LOW Budget is for me:

True low budget travel planning includes three variables:
How expensive is it to get there? How expensive is it to stay there? How expensive is it to eat and drink?
A forth variable would be: How expensive is it to get around? (in case you plan a trip to more than one destination).

Watch out for cheap airfare to anywhere.
Why obsess about trying to go cheap and stay cheap in the most overrun and costly destinations?
Look for the cheaper alternatives, other countries which offer a similar countryside, the less costly secondary city.

If you find dirt cheap airfare, make sure that there is not a hidden downside. Hint: It's often the weather.
August in Madrid? October in Bangkok? September in Florida? February in Berlin? Check the weather...

Make sure that your offseason is also your destination's offseason.
Spring and fall in Kyoto? I don't think so.. (unless you travel outside the foliage and cherry blossom weeks)

Accomodation can be less costly if you stay in one place for longer (not that much true anymore as AirBnB and such usually don't offer weekly discounts)
The less "central" you reside, the cheaper it can be. A dorm in a centrally located hostel can cost more than a decent hotel room 20kms away from the touristy city center? Rather have a 30 minute commute with public transit if the ticket costs just €1.50 and you save €50 per night.

Here are somethings we do:
We always try to book an Airbnb with a kitchen/fridge. So you don't always have to eat out. (which will save you some money). Visit the supermarket. This way you can also make yourself some sandwiches for the day of touring and refill your water bottle. I love Italy or France. When the weather is good, get yourself one of those delicious sandwiches, sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
For flights, once we have decided where to go next, I will keep an eye on fares. Sometimes they have special deals, you just need to know the average price so you will recognize a deal.
And research is the key. Go online, find out about the things you want to see, how to get there... download maps if needed so you can use them offline in a foreign country.
But try not to overdo the cost-cutting, you still need to enjoy your time.

Plan ahead.

Research the area you are visiting and have an idea of what you want to see, places to eat, etc. You can always change your itinerary as you travel. We met fellow travelers at B&B breakfasts and talked about where we/they were going, and exchanged excellent recommendations for places to visit/eat.

Visit local grocery stores. You can always pick up something for a quick lunch/snack. Wine from a store is cheaper than wine by the glass in a bar.





Visit churches and museums that offer free admission. Visit the Tourist Information kiosk to get local guides for walking tours, newspapers, find out about local free events.

Plan a budget and keep to it. Include your transportation (airfare, car, local transportation), hotel (or other accommodations), budget for meals. Then add budget $$ for incidental expenses like drinks, tips, shopping, laundry, excursions. ( Don’t forget parking fees if you drove to the airport.)

Purchase your travel documents with a cash back card.

Do what you really want and not what is on everybody else's list.

I think planning ahead can make a big difference.

We use our credit card for as much as possible, hoarding miles. So far we have managed a trip from the US west coast to Europe using miles every year or two, for 2-4 people.

Another way to travel on a low budget is to camp or backpack. If you don't have the gear, you can rent it. We do a lot of backpacking and since we have all the gear, the trips basically just cost us gas money.

This. Saved me from spending on "must-see" places that I didn't really interest me at all.

Where possible we always try to get our transport. In Asia we either buy or rent a motorbike/scooter. If it's long term you can usually haggle well for a cheaper price. In Canada we bought a camper van, drove round for three months then sold it back at the end. Saved a fortune on transport costs...and the main thing is you get explore a lot more with the freedom having yoyr own transport provides!

1. Travel off season: That is a good idea, but you will miss the popular festivals of the final destinations.
2. Eat at Street: It cost cheaper at the street, but those foods are not hygienic. It depends on how long your stomach could digest it; otherwise, you have to enjoy your vacation in the hospital's bed. Better you eat at local restaurants, that is cheaper than a hotel but hygienic.
3. Avoid taxicabs and its high rates: It's better to avoid taxi cabs to save money, but sometimes it becomes basic needs. If motorbike available to hire and you have a driving licence, that is much cheaper than cabs. Here I suggest a route bus.
4. Buy your flight tickets with months in advance: That depends on the airline marketing strategy. Better surf the ticket price regularly with multiple airlines and always buy transit flight.
5. Pack light and avoid extra charges at airlines: The airline company always mention the baggage allowance in your ticket. So, after purchasing a ticket, we can plan what to carry or not.
6. Staying at a hostel & home-stay instead of the hotel also helps to manage the travel cost.

Hi all,
I need some suggestions for my next trip.
I would like to go some place where it has a mix of nature, sea and city. Where I can go to the beach and visit some cultures as well.
The trip has to be cheap as possible. I will with my wife there.
What do you advise?
Thank you

pmbrs~ Where do you live? Since the biggest cost of travel is typically the plane tickets, to answer your question we need to know where you are starting from.

For me, living in Seattle my best nature/city/ocean vacations are either in Mexico or Hawaii, for example.

If you live back East USA then the Caribbean works. If you live in Europe, Australia, elsewhere, different answers

Hi Suze,

I live in Portugal. What do you recommend?
Thank you in advance for help

Hi Suze,

I live in Portugal. What do you recommend?
Thank you in advance for help

Morocco

I am sorry, I have no recommendations for your part of the world. Mexico is my best "cheap" vacation suggestion, but it doesn't make sense coming from Portugal.

I think that really depends! In many cases, one can see street food being cooked, which can results in a greater probability of safety than with food cooked is a restaurant's kitchen, beyond anyone's sight or attention.

True, I do think you can eat some street food. Just use your common sense. look at the surroundings, don't eat raw food and do not drink their tap water. You will miss out on some delicious dishes if you do not dare to eat street food. (sometimes it can be a hit and miss though)

I agree with all your points and one more and important is to choose the right tour operator for your travel destination.

Last 20 years I m visiting India regularly and eating street foods but still, I have not faced any problem regarding my health. Indians are very co-operative and take care of visitors. But some things you should keep in mind when you are going to eat food on the street.