Keeping the costs down when you travel

Travel can be done without breaking the bank. With cheap fares and travel deals, traveling is becoming more and more affordable. Here are a couple more tips on how you can keep the expenses down when you’re on the road.

Travel with a group

Solo travel can be fun, but going on your own means shouldering all the costs. When you travel with the group, you get to split the cost with your travel buddies. If you have no choice but to go alone, try to join a group when you get to your destination. Want to island hop but can’t afford to rent the entire boat? Ask around; there might be another solo traveler or small group who’s having the same dilemma. Another option is to join a tour. These are often offered in your hostel or hotel.

Bring your own water bottle

Walking, hiking and exploring usually result to a parched mouth. Luckily, there’s a store nearby selling drinks. Unfortunately, since you’re in a known tourist attraction, the prices are way overpriced. There are no other stores nearby, so you’re left with no choice but to fork over the money. If you have your own bottle with you, you can refill it at your hostel (some offer complimentary water; in first world countries, it’s okay to drink water from the tap) then bring it with you when you go out to wander.

Eat on the streets

You can’t get more local than eating street food. In Southeast Asia, it’s said that the best food are the ones sold in the streets. True enough, in Thailand, the quality of the food that you get in the streets are the same as the quality in restaurants, minus a couple of hundred baht. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, this might not be a good option for you.

Raid the supermarket

Convenience stores are godsend, but the prices are padded to compensate for the cost of staying open 24/7. Head to the supermarket for the best prices, especially on water, toiletries and snacks. In some countries, supermarkets also sell ready-to-eat food, so you might want to pick a couple of things for a picnic at the park.

Pitch a tent

Feeling adventurous? You can camp instead of paying for a room. Some destinations allow campers to pitch a tent in certain areas, and though some might charge a fee, it wouldn’t cost as much as a room would. In El Nido, you can actually camp in some of the islands. Not only do you save on accommodation, you also get the beach to yourself.

Rent an apartment

If you’re staying for a week or more, consider renting an apartment instead. It may not have the amenities and perks of staying in a hotel, but it comes out cheaper for long stays. Of course, this would mean doing your own laundry and cooking your own food, but considering how much food and laundry costs in a hotel, you’ll be saving a bundle.

Couchsurf

Do you love meeting and interacting with locals when you travel? There’s no better way to do that than through Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing.com (please link to http://www.couchsurfing.com) lets you connect to like-minded people who love to travel and meet new people. The original idea is to open your doors and let travelers crash into your couch or extra room for free. Of course, it also works the other way and you can surf other people’s couches when you travel. Not only do you get free accommodation, you also get an unforgettable experience.

How about you? What do you do to save on travel expenses?