Money Wall by epSos.de, on Flickr
Today on GoAbroad, we bring you a three-part guest series from Darcie Connell, the Co-Founder of Trekity.com, a fun adventure site, and TravelBloggerAcademy.com, where you can learn how to blog about you travels. She is thrilled to share 101 tips of different and unique ways to save money on your next trip abroad.
Part two of this series covers tips for transportation, food and drink, and activities abroad. Be sure to also check out part one and stay tuned for part three!
Traveling is expensive.
You have overpriced flights with hidden fees up the wazoo, money hungry hotels that have the nerve to charge for WIFI, and restaurants that double their dinner prices for the exact same meal they serve for lunch.
But guess what? Travel doesn’t have to be expensive.
Having been on the road since 2009, I’ve wandered through Europe, the U.S., South East Asia, India, Nepal, Central America, and now South America and learned some surprising tips on how to sock away cash while exploring the world.
Here’s my secret list of 101 ways to save money on your next trip…
Tips #35 to #70
Transportation
35. Book long bus/train tickets at the station instead of using a booking agent. They generally make a commission.
36. Research multi-trip or multi-day discounts versus buying individual travel segments.
37. Understand the value of a lengthy bus or train ticket. A cheaper ticket might save you a few bucks, but a small upgrade might be worth it in the long run.
38. Opt for a non-meal ticket on buses and trains and pack your own meals.
39. Always ask “how much” before getting in a taxi, rigshaw, or tuk-tuk or make sure there’s a visible meter that’s working properly.
Cambodia with Darcie Connell
40. Skip the taxi and ride a bike. Cities such as Copenhagen have refundable bike rental program throughout the city.
41. Book rental cars in advance for the best budget option. You might even get an upgrade when you check in.
42. Hitchhike. Many countries welcome hitchhikers, but sure to read more about the safety and rules of hitchhiking in a country before hanging your thumb out.
43. Avoid the taxi drivers and tuk-tuks that hound you when you get off a bus. Instead, walk away to get your bearings and chances are you can walk to your destination. Even if you end up taking a taxi, you can negotiate them down significantly if you walk away initially.
44. Check Craigslist.org for “ride-shares” where people link up online that are going to the same destinations. Generally the person riding along will throw in money for gas.
45. Do preventative maintenance (oil, air, water, etc.) on your own vehicle before any road trip.
46. Look into a vehicle relocation program. Sometimes a person might need to drive cross-country and then fly back home. They will then need to pay someone to drive their car back home for them. Most people have a time requirement on this, so this option is not ideal for a lengthy road trip. Programs in the U.S. and Canada include autodriveaway.com, torontodriveaway.com, and carstoflorida.com.
47. Check your regular car insurance or credit card company to see if they provide car rental insurance so you don’t need to buy additional insurance with the car rental company.
48. Rent the smallest and most fuel efficient car possible with a car rental company.
49. Check the prices for renting children’s car seats versus being charged extra luggage with the airlines.
50. Refuel the rental car before you return it. You’ll get charged an arm and a leg if you let the rental car company fill it.
Food and Drink
51. Eat street food. While, it’s not always the healthiest of options, street food is a great way to get a quick bite for super cheap. Plus, it gives you a chance to try local foods.
52. Buy fruit (preferably with an easy peel such as a banana or orange) from the local market instead of snacking on expensive items such as Pringles or Snickers.
53. Boil your water instead of buying. On average, I’d say travelers spend over $1 per day on water only. If you’re staying in accommodations with a kitchen and tea pot, have at it!
54. Eat at local restaurants instead of on the tourist chain. For example, in most Latin countries “Amuerzo” (aka lunch) is a set menu that usually comes with soup/salad, big plate of food, and a drink for less than $2 USD.
55. Don’t drink. I know it’s hard to hear but drinking is admittedly one of the most expensive aspects of travel. If you must, hunt down the best happy hours specials or buy beer and alcohol at a market versus a restaurant.
56. Share meals. It’s a great way to slim down and save money.
57. Take a doggie bag (or ask for extra bread) and eat it as your next meal.
58. Skip coffee. Starbucks can add up fast.
59. Cook your own meals. Breakfast is the easiest meal and requires little ingredients.
60. Eat a heavy lunch and light dinner. Dinners are generally more expensive for the same exact meal you’d get a lunch.
61. Don’t tip. The majority of countries in the world don’t tip so why should you? Be sure to check what’s appropriate for the country you’re visiting.
62. Pack your own meals for lengthy activities or road trips.
63. Never use the mini-bar in a hotel room.
64. Shop at the local market instead of grocery store. I’ve found that fruits and veggies are higher quality at a fraction of the cost. Plus you can negotiate the price down.
65. Make a list of items you need at the market or store before shopping so you don’t over buy and overspend.
Activities
Nepal with Darcie Connell
66. Skip the tour group and guide. While, hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal I saw countless people trekking with porters and guides when it wasn’t required.
67. Visit the tourist bureau website for local discounts.
68. Visit the website of the activity you want to do. Many of them offer online coupons or discounts for advanced bookings.
69. Take a self-guided tour. Many websites offer apps and pod casts for city tours and more.
70. Consider a city bus tour. While they are a little cheesy, they are a great way to see a lot of sights for a reasonable price.
Do you have other money saving tips? Leave a comment below for our readers. Thanks and happy travels!
Darcie Connell is the co-founder of Trekity.com, a fun adventure site, and TravelBloggerAcademy.com, where you can learn how to blog about you travels. As an avid traveler, she’s currently exploring Peru and has plans to meander Argentina and Chile the remainder of the year. Follow her adventures on Twitter.
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