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By Nada El-Margoushy
Traveling is undoubtedly one of the most understated joys of life, but with the economy crashing down with each passing day, people have falsely assumed it’s only for privileged people.
However, in this day and age savvy travelers have come up with smart ways to cheapen the cost of traveling, and here are some of them. Thank us later!
- Book Ahead
It’s a well-known fact, at least among regular travelers, that booking your tickets a few months earlier reduces travel expenses.
- Check Visa Offices’ Timings Early On
Most visa offices are usually fully-booked around holidays and in the summer season, that’s why it’s better to start checking for interview slots long before your trip. - Destination
If you’re traveling for the sake of exploring and can’t afford expensive visa fees, there is a list of countries that do not require a visa if you’re staying for less than 2-3 months; the length of your stay differs from one country to another.
- Transit
A little sacrifice of your time and comfort goes a long way. You can cut the cost of a plane ticket in half if you booked a transit flight. Direct flights are too pricey.
- Timing
Steer clear of peak seasons like international holidays to avoid the dramatic increase in ticket prices. Also, traveling mid-weeks and after midnight will cost less.
- Travel Logistics
The smartest way to shave off some of the expenses is to do your research and find the cheapest airlines, transportation, and places to stay at your destination.
- Stay With a Friend
If you have the opportunity to crash at a friend’s place for free, do not hesitate to grab it. Otherwise, find a hostel; it’s less fancy but undoubtedly much cheaper.
- Talk To Experienced Travelers
Constant travelers know all the hacks to travel on a budget.
- Pack Lightly!
The less luggage you have the less money you pay; prioritize, and don’t pack unnecessary things.
- Easy On the Takeout!
If you’re on a budget and staying for a long time, you better prepare most of your meals instead of eating out and ordering food all the time. Listen to your wallet!
- Prepare Your Itinerary Prior To Your Trip
When you plan your travel agenda in advance, your journey becomes more organized, and you maximize your opportunity to visit more cities and places at your destination. In addition, you guarantee more availability and great offers on concert and theatre tickets. You should also know that many visa offices require a travel itinerary anyway.
Bonus: Carpool or use public transportation rather than Uber/taxis. Although, this one might be a little risky, especially for girls.
