There’s no denying that traveling to a foreign country can expose you to interesting cultures, people and locations. However, travel can often be quite expensive, which is also one of the main reasons why so many people avoid traveling abroad.
If you want to travel to foreign countries with friends or even solo, then you can do it even on a limited budget. Here are some ways you can save money while traveling abroad:
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Use the right travel credit card
Credit cards are popular because they make life easier and make personal finances simpler. In fact, there are so many choices in credit cards that you can easily find one that can meet your requirements. However, the problem with them is that when you use them in a foreign country, the card issuer may charge a hefty transaction fee (around 2% to 4%). Additionally, there are some credit cards that may offset this fee that do not include foreign transaction fees. With the right travel card, you can pay for a variety of things, save money and skip the hassle of exchanging currencies when you run out of cash. In addition, there are a number of options that you can compare to choose the cards that offer the maximum benefits.
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Stay in hostels
If you want to save a lot of money on your vacation, avoid staying in fancy hotels and resorts. Instead, find decent hostels and dorms where you can spend the night at fantastic prices. They’re perfect if you’re traveling alone, and if you’re going to explore, then you can even find places that offer exciting amenities like live music, swimming pools, etc. Just be sure to learn the dos and don’ts of staying in a dorm and learn about the things to keep in mind when settling in.
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Exchange currency at the right time
It’s smart to carry credit cards when you travel. However, you can’t just not carry cash. This is because there will be situations where you will not be able to pay with a credit card.
No matter which foreign country you’re visiting, you should get some local currency right away, either at the bank before you travel or at the airport when you arrive. However, choose the time to exchange most of your money carefully because you want the best exchange rate.
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Choose a cheaper means of transport
Cars and taxis are some of the most common modes of transportation. However, you don’t have to depend on them on vacation as they can put quite a dent in your budget. Instead, you should try to use local buses or look for ways to save money by choosing the cheapest means of transportation for each location. For example, you can search for discounted train tickets for commuters. In London, for example, you can enjoy discounts using a London Travelcard or Oyster card during off-peak hours.
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Explore travel deals
Instead of planning your own trips, you can find some of the best travel deals to save time, money and the hassle of planning. There are many places where you can easily find them. For starters, there are many travel websites like TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com. You can also find interesting offers on social networks or by following leading travel brands such as Expedia and Marriott.
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Learn to bargain
If you are traveling to a country like India, China or Mexico where there are various local markets full of interesting and useful items at low prices, then you should be prepared to bargain. Otherwise, sellers may try to rip you off and sell you overpriced products. The good news is that you can easily learn how to haggle online and get tips on finding the best products at local markets at the right prices.
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Travel Light
If you don’t want to pay airline fees, including overweight fees, checked baggage fees, etc., try to travel as light as possible. You can also learn efficient and smart packing techniques so you can carry a lot of stuff in a limited space.
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Carry a refillable water bottle
You’d be surprised to learn the kind of money you spend on vacation buying packaged drinking water bottles. So instead of buying one bottle after another whenever you start to feel thirsty, it is better to carry your own reusable water bottle. You can charge it wherever you go – in hotels, malls, restaurants, etc. and save a lot of money this way. Reusable bottles are healthier than plastic and better for the environment. You’d be surprised how many plastic water bottles you can replace with a single reusable bottle.
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Pack plenty of nutritious snacks
When you’re on a flight or on the road and your stomach rumbles, hunger can easily control you and make you buy any type of food that’s readily available, even if it’s expensive. A better way to solve this problem is to carry different types of snacks with you. This way, when you feel hungry, you can just take out the packet and suppress the hunger until you get to a good restaurant that offers delicious meals at low prices. Dried fruits and nuts can give you a great energy boost when you’re on the go and short on time. Visit the store as one of your first stops and be prepared for the unexpected.
So there you have it – some of the smartest things travelers do to save money on their travels. Follow these and see how they can help you!
