Traveling on a budget!

@Jennlee3 (292)
United Kingdom
December 30, 2012 5:12pm CST
My partner and I just spend this past Christmas in Zurich, Switzerland. It was breathtaking but we were shocked to find out how expensive it was! We actually found out it is currently the most expensive city in the world! We were traveling on a budget and in order to help stretch our money as far as we could, we found a local grocery shop and bought fresh fruit, things for sandwiches, and coffee. That way we cut down on spending money eating out in restaurants. I am sure many of you fellow mylot travelers travel on a budget and I was wondering what other tips and tricks you utilize for stretching your note/dollar (or whatever currency you use)as far as it can?
8 responses
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
2 Jan 13
I am pretty lucky when I travel around Europe, Canada and the US. What I did was make friends online and got to know them for a few years. I didn't actually think of it at the time of course, we because friends due to similar photography interests. Anyway I save so much on accommodation because I get to stay at friends houses whilst I'm overseas (family too) so I have enough money to stay even longer on my travels
• Australia
3 Jan 13
Absolutely, I never thought I'd have so many friends from different countries that I could go and stay with so it's absolutely amazing. Yes they do make the best travel guides as well, they were happy to take me around so next time you travel, find a friend there that will take you in
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
2 Jan 13
I think that's a great tip! Social media has bridged the gap for overseas contact. I too have met many people on various social media websites and if I were ever to travel to their countries- they would be an excellent resource as people who live there are the best tour guides and hosts of all! Great tip!
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 12
I visited Zurich for a couple of days in 1992 and I found it pricey. On that trip I went to Germany and Austria as well. I like to get a rail pass to travel around expensive Scandinavia or somewhere else that is also hard to afford. I stayed in dorms and youth hostels plus backpacker hostels. I shopped at local supermarkets and used the youth hostel or backpacker hostel kitchen. Often I bought fruit and vegetables at a street market. Sometimes I camped in my tent and that cost less than a bed in dorm. It is best to check the best deal for currency on-line especially if getting dollars or Euros. It is a bad idea to exchange money at the airport because the exchange rate won't be as good. It is a great idea to have borrowed travel guide books before the trip from the library. I look at the suggested accommodation and sightseeing ideas in such books. These days accommodation costs can be seen on the Internet. A night train can save a nights accommodation. A picnic can be made up from shopping before hand at a supermarket. Luggage can be stored in a locker at the train station and then I am free to go off exploring. Walking is free and some attractions can have free days like a museum for example. I suggest that it is best not to buy souvenirs if they are too pricey. I found postcards expensive in Tallinn in Estonia. I got a lovely costume doll from a market place in the Czech Republic. I recommend having a budget per day and two treats for each trip.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
1 Jan 13
Thanks for giving me the best response. I am planning my trip for spring or summer 2013 to Eastern Europe. I have travel guide book for Eastern Europe that includes every country. It was cheaper than buying individual books for each of the many countries I wish to visit. I remember in Australia I got a discount card for VIP Backpacker Hostels. I also had a Youth Hostel Membership.
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 12
Wow, what a great response chalk full of tips! Youth hostels are always a great alternative to hotels! I agree that the exchange rate at the airport is outrageous and it's ideal to find an alternative to that. I never thought of borrowing a tour guide book from a library but that's a great tip so you don't have to purchase one! The night train was also a great rec to save on accommodation for a night! Thanks!
• United States
3 Jan 13
During last summer when I went to Canada I was surprised at the rates at motels and inns. To save money, I used a website where people rent out their homes to travelers at a discounted rate. I stayed at this nice couple's house where I had access to a kitchen. The rent was very good for a two week vacation and since I had a kitchen I could make my own food which is also cheaper than alsways eating out. Still had to spend a lot of money but at least the cost was reduced a bit.
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 13
Access to a kitchen was definitely something my partner and I were missing and craving on our trip! We had to get creative-- sandwiches, putting cereal in the ice containers from the hotel, etc. But having a kitchen is a great way to save money as it's easy access to cooking! Thanks for your response!
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
31 Dec 12
How was the trip, what hotels did you stay in and anything special you want to share? I myself travel 5 star wherever we go and it costs us just a little. Tickets are all airline miles and so are the hotels. The car rental I go through brokers so this isn't 5 star(why waste $100/day on a fancy car). I would travel a lot more if my work gave me the time to make up travel but at least I get to fly once in a while and feel blessed for that.
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 12
We stayed in a five star hotel right in the heart of Zurich. The trip was incredible. We decided to take full advantage of being in the country so despite staying in Zurich we traveled to a few other cities like Lucerne and made sure we saw both the Swiss Alps and the Rhine Falls. The food was incredible--obviously the cheese and chocolate which was to be expected but the produce was also some of the freshest I've had. It's great you get to use miles for luxurious hotels and free flights! And going through a broker for a car rental is a great trip--thanks!
• United States
31 Dec 12
Sounds awesome!
@bluespygirl (2112)
• Philippines
31 Dec 12
Hello there. It is nice to hear that you get to travel and have some relaxing time with your partner. I have yet to travel outside my country. I only get to travel within my country. Just recently, I drove for my parents in the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City. It is about more than 500kilometers from the main city of our country and about 280kilometers from wher I live. We don't book to hotels and stayed in nice transient homes with complete facilities. We go to the market and cook our own food. Bagui vegetables are cheaper here -- carrots, lettuce, potatoes, cauliflower, brocolli, etc.. To tell you more about Baguio City, it is called that way because it is located almost above the mountauns which makes it cool climate all time of the year. I like going there. The veggies are cheap because most are planted there. Because of cool climate, I think I can go around from one place to another there without a vehicle for I can walk around. I can't walk around here because we have a hot weather almost most of the time.
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 12
Wow, Baguio city sounds like a beautiful place. I hate hot weather so I would probably be a big fan of the cool climate. Walking around is a great way to save money when you travel. My partner and I did the same and when it's impossible, we use public transportation. Sometimes, if there is a language barrier, this can be difficult-which is why I like to learn at least a few helpful phrases of the spoken language before I travel if I can. Thanks for stopping by!
@karjatwala (1120)
• Pune, India
31 Dec 12
Well i am planning to visit GOA in Feb, and am looking for a lodge with family room as this can be a very big savings in budget. Also I am booking tickets etc. now itself. Another way to save. And if you travel in off season, things are a lot cheaper locally which also helps in savings.
@Jennlee3 (292)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 12
That's great advice. I also try to book far in advance. I admittedly sometimes do not travel in the off season though I know it's good advice as you've said because obviously they hike up prices during the season.
• Canada
3 Jan 13
I Tralee a lot and always get good deals because I go off season. I travel to the carabean during hurricane season. Mind you I have done this 9 times and never actually witnessed a hurricane. I am going to Iceland in February. Again off season. It is winter but doesn't get all that cold, you can still do all the touristy things with less tourists and half price on the tours. I checked for a week holiday there from where I live during busy time and it would of cost me 10,000 per person. We are going off season and it's costing me 950 per person. What a difference.m
• Philippines
31 Dec 12
Yes, that's true that's why we have to plan our travel in a country we prefer. We need to know the cost of that travel plus to include the living cost there. In the future just let me know your travel plan so we can give you a better cost estimate before hand.