The better you budget, the more worth you can squeeze out of every adventure. Just because you’re being budget-conscious, doesn’t mean that you’re pinching pennies. There are always tons of options available to travellers. The insight which is commonplace to locals often goes overlooked, with hidden gems scattered across, towns, cities & villages that most simply never think to look for.
Here’s a look at 5 ways to budget for your next adventure so that you’re always ready to make the most of every moment.
Compare Accommodation Options
Before you make your booking, check all of your available accommodation options. There are tons of reliable online services comparing accommodation providers but don’t rely on this alone. Make a few phone calls and speak to the locals. You’ll often get a direct recommendation that isn’t posted online. This is especially true for smaller towns and cities in regions where always on-broadband is not yet fully adopted. In some regions of the world, you may find that it is cheaper to rent a whole house for a few days for you and your family rather than opting for four to five-star hotel accommodation. In more remote areas, look toward homestay programs and other similar tourism endeavours where you stay with a local family who takes you through the indigenous traditions, tastes, and regional adventures. Great value and memorable experiences are typically tucked away and take a little digging to find so consider all your options.
Draw Up a Plan for Major Transportation
This can be a bit tricky, but route planning doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re working off an itinerary for the day. Glance over street maps of all the areas that you plan to visit and see which activities are near to each other. Source the most effective, affordable transport and that’s all you need to get the most out of every area that you visit. Local community forums are a great source of information for any would-be traveller. Ask around for which taxi apps & services are local favourites. After all, everyone has a local competitor to giants like Uber. Compare vehicle rental agencies and their offerings and always ask for promotions running during your planned visit. If you use specialized equipment like roof carrier systems for your bike, kayak or other gear then make sure that your provider supports it at no additional surcharge. Bike equipment can’t be carried by just any vehicle making this a considerable expenditure when travelling over long distances. Factor in all expenses and don’t overlook something simple like bike parts.
Pre-Plan Activities
Once again, pre-planning doesn’t mean running your holiday off a schedule and travel itinerary. List the things that you want to see and do include their costs, location, timing constraints (day or night, or a particular part of the day like a sunset), gear to have ready, and alternative plans for any friends or family that may not be interested in a group activity,t and those who want time alone. Developing a framework of activities lets everyone involved have a clear grasp of what’s on the cards so that there is no confusion. You may not end up getting to everything on your list, but at least you know all the opportunities. Depending on the structure you prefer, you can carry on and narrow down your list based on cost, time, or any other factor. All approaches work, just have a clear concept of the whole holiday so that you can’t miss anything by accident. Many activities are offered by a range of different providers so while making a list of everything you’d like to do, compare all your options.
Research All Dining Options Beforehand
Local cuisine is an adventure of its own. Foodies track the happenings and tastiest dining options from around every town. Use their research to enrich your own journey, you’ll rack up considerable savings at the same time. The best restaurants and local eateries are not always the most expensive. Try to get everyone involved in researching food and drink options for your upcoming holiday. Include speciality meals that aren’t always served in a restaurant. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by local street food as we all know, but don’t miss out on the meals & snacks in a grocery or deli. Even the frozen foods section of an international retailer can save you some cash for another night out while letting you taste something that you’ve never seen or heard of before. Explore local food. It’s worth it!
Track Your Spending Using an App
The best way to stay on budget is to know exactly how much money you’re spending at a glance. Everyone’s approach will differ but tracking holiday expenses is always a good idea. Once you get a good travel expense and budget tracker up and running, it tracks all of your expenses with minimal input and effort. Even if you only end up using your budget tracker to understand your own spending habits better, it is still worth it. Having your head on top of finances grants peace of mind and a holiday which rewards you before, after and at every step of the way. While on the subject of apps, always look for a range of travel apps to assist you on your journey. You can find everything from translation to travel guides placed at your fingertips.
Arm Yourself with Information
Information is your friend so take enough time to explore your next holiday destination online before actually departing. You’ll not only find the most affordable way to have fun in an unexplored land but many of the best experiences in certain parts of the world simply can’t be seen advertised online. In bigger cities and especially tourism hotspots there is so much competition between local businesses that you’ll almost always find a discount or great deal. Regional tourism offices are ready to help with general queries but check out local forums, message boards and social messaging groups for valuable information straight from the people who live there.