For Travelers from Travelers: Properly Plan a Trip on a Budget

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For Travelers from Travelers: Properly Plan a Trip on a Budget
Unsure of how to start budgeting for your next travel adventure? Why not start with this step-by-step guide on how to save money while having fun! We make it easy for you to start planning your next trip on a budget.
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When it comes to planning your dream adventure, a major factor you need to consider is how much it's going to cost. If you want to learn how to plan a trip on a budget, then this article is what you need! 

Going on a wild adventure, relaxing vacation, or exciting road trip doesn’t have to be expensive! 

There are a ton of great ways to save money when you travel, and one of the most helpful ways to do so is to plan and set your budget ahead of time. 

Let’s find out exactly how to plan a trip on a budget so you can still go anywhere you want with however much you have to spend. 

The Very First Step: Set a Budget

Before I dive into the best way to budget travel, there's something you absolutely have to do first! That's to set your budget. Everyone’s budget will be a little different because what's affordable for some might seem outrageous to others. 

No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, if you don’t have a clearly defined budget before time, you’ll likely spend a whole lot more than you intended to. 

So, take a look at your bank account and decide what your budget will be. Will it be between $500 to $1,000, or maybe even more? It's imperative during this process to be completely honest with yourself. Decide on the maximum you can or want to spend on your adventure. 

Costs of Preparations

You have a budget in mind now, right? Next, you need to consider how much it'll cost to prepare for your trip. 

Do you need to purchase luggage? Is your passport still valid? Do you have to buy travel insurance? Are your vaccinations up to date? These are all aspects of preparing for travel that cost money! 

If you don’t want to pay for travel insurance and are fully vaccinated, there won’t be any hidden costs. But if you need any of these items, you should determine how much they'll cost and deduct them from your budget before going forward. 

It’s also a good idea to buy anything you might need for your trip ahead of time, as essential items are often more expensive once you arrive at your destination. 

A great way to ensure you have everything you need is to create a cohesive packing list. Also, organize your items into packing cubes so you don't miss a thing. 

Now, if you have your suitcase or backpack ready to go with your passport in hand, you're on the right track!

A Yellow suitcase with passport, airline tickets and camera on it
Photo by Freepik

Choose an Affordable Destination

Where you plan to travel significantly impacts how expensive or inexpensive your trip will be. 

There are a ton of fantastic options for places to visit while still staying within your chosen budget. Some of my favorite budget travel locations include Belize, Macedonia, and Nepal.

You can always explore Pilot’s recommendations for cheap places to travel if you don’t quite know where you want to go!

With your destination in mind, you need to consider how much it'll cost to get there. This also largely depends on where you’re traveling from. 

There are a few things to know when searching for cheap flights online. A few tricks you should be aware of: 

  • Be flexible with your dates
  • Don’t fly direct
  • Use an incognito browser when searching for flights
  • Compare multiple sites
  • Book at least a month before your departure date
  • Pack light and skip baggage fees
Sunset at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Photo by Mark Harpur on Pexels

Once you’ve found the most affordable possible flight, book it! Don’t be afraid to just go for it, as flights usually cost more the closer it is to your travel date. 

Most people don't realize this, but another hidden expense when planning a trip is whether or not you’ll need a travel visa. Travel visas can be expensive depending on where you’re from and where you’re going. Make sure you calculate the price into your budget before you book your flight.

Finally, it’s also essential to do a little research to find out how much it typically costs to spend a week in your destination of choice. Seven days in New York City will cost more than a week in Guatemala. 

Now that you have your destination selected and your flight booked, it’s time to find out how to choose the most affordable place to stay!

Find the Right Accommodation

Accommodation is usually the most expensive aspect of travel. You must first understand that because there are a variety of options in almost every location on planet earth, finding a cheap place to stay is practically guaranteed! 

Here are the best ways to find accommodation on a budget:

  • Opt for a hostelIf you’re traveling alone or with friends, choosing a mixed dorm bed is cost-friendly
  • Stay for more than 3 days: Many hostels and budget backpacker locations offer a discount for reservations longer than 3 days
  • Find a place with a shared kitchen: You can make your money last longer when preparing your food
  • Shop around: Websites such as Booking.com and Hostelworld.com offer different prices, so it’s smart to check out both before committing 
  • Skip the private bathroom: If you can hack it, opting for a shared bathroom instead of a private one drives the price of a room or a bed way down
  • Check out camping options: Although it’s not for everyone and not available everywhere, camping is a huge way to save accommodation costs if you're willing to go rustic

You should know that saving money on accommodation doesn’t just mean more money in your bank account, but more money to spend on the fun stuff while you’re there!

Silhouette of Person Standing Near Camping Tent
Photo by Cliford Mervil on Pexels

Set a Daily Budget

You can estimate how much money you’ll have left to spend on your trip when you deduct the cost of your flights and accommodation from your original budget.

By planning and setting a budget for each day, you'll ensure you stay within that budget while having the time of your life. 

There are essentially four aspects of daily life on the road to consider:

  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Activities
  • Transport 

Depending on what’s important to you, you can allocate more for one area of travel than another. 

For example, if you know you love eating out, you'll certainly want to leave plenty of wiggle room in your food budget. But, if you’re more excited about one of the many activities available in your destination, you can opt for cooking your food in the hostel kitchen. You can also consider the local eateries, which always cost less than tourist-friendly restaurants. 

Regarding transport, it’s important to think about how often you'll travel and what the means of transportation will be. Local transport, walking, and bicycle renting are usually the cheapest options. In some countries, you can also find seriously affordable shuttles, as long as you’re willing to share with other travelers. 

Though planning ahead is necessary to stick to a budget, you should also understand that many local transport options are only available once you arrive - Try to learn as much as possible about the options when you get settled. 

Plan for Emergencies

Lastly, you must leave room in your budget for emergencies. Best to be prepared, yeah? Of course, you should hope your trip runs smoothly without any significant hiccups. Unlike me, who has spent time on the road, I know this is rarely the case. 

Putting aside a bit of extra money for unplanned scenarios will ensure that you don’t go over budget. It could be a last-minute cab to the airport, a trip to the pharmacy or doctor’s office, a seriously fun night out, or any of the other dozens of things. 

And, as a bonus, if you don’t use your emergency fund, you can spend it on something special or keep it for your next adventure!

Expert Tips to Save Money While Traveling

I have a few expert tips to share that'll help you save money if you’re a traveling beginner, no matter where you’re going!

  • Take local transport
  • Eat and buy local food
  • Skip the expensive excursions and try to find your way there
  • Walk everywhere you can
  • Opt for a hostel rather than a hotel
  • Cook your food when possible
  • Skip the souvenirs

Now, you know how to travel on a budget! You've all the information you need to plan, execute your trip, and have fun without breaking the bank. Your trip is going to be fabulous!

Plan Your Trip With Pilot

Do you need help deciding where to go on a trip, where to stay, or even what to do when you arrive? Pilot is here to help you have the adventure of a lifetime without breaking the bank. 

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Collaborate stress-free with your travel companions and have all the features you need all in one place with Pilot. It’s completely free and ready for you to try it out now!

Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Lauren Fokas Blog
Written by:
Lauren Fokas
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