After being so long abroad, people are always asking me how I fund my travels. I’m not one of these typical travelers who saved money for years to make it happen.
I didn’t have any savings. In fact, I left with less than CAD 2000 in the first place. I learned how to make it work, how to survive on a budget and how to handle it in difficult times. Most people travel with savings, which I guess is the best thing to do! It might be easier, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to travel on a low budget.
People always wonder how much they should save for their next trip and also how to save money on the road, or prior to their big adventure!
There’s no magic trick for it unless you win the lottery (which would be nice, wouldn’t it?).
How Much Money Do You Actually Need to Travel
I get this question ALL THE TIME! There are no perfect answers here, it truly depends on your destination. Places like Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia are pretty cheap to travel to.
Somehow, you can always manage to spend way more than expected depending on your alcohol consumption or the activities on your list. That being said, if you’re careful with your money, it can be super cheap!
I managed to survive with less than USD 10 a day in many places but this means I had to cut expenses, eat local food, and enjoy free things such as going to the beach to admire the sunset. Traveling on a budget simply means that you’ll have to compromise and forget about your high standards. You could also limit your time abroad or travel to cheaper destinations OR you could travel at a slower pace to avoid spending money every second day in transportation.
I found that slow travel isn’t that expensive and that it can get expensive quickly if you’re actually moving fast.
So, how much money do you need to travel? It totally depends on your current location and your dream destinations. I like to think that everything is possible though. If you can find a cheap way to get there, you can make it work!
PRO BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
- Book error fares/find amazing deals by being flexible with dates and destinations. I personally use a platform such as Skyscanner to find my next destinations. Some of us call it “Skyscanner Roulette”. You can also check the latest deals found on Skyscanner on their blog. Booking flights in advance could also be a way to save money. Sometimes, last minute flights can turn out to be more expensive!
- DIY: Doing it yourself without joining tours is a great way to save money. You don’t need to join groups to appreciate some of the best wonders out there. There are always ways to do it on your own and it’s actually even better if you’re not into big crowds!
- Share the costs with your new friends! Every time I have to take a cab or a tuk-tuk I like asking other backpackers around if they are keen on sharing the ride. It saves money and it’s a great way to meet new people on the road.
- Travel with a carry-on only! There’s no way you need so much stuff and you will save money on your flights. Adding luggage can be super expensive if you’re planning on flying with low-cost airlines. Check out these backpacking essentials to help you focus on what’s really important to bring!
TOP PICKS FOR BUDGET DESTINATIONS
How to Travel When Your Bank Account is Crying & Money Saving Tips
When we’re home it’s pretty easy to follow the normal rhythm and spend money on things that don’t really matter such as restaurants, movies and clothes. I always end up spending a lot more at home than abroad for some reason. Even if I do eat out a lot when I’m abroad, I’m always more conscious about my decisions and my budget. Also, I’ve been traveling to cheaper places which means that even if I was going to go eat out, it wouldn’t be that expensive.
I did work 2-3 jobs during some periods of my life to save more money for upcoming trips. I also know people who sold their cars and do everything by bicycle just to save money and it’s very smart. In the end, if you’re planning on going on a big trip you might as well try to save as much as you can.
Nowadays, it’s possible to volunteer or even to get working holiday visas in many countries!
Working while traveling is a great way to get to see more of the world but also to experience new cultures and a different lifestyle. If you don’t really know what kind of job you can find out there, you could always teach English as a foreign language!
My first two years of traveling were in Australia. I was on a working holiday visa which was a great way to travel around the country since Australia is pretty expensive! I also volunteered in a few countries during previous trips using HelpX and Workaway. You should also know that many hostels are happy to hire backpackers in exchange for a free bed. This means you could be able to be abroad for a longer period. Some travelers will also slow down their pace and become house-sitters to save on accommodation.
In places like Europe or Australia, cooking my own food was a great way to save money. Of course, if you’re a foodie, you might want to experience the food, but sometimes you simply have to cut expenses.
You could also do Couchsurfing while you’re abroad. Couchsurfing used to be more popular a few years ago, but many people still do it. It’s a fun way to travel as you can learn more about the locals and the culture.
You should keep in mind to keep a “smart route” for your upcoming trip. You don’t want to be moving back and forth if you’re on a budget. You might want to check the potential prices and flight routes before the trip to make sure it’s going to make sense later on.
You could also travel off-season as many hostels and flights could be cheaper in those less busy times of the year.
You could also track your expenses to make sure you’re not spending too much. Tracking expenses is a great way to be aware and think twice before spending your money.
