How to Travel on a Budget: 10 Tips for Cost-Effective and Memorable Trips

"Ping, I want to travel, but I don't have any money right now." This is one of the most common sentences we hear. Sometimes it comes as a question like, "I really want to visit that country, but I don't have any money. What should I do? T_T"

This article aims to answer all your questions about how to travel affordably and effectively. We want to emphasize that "You don't need to be rich to travel."

Note 1: "Saving money" means spending wisely and not causing any inconvenience to others. If your travels cause someone to lose income, violate the rules of various places, or bring problems to yourself and others, that's not considered saving money.

Note 2: These 10 tips are methods we have used consistently because they work for us. If they don't work for you, that's okay. Feel free to share other methods with us: )

1. Book Accommodation and Flights Directly Through Their Websites

Ping is someone who likes to use services that search for cheap accommodation and flights from major websites like Expedia, Skyscanner, Agoda, etc. However, when it comes to booking, Ping recommends that everyone check first whether the prices on these websites are cheaper or more expensive than the prices on the accommodation/airline websites. If they are similar or cheaper, you can book through these websites. But in most cases (that Ping has encountered), the prices on the accommodation/airline websites are cheaper. It takes a little more time to search, but you can save a significant amount of money. (If you are a member of the aforementioned websites, they will send you good deals. If you are lucky enough to get a good deal, book with them.)

2. Travel with a Group of People

We know that it's difficult to coordinate schedules and make sure everyone is available at the same time. But if you can do it, it will save you a lot of money. For sure, you will have people to share accommodation and food costs with. When buying souvenirs, buying multiple items will give you the retail price. If you need to rent a car or hire a local guide, it's even more worthwhile. And lastly, you won't be lonely: D

3. Travel on Weekdays/During the Low Season

Believe it or not, traveling on weekdays or during the low season will save you a lot of money. From our own research, we found that tourism businesses such as accommodation, tours, and other services always set two prices: a price for the high season and a price for the low season. Some places set these two prices at a significant difference, even double. The same goes for flight prices during long weekends. Don't expect to find cheap tickets. The best way to save money is to be flexible with your travel time. Try going to the beach during May-June. Try going up north during September-October. This way, you'll have money left over to eat and shop.

4. Use Public Transportation (Trains, Buses) During Your Trip

Who likes to hail taxis? Your mom will spank you! Haha. Taxi fares are the most expensive, draining your wallet the most. In Thailand, it might not be that bad, but if you're traveling abroad, Ping says, "Take the train/bus." Most countries have 1/2/3/7-day passes that you pay for once but can use for as many trips as you want (it might seem expensive, but if you're staying in that city for several days, adding up the price of one-way tickets would probably be more expensive). You can buy them at tourist information centers or train stations.

5. Keep an eye out for special deals and promotions.

Deals and promotions can often make your travel dreams a reality, so keep an eye out for them. Where can you find them? We usually follow the Facebook fan pages of airlines, tour operators, and accommodation providers. Here are some examples:

• https://www.facebook.com/TidPromo/
• https://www.facebook.com/ch.trixget/
• https://www.facebook.com/Expedia.co.th/

For these types of deals, there's usually no problem. However, for tourist deals like City Pass or Museum Pass abroad, you need to look at the details carefully. Sometimes, adding up the entrance fees of all the places you want to visit is cheaper than the deal price. Or, it might be worth it, but it doesn't include the places you want to go, so buying them separately would be cheaper.

6. Sleep in a hostel dorm (the bigger the room, the cheaper it is).

If you're an easy-going person who can sleep anywhere, a hostel is the perfect choice! Especially when traveling abroad, sleeping in a hostel can save you a lot of money. Plus, modern hostels are clean and have all the amenities you need. They offer various room options, including mixed dorms, female dorms, and private rooms with 4-12 beds or more. You'll make new friends and have more money to spend on your trip. So, next time you travel, consider staying in a hostel.

7. Think carefully before buying souvenirs.

This one seems easy, but it's actually hard when you're on vacation! It's natural to want to buy beautiful things you see, but promise me this: before buying a souvenir, ask yourself four questions:

1. Will this item truly remind me of this place?
2. Will I actually use this item?
3. Do they sell something like this at home?
4. What about my plan to use the money for something more important/necessary?

If you ask yourself these questions and the answers make sense, then buy it. If not, save your money for something else.

8. You don't need to check in everyone's luggage.

This tip is for those traveling domestically, to nearby countries, or for short trips. If you have luggage that doesn't exceed 7-10 kilograms (depending on the airline), you don't need to pay for checked baggage. It may seem like a small amount, but when you add it up for several people, you can use that money for other things. For example, if we travel with 3 people, we will only check in one large bag. If we travel with 5 people, we will only check in 2 bags. The rest can be carried on the plane. Since we are traveling together anyway, we can combine our belongings in one bag.

9. Eat what the locals eat.

You don't need to waste time looking for restaurants because local food is the cheapest option (or you can call it street food). Local food is made for local people, and the prices are calculated for local people, without adding extra charges for the atmosphere, service, or because we are Asian tourists. Besides trying new flavors, you can also save money.

10. Mix & Match your flights.

Many times when we travel abroad, the cost of the plane ticket is more expensive than all the other expenses in the trip combined. In addition to booking in advance, booking during the low season, and booking when airlines have promotions, another way to save money on plane tickets is to Mix & Match. This means choosing early morning or late night flights, having layovers (not direct flights), and even choosing different airlines for the outbound and return flights to get the cheapest price. However, you should not choose tickets that are so cheap that they make your life difficult, make you miss your appointments, or don't give you enough rest. Choose wisely, and you will have money left over. Trust me.

How about these 10 tips? Have you ever tried any of them? If you have other methods, please share them! We need them! 55555 Follow our fun travel reviews and other articles at www.blissoutthere.com

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Thank you. :)