Budget Travel 101 Travelling can change your life! It can also change your tax bracket if you’re not careful. When budgeting a trip, keep in mind what I call the Big Three: Transportation, Lodging, and Dining. Across traveling, your major expenses mainly fall under these three categories. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or taking your first trip ever, these tips and tricks can help you stretch your dollars across your travels! Transportation Buying Airfare There are many theories as to when and where to get the most affordable airline tickets. Most sites recommend buying 1-3 months out if you’re traveling domestically and 2-8 for international. Flying on the weekends and during peak travel times tend to cost more as well. Peak travel times are destination dependent, so do your research! If you’re not attached to a particular airline, try using an airfare comparison engine such as Google Flights or Hopper. Having flexibility in dates and even travel location can save you a pretty penny. There’s usually a setting that will allow you to look at multiple airports in any given area. The more options the better! (Little tip, make sure to use a private browser or VPN to avoid price gouging) Last but not least, read the fine print! An airline ticket may seem astronomically cheaper, but will actually have costly add ons if you don’t do your homework. For example, many basic economy tickets and budget airlines (Frontier, Spirit) won’t allow a carry on bag (a small/medium suitcase) and may charge upwards of $35 to check it at the gate. Maybe you’re the type that gets away with just a backpack for a long weekend trip, and if so, then this option may work for you. Airlines may also have very specific limits on bag measurements and weight. Check your carrier’s website for restrictions and baggage pricing (not all airlines are the same)! Do not underestimate public transportation In the US getting around via public transit isn’t as popular as in other countries, but that may mean that a private driver is way more expensive abroad. Public transit in Europe for example is usually the way to go, with clean and affordable transit even for long distances. In addition, not all countries have Uber or Lyft. Always research your destinations' known safe modes of transportation and if taking a taxi, agree on total price (not per person-yes! Some will pull that!) before you ride. When you first arrive at your destination is the best time to try and get over any fears of public transit! Many airports, even in the US, have public transportation directly to downtown! Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport has a $1.20 RTA bus and Chicago O’Hare has the blue line train for $5 to name a few. It’s understandably easy to get comfortable and rely on Uber and private modes of transit. If you want the best of both worlds, take public transit when you first arrive and save private drivers and ride share apps for when you’re crunched for time (like getting back to the airport or late at night)! If you’re staying at a hotel or Inn, check to see if they have free airport pickup and drop off or a shuttle to popular destinations. Lodging location location..and group size! Most places of lodging will get more expensive with less space and less amenities the closer you get to a popular spot in town. Discuss with your group what your priorities are when it comes to the trip. Are you willing to sacrifice that condo size for a chance to be in the middle of the action? In addition, think about how much transportation will cost not only financially but also in time. While that air bnb might be cheaper at a 30 minute drive away from downtown, how much will it cost round trip every day? Would you want that hour back for exploring? On top of this, consider your group size! A group of 4 or less is ideal as you can easily squeeze in two beds and one car! This makes splitting easy! Now imagine a group of 5! You may be stuck paying for two taxis back and forth to your destination and pay for a whole extra bed in the hotel room! It adds up quickly! Shop around When booking your home away from home, it’s important to look in more than one place. Don’t rely on just airbnb or Apple Maps. In many cases, apartment owners and hotels will offer direct booking rates for much cheaper. Many countries outside the US also do not have many (if any) options listed on Apple Maps or if they are listed, may be in an inaccurate location. For the most budget friendly option, you can always book with a local hostel. However if shared rooms or bathrooms aren’t your thing, many hostels have private rooms for rent that are still much less expensive than your average hotel. But when? If you’re planning to visit a location during peak travel times, book in advance! Día de Los Muertos in Mexico City or Halloween in Salem are unforgettable experiences, but if you book too late, you will be stuck with the least (and often most expensive) options. That being said, there can be many budget benefits for a last minute trip! Many hotels drop their rates the day of to fill empty rooms. You can use a website like HotelTonight for only the best last minute rates around the world! Dining Do as the locals do Start of your trip at a local market. Not only is it a cheaper way to dine, but it’s also a great way to observe your destination’s snack culture and fresh ingredients of local fare. A picnic by the Tour Effiel with a baguette and a bottle of wine is bound to be less pricey than a restaurant with the same (or arguably worse) view. In addition, while exploring, don’t be afraid to try street food! In many cities, street food is often the local, affordable snack and lunch choice. Go to a spot that has at least a small line, that means the food is more likely being cooked instead of sitting out. Timing is everything Remember those snacks you picked up? Those should hold you over to the only meal more important than the most important meal of the day-BRUNCH. That’s right, unless your destination holds must have morning cuisine (I love a Scottish breakfast) combine your two meals in one. Less restaurant visits, less money. This will also get you hungry before dinner time which puts you right in happy hour territory. Happy hour is now a global phenomenon. Even if you’re not a big drinker, the food deals are worth it. Happy hours allows your group to sample different local dishes instead of investing in one big entree each. If you’re planning on drinking, ask your group if they’re on the same page. Sometimes sharing a pitcher of sangria can be much more cost efficient than individual cocktails. You can also pick up local libations from the grocery store to enjoy in your air bnb or in a local park, just make sure to observe drinking laws and drink responsibility! But where? Everything considered, it's nice to have at least one sit down restaurant experience during your travels. To keep costs down, research a couple key cuisines or restaurants you MUST try and stick to them. If asking locals the best restaurants, be sure to ask what their favorite is and not just what's popular. You may get very different answers depending. If you’re still unsure where to look, try somewhere just off the main drag. Bars and restaurants pay more rent on the busier, more touristy streets and are therefore more likely to charge higher prices. A place even just around the corner however may be less busy and less expensive! When your group has settled on a restaurant, remember sharing is caring! You can try many dishes and enjoy making memories while you do it! While finances can certainly dictate some aspects of travel, it doesn't have to be a barrier all together. Most of success is just showing up! Budgeting for travel can be intimidating, but following these tips can help you get there and make the most of your experience. For more details about travelling, check out my other guides or subscribe! Outline Intro- big three Transportation Lodging Locationx3-you decide balance of popular/amenities 4 no more! Hostels-but private room! Don’t rely on google maps or air bnb Book in advance if peak! last minute booking Dining Grocery store run-picnic, try new things Street food Skip breakfast-hello brunch Happy hours Drink all or nothing Sharing is caring Off the beaten path Pick a couple must try foods and stick to it! Closing