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However, the specific benefit we will be going over in this article has to do with cost savings versus fast travel. By staying in the same spot for longer, you can save a lot more money on your travels. Not only do you get to find the cheapest and best spots in the area, but you can also potentially negotiate lower rates for your accommodations. You will also avoid having to take transportation every day. This is something that can eat into your budget while traveling. You also will likely spend more time resting throughout your trip which can further reduce expenses. Whether it’s going on a stroll on the beach or participating in free activities in the community, there are plenty of ways it can save you big.
Best 5 Tips For Cheaper Travel
Catch Public Transportation
One of the biggest areas where you will experience massive savings has to do with how much you spend on transportation. When you slowly travel, you get to live much more like a local. Locals use public transportation. Why wouldn’t you? This might be a big fear that a lot of novice travelers have. After all, the world is dangerous, right? In most cases, the local transportation options are not only safe, but they are better than the alternatives. They can be entertaining and they can be a good way to immerse yourself in the local culture. While it may not be as comfortable as scheduling an Uber, it’s going to deliver you a better experience for less money. If you are looking to cut expenses on your trip, this is one of the easiest ways to do so without sacrificing much (if anything).
Eat Like a Local
Eating out is another major expense that you will incur while traveling. You want to embrace eating like a local. Whether you opt for street food or a sit-down spot, you can find the best and cheapest spots from locals. Locals know where to go for cheap eats. A good way to tell if a spot is worth trying is by checking out the crowd. Is it packed? If so, it’s likely a good place to eat. You’ll find that a lot of tourist spots that serve Western food in developing countries are both expensive and not worth the price tag. Try to stick to eating local food. Not only is it going to deliver you better food and experiences, but it can save you a lot of money.
Stay Somewhere Cheaper
The price you pay for your lodging is likely to be the biggest of your trip. Because of this, you want to try to cut this expense as much as possible. Find amazing deals on last minute hotels. By making cuts to your accommodation, you can easily save a lot of money. It’s very easy to spend hundreds of dollars on a hotel stay every night. Needless to say, this can make traveling expensive. If you are looking to travel on a budget, you don’t want to go for the first place you find. You don’t want to overspend on your accommodation because it’s going to cut into your traveling budget and limit the kind of fun you can have on your trip. If you are traveling slowly, you might be able to find massive savings by opting for a guesthouse or a homestay. You can even find cheap hotels or hostels that you can stay at.
You don’t need to have a fancy hotel room. After all, you are going to be staying there to travel and not to sit around and lounge in the room. A lot of places will have cheap lodging that you can stay at that won’t have you to sacrifice much. While you will have a room with no frills, it’s going to be more than enough to still enjoy your stay. After all, most people only need running water, a clean bed, a door, and potentially internet. Everything else is just a luxury. You can even try out CouchSurfing if you want to venture out and stay somewhere for free.
Shop At Local Markets
One of the other areas you might find yourself spending a lot of money is at stores at your destination. Whether the grocery store or retailers, you can save big by instead shopping like a local at local markets. You can find a lot of things you need very cheaply at local markets. Whether you want new clothes, souvenirs, or food – a local market can help you save a lot. If you ended up finding a place with a kitchen, you can shop for ingredients at local markets to prepare your meals. This can help you further save money by avoiding eating out all the time.
Avoid Buying Things You Don’t Need
Not only is this going to save you money itself, but it’s going to save you from having to pay for oversized luggage or extra bags on your journey home too. It can be difficult to resist the temptation of buying something while traveling. However, anytime you get anxious about buying something, truly ask yourself whether or not you need it. If you are going to be traveling long-term, you don’t want needless things weighing you down. If it’s something that you’ve wanted for a long time, maybe you can spring it. However, if it’s something that you are trying to convince yourself to get, it’s best to avoid it. Collecting local currency can be a good way to give yourself a souvenir from all of the places you visit and it has the side benefit of inherently making you save money!