Ask a random traveler for their ideal budget travel destination and they are unlikely to say Western Europe, Australia or North America. They wouldn't be wrong in considering these places to be expensive destinations. In general, these destinations have more expensive transportation, accommodation and even dining and entertainment costs. All of that said, there are many things you can take to make travel in these areas more affordable. I will share some of these tips in this article.
Consider alternative accommodation
There are still many people under the impression that hotels are the only place to stay when traveling. If you believe this, then you most certainly will end up devoting a significant amount of your budget to accommodation costs. Fortunately, there are many alternatives available that will lower your costs and possibly provide a richer experience as well.
For example, you can look into volunteering somewhere, house-sitting, farming organizations like WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), and hosting services like Couchsurfing.org. All of these provide opportunities to enhance your visit with new and exciting experiences and they lower your costs at the same time.
If you still prefer to opt for more traditional accommodation, try looking into hostels or guesthouses rather than big name hotels. In many cases, hostels provide private rooms for a fraction of the cost of hotels. You can search for hostels based on reviews from actual customers if you use a site like Hostel World or Hostelbookers.
Avoid tourist areas and do like the locals
Travelers end up breaking the bank when they get caught in the whirlpool of tourist-centric areas. These zones have hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues with above average prices. They may be conveniently located near central attractions, but it would be worth your while to venture away from them. Ask locals for advice on where to eat and where to go out for an evening. More often than not, you will get a recommendation that will offer a break for your wallet as well as an authentic cultural experience.
Consider alternative accommodation
There are still many people under the impression that hotels are the only place to stay when traveling. If you believe this, then you most certainly will end up devoting a significant amount of your budget to accommodation costs. Fortunately, there are many alternatives available that will lower your costs and possibly provide a richer experience as well.
For example, you can look into volunteering somewhere, house-sitting, farming organizations like WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), and hosting services like Couchsurfing.org. All of these provide opportunities to enhance your visit with new and exciting experiences and they lower your costs at the same time.
If you still prefer to opt for more traditional accommodation, try looking into hostels or guesthouses rather than big name hotels. In many cases, hostels provide private rooms for a fraction of the cost of hotels. You can search for hostels based on reviews from actual customers if you use a site like Hostel World or Hostelbookers.
Avoid tourist areas and do like the locals
Travelers end up breaking the bank when they get caught in the whirlpool of tourist-centric areas. These zones have hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues with above average prices. They may be conveniently located near central attractions, but it would be worth your while to venture away from them. Ask locals for advice on where to eat and where to go out for an evening. More often than not, you will get a recommendation that will offer a break for your wallet as well as an authentic cultural experience.
Plan your trip for the off-season
Not many people travel to Western Europe in the winter. This is unfortunate. Despite the cold temperatures, there is a certain appeal to the winter time in this region. Imagine yourself in a cozy cafe, warmed by a fire, reading a novel and people watching. What's more, you won't be jostling with other tourists and most of the main sights and attractions want be overcrowded. Finally, you will save money as air tickets, accommodation costs and more are priced much lower during the off-season.
While it's true that destinations like North America and Western Europe or more expensive to travel than many other places in the world, that does not mean that they have to be prohibitively costly. Try putting some of the above tips into action and see if you can't have an affordable vacation to one of these areas.
For more budget travel advice, visit the website howtobudgettravel.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_Paoletta
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