Backpack on a Budget

Follow these tips to save a little extra cash on your next backpacking trip.

Pack Light

Being a backpacker abroad, you want to be light on your feet. Having large baggage can cost you at the airport, in addition to slowing you down. Only keep the essentials in your bag and be careful which electronics you bring.

Keep Your Itinerary Flexible

Keeping a strict schedule is not typical of backpackers, and for good reason. Being flexible allows you to find the cheapest deals on travel sites and lets you shop around. Avoid booking your tickets in advance, as you will often find routes where a plane ticket might be cheaper than taking the train. Plus, you never know what kind of adventures you’ll stumble upon, and you’ll miss out if your trip is already set in stone.

Be a Voluntourist

Voluntourism is a growing trend where travelers can help the communities they’re visiting in exchange for food and lodging. There is a diverse range of opportunities depending on the country you visit, so be sure to check out Trazee Travel’s Voluntourism section to learn more.

Stop and Smell the Roses

Transportation will be one of your biggest expenses, so don’t try to conquer an entire region in just a few days. Instead of moving city to city, slow down and spend an extra few days in one spot. Your trip will be more relaxed and you will learn a lot more as well.

Cook Your Food and Pre-Game

It can be tempting to go out to eat and drink every night abroad, but that is an easy way to deplete funds. Many hostels have kitchens, and visiting the liquor store before you go out will save you a lot of money.

Share

In the growing “Internet of Things,” there are a variety of options available that bypass the traditional tourist resources like hotels and taxis. Websites like Airbnb and Couchsurfing allow travelers to stay in the homes of locals, offering a much more authentic experience than staying in a hotel. Ridesharing is also becoming increasingly popular with Uber and Lift Surfer offering transportation and carpooling opportunities within and between cities.