These three tips help you save money while experiencing more.
Traveling abroad is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s also expensive. The bills can rack up between transportation, hotel, food, and sites, and most people don’t have the luxury of thousands of dollars at their disposal. Nor should they have to.
Everyone deserves the right to experience the world with whatever budget. So, here are some tips and tricks that can help someone see the places of their dreams without having to break the bank.
Hostels
Hostels are a decades-old trick for any avid traveler. They are much cheaper than most hotels, which can be hundreds a night, and also where you can meet other amazing travelers and nomads. It is not uncommon to make long-lasting connections and friendships with the people you meet at hostels and, in some cases, continue to travel with them.
From solo travelers to college students to nomads, hostels provide an environment of like-minded people passionate about experiencing the world. They are designed to allow people to float around Europe while being economically sustainable. While some can be expensive, many are very reasonable and the perfect way to not spend half of one’s budget on rooms.
Traveling during the low season
For many European countries, there is a high and low tourism season. For some places, all the restaurants and sites close until next season, but for others, the low season leaves food and drinks cheaper and streets and sites less crowded. For example, the tourist season ends in early October on the Amalfi Coast.
A quick Google search can usually tell someone when a place’s high and low season is. If one can, traveling during the low season is a chance to experience places without the excessive tourist crowds. There is more freedom in the things you can do and see. Also, many sites, restaurants, and bars might offer lower prices while there are fewer customers.
Authenticity over Touristy
Though this might sound counter-intuitive, stay away from the traditionally touristy areas. Places in these areas know it’s mainly tourists and try to take advantage of their naive knowledge about whatever country they’re in. Not to say that one shouldn’t experience the Colosseum and Eiffel Tower once, but it’s at these places where restaurants, bars, and more will hike up their prices. Also, if you are looking for authentic food and experiences, they are less likely to be around the heavily touristy neighborhoods.
Those hole-in-the-wall places are usually less expensive, more authentic, and hidden away in the more unknown streets. One will be surprised at what they can discover and experience by going in the opposite direction from the crowd.
These were just three tips that can help one save money yet still have unforgettable experiences while traveling. However, the best advice is to be smart and trust one’s gut. Every traveler has unique preferences and needs. Some might want to experience the finest food in place, while others are more concerned with the bed they sleep in. Deciding what is worth the money and what is not will help anyone travel economically yet comfortably.
