re spending on food while traveling, then here are some steps you can take to save money:
- Step 1: Plan out the restaurants you’ll want to visit near and far away from your accommodations. Figure out how many times you’ll want to eat at those locations.
- Step 2: Once you have your restaurant dining planned out, look up the local grocery stores and markets near your hotel or Airbnb. Do they have tasty pre-made meals or simple delicious ingredients that can be quickly whipped up into a meal?
- Step 3: If you decide to do step 2, then meal plan easy meals you can make that would be satisfying. Think sandwiches or salads, paired with tasty snacks and drinks local to the destination your visiting. Also, take into consideration the local dishes and ingredients; are there simple quick meals you could make with them that would taste great?
- Step 4: For the meals that aren’t going to be special outings, if you choose not to go with step 2 and 3, then figure out where the locals are eating for lunch. These are going to be dining spaces that aren’t very expensive because people need a quick and cheap meal during their lunch break. And lot of the time, you’re gonna get some great dishes at places like this!
5. Limit Yourself to a Carry-On
I know this one might seem hard, but I promise you, you can do it!
After having traveled full-time for almost 8 years, I have found that it was never worth it to overpack things I knew I would probably never wear (or wear just once).
It’s so easy to say, “Well, I just like having variety!” Or, “You never know, I might need this!” Those are the items you leave behind.
If you’re 99% sure that those outfits or gear won’t be used, then leave it behind.
Not only is this going to save you money, but it will get rid of extra travel stress as well!
Side Note: You can also feel pretty cool when others are packing 4 huge check-in bags and you don’t have that huge load. You’re just in and out of the airport so much fast.
3 Destinations You’ve Never Thought About But Will Make You Think, “I Need to Book Tickets Right Now.”
If you’re looking for some incredible travel locations, or want to be inspired, then these 3 places are going to give you some serious wanderlust!
Read Here: 3 Places That Will Make You Go, “I Need to Book Tickets Right Now.”
This Cafe Gave Me My Yearly Dose of Estrogen (And I’m Not Complaining)
If you love beautiful desserts and a fun location, then this cafe needs to be on your list!
The food was great, the drinks were delicious, and I would probably make a pilgrimage to this cafe once a year if I could!
Read Here: This Cafe Gave Me My Yearly Dose of Estrogen (And I’m Not Complaining)
One of the Most Underrated Destinations in Mexico (& a Retiree’s Paradise)
San Miguel de Allende is an absolute gem in central Mexico.
Safe, incredibly beautiful, kind people, and such good food; it’s no wonder so many retirees have moved here!
Read Here: My Trip to San Miguel de Allende & Personal Tips When Visiting
Le Riad Yasmine: A Dreamy Travel Location in Morocco
Riads are traditional Moroccan inns, and if you’d like to relax in the calm courtyard of a beautiful space, and enjoy incredible food and amazing service, then this is the place to go!
Read Here: Le Riad Yasmine: A Dreamy Travel Location in Morocco
Your Foodie Mexico Guide: 17 Places for The Best Food
If you love Mexican food and you want to know the best locations to get incredible dishes in Mexico, then I’ve got you covered!
Read Here: Your Foodie Mexico Guide: 17 Places for the Best Food
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.
