Most vacations are … expensive… adventures. With the exception of a few weekend getaways, the bill tends to rack up pretty quickly. Without further ado, here are a few money-saving hacks for traveling, that won’t impact the quality of your trip!
Currency
If you are leaving your home country, odds are you will have to exchange currency at some point. This can get very expensive very fast, as some place can charge up to a 20% (?!?!) fee on exchanges. The best way to avoid this is to exchange currency before you leave.
Most banks now have an option where you can exchange money right at the front desk! The rates are usually super low, and you’re using a company you trust. To add to convenience, some even have the option to mail it to your front door!
If possible, I always recommend exchanging with a friend or family member. You get the exact exchange rate, and everyone leaves happy!
Transportation
I strongly recommend looking into bus or train passes for your trip. Renting a car can be incredibly expensive, and that is not even considering gas prices, tolls, and parking fees (yes, they exist, and yes, they’re unbelievable). In some countries you can buy a monthly pass, which will allow you to ride as many times as you like, whenever you like. Definitely worth it if you plan on staying awhile!
Clothing
If you’re anything like me, and you have enough clothes to fill a truck, this point is for you. Often times, I find myself specifically buying clothes for the trip I need to go on. Headed to the beach? Time for a new bikini!
This is not exactly sustainable. It is also not a good idea to break the bank before you even leave!
I’ve transitioned into a quasi-capsule wardrobe for traveling. This means that I have beach dresses, bikinis, bags, and sandals ready to go, and nothing needs to be bought beforehand. Additionally, if you know ahead of time that you’ll be traveling, ask for the things you need as holiday gifts. There’s no need to buy a beach tote when Santa’s got it covered!
Also, unless you’re moving abroad, stick to your luggage limit. There’s no need to spend a few dollar signs on a suitcase if you’re only leaving for a week!
Going to the Grocery Store
When I visit a new country, one of the first things I want to try is the local cuisine. Nothing completes the experience like authentic croissants, Peking duck, or Borscht.
When it comes to eating out, it can get very expensive, and quick. This is pretty true, regardless of the country you are in. Fear not, there are ways to circumvent this!
First things first, if your hotel or home has a kitchen, go grocery shopping! You don’t need to plan every meal, but buying things like snacks, breakfast items, or bottled water will save you much more than you’d expect. The longer your stay away is, the more likely you’re going to have to visit a grocery store, at least once.
Alternatively, it might be worthwhile looking into bed and breakfasts, or hotels that serve inclusive meals. Most major hotels have some of the local cuisine mixed with some good old fashioned favorites, so if you’re a picky eater, this is for you!
Souvenirs
Last but not least, you’re probably going to want to take a memory home with you. Personally, I always find a piece of jewelry I like, and amass a kitschy collection. Some people are content with photos, videos, or just the memories themselves.
In my experience, going to tourist shops is just about the worst thing you could do on a budget. Shops that are located in heavily touristic areas raise the prices to match the convenience (this goes for restaurants and bars as well!). Furthermore, there’s nothing like buying a “unique” magnet or snowglobe and seeing made in china written on the bottom.
If you have the time, I 100% would recommend venturing out of the high traffic areas and into the local ones. You can often find little markets or stalls that sell goods to passersby. Plus, isn’t that part of the journey? Wandering into little shops, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and artisan markets feels truly authentic, instead of a carbon-copy warehouse.
So, those are the tips and tricks I’ve learned on the way. There are also so many things you can do with plane tickets and hotels, which I’ll include in a later post. For now, (or in the future), try a few of these and see if they work for you!
If you have any tips that are super helpful for saving on travel, feel free to share down below!
A Travel Date With Laura Kate 