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Gone are the days when most of us could only dream of traveling abroad. Now, the world is more open and affordable than ever before. Some people are still hesitant to discover the beauty and diversity of this world because they think it’s expensive, so this article — surprise-surprise! — is here to reassure them that budget travel is possible and share practical tips on saving money on trips.

Keep reading to become a savvy budget traveler. Here are the tricks:

Go to Affordable Destinations

It’s obvious, but many travelers ignore this tip, led by a stereotype that the most beautiful and worthwhile places are far and expensive. Go to cheap countries:

They are also beautiful, rich in landmarks and culture, and much more affordable than hyped Instagram locations or luxury resorts. Be open-minded about different countries. The cheapest ones are in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South America. Thus, you can spend a week in Cambodia with $100 in your pocket, but it will be only a day in countries like Sweden or Australia.

Travel During the Off-Season

Peak tourist season in a country means overpriced flights, hotels, and all the attractions. Why not travel to your dream place during the off-season? It may have worse weather, but it will be less crowded and expensive.

If you’re a student with academic overload during that perfect travel time, delegate some projects to outsourced specialists. Those services can also assist with your financial literacy. For example, marketing assignment help pros craft projects and reports related to budgets in different fields, and travel isn’t an exception.

Be Flexible With Travel Dates

Savvy budget travelers know flying during the week is cheaper than on weekends. Follow their lead and book your flights accordingly. Be flexible and look at an entire month or even two to pick the most inexpensive days for your travel. Websites like Skyscanner can help you monitor desired destinations and plan flights to maximize savings.

Travel Light

It can save you some money on baggage fees. Also, traveling with carry-on luggage is more comfortable: You won’t have to wait for your bag in airports, and you’ll be more mobile with a tiny backpack.

Another tip for carry-on luggage fans: Invest in refillable travel-sized bottles. Small packs of liquids take up less place in your bag, and you won’t have to buy new ones each time you plan the next trip.

Prepare Snacks for Long Journeys

If you have a long flight, train, or bus journey, do your best to pack some cheap snacks with you. Snacks are overpriced on plains and trains, including food at rest stops; having some in your bag will save you money and ensure that you eat something you like and are confident of its quality.

Don’t Exchange Money at Airports

Their currency exchanges often could be better than they promote, and they always charge commissions. Once in a city, withdraw cash from ATMs or visit a local bank.

You can take a step further and get a travel credit card beforehand. First, it allows you to get bonuses for flights and hotels. Second, such cards don’t take foreign transaction fees, meaning you’ll withdraw the local currency with no extra charge.

Stay In Hostels

They are budget travelers’ best friends! While hostels are different, most are cozy, clean, and cheap. Average prices are $10-20, though you can find a bed in a dorm room for as little as $5 per night. Some even offer free breakfasts! More than that, it’s the perfect place to meet people from around the globe, socialize, and make friends with them.

Try Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a website where travelers can connect with locals who let people stay in their homes. You get a free place, a couch or a spare room, to sleep in a foreign country. If you feel secure about such an experience, it’s an excellent opportunity to save money on hotels or hostels.

Take Public Transport and Walk Whenever Possible

Say no to taxis, even if you’re in the cheapest country you’ve ever visited. Choose public transport instead. If you plan to stay in one country for a while, you should get a local transport card for extra discounts on frequent trips.

Wherever possible, consider walking. It’s free and the best way to discover a new city or town, feel its spirit, “smell” it, and understand if it’s “yours.”

Find Free Attractions

Do pre-trip research before going to another country: Learn about a place through blogs, videos, or social media. You’ll get many tips on activities and attractions, so you’ll know what to do, where to go, and how to save money there.

A good tip to save some bucks is to stick with free activities: beaches, parks, monuments, and historic neighborhoods. Pre-trip research can also help you find free attractions, even in expensive cities. Thus, London museums are free, and many Italian cities invite you to their palaces and galleries for free on the first Sunday of a month.

Also, take advantage of free walking tours! Many cities offer them, and it’s a fantastic way to explore a new place and learn its history.

Eat Street Food

Street food markets are a great way to save money and try the local cuisine. You won’t spend cash and time in fancy restaurants, which are often overpriced for tourists, but you can get quick, yummy snacks to recharge and continue your adventures.

When you shop for food, consider local markets instead of big shopping malls or supermarkets. It’s a perfect place to practice language skills with locals and find cheap in-season products for low prices.

Alcohol is another thing to cut down on consumption when traveling. While local wines are cheap in countries like Portugal or Italy (the same applies to beer in the Czech Republic or Germany), drinking makes traveling hard.

Invest In a Water Bottle

Most travelers ignore this budget tip, wasting money and plastic on bottled water. Why not take a good-quality reusable bottle with you and refill it from fountains and filling stations whenever possible?

Important: Not all countries have clean tap water, so always check its safety before drinking. If you’re okay with that, you can buy a bottle with a built-in filter.

Summing Up

With all the above tips in your pocket, it won’t take long to organize your next budget trip and finally visit that dream place you postponed for so long. If you are uncomfortable with solo trips, a bonus tip would be to join a group tour and share your experience and emotions with like-minded people. Also, don’t miss a chance to get to know locals and learn from them; they’ll guide you to the spots most tourists don’t see.