How Can You Travel on a Tight Budget?
From keeping your travel dates and destinations flexible to utilizing co-living spaces for savings, eight travel experts, including CEOs and founders, share their top tips for globetrotters on a shoestring budget.
- Keep Your Travel Dates and Destinations Flexible
- Prioritize Experiences Over Accommodation
- Travel During Off-Peak Times
- Embrace Cultural Exchange with Homestays
- Consult Locals for Authentic Tours
- Choose Moderate Accommodations
- Align Budget with Personal Priorities
- Utilize Co-Living Spaces for Savings
Keep Your Travel Dates and Destinations Flexible
Flight tickets can be a major traveling expense, especially with a tight budget. One of the best ways to save money on flights is by being flexible with your travel dates and destination choices. Flights during peak season and holidays are more expensive than in off-seasons, so try planning your trip accordingly. Choosing not-so-popular destinations can also save you a lot of money, as flights to popular tourist spots are usually more costly.
Consider flying on weekdays instead of weekends, and keep an eye out for flight deals or offers from different airlines. Traveling is all about the experience, and exploring new places can be just as exciting as visiting popular tourist destinations. So try being open-minded and flexible when planning your travels, and you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save without compromising on the quality of your experiences.
Rachel Coleman, Travel Advisor and Senior Editor, Easy World Travels
Prioritize Experiences Over Accommodation
The best way to travel on a tight budget without compromising the quality of experiences is to place the emphasis of capital on the things that are most important to you.
An example of this would be traveling in Austria, where I stayed in Vienna for seven days. In order to allocate the bulk of the budget to experiences, I booked a hostel six months in advance in a large room with others who were staying. By doing this, I was able to reduce my accommodation costs, which often are the largest expenses when traveling. Furthermore, because I stayed in a room with many people, I was able to create new connections and experiences with these individuals by attending some local events and exploring local bars and cafes.
For myself, accommodation was the least important factor and would not dictate whether I had a quality experience, so I reduced the amount of capital spent on accommodation and instead invested in experiences like sightseeing and dining.
Sebastian Jania, CEO, Ontario Property Buyers
Travel During Off-Peak Times
Taking a trip during off-peak times can result in significant cost savings. Additionally, airline tickets are less expensive, and hotel rates are typically lower in off-peak periods. Moreover, off-season rates are lower for popular tourist destinations and local attractions.
The off-peak months are less crowded. Fewer people are on the streets, in museums, and on beaches, making it easier to move around. Taking photos with fewer people in the background yields better results. Thus, avoid travel during school breaks, as that’s when the travel industry drives up prices.
Since most people can only travel on weekends, schedule your trip and vacation for a weekday instead of a weekend. Similarly, steer clear of traveling in the summer, when most destinations experience their busiest travel seasons. Although it may be cold and rainy during the low season, a chilly adventure can still be enjoyable.
Axel Hernborg, Founder and CEO, Tripplo
Embrace Cultural Exchange with Homestays
As a female CEO running an education company that teaches Japanese, I believe in the power of cultural exchanges. When traveling on a budget, consider staying with local host families. This concept, known as homestays, provides a unique, affordable accommodation option. It’s not just an economical choice but also a way to dive deep into the local culture, cuisine, and customs.
As a bonus, you might even pick up some language skills. Homestays give you the advantage of real, personal connections with people in the country you’re experiencing, as opposed to just being a tourist.
Nooran Zafarmand, Co-Founder and CEO, Japamana
Consult Locals for Authentic Tours
I travel for work quite extensively. Instead of scheduling tours and sightseeing trips with big companies before I leave, I normally get to my hotel and talk with the associates there. They always introduce me to locally owned businesses that offer the same trips, usually more authentic, and for a fraction of the price.
Jeff Michael, Ecommerce Business Owner, Supplement Warehouse
Choose Moderate Accommodations
The best way I have found to travel on a budget, yet still have a great time, is to avoid staying in the most expensive hotels. You are more than likely only in your hotel room for 8-10 hours per day, so you don’t need to be in the fanciest hotel possible.
I prefer to stay in something like a Courtyard or something similar because they are generally half the price of the Ritz and still have everything you’ll need for a great trip.
Ben Walker, CEO, Ditto Transcripts
Align Budget with Personal Priorities
Understanding what is truly important to you, what will add value to your life, and what you seek from your trip is crucial. For instance, during a recent visit to St. Pete Beach, my girlfriend wanted to stay directly on the beach. Although I enjoy beachfront accommodations, the cost was significantly higher—about $300 more per night—compared to a place right across the street.
I appreciate being on the beach and the luxury of sitting on my balcony to admire the water, but we could still see the ocean from our off-beach location. The establishment provided wagons, beach umbrellas, and coolers for our use, and the hotel itself was quite pleasant. By not staying on the beach, I didn’t feel I was missing out on much, and it allowed us to allocate more funds towards activities like snorkeling and enjoying fine dining.
Recognizing what you desire from a vacation and determining what matters most to you can be an effective strategy to reduce expenses without sacrificing the quality of your experience and enjoyment of the trip.
John Frigo, Ecommerce Manager, Best Price Nutrition
Utilize Co-Living Spaces for Savings
Leveraging co-working and co-living spaces strategically is a practical tip for digital nomads navigating the world on a tight budget. These spaces often provide affordable accommodation with essential amenities like high-speed internet, creating a conducive environment for work while fostering a sense of community. By opting for these shared spaces, not only do you save on accommodation costs, but you also gain access to valuable local insights and potential collaboration opportunities.
Additionally, taking advantage of free or low-cost networking events organized by these spaces can help you connect with like-minded individuals and explore the destination through the eyes of those who know it best. This approach allows you to maintain a balance between frugality and quality experiences while immersing yourself in the local culture.
Faddy Farkhondeh, Founder & Software Engineer, FaddyTheNomad
