There’s no feeling like going somewhere new. Whether wanderlust has taken over or you’re just on a holiday, there are some handy tips you should know about to keep yourself afloat whilst travelling. Here are some easy ways you can save money whilst you’re travelling overseas.
Get Techy With It
You use Uber to take you places, Airbnb to book the accommodation, Ticketek to book the tickets, Dimmi to book the restaurant and now Aussie startup Splitr has launched the newest app to add to your essentials; the ability to split all of your bills from the convenience of your smartphone. “Splitr can be used in any country (as long as you have any Aussie bank account) split almost any printed, itemised receipt, at any time, anyway you like, with anyone in your phone by simply taking a photo of the bill. Gone are the days where you ask frustratingly “who ordered the f*cking sparkling?!”, having to hit up your mate for their share of bills and always being left out of pocket.” To find out more about Splitr, follow them on Facebook.
It’s All In The Timing
We all know that there are certain times you should book the tickets to your flight, but do you actually know when that time is? Avoid booking your flight late, as the prices tend to soar the closer you get to the day the plane leaves. On the other hand, you shouldn’t buy your tickets too early either, as sometimes the prices will drop when the airline has empty seats to fill. So if you’re looking for the perfect price, aim to buy your tickets around three to twelve weeks before you set off. In preparation for the flight, don’t forget to save your cash and bring some snacks with you on the plane. As plane food is quite expensive, bring yourself some chips, sandwiches or fruit, just make sure it’s wrapped in a container whilst you’re there. Don’t forget to take your pillow; there’s nothing worse than having a sore neck after a long flight! Amanda Fuller, the Money Mindset Coach at Wealthy Chicks has the perfect way to save some money before you even set off. “ Plan to travel during the low or shoulder season as prices are cheaper. I was in Miami before the Memorial Day weekend, and restaurants were offering 50% off food, so I ate twice as much, really delicious! The weather was still amazing, there was still a buzz, however food, tours and the hotel were all cheaper, Cha-Ching!” Find out more about Wealthy Chicks by following them on Facebook. It also helps to be flexible with your dates. Tristan Seymour from Lodging-World has some crucial advice for those who want to save some coin whilst they're travelling. ": If possible, be as flexible as you can with your dates. Doing so gives you a better chance to grab cheap flights when the prices fluctuate by searching a couple of days, or even weeks, either side of your preferred departure date." Follow Lodging-World on Facebook.
Wanderlust + Pets = A Great Holiday
If you adore animals, want to save some money and travel at the same time, you may be delusional. Just kidding. There is actually a way to combine all three amazing factors into your travel, with the help of PetCloud. “Got the travel bug? You can actually finance your next holiday by getting paid to stay in Pet Owners homes (known as “House Sitting”) to take care of their pets while they are away, or offer Pet Sitting from your own home. Animal lovers can pick and choose jobs on Australian website PetCloud.com.au based on their own preferences and needs, as each job specifies whether the owner has dogs, cats, or other animals. Simply join the site free, then Sitters must go through I.D. verification and if house sitting, get a police history check, then you can create a listing along with your services, prices, and photos, and then apply for jobs in the location of your choice when it suits you. It’s a win-win.” To find out more about PetCloud, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Riding Solo
One of the greatest feelings is travelling alone. Of course, for safety reasons, you may be unable to travel alone, but it’s a great way to see the world exactly how you’d like. If you can’t travel solo, take the next best step. Avoid tours and paying those expensive fees to be surrounded by people, missing all of the amazing things you’d see alone. Josh Shepard from The Lost Passport has amazing tips for those who want to save a bit of cash whilst exploring their destination. “Walk to your hotel instead of taking a taxi. Travelling by foot is a great way to see the city. Search for boutique hotels online, they can be plenty of cheaper options which are super comfortable. Skip the package tour and explore solo, you’ll quickly learn that finding your own way around comes with a huge discount.” To find out more about Josh and see his amazing travels, follow him on Facebook and Instagram. When it comes to travelling solo, you may tend to do a lot more walking. Pete Dillon from Bare Food & Beverage Co. has some great ideas for keeping walking journey comfy, not blistery. "Pack runners - the best way to see a destination is on foot." Find out more about Pete by following him on Facebook and Instagram.
Food, Glorious Food
There’s an art to travel, and when it comes to exploring a new place, think local Emily Canon from Something By Emily has the perfect solution if you’re hoping to live things up like a local, not a tourist. ”Eat where the locals eat. Avoid restaurants at major tourist attractions and hotels. Instead, eat at street stalls or markets. If you want to wet your whistle, stick to local wines. You won't only save money, food plays a central role in the fabric of communities, so you’ll also get to truly experience the culture!” Find out more about Emily by following her on Twitter and Instagram. Living like a local is a sure way to keep yourself fed and not feel like a tourist in the city you're visiting. Tracey Bell from Overland Travel Adventures offers her advice for living like a local. "3. Follow the local people to see where they are eating. Part of the adventure is not being able to read the menu and using the “point and pray” method of meal selection." Find out more about OTA by following them on Facebook.
Please, Sir, I Want Some More
If you’re still on the hunt for a good feed, you should consider carrying it around with you. If you have a breakfast package included with your hotel, don’t just eat what you can and go. Pack up some leftovers and take it with you throughout the day. This way, you can have something to snack on throughout the day without spending an extra cent...or euro. Leah Hobbs from MamaTuppa has a great alternative for brekky whilst travelling. “To save money for breakfast, I pack my own bowl and spoon and buy a healthy breakfast cereal and milk as each hotel will have a fridge, but doesn't have a bowl. eating out for breakfast adds up in cost and it also gives you a healthy start to the day.” Find out more about Leah by following her on Instagram and Facebook.
Quench That Thirst
Bottled water is expensive, no matter where you are. Unless you’re in a country or state that recommends that you stay away from water, you can save some serious coin by filling up your water bottle as you travel, rather than buying new bottles every couple of hours. Fill up your bottle at the nearest tap and chug away. It’ll save you more money than you realise!
Travelling is a heap of fun, but it takes plenty of planning and preparation. Travel with your brain, not your wallet. Having fun and experiencing amazing adventures don't have to cost a fortune, and hopefully, these tips can help you have the time of your life whilst overseas!
