How to travel the world on a shoestring budget

“The 15 cities in the world everyone must visit in their lifetime”

“This couple quit their job to travel around the world”

Do you like to travel? Does reading such articles make you envious and want to do the same only to realise the problem is… not enough money?!

How to travel the world on a shoestring budget

Well, the thing is – you don’t need lots of money if you’re careful and diligent while making your travel plans, and keep an eye out for cheap deals that keep popping up every now and then. First you need to decide,

a) Where to travel

The world is a huge place and has several (exotic) and inexpensive destinations which you can pick, unless it’s on your bucket list and you HAVE to go there

b) When to travel

Off-season is usually the cheapest time to visit any place. However, if you’re going to be part of a program / activity, or attending some festival or concert, then make your travel and accommodation arrangements well in advance to avoid paying through your nose closer to the travel date

c) Whom to travel with

Although travelling by yourself has a charm of its own, having a companion(s) along can be fun, not just for sharing experiences (and spends :p), but it’s useful to have a known person around in case of an emergency. Organised tours are usually avoidable if you wish to save money, although one benefit is you can leave the organising and running around to the tour operator

d) What to travel with

Preferably travel light, with only the bare essentials. While it is tempting to carry all your electronic gizmos, take only what is absolutely necessary. Others can be rented. The fewer items you carry, the lesser you need to worry about them being stolen or misplaced

Now that you’ve decided on these, you need to finalise the more crucial aspects of your trip, namely

1. Planning

and then, plan some more. Not kidding, this is the single biggest factor that can come between having wonderful trips and experiences at a budget price v/s having a horrible experience and burning a hole in your pocket in the process

Do some research on the place(s) you’re keen to visit with regard to the visa process, modes of transport, accommodation, food, local language and culture, currency, the political or civil situation there and so on, like Brexit happening now in the UK – and the impact this can have on your travel as well as foreign exchange rates

Make a checklist and have all your travel documentation (passport, visa, tickets, hotel bookings, currency & credit cards, driving licence – if you plan to drive) in place. It’s a good idea to have soft copies – on your phone, as well as your email / any other online location, in case your belongings are stolen, including your phone

Compare roaming rates of your phone service provider, cost of an international SIM, and a local SIM. Very often, a local SIM or prepaid phone will work out cheaper

Are you sufficiently insured? Does your health insurance cover overseas travel? If not, get a travel insurance policy. The last thing you want is a medical emergency abroad making a dent in your finances

Keep a separate list of contact details handy – these could be of the hotel, airline, credit card helpline, the embassy / consulate, and any others numbers you think you may need urgently

2. Transportation

If flying, look out for deals and book tickets well in advance. Also, air tickets are often cheaper when travel dates are on weekdays. Check budget or no-frills airlines especially if travelling between cities in the same country

Book flights with 1 or 2 stops instead of non-stop; travel time will increase, but hey, you can catch up on all that reading and save money 😉

Familiar with routes? You may want to opt for a bike or car rental service – ensure your driving licence is accepted worldwide

For commutes within the city, walking or public transport is best; check for weekly / monthly / seasonal passes

If travelling between cities, take a night train or bus – it is cheaper and you save on the cost of a hotel room for a night

3. Accommodation

Rooms are usually available unless there’s a major event (like a sporting event, some world leaders summit etc) in that city and all hotels are sold out

Sometimes, it is a good idea to check out a hotel and just land up there instead of booking in advance – you could get a cheaper rate. Alternately, for a longer duration, book in advance for a night or two, and use the time to look for cheaper accommodation for the rest of your stay

The past few years have seen the rise of alternatives to hotels, like AirBnB and even hostels or homestays. However, there is always an element of uncertainty and risk, so check all reviews / personal experiences and do your homework thoroughly before booking with them

Depending on where you’re going, even camping is an option – it can be your ticket to adventure and being closer to the culture of the place you are visiting. Discomfort is only a small price to pay if you meet like-minded people along the way

4. Eating out and other activities

Wherever possible, try the local cuisine and even the street food – check hygiene though, you don’t want an upset tummy to ruin your travel plans

If you’re staying in a service apartment, buy the local produce and cook yourself

When eating out, stay informed of the local dining customs and etiquette to avoid causing any offence

Use food / location based apps that highlight local places to visit / eat, with crowd-sourced tips and recommendations

Last but not the least, budget and track your expenses. It is easy to lose count when you are having a good time. Use mobile apps like Walnut to help you keep tabs on the amount and purpose of expenses. A daily summary of expenses can go a long way in making sure you stay within budget.

Do you have any travel tips to share? Do post them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you 🙂