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10 effective ways to save money while travelling

Travelling is amazing because you get to try new foods, discover new cultures, and meet incredible people. It’s not impossible to experience all these things on a budget but there are a few rules to follow: 1. Book a hostel. Sorry but I do not suggest airbnb or cheap hotels. I don’t see the point if you are travelling by yourself and want to experience things. Not only will staying in a hostel give you a better chance of meeting like-minded people but it will also save you a ton of money. Some hostels offer free things like breakfast, dinner, welcome drinks, pub crawls, etc. Booking directly with the hostel on their website will save you even more money. The type of hostel you choose will depend on you in the end. Do your research. 2. Don’t eat out for every meal. If your hostel doesn’t offer free meals you can buy some basic stuff in the grocery store. I prefer to home-cook all my meals and have some ice cream or cheap local pastries in a bakery for dessert. if you want to try the local dishes go out for lunch instead of dinner. The portions are bigger while the prices are smaller. Street vendors also have amazing cheap food, just pick the one with the most locals waiting in line. 3. Pre-game at the hostel before going out. If the hostel offers a pub crawl they will always play drinking games before you leave. Buy a cheap bottle of wine or a 2-litre bottle of beer for these games and you will be drunk before you even reach the first bar. Even without the pub crawl or games, it’s always a good idea to drink before going out. 4. Bring a reusable water bottle. if the tap water is safe to drink don’t buy water in plastic bottles. I have been surprised at the amount of restaurants who charge for glasses of water while abroad - no thanks!  5. Don’t buy useless trinkets. If you are a long-term traveler you can’t take souvenirs from each country with you. That adds unnecessary weight and deprives you of your sweet sweet cash. If you absolutely need to buy souvenirs avoid the tourist shops AT ALL COSTS. Buy something that truly honors the local culture. For example: local spices, chocolates, spirits (small bottles are best), candies, fabrics, etc. You can buy these in normal shops where locals go.  6. Don’t use taxis/ubers unless absolutely necessary. You can find cheap shuttle buses that go to and from airports. You can walk to the bus station. In some cities the metro goes directly to airports/bus/train stations. I would avoid using the bus/metro/trams if possible. My favorite part when arriving in a new city is walking all over aimlessly until I see something interesting!  7. Use a smaller bag or suitcase. The reason why I don’t mind walking everywhere is because I have a small 35L backpack. You don’t have to downsize as much as me. Just be aware that you will be more tempted to pay for a taxi or uber if you can’t carry your own luggage around.  8. It’s cheaper to choose the long bus ride VS the short flight. If you are travelling to a country that borders the one you are already in, take a bus or a train. You will save a lot of money because you won’t need to check your bags, you will only pay for your ticket. I would rather be in a bus for 9+ hours than wait in line at airport security, pay for checked luggage, and finally find my way to the city center from the airport. What a hassle. 9. Take a night bus or train. You are paying for your transportation and accommodation with one ticket! Not very comfortable but you save a lot of money. I really enjoy arriving in a new city early in the morning! You have the entire day in front of you. 10. Enjoy the free activities! -There are free walking tours almost everywhere. They are a great way to see the city and to meet new people. They are tip-based so be as generous as your budget allows you. And offer to give them a good review if you enjoyed the experience. -There are specific days when some museums/botanical gardens are free. Check out their websites for information. -All the monuments are free to visit. You can save their locations on google maps and be your own tour guide around the city. -Hiking is free! (Some national parks require some small donations or fees) -You can find the most important buildings/bridges online and visit them if you are a fan of architecture. It’s crazy the amount of information you find when you google FREE THINGS TO DO IN (city name)! These tips make sense to me because the more money I save the longer I can travel, If you are on a short trip and you don’t need to budget; go crazy and treat yourself!