Adventure traveling is one incredible way to learn about the world firsthand. This type of adventuring provides a unique way to understand a culture, take in a history or science lesson, or just relax and enjoy yourself. It gives you an opportunity to spend time with those you love, see new perspectives and try new things.
The downside to travel is it’s often associated with this idea that you need a lot of money to have the full experience—complete with luxurious hotels and expensive activities. This is simply not true—with the right knowledge and some careful planning, your next adventure doesn’t have to be expensive at all. In fact, you might even find that going the “budget” route lends itself to a richer journey.
Travel with No Money
Plan and time it right
First things first: Create a budget with the money you have available for your trip. Use this to track expenses as you plan them, and of course, plan for surprise costs, too.
Beginning your planning process as early as possible will help you get the best deals on locations, activities, and transportation, and give you peace of mind as preparations move forward. Whenever possible, schedule your excursion for the less-busy seasons. Summer and holidays tend to be the busiest travel times (and thus, the highest prices). If you can travel just before or after these seasons, you’re likely to get much better prices on everything.
Use rewards programs
Try this handy trick of using rewards credit cards to make the most of your adventures. Many banks, airlines, or hotels offer travel cards that, when used for purchases, earn you points toward miles, hotel stays, or even cash back. They often offer impressive bonuses just for signing up. The key is to always pay off that balance right away after making a purchase, to avoid incurring pesky interest charges.
When purchasing gear or other travel items, you can also utilize a free Internet plugin, like Wikibuy or Honey to search out the lowest prices and best discounts. But these tools not only get you the best bang for your buck on the initial purchase, they can also earn you loyalty credits, which can eventually add up and be put toward an online gift card for a selection of stores. Using these various types of rewards programs can essentially earn you a bit of money when you spend money.
Adventure 101 Series
Weigh your transportation options
You’ve chosen a destination, but now you have to figure out how to get there. If it’s farther away, a flight might be your best choice. However, the shorter the distance and the bigger your travel group, the more economic driving becomes. You also have to think about the time you have available and the stressors included with each mode of transportation to choose the best route for your family. If cheap flights are what you’re looking for, there are plenty of hacks and websites to help you find the best option.
Choosing to drive is the most time-consuming, but also gives the most flexibility to customize your stops and really enjoy the journey. Check out these tips to make the most of your road-tripping adventure. There are also less conventional ways of travel—such as long-distance bus or train routes—that offer the lower prices of a road trip, without the stress of driving yourself.
How to Adventure in the Car
Be flexible with accommodation options
You could always search for a reasonably-priced hotel to stay in (and maybe get some of those rewards points we talked about for doing so). Usually going for a hotel on the outskirts of a busy tourist city will land you a better deal. After all, who wants to spend all their time in the hotel, anyway?
Of course, you might have more success finding a budget option through Airbnb or VRBO. But there are a handful of even more creative ways to find a cheap or free place to stay! For example, you can couch surf, camp, or work in exchange for a place to sleep (and sometimes meals, too).
Choose memorable (not expensive) activities
It may come as a surprise, but often the most rewarding experiences cost little to nothing. Sure, sometimes it’s worth splurging to go to a high-end exhibit, attend a show, or visit an amusement park. Plan those splurges into your trip first, and ensure you have room in the budget for them. But in the end, you can also make some incredible memories playing on the beach, taking a hike, walking through a city, or meeting locals and learning their stories. Cheap (or free) museums, unique parks, or community events may take some digging to find, but might just end up to be your favorite parts of the trip.
The temptation to eat out for every meal while traveling can really add up, too. Sometimes the convenience or experience of a restaurant is totally worth it. But other times, it’s just extra money you don’t need to spend. Look for accommodations that provide free breakfasts. Or grocery shop just like you do at home. These approaches can save you a lot of money that can go toward souvenirs or other adventures, instead.
A sense of adventure can take you far
Whether you travel across the world or to the lake 30 minutes from your home, you’re learning things and making memories with people you love. If a big trip somewhere far away isn’t in the budget right now, become a tourist in your hometown—you might be surprised at the exciting activities available to you without covering much distance or spending much money.
Wherever you go, pack that excitement for adventure along. A little research, planning, and a willing attitude will reveal that you don’t have to spend much to have an incredible expedition. You might even find that traveling on a budget lends itself to a richer, more meaningful experience.
Thank you Little Bundle for this guest post
Read the entire Adventure 101 Series
Sign up for our email and be the first to know about new adventure articles and more!
THank for sharing this tips. I will try it!