Geirangerfjord in Norway! This trip made possible to insane budgeting tactics. 

By Emily Meyer

Traveller’s Tales – The Budget Traveller Part II

Sep 10, 2019 | 3:58 AM

Budgeting while you’re travelling

Budgeting is important to anything you want in life but it holds a special place in travel. To many, travel is a luxury that is saved up for months and sometimes years. If you’re anything like me, travel is kind of a big deal and you’ll do whatever you have to, to stretch your dollar further. That means that not only do I budget before I travel but also while I am on my trip.

Now, don’t worry. Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t still have the most incredible vacation. It’s important to remember that there are opportunities to splurge, as well as opportunities to be money-wise.

A few years ago I was travelling around the UK and Ireland and decided to extend my trip to include Scandinavia. The spur of the moment decision meant that my budget was cut in half and if there’s anything you need to know about Scandinavia, it’s that it is not cheap! Before catching the bus from Berlin to Denmark and onward to Norway, I grabbed a bag of bread from a grocer, a jar of Nutella and a bottle of Vodka that can only be described as a close resemblance to lighter fluid. I want to start off by saying that I don’t recommend living on a diet of Nutella sandwiches and $3 Vodka and it didn’t take long for me to realize there were more practical alternatives to save money.

Here is my list of budget options while on the road:

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Don’t eat every meal at a restaurant:

Eating out can add up quickly. I agree that it would be a shame to miss out on local cuisine, but breakfast lunch and dinner at a restaurant isn’t necessary if you are on a budget. Try finding accommodation that offers free breakfast or has a kitchenette that you can whip up something easy in. Don’t be afraid to grab a sandwich and some chips from a grocery store. It’s cheap and quick and leaves plenty of more time to explore.

When we were in New Zealand there were a few dinners we opted to buy from a grocery store. A rotisserie chicken and some pasta salad turned into dinner and then lunch the next day! For $20 we fed ourselves for two meals.

Alternatives to hotels:

Hotels can be expensive for what they are. When I was planning our honeymoon, I compared hotels to sites like Air BnB and found that Air BnB was not only cheaper but offered so much more. We stayed at Air BnB’s throughout New Zealand and found that there were many added bonuses, beyond just the price, to such accommodation. We were able to explore more locally as some of the places we stayed didn’t even have hotels. As well, where we stayed offered free rentals of bikes, kayaks and canoes. In a number of the places we stayed, the hosts had us to their homes for drinks and would share tips on the best restaurants to go to and the coolest sites to visit.

The key to finding the right Air BnB is to research. Since people are renting out their own space, there will always be horror stories. Avoid making a travel faux pas and look at reviews before booking a place to stay. If you are looking for a particular experience, don’t be afraid to reach out to the hosts before you book to ensure all of your questions or concerns are answered.

Don’t rely on cabs or “hop-on-hop-off” transportation:

Often times we go for what we know. Although cabs might be an easy option, braving public transportation isn’t all that bad and it’ll save you a lot of money! I’ve been guilty of taking cabs or arranging private transport for exotic destinations, but typically I will only resort to this if my flight gets in at an ungodly hour. Research the journey from the airport to your accommodation. Try choosing accommodation close to the sites you want to see and don’t be afraid to reach out to your accommodation, or fellow travellers, to get advice on what transportation is like in the city you are visiting.

Hop-on-hop-off transportation has made a name for itself in many cities around the world. Avoid paying triple the price to ride on a tourist bus. Public transportation is just as convenient and will save you a ton of money while delivering an authentic experience. When my mom and I went to London for the first time, we spent an entire afternoon riding around the city on a double-decker bus. We got off the bus for lunch but were right back on it afterwards, watching the city bustle around us as we sat back enjoying the efficiency of London public transport.

Explore budget locations:

There are places in this world that will blow your budget apart – places where a garden salad costs more than a fillet mignon does here. However, there are also places in this world that you can get clean private accommodation for $7 a night and a delicious authentic meal for $2. Do your research before you pick a destination and figure out exactly what sort of budgeted adventure you are after. Knowing that your money will stretch further in Vietnam than in Australia might mean the difference between a short visit and an endless adventure.

Travelling on a budget is an opportunity to experience the world in a different way. I follow a global travel group on Facebook and a post stuck out to me that I will share with you today. The woman was asking for advice to convince her brother to travel with her. He didn’t want to as he had always travelled with his millionaire friends he met while on a scholarship to a private school and he didn’t want to travel the “budget” way. This may sound odd, but many of us felt bad for this guy. His unwillingness to experience the world and travel in another way meant he would be missing out on so much. Travelling on a budget changes the way you see things. It changes the people you meet – locals and travellers alike. It changes your appreciation for the places you go and your ability to travel in the first place. Travelling on a budget isn’t all $3 vodka and Nutella sandwiches; it’s about letting go of luxury in exchange for experiencing more of the world around us.