Tips on becoming a budget traveler
 

We've taken a couple of big trips including our recent honeymoon and have come to the realization that to travel more often(Europe as well as the US) we will have to join the budget travel movement. I'm 39 she is 36. I known there are a lot of people on this site that offer some amazing travel advice and travel ideas, so take us to school and help us become budget travelers. Happy Holidays to all.

Lots of people have different ideas about what is meant by budget travel. What do you think it means?

The first thing I do, I look for the best reviews on Trip Advisor for lower priced hotels. I don't need a #1 hotel, or #10 - but I don't like to spend more than $100.00 or so a night on hotels (unless it's something special for a couple of nights, which we've done the past couple of years). And I like something nice - not fancy, but clean and homey when I can. Bed and Breakfasts can be a good value.

Grocery stores are great sources of souvenirs (tea, chocolates, etc.) Also of food to buy.

Book your tickets - airline, train, etc. early. Well, you never know on the airlines, but you do get better deals on trains and such if you book them when availability opens up.

I research a lot for the best deals.

Mostly what I've mentioned is for Europe. We've taken two trips on a fair budget, we could have done it a little cheaper but we could have spent much, much more. We add tours and such (like an inner circle tour of Stonehenge) that cost a bit more.

Hi Sg,

As noted, what's your budget?

Are you looking to stay in hostels and convents, eat at pizza stands and look at the outside of museums?

((I))

For me, the most important point for budget travel is airline tickets :) Yes, also accomodation but I don't know why, I find much easier to find a suitable hotel price than a suitable flight price :)
What I think one should do (I'm from Spain, but I think it works out from any place) it is booking flights well in advance for a given destination..or if you don't mind where to go..you can book very last minute( a week or less) and find amazing bargains (but you don't have many to choose from).
You have to decide on the money you want to spend and stick to it (more or less). My budget for hotels is 100 euros maximum per night. 120 euros in London or Paris to the very maximum.
If you spend time enough on searching you can have pretty good offers for that price. But you have to do the homework :)

1. Grocery stores are your friend.

2. Seek out free entertainment and local events and participate in non-guidebook no-cost activities. Street performers, church or school pagents, firemen's fundraising BBQ, outdoor concerts, etc.

3. With a little research find 2/3-star hotels that are very nice.

4. Ask the day and place of the nearest open air street market, for purchasing great food but also for entertainment.

5. Use public transportation.

In 1990, after two trips to Europe, we dicided that 1) European travel was an all-time favorite for us and 2) we couldn't afford to travel often in the style of our first two trips. So we became budget travelers. At that time, a few years before the advent of the Web, it meant searching guide books for cheap but charming hotels and restaurants (the Fodor guides red stars was one reliable source for these), and spending a lot of time looking for travel bargains in newspaper travel sections and guides. This meant no hotels over $100 (preferably under) and no or very few splurge meals. This was my part of travel planning, and I came to find that I enjoyed it. I was able to find a good number of truly charming hotels and B&Bs--nicer than the higher priced US-style hotels that we'd stayed at before. The same was true for restaurants (although I'm a gourmand rather than a gourmet). We also stayed relatively flexible, changing plans if good flight deals became available, and comparison shopped for travel costs within Europe. Finally, we occasionally took shorter trips.

My wife's side of travel planning was to include a travel line in our budget and make sure that we lived by it. Oh, she also had to take on faith my "finds," most but not all of which were successful.

Ira, it is really just a general question. I was just looking to read peoples personal ideas and experiences of how they go about planning a trip with a budget and actually sticking to it. I'm not talking about sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag and eating Ramen Pride noodles when I refer to budget travel, and apart from the obvious of not staying in a $300 a night hotel I was interested in some of the excellent tips and ideas that avid travelers use to continually travel without going broke.

Oh, Ira, for years I've been reading Fodor's threads, but this is the first time I see "the pearl" of looking at the outside of museums :)) LOL After all, your friends at home will never know :))

You can also walk along a river instead of a boat tour... just a thought :))

I love this site.

Faina- my son tops that - he's French but seems little interested in anything when touring Europe except food and drink. He came back from his first visit to Rome - just passing thru for a day en route from Greece and i asked him if he say the Colosseum, Forum, etc. He said no, but he and his girlfriend had seen the postcards of them in the train station kiosk!

My best idea is to travel during the off season.

My wife & I spend 2 months in France most years. The only way we can afford to do this is to stay in Gites (houses) for 2 weeks at a time (minimum is 1 week). Gites rent anywhere from 350 to 650E per week - depending on location & amenities. All Gites have had kitchens, living/dining rooms, muntiple bedrooms, sometimes multiple baths, garden, & sometimes private pools. We pick up a roast chicken, vegetables, etc at the local farmers or food market & "eat in" quite often. We always have breakfast & often lunch at the Gite.

