When I was a college student earning $10 per hour at my part-time job, many were confused when I posted pictures abroad. While travel can definitely be expensive, there are also strategies anyone can take that will help make trips more accessible. Thus, I have put together this list of tips for those who are interested in learning from my experience:
BOOKING FLIGHTS
If possible, book flights for the least desirable days and times. For example, I got a flight for five euros on a Tuesday, early in the morning, in February.
When booking flights, pay attention to trends - budget airlines often have fluctuating prices (for example, my 5 euro flight was 55 euros just one week later), and understanding when you are actually getting a deal is crucial. There are apps and websites to help with this.
Examine flight prices carefully - just because one flight appears cheaper, it does not mean that it will be in reality after you consider transit to/from the airport and baggage fees.
Try to use major airports when possible. For example, I can often save hundreds of dollars by flying out of New York instead of Philadelphia.
PACKING
Avoid bringing suitcases with wheels, especially in Europe - cobblestone and uneven streets will take a heavy toll on your bag, and you may end up needing to buy a new one.
Try to cut down on luggage - several budget airlines will charge extreme amounts of money for even one suitcase. I, like many before me, have managed to travel several weeks using only one backpack.
Visit a local laundromat in lieu of packing your entire wardrobe.
If you do check luggage, ensure that you have a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost or tampered with. This HAS happened to me, and I was grateful that I did not need to buy all new clothes just to make it through the night.
Pack an empty water bottle and snacks on every trip to avoid having to buy overpriced food and drinks in airports.
TRANSPORTATION
Overnight transportation is the best way to go for extreme budget travel, as it is possible to sleep without paying for a hotel.
Be wary of organized tours leaving from the city center. While they are convenient, you can likely save a lot more money by traveling with local transportation.
If you must take a taxi, ONLY ride in one that has a meter or a set fee. Disputing a taxi price after you have already arrived at your destination is not only stressful, it is going to be far more expensive than it should be. In addition, I have been advised to never tip the taxi driver as a tourist, as this discourages them from providing services to local people.
BUYING LOCALLY
If going to a market, try to have a rough estimate of what each item is supposed to cost. I have seen so many tourists who do not understand the concept of haggling, and end up paying exorbitant amounts of money.
Buying a local SIM card after you arrive is cheaper than most international phone plans.
Understand that everything catered to tourists will be more expensive, especially if it is in English. Learning the basics of the local language is not only respectful, it will also help you save money.
Yes, try the local food, but also be willing to cook some of your own meals to save money. Most hostels provide kitchens.
Take money out of an ATM when you actually arrive in the country (ensuring, of course, that the ATM is connected to a bank and does not appear tampered with). This is far cheaper than exchanging money beforehand.
A NOTE ON HOSTELS
To save money, stay in a hostel. No, you will not be murdered. I have stayed in at least thirty different hostels, and not once have I had a safety issue. In fact, I have overall preferred hostels to hotels, as I have found lifelong friends and travel partners in the bunk beds next to me. However, there are still some minor risks associated with hostels, which I will outline here:
Do not keep your bag on the bed. In the one instance that I experienced bedbugs (which can, by the way, happen in regular hotels, too) I realized just how lucky I had been that I never had them previously. Most of us do not think about such a thing until it is too late, so think ahead by storing your backpack in a trash bag far away from the mattress.
Take careful note of where it is. Unlike most hotels, hostels tend to be rather small and unremarkable. The last thing you want after a long flight is to be forced to walk in circles until you find the tiny handwritten sign that lets you know you have arrived. Many hostels are aware of this problem, and have videos or detailed instructions to assist your journey there. Take careful note of these instructions beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Read negative reviews. Many people stay in hostels for only one night, so things such as bedbugs, noise, and cleanliness may not be reflected in a 9/10 average rating. The few negative reviews may outweigh the several positive ones, depending on the circumstances.
Bring a lock and a towel. The hostel will usually not provide these, and buying them from reception will often be expensive.