When I was a teenager living in a small town, I became obsessed with travel and collected tons of books written by authors who had traveled the world on their own.
There is nothing like working all hours to appreciate moneyand I promised myself not to waste a single cent when I had the opportunity to travel the world.
At 18, after a trip to Tanzania to see wildlife, I got the travel bug, which motivated me even more to save as much money as possible for future trips. Now, 20 years later, I have visited 86 countries on a minimal budget.
Although backpacking seems to mean having to sacrifice experiences, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there have been many times where I have stood next to other tourists and seen the exact same thing, only I paid much less than them to be there.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Stay in a guesthouse and book with them directly
One way to save money is to book directly with local companies rather than through booking services. For example, when I traveled to the Kinabatangan River in Borneo to see pygmy elephants and orangutans, I found the contact details of a guest house online.
The owner had a boat and took us three times a day to see the wildlife of Malaysia during the two days we were there. While my partner and I were watching the incredible elephants, the other boats arrived, in which tourists paid 900 dollars (820 euros) to be there, compared to the 130 dollars (118 euros) that we paid for two nights, all of our meals and four boat trips. (I wrote down the company names to find the price online later, and was surprised by the difference.)
It’s also more ethical, as our money went directly to the people who live along the river, rather than to a tourism company based elsewhere.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Take advantage of public transportation
Although some travelers find public transportation bothersome, it’s a great way to meet people and becomes part of the experience. places like Chile and Argentina have magnificent long-distance bus servicesand some even have assistants who hand out cheese and ham sandwiches.
It also helps to use various types of transportation, especially in smaller countries. Going from one mode of transportation to another allowed us to reach places that we would not have been able to see if we had limited ourselves to just one. In Tunisia, my partner and I took shared trains, buses, and taxis across the country to see everything from ancient ruins in Carthage to flamingos in the ocean.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Rent a motorcycle and travel at your leisure
Another great way to see numerous sights in a single day is to rent a motorbike to drive yourself. This is especially useful in South and Southeast Asian countries, as a small vehicle can help you navigate the dense traffic of their busy cities.
However, if this is your plan, make sure you convert your driver’s license to one international; Otherwise, you could be stopped and fined.
Check if you can take your own transportation through the national parks
If you love wildlife and want to explore the national parks on your own, see if you can avoid paying for an excursion using your own means of transportation through the park. Some national parks allow you to register in their reservation system to avoid paying commissions to an agent.
The best uncrowded destinations for families, according to a mother who has been traveling with her children for 19 years
In places like Baku National Park in Borneo, you can get your own boat without needing to take an official tour. You don’t even have to go far into the park to see wildlife, as many animals hang out next to the office.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Book guided tours once in the country
Sometimes you may have to take a tour because it’s the only way to see a place you’re interested in. Then, Make sure you book them when you are in the country, as you will save money. I did it in Gambia, and it was much cheaper than what the airline offered. Additionally, the money was going to a local company and local causes, rather than a multinational.
Just because you have a limited budget doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of treating yourself from time to time.and I save a little money to treat myself on each trip. Normally I eat street food, which I love, or buy food in supermarkets, but if a bar or restaurant is particularly special, I try to visit it. In Singapore, for example, I went to the Raffles Hotel to try one of their famous Singapore Sling cocktails, an experience that cannot be recreated anywhere else. Having a budget can be hard work, so we all deserve a little treat!
Get to know how we work in BusinessInsider.
Tags: Travel, Tips, Vacations, Tourism
Dictionary: saving