When we stay in a hotel, we find the least epensive one listed in the Red Michelin Guide. Most hotels charge way too much for a bread, coffee, & juice for breakfast. We never have breakfast at a hotel - we pick up a croissant & coffee at a local cafe instead.

Stu Dudley

That is pretty funny, I never thought of that. Better yet, don't even go, and just buy some postcards or photos to look at.

I don't really think anyone needs any magical tips, as the way to travel more cheaply is pretty basic. You book cheaper hotels and eat cheaper meals and don't buy a lot of stuff. That's pretty much it, it's real obviously advice.

"Budget travel" means different things to different folks, sometimes including different levels of price tolerance for various parts of travel. When I was younger it was nothing to endure a long flight in cramped coach seats, but now that I am a bit (ahem) more seasoned and less tolerant of travel stress - and have more funds (and FF miles) to spend - I often go for upgraded seating. Airline loyalty has paid off for me, as has preference for travel in the shoulder season. On other things I am more parsimonious. While I do enjoy a posh hotel, I still assign more value to seeing the place I am visiting than where I am sleeping and bathing, so use specifications like clean, comfortable and conveniently located moreso than full marble bathrooms and high end toiletries when selecting a hotel. In terms of eating, though I relish fabulous food I have come to accept that not every meal needs to be at a Michelin rated establishment, and enjoy eating where the locals do while still indulging in a meal or two at a special place. One thing that has proven quite useful is renting a short term apartment. Though there may be cheaper hotels, on balance it is a good value. I usually don't get into a lot of cooking, but being able to have coffee and breakfast "at home" is quite nice, as is an evening with a bottle of wine and some local cheese as an alternative to a restaurant meal - usually cheaper, too. While not an absolute requirement, the availability of a clothes washing machine allows for lighter packing, which also makes travel easier. Internet access is quite nice, too, though availability varies with destination, and it is not a deal breaker, especially in places with plenty of internet cafes.
I use this board extensively to gather advice from fellow travelers, and also do some broader internet searching.

Mammoth savings can come on when you go as well as where you go...

Off-season travel, Oct-March can see airfares literally several hundred bucks cheaper and hotels in your price choice much more readily available, whereas in peak season you often have to pay top dollar.

Where you go...Greece, Portugal are cheapest and seems farther north you go the more expensive life becomes - shockingly so in Scandinavia!

Big cities like London are much more expensive on food and lodging than smaller towns.

Railpasses can save money on a wide-ranging trip as it caps the amount you'll spend on transportation. I usually recommend for understanding the rail system BETS' European Planning & Rail Guide, free at www.budgeteuropetravel.com - it's loaded with rail tips and also things like changing money, packing, etc. - and check out www.ricksteves.com for similar info.

And lots of folks spend lots of moolah on things like cafes - which are a pleasure but also can cost $4-5 per cup of mocca. Restaurants are great but mix in some picnicking with stuff from ubiquitous supermarkets.

Reserve your hotels online to lock in a good price - otherwise you may be in a take it or leave situation and pay a lot more for less on the spot.

I agree with Christina, there is no magic trick involved. Stay in cheaper hotels, eat in cheaper restaurants & don't buy stuff sums it up:-)

Only YOU can determine your budget, what is budget prices to one person may be high end to another. You need to be explicit about budget.

You can certainly stay in apartments in many places (but don't go for luxury apts) and save money by eating some meals in. You can do without wine (or even Coke/Pepsi, etc.) when eating out. You can buy take out from grocery stores and eat in a park. You can fly off-season to save some money .. there is an endless list but only you can determine how you want to do it tho.

I would name it "how to travel on a budget in a not so budget way". Or "how to make the most of your money". As Christina says, real budget travel is plain easy :)

<<I don't really think anyone needs any magical tips, as the way to travel more cheaply is pretty basic.>>

I would agree if the only things we were talking about was making a trip cost less money.

BUT I think there are all kinds of great insider tips for making it cheaper WITHOUT sacrificing quality. To make it less expensive but just as much, or even MORE fun and exciting than a high priced trip... now THAT is the goal imo!!!!
;-)

As some have mentioned, there are many different types and degrees of budget traveler. I for example, could not afford 100E/night for accomodation.

-Because I like long travel, the country and its exchange rate plays a role in my selection process. I can't afford the pound for example so England isn't going to make it to the top of my must see's list.

-I put together an overview on the computer. As I go through my guidebook, I note what there is to do and see in each city/town and exactly how much each attraction is. In addition to transportation costs to and from and of course what budget accomodation is available. This lets me know how long I can reasonably afford to travel and gives me my budget template.

-I find it handy to choose a "base" where there is good budget accomodation and public transportation connections, then day-trip to surrounding towns.

