Are you sick and tired of seeing amazing travel photos on Snapchat and Instagram and never being able to afford to go to the same places yourself? This doesn’t need to be your reality, and with some saving and smart travel decisions, you could be relaxing on a beach in Thailand or exploring ruins in Guatemala.
Here are some ways to make sure you can afford to travel this year:
Research early
The early bird can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their holiday. That’s because airlines typically release their flights around 9-10 months in advance and they usually just get more expensive from there. The best way to find cheap flights? Begin comparing options early and look at multiple airlines and stopover options. Usually, flights with stopovers will be more expensive but you can always use these stopovers as a chance to explore a new destination.
When you research early, you can also find out when the high and low season will be for a particular destination and decide if it’s really worth travelling when prices are at their peak and there are crowds at every tourist destination. Instead, consider travelling in shoulder season, when temperatures are often a little cooler, lines are shorter, and prices are lower.
Hire a car
You may be surprised to learn that hiring a car can be the cheaper option when you’re travelling. That’s because public transport, Uber, Lyft, and Taxis can all quickly add up. When you rent a car, you can easily get from point A to point B without relying on any outside car services. Often, this works out cheaper because you can see more in less time, meaning you don’t need to stay in one place for as long- saving money on accommodation and food.
Create a budget
Often, the difference between travelling and not travelling can simply be the difference between creating a budget and continuing your usual spending habits.
Sure, you may need to cut down on meals out and coffee dates with friends. But this will all be worth it when you’re enjoying a margarita on a beach in Mexico or partying in Malaysia.
Make a list of all your incomings and outgoings. This is also a good time to take a week and track what you spend so you can see where your money is going. Next, make sure that as soon as your bills are paid you have an automatic transfer into your savings account. That way, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to spend on yourself each week, while also working towards your travel goals.
