| Everyone would love to have the money to travel in | | | | people but usually the more sharing the cheaper it |
| style, stay in 5 star hotels and travel first class on | | | | gets. For instance, in New Zealand I opted for a |
| planes but this is only a fantasy for 90% of travelers. | | | | private double room which cost 55 NZD a night |
| Most of us have to travel on a budget, stay in | | | | between two, while other people shared a dormitory |
| hostels and pray that we have an aisle seat on the | | | | for as low as 15 NZD a night each. The savings can |
| plane to stretch out into on a long haul flight. This is | | | | be huge especially if you are booked in for a long |
| however the best way to travel as in many people's | | | | stay. |
| eyes you are backpacking properly and getting a | | | | Stay On The Beaten Track |
| much richer experience, but you still need to tighten | | | | Inevitably cities are more expensive than the |
| the purse strings and spend wisely. | | | | outskirts but also have a lot to see and do. |
| I have composed a list of the top ten ways to travel | | | | Alternatively you could avoid the cities and see all |
| low cost for the first time backpackers. If you keep | | | | that nature has to offer. You could stay in the jungle |
| these points in mind on your journeys you may even | | | | in Thailand or Yellowstone National Park in the USA |
| return home with some loose change in your pocket. | | | | and save a lot on the high accommodation and |
| Swap With Other Travelers | | | | entrance fees generally associated with cities. Even if |
| Swapping items of clothing and equipment is very | | | | you cut out a one or two city stops and exchange |
| economical and practical when trying to travel | | | | them for National Parks and hiking, then you will find |
| cheaply through many different climates and | | | | the cost of traveling a lot less. |
| countries. If you start out in cold weather but plan to | | | | Avoid Traveling Long Distances |
| move onto tropical countries then try and swap your | | | | This is not always a great idea because overland |
| coat for a good waterproof. You would not want a | | | | journeys are much more rewarding than internal |
| winter coat taking up space in your backpack | | | | flights as you can break the journey up and stop off |
| anyway. Similarly, you can swap travel guide books | | | | to see lots of different things. However, long |
| for countries you have been to for those on | | | | distance travel can be costly even by coach or train. |
| countries you are going to. If you do plan to discard | | | | Work out what you definitely want to see and plan |
| something, always check to see if there is something | | | | your route carefully as you may have to make |
| you can swap for in return people will be very happy | | | | choices if money is running low. Another good tip is |
| to oblige. | | | | always book travel in advance firstly to avoid |
| Travel Overnight | | | | disappointment and secondly as sometimes discounts |
| This is a great idea because you can travel a long | | | | as offered. |
| distance without the wait endured while being | | | | Walk Instead of Ride |
| conscious, and save money on the accommodation | | | | If you are sight seeing in cities you can get tired |
| for the night. You do not have the luxury of a full | | | | especially if the city is large and there is lots to see. |
| night sleep or the comfort, but the savings are huge | | | | If you have time then walk instead of riding the bus |
| if the journey is necessary. Asia has a lot of trains | | | | or tube because you will save a lot of money. |
| which take days to get from A to B i.e. the Trans | | | | Transport in major cities is always expensive in the |
| Siberian Railway. Of course you would not travel the | | | | Western world and in more developing countries you |
| whole way in one stint but many have bunks and are | | | | can be in danger of getting ripped off. To strengthen |
| slightly better than a coach. You may need a face | | | | my argument, walking is also the best way to see |
| mask and ear plugs. | | | | things. If you jump on the tube and ride for 5 stops |
| Purchase Discount Cards | | | | you miss everything in between and have a hole in |
| There are several cards which offer you discounts at | | | | your pocket. You will be paying enough on transport |
| many world wide attractions and for stays at budget | | | | costs so save when you can. |
| accommodation. Google either the International | | | | Cut Back On The Booze |
| Student Identity Card or if you are not a student the | | | | This is probably the last area that you will try and |
| International Youth Identity Card. Getting a YHA card | | | | save on but it can be a big expenditure for some |
| is also a great money saver if you are going to New | | | | travelers. Try and get you drinking out of the way in |
| Zealand, Australia or to an extent the USA. I saved a | | | | South America and South East Asia while the drink is |
| load of money in all these destinations. Each of these | | | | cheap. Anywhere in Australasia or Western Europe |
| cards mentioned cost roughly 10 Pounds or 20 US | | | | will be quite dear. Be prepared to also pay over the |
| Dollars but you can easily earn your money back. I f | | | | odds for drink in Muslim countries such as Malaysia as |
| you are having trouble finding the cards, following the | | | | they do not consume alcohol. Remember you can |
| link to my site below and click on discounts in the | | | | drink back at home anytime you like but you may |
| menu. | | | | only backpack once, so ensure you spend your |
| Local Food | | | | money on the right things. Besides, nobody likes |
| In Asia and South America the local people bring their | | | | traveling with a hang over. |
| cuisine to you. City streets are normally lined with | | | | Local Services |
| locals selling good traditional food for lower prices | | | | Be sure to make use of public services in foreign |
| that in restaurant and cafes. You can easily grab a | | | | countries. No your taxes are not paying for them but |
| generous portion of noodles or grilled chicken for | | | | it would be a shame to waste other people's. I found |
| around One Pound or two US Dollars. Also, do not be | | | | that the local library was an excellent way to lower |
| surprised if you find the tastiest food at the side of | | | | the cost of Internet access as in many countries |
| the road either (and I am not talking road kill) as | | | | access is free. Libraries are also a have a good |
| many local recipes are past down and refined through | | | | source of travel information if you cannot get to a |
| generations. | | | | computer or again just to save money. The only |
| Opt For Shared Accommodation | | | | challenge is finding a library so do some research in |
| Hostels do offer single or double rooms with en suite | | | | advance or ask tourist information. Other services |
| facilities but these can be up to five times the price | | | | such as buses, museums, and exhibitions are often |
| of other rooms available. To keep the price low, opt | | | | heavily subsidised or free so always be open to |
| into a shared dormitory with a shared bathroom. The | | | | taking a look. |
| size of the dormitory does vary from 15 down to 4 | | | | |