How To Travel On A Budget: Tips And Advice

If you've always wanted to learn how to travel on a budget, there's no better time than now. With the proliferation of travel booking websites, low-cost airlines and other ways to save, travel has never been more affordable. However, the real savings are only attainable after a little advance legwork, and often require making a couple of sacrifices. Here's how to construct a great travel budget template that will fit within your financial abilities:

Reconsider your timing

So much about the travel industry - from airlines and hotels to the activities available at your destination - will change depending on the season. That's why some of the biggest savings can come from picking the right time to go, even if that means embarking on a trip at an unusual time of the year. That eliminates entire weeks surrounding popular holidays around Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving, along with a few others. But off-peak travel times also depend on the weather at your destination. For example, according to the New York Times, it's possible to save plenty of cash on a trip to Britain in January .Las Vegas, on the other hand, won't see its best flight and hotel deals until July or August , when summer temperatures usually peak. 

Minimize day-to-day travel

The largest expense of most vacations involves getting there and back, but more stops in-between will cause spending to pile up quickly, too. Once you select a destination and time, figure out how you will get around to the places and things you want to see. Start estimating those costs, and you'll soon find that it pays to take your time. One travel writer found she could save almost $100  on her train ticket from Beijing to Shanghai by choosing the slower overnight train, rather than the high-speed rail option. That's just one example of the savings that can be realized by taking your time while traveling. Whenever possible, just walk from place to place and spend more time in one city to save the most money.

Keep hunting down deals

The more you search for deals on travel or things to do once you arrive at your destination, the more you are bound to save. Deals are available in every destination and come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, the Las Vegas guide from the Times suggested finding day-of tickets for popular shows rather than purchasing them in advance. While the seat selections might not be the best, day-of tickets can be half the cost of typical box office prices, which can amount to hundreds of dollars for the most popular shows. In general, look for food and entertainment that's further from the beaten path - the most popular spots for tourists tend to be more expensive than lesser-known counterparts just down the street.

Finally, start saving for travel early and stay consistent to ensure your budget is in great shape by the time you arrive.