-It is all about choices as a budget traveler. I sacrifice nicer accomodations for scuba diving or other hobby activities. I never cheap or skimp on sites as that is what I'm in the country to see. However, you could choose to skip a few sites to eat at more nice restaurants if that is where your interest lies.

-public transportation is indeed your friend (and will sometimes I'm sure be your foe).

-I like to eat out. Lunch can be a good time to eat at an expensive restaruant as they often have a cheaper lunch menu. Then you can always have a small dinner. Grocery stores have already been mentioned - my friends who are even more strictly budget travelers than myself are committed to grocery stores and food stands. Like I said - its all about choices.

-Flying into and out of the same city can often be cheaper. Look for seat sales to surrounding cities or capitals than the one you have planned - once your in Europe you can always train to where you want to be - just check out whether the savings (and time) is worth it.

Good Travels,

Murphy

get a cheap airfare. If you use a little bit of effort, you can get fares cheaper than 25 years ago.

Non peak travel is cheaper - but make sure that places you want to visit are open at that time. One of my friends always trys to travel at the end of the off season, getting the travel bargains but not suffering much of a weather deficit.

Stay in one place for several days and use self catering accomodations as much as possible. Gites are mentioned for France. I have gone self catering in Scotland and enjoyed it. I am scouting places in Germany and I can't believe how many inexpensive places I am finding. And in Germany, you can stay for as little as 3 days. Being able to fix some of your own meals is really a cost saver. And in some countries, it saves hours spent in restaurants.

Look for inexpensive places to stay. www.bensbauernhof.com describes a type of accomodation in Germany not normally mentioned. I'm sure there are similar places in other countries.

Look for all sorts of discount tourist cards. Some are mentioned in trip reports on this forum. Others you find by prowling aroundthe internet, looking at the tourist office websites of places you are visiting. For smaller tourist offices (equivalent of a state, county or city in the US), the information might not be in English, so use the Google translator. It isn't perfect but usually gets the point across.

It's only a small part of the overall cheapskate strategy, but it's worth walking a little before you eat or drink -- away from the Champs Elysees in Paris, or the Old Town Square in Prague, or whatever. Try not to use the places most visitors use, because they often involve premium prices. The places where the locals go are cheaper, and usually more interesting.

And I can afford the 100 euros /night rate because I travel for 4 nights maximum, usually 3... I couldn't do it for longer trips. But I only have paid that top in two places, London and Milan. Most of the time I'm on the 70-80 euros. I think it's all about your personal budget and also how you want to spend your money. To give an idea, the smallest part of my budget are meals :)

We are trying to go back to England on a lower budget this spring. We will travel during the off-season, and we have rented a 17th century cottage that is only $413.00 for a week. That works out to only $60.00 a night for two people, and we will have the place all to ourselves! Plus we can save by buying groceries and not eating all our meals out. Now I'm just doing the nervous waiting dance watching for the fares to go down.

I hate to tell you this, Sgny, but that &quot;obvious $300 a night&quot; hotel room <b>would be</b> a budget option for some folks (no, i did not say &quot;most folks&quot;) so don't be too hard on Ira for asking his budget question.

I agree with getting food in grocery stores, buying airline tickets through discounters/consolidators; travleing in the off and so-called &quot;shoulder seasons&quot; and being careful about the level of hotel in terms of staying in a place that has a bunch of &quot;amenities&quot; you will never use.

I would not call doing anything for the sake of saving a little money alone &quot;budget travel&quot; and I do not think you should try to &quot;save money&quot; by severely inconveniencing yourself or creating a bunch of hassles just to save a few bucks.

Now that's MY &quot;general answer&quot; to your &quot;general question.&quot;

Pack light and don't buy stuff.

The two go hand-in-hand, bc if you're carrying your own bags (as we have always done) &amp; you're using public transportation (as we prefer to do), you won't want to be filling up your bags w/anything that's added weight. Works for us!

Doesn't mean you can't shop, because I do love to shop -- but I shop more for entertainment, not to accumulate. (I understand people who like to bring home stuff to remind them of their travels, so if that's you, this &quot;tip&quot;
won't work!)
:)

Off-season travel was a great tip. Hotels often offer special rates in the &quot;off&quot; season (in Rome, the second part of January and most of February) which make it much more affordable. Public transportation is indeed inexpensive, so train travel from city to city is do-able, as is bus travel. I have found that air fares seem to decrease significantly in the off-season, too. I am headed back to Rome in January and have spent a fraction of the price for round-trip fare than what I spent in September.

