6 Budget Travel Tips
With the isolation we all experienced during the height of the pandemic, a lot of people – especially usual travelers and families – are eager to go on trips in a new destination. If most of us experienced ‘revenge spending’ during the pandemic, we can now say that we are in our ‘revenge travel’ era. Airline carriers, bus companies and hotels are aggressive with promoting the travel deals with hopes to bring back the interest of the clients.
With that being said, we should all take advantage of these promos. Now that the holiday season is almost here, more companies are introducing offers that are too hard to resist!
If you want to start the year 2024 the fun way without breaking the bank, we suggest that you do the following:
- Plan in Advance
Do you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special someone? What about attending the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio or a beach trip to Boracay on April? There’s a big chance that you’ll get discounted rates when you book months in advance! If you’re sure you wanna go on a certain place with a specific someone or group of people, booking early as now is highly recommended.
2. Follow the social media accounts of your favorite airlines//bus companies/hotels/travel agencies
You might’ve noticed a trend in airline promotions: They often release tempting promos every holidays or start of the month. If you’re lucky, you might be able to steal good deals when attending a travel mart. Staycations are a thing now especially for those people who can’t leave the Metro that long. Just be cautious in booking though – only book the trips you think you can go to! Spending money on these tickets and bookings – no matter how affordable it is – still means you will be shelling out some money.
3. Stick to a budget
If you want to take a break and go somewhere to unwind without breaking the bank, you need to learn how to budget and list down possible expenses.
Budgeting is a struggle for most people especially those who are in-charge when traveling in groups. In that case, it is better for you to plan an adjustable itinerary, list down possible expenses, use a website like calculator.me for you to figure out how much you’ll likely to spend and figure out if you’re willing to save up and shell out that amount of money. Taking notes and knowing where your hard-earned money will go will save you from financial –and even emotional damage!
4. Use Loyalty Points/Rewards
For years, I’ve been using a specific online travel agency for my hotel bookings. I do get rewarded and get exclusive coupon codes that I can use on my next trip. Do you have a loyalty reward card from your go-to grocery store or mall? Most likely, they have partnerships with airlines or hotels. You may convert these points to hotel stays or plane tickets!
5. Stay in budget accommodations
If you’re not a fuzzy traveler, you may opt to stay in hostels or pension houses. If you know that you will most likely do outdoor activities most of the time, it is advisable to stay in a modest accommodation.
6. Buy only the things you want
First-time travelers typically spend most of their money buying souvenirs for family and friends back home. The tendency of such act is you overspend and might even have to add extra kg for your check-in. If the item is rare or only distinct in the province or country, go ahead and buy it. Try to avoid hoarding especially when it comes to electronics.
Do you have some useful tips for budget traveling? Share it on the comments section!