No matter where you are traveling to it can be expensive. Excursions, souvenirs and food purchases can add up quickly. There are some ways that you can make your money last longer while you are traveling. By utilizing the following tips you can spend your money wisely during your travels.
Have a plan when traveling. Just like going grocery shopping, the quickest way to go through a lot of cash is to not have a plan. Do a little bit of research before you leave for your trip. Don’t get blindsided by unexpected costs. Find out how much the things you want to do cost so that you can set that money aside for those activities. Once you have your budget set, add at least $25 per day just in case you have a spur of the moment purchase. Just remember that when that money is gone, it’s gone and in order for your money to last you should be careful to not spend extra each day. Keep a journal with daily expenses while traveling to make sure you are not going over budget.
Research, research, research. Don’t be afraid to utilize free or inexpensive activities while you are traveling. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. Things like free museums or nature walks may not sound like a lot of fun, but you might find that those activities actually are the most enjoyable part of your trip. Take Europe for example. If you are in Rome, you can visit the Vatican Museum free the last Sunday of every month. No doubt it will be very crowded, but it will save you $23 per person. If you are in Paris, the first Sunday of every month there is free access to the Louvre Museum, Musee d’Orsay and 15 other museums throughout the city. You can also visit the Arc de Triomphe free on the first Sunday of the month between November and March. In Madrid the Prado Museum is free all day, any Sunday. In Munich you can catch the Glockenspiel show in Munich free twice per day. In Edinburgh visit free museums along the Royal Mile. In Venice you can listen to string quartets in St. Mark’s Square. The cafe are quite expensive, but you can stay along the square and enjoy the music. In Amsterdam every Tuesday September to May there are free classical music concerts at the Boekmanzaa,l which is part of the Opera House’s Muziektheatre. In Krakow you can hear free jazz music just about every night throughout the city. The list goes on and on.
Don’t keep all of your money with you. If you keep all of your money with you, you may be tempted to carelessly spend it. Before leaving your hotel room for the day, figure out how much you want to take with you and leave the rest there. Most hotels do offer in rooms safes so you can rest assured that your money will be discreetly stored while you are gone.
Food. Don’t eat out for every meal. Find a grocery store nearby your hotel and grab snack items or things that can easily be made in your hotel room. By eating just one meal in your hotel room each day of your trip you can save a lot of money. Also try street vendors for some authentic local food vs. spending more money at a restaurant. Some bars offer free finger food if you are out for drinks.
Consider an escorted tour. Budget tours give you lots of free time on you own, but save you money because your hotels, transportation and some sightseeing are all included in one upfront price. Most of the time you also get breakfast daily and a few dinners. In Europe, breakfasts can get expensive, so if you don’t want to stay with the group, just meet up with them to get from one city to another and then venture out on your own. Keep in mind though that included sightseeing is worth participating in as you don’t have to stand in line (groups have a separate entrance,) and admission is already included. If you are young and worried about traveling with others much older than you that you would not have as much in common with, consider traveling with Contiki Tours which is for 18 to 35 year olds. They travel to over 40 countries across 6 continents. I know many people stay in hostels, but there is something to be said about traveling in a group…safety in numbers. You also have a knowledgeable, local guide that can make suggestions on what to do with your free time. It makes travel budgeting easier since so many expenses are pre-paid before you leave on your trip.
With the right amount of planning, you can avoid money stress ruining your trip. You can still have fun no matter where you are traveling by doing some simple planning and being smart when it comes to how you spend your money.
