7 proven tips to help you plan budget travel
On the hunt for budget-friendly travel tips? With a clever strategy, you can travel to new countries, experience new cultures and create unforgettable memories. All without putting a dent in your finances.
Travel costs add up, but if you follow these seven strategies, you'll see the world on a budget. From setting a travel budget to earning rewards with LifePoints, planning your next adventure has never been easier.
Read on to see how you can:
- Pick a holiday budget and stay within it
- Boost your holiday budget before you leave with fun side hustles
- Research ahead to find unbeatable budget travel deals
- Consider budget-friendly travel destinations
- Pack smartly to travel even cheaper
- Try local foods and skip tourist traps to save when you travel
- Find tailored resources and stretch your travel budget
Tip 1: Pick a holiday budget and stay within it
To start planning an affordable holiday, it's important to establish a practical budget. Figure out the amount you're comfortable spending on transport, food, hotels, and activities. With a good budget, you'll have more control over your spending and make better financial choices. And who knows? You may even have enough room in your budget to splurge on a special treat or two.
Tip 2: Boost your holiday budget before you leave with fun side hustles
Before setting out on your adventure, there are several ways to boost your budget. A couple of options include selling unused items or doing some freelance work. With LifePoints, you can earn rewards for taking surveys and sharing your opinions. For each survey you complete, you get points, which you can swap for rewards like Myntra or Flipkart gift cards.
Tip 3: Research ahead to find unbeatable budget travel deal
Scoring amazing deals on your travel expenses is easy with a little planning. Hotels and airlines often offer big discounts if you book in advance, so planning ahead can save you a lot. With sites like Google Flights, Google Maps and Booking.com, finding deals has never been easier.
Tip 4: Consider budget-friendly travel destinations
Be savvy and save big on travel by considering less popular destinations. Popular tourist destinations are expensive, but there are plenty of great places to explore that won't break the bank. As well as travelling to hidden gems, travelling off-peak can save you even more. This could be when kids are at school or on less popular days.
Sites like Kayak and Skyscanner are great places to start when looking for budget-friendly locations.
Tip 5: Pack smartly to travel even cheaper
Overweight luggage fees can be an unexpected expense when travelling. Avoid these fees by packing light and checking with your airline to see the weight limit. If you bring snacks and a reusable water bottle, you can save on food and drinks at the airport too.
Tip 6: Try local foods and skip tourist traps to save when you travel
Trying local cuisine is a great way to immerse yourself in a culture while keeping your budget intact. Street food is authentic, tasty, and cost-effective, so it's a great option to consider. Visit local markets or street vendors, and steer clear of pricey tourist spots. Asking locals where to eat is an easy way to find some very tasty hidden gems.
Tip 7: Find tailored resources and stretch your travel budget
Get insider tips and save money by using tailor-made resources for your destination. For example, if you’re headed to Thailand, check out Thai travel blogs for the latest hacks and deals. It's a great way to stretch your holiday budget.
Your other travel questions answered
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that protects you from unexpected costs while you're travelling. This includes things like lost luggage, trip cancellations and medical emergencies. Some holiday packages will require you to buy travel insurance, and some won’t. So, check when you book and see what your options are.
What’s the cheapest way to travel?
The cheapest way to travel will depend on your trip. Sometimes a plane will be the cheapest, sometimes it's a train and other times the bus will be the cheapest. Research all your options to find the cheapest and best way to travel.
What is domestic travel?
Domestic travel is when you travel to somewhere within India. For example, travelling from Delhi to Bangalore is domestic travel. Travelling domestically can be cheap and fulfilling, so consider the great destinations in India.
Where can Indians travel without a visa?
As an Indian citizen, you can travel to some great countries without a visa. Some options include:
- Barbados
- Jamaica
- Macao
- Qatar
- Tunisia
This is only a handful of countries you can travel to without a visa. To see the full list, check out Visaguide’s info page.
Sign up to LifePoints to help you travel the world on a budget
You get paid to take surveys with LifePoints. For each survey you take, you get points, also known as LifePoints, which you can swap for rewards. For instance, Jio top-ups or Zomato gift cards. PayPal can be used like money and Amazon sells anything you could think of, making them ideal for planning a holiday on a budget. Take a look at our How It Works page to find out how easy it is to get started.
As well as bolstering your travel budget, you have your voice heard with LifePoints. You get to say exactly what you think about some of the most famous products, and that feedback is shared directly with people at those companies. To see how your opinion makes a difference, read our how surveys make an impact blog.
Sign up today or download the app and you can get 10 free points to kick-start your earnings.