In terms of meals, having lunch as &quot;the big meal&quot; of the day is indeed one way to go. Another is to &quot;graze&quot; with foods purchased from open markets and shops. A good bakery can also be a very good friend! ;-)

I also am not one to buy for the sake of buying, and found that prints of the places I've been, sold in outdoor stands where one can also purchase postcards, have served as wonderful reminders of my trips. Which is not to say I haven't shopped, but it's often been as presents for others, not myself, and I have good pals who've helped me obtain discounts by their professional associations with a shopkeeper here and there.

Museum and/or transportation passes are often ways of making your vacation more affordable, also. The Oyster card in London, the Metro 3-day pass in Rome, la Carte Orange in Paris can all help you cling to some valuable Euros.

Bookmark different websites to help you get a picture of realistic expectations to have on airfare. Several have been mentioned here, but AutoEurope, QIXO, as well as places like Expedia, and venere.com, can give you some ideas of what airfares and hotel lodgings typically run. (A night in a decent hotel in Venice, for example may be shocking to you compared to a night at a decent B&amp;B in Florence.) While not everyone may want to spend the $$ to stay in a 4-star accomodation, having a private or ensuite bathroom may be important to you--or not. Once you determine what your priorities are, you can choose places that fit your criteria, and meet your projected budget pretty well.

BC

For breakfast, go to the bakery and get some bread. For lunch, find a vendor and eat your lunch while you are walking. Visit a wine store in France, and fill your liter water bottle with red wine. I paid 1 Euro. Book budget flights ahead of time. For hotels, as long as you are near the subway or tram stops, it doesn't matter if you are not right downtown.

Finally, and most important, fly on a foreign airline as the alcoholic drinks are included in the airfare in coach.

Book tickets early. There used to be cheap late fares but now the fares go up the later you leave it. And try for off season.

The flight is a great part of your holiday price so have fewer longer holidays.

Apart from certain major cities, even $100 a night is expensive. There are often cheaper hotels a little further from the centre which are just as good as hotels costing 2-4 times as much in the centre.

For many people, accommodation is a place to rest at night and they don't want a mansion. Somewhere reasonable and quiet is good enough for many. Hotel details can be found on the internet, giving you an idea.

Restaurants are expensive. there are cafes, fast food, snacks on the run like sandwiches or filled baguettes.

Never scrimp on entrance fees. When I went to the Colosseum in Rome, I saw a lot of people who had travelled thousands of miles to see the place but were too stupid to pay the small entry fee to go inside and were trying to see from outside. The same with the main museum in Mexico City (museums and sites are free on Sunday in Mexico).

Use public transport. It often is easy to do. Watch other people to see how it works.

Don't use guides. A good guide book will do the same. You can check on the internet beforehand for further information.

Hmm, walking buy the tourist shops and looking at post cards takes a lot of energy. Maybe you could just watch travelogues at home.

Anyway, if you're not leading a budget lifestyle at home start now. Skip the fancy $5 coffees, bring lunch to work, keep your old car running (if you need one) instead of getting a new one. Think twice before buying something fun (hmm, I could get a bread machine/air compressor/whatever or I could go to Europe).

Great advice ncgrrl. We have started this practice in our new married life.

I think NcGrrl gave the best advice! (sorry, everybody else!)

Once we'd calculated one of my co-workers, who always goes out to Starbucks for coffee, spends about $660 a year. Here is your flight.

We have a winner!!!

I agree! As with diets/losing weight, it's not what you do the two weeks of vacation that matters most... it's those other pesky 50 weeks of the year.

I definitely agree with lifestyle changes at home to help you reach your travel goals :) It works with saving for retirement, buying real estate and other things as well. Decide what exactly are the most important uses for your money and go for it.

1. Travel off-season.

2. Fly mid-week for lowest airfares.

2. Rent an apartment instead of a hotel room. Nicer accomodations for less money, and you'll be able to do your laundry (so you pack less, and can use public transit more easily) and have some meals at home.

3. Eat your big (restaurant) meal in the middle of the day instead of in the evening. Less expensive, and your evenings will be free for things like concerts, etc.

If I spend more than about 70 Euros per night for a twin hotel room, I don't think I'm traveling budget - I think I'm splurging! It's all perspective.

Internet.Internet.Internet.

I did price comparison online for all of my airline tickets, I read reviews on tripadvisor and virtual tourist and other sites when looking at a budget hotel, and buy discount transportation tickets for the city you will be in (ie Oyster card for the London tube, etc.).

Think home exchange. Cheapest way to go far for less.

Some of my budget travel tips are posted on my web site: http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/tips.html

Monica ((F))

Get a credit card that gives you FF miles, for whatever airline makes the most sense for your home airport. Use that card for everything you can-- groceries, gas, Blockbuster, paying bills on-line, etc. Then when you have enough miles for a free round-trip ticket, you only have to buy one RT ticket for your spouse. There's half-price airfare for you.
:)&gt;-