You read my post The Basics: Becoming a Traveler 101. You have a passport, some money, and you’re just itching to go abroad. However, you aren´t sure if you can afford the trip. Congratulations! You’re ready for the next step. This post will help you answer the most important question prospective travelers want to know: “How much money do I need to travel?”
When I say “travel,” most of the time I’m implying international travel; however, I understand that some of you may just want to go a couple of states over. Whether you want to travel across the country or across the world, the tips below will help ensure you are financially prepared.
Be Willing To Go Any And Everywhere
Sometimes the best option is going with the only option you have. You may run into a situation where you can only afford to travel to a place you had never previously desired to visit, or somewhere that is less appealing than where you want to go. When this happens, your choices are to go or not to go. If you’re reading this, you have some sort of adventurer’s spirit inside of you because you’re curious. If you ask me, my response is “Go travel!”
Before you continue, think about the most money that you are willing to contribute to your trip.
Finding Cheap Flights
Try out the following on one of my favorite discount sites Kayak.
- Go to the website and click on the “Flight Tab.”
- In the “From” box, enter the airport you plan to leave from. In the “To” box, select “Can’t decide where to go.” I picked Kansas because it’s in the middle of nowhere. I’m from a place not too far from there, so I know. Choose dates 2 months out or more from the time you want to leave. (Avoid traveling in the summer and during holidays for cheaper tickets. Booking flights more than 5 months out may help alleviate high priced tickets if you must travel during those periods.)
- Click “Search flights”. I guarantee that you’ll see destinations on at least 2 continents for less than $700. In the example (above imagine), there’s China (Beijing and Shanghai), Colombia (Bogota), Peru (Lima), Spain (Barcelona), U.K. (London), some spots in Canada and everywhere in the USA!
- Choose one and go!
Cheap Places To Stay
When I stay in hotels, my range is $50 or less. As a budget traveler, $50 could get you a night at a hotel or about 5 nights at a hostel. Your definitive guide for information about hostels and the go-to site for booking them is Hostelworld. Enter the city and dates you plan to visit. I guarantee you’ll find a room for $20 or less. The above image includes hostel prices in Lima, Peru for the same dates I entered for the flights.
The reasons I recommend HostelWorld and staying in hostels are:
1. Each hostel is rated based on categories such as safety, security, location, cleanliness, etc. You can also read reviews from travelers all over the world who have stayed at the properties. If I see a hostel is rated 9.0 based on 300 reviews, I consider it a safe bet.
2. You’ll always find a travel buddy to explore with you at a hostel (if you don’t want to travel alone). I’ve met some of my closest friends at hostels. Sitting in a hotel lobby, you’ll watch guests check in and check out. In a hostel lobby or dormitory, you’ll meet adventurers just like you. They’ll be interested in who you are, where you’re from and what you plan to do in the country. I guarantee they’ll have either been or plan to go to the sites you want to explore. They’d be delighted to help or join you on your journey!
Wrapping Up The Financial Side
Now you have a $600 flight and $100 hostel accommodations. Additional expenses include food, transportation within the country, and entrance fees to tourist attractions. Of course, you have to get souvenirs for your mom and little brother. All these expenses will vary depending on what you plan to eat, where you plan to go, and what type of souvenirs you have in mind.
I challenge you to figure this out. Ok, I’ll give you a hint. Email the hostel and ask the representatives.
They’ll be able to answer questions such as:
- Directions from the airport to their location
- Cost of a taxi from the airport to their property
- Average costs for meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Cost of tours to nearby attractions (normally hostels’ tours are cheaper than what you find online)
These are just a few of the questions you can ask to help you budget better.
Lastly, don’t forget to check to see if a visa is required for the destination you intend to visit. If it’s required, check out my post The Basics: Becoming a Traveler 101 to find out how much the visa costs and how you can obtain it.
Once you figure out all these costs, add everything up. Is the amount within the initial budget you set?
Other Resources
You can save money by going on free tours. There are many websites, such as Withlocals, that you can search to find people who are willing to give you free tours in major cities around the world. If you want, you have the option to tip them. Although I have never used those sites, I have stayed at hostels and hotels that provide information on free tours. The safest and most reliable way to get free tours is to contact the hotel or hostel where you will stay and ask their staff for information. Also, some airports offer free tours to travelers with long layovers. I got to see Taipei, Taiwan this way!
Another way to save money (with the added benefit of staying with locals) is to become a “couch surfer.” Couchsurfing is the website to use for taking advantage of this opportunity. This site allows you to create an account and find people who are willing to host you in their homes. These hosts are rated and have reviews written about them by travelers who have stayed with them. Some people may not host, but will instead have a coffee with you or give you a tour of their city. You’ll have to read their profile to see what they offer. While I’ve never been a “couch surfer,” I have hosted several travelers and each experience was positive. If you decide to become a “couch surfer,” do your research, make smart decisions, and be safe.
Conclusion
The purpose of this post is to help people travel cheaply and safely. Did you find the information presented to be helpful? Is there anything I missed or a topic you would like me to cover? Whatever advice you have about making traveling more affordable, please share it in the comment section below. Feel free to contact me at brogotravel@gmail.com. Thank you!
