These money-saving tips are specifically for those of you who plan to travel across several countries. These tips are collected from professional travelers who have explored hundreds of countries for months with nothing more than a backpack. Besides being simple and convenient, using a backpack also helps you save money by avoiding checked baggage fees on flights.
1. Cook Your Own Meals
I used to wonder why my hostel friends always cooked in the shared kitchen. Isn’t it easier to eat out? But it turns out that eating at restaurants, or even local food stalls, is still more expensive than cooking for yourself. In Southeast Asia, it might not make much difference, but in other regions, you could go broke quickly. Remember, the price of restaurant food includes rent and labor costs, so cooking your own meals is always cheaper.
2. Choose the Right Location and Season
Stay in countries or cities with a lower cost of living, and shorten your time in more expensive ones. Also, pay attention to the season. During peak times like school holidays or Christmas, prices skyrocket. Instead, stay in less popular cities during those times.
3. Choose the Cheapest Transportation
When you have plenty of time, there is no need to rush. For intercity travel, choose the cheapest option even if it takes longer. Direct buses or those with multiple stops? Go for the latter because they are usually cheaper. Stay in hostels near major attractions so you can walk everywhere and save on transportation costs like buses or the metro.
4. Pick Hostels That Include Breakfast or Dinner
Even if you can cook or buy your own food, having breakfast included saves both time and money. Some hostels in Europe even offer free dinners. Even if dorm prices are one or two euros higher, it is still cheaper than eating out.
5. Look for Free Activities
There are plenty of fun things to do without spending money, such as swimming at the beach, picnicking in the park, or window shopping at malls. Join free walking tours, which are often available in capital cities or major tourist destinations.
6. Do Not Smoke
This one really makes a difference. When traveling for a long time, it is impossible to bring a large stock of cigarettes from your own country. In Europe, a pack costs around six euros and in the United States up to fifteen dollars. Just imagine how much money you can save by not smoking.
7. Limit Alcohol and Soda
No matter how cheap soda or beer is, plain water is always cheaper. Buy large bottles of water and refill smaller ones for daily use. In countries with drinkable tap water, always refill your bottle instead of buying new ones.
8. Limit Clubbing
If you are on a short trip with friends, partying is tempting because it feels like a must-do experience. But for longer trips, clubbing becomes a luxury. Not only do you have to pay for drinks, but also for taxis since public transport usually stops running after ten at night.
9. Do Not Shop
Besides saving money, your backpack will not get overstuffed. Forget about buying souvenirs, as you can always come back another time. If you do want a keepsake, choose something small and light. For example, you can buy a small flag from each country you visit.
10. Travel with a Partner
This one is not for everyone. Solo travel is wonderful, but traveling with a partner saves more money. You have more bargaining power when buying things or joining tours, you can share groceries and meals, split the cost of private rooms, and even share taxi fares.
11. Withdraw More Cash at Once
Withdraw as much as possible in one go, even up to your daily limit. Whether you take out five dollars or five hundred dollars, the fee is the same, so small withdrawals will cost you more in the long run. Just make sure you are careful when carrying large amounts of cash.
12. Use eSIM
Besides saving money, you can also save time by using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card. Imagine having to change dozens of SIM cards while traveling through multiple countries, especially if you only stay two or three days in each small country. Since SIM card prices vary from one country to another, you might end up paying a lot more than expected. With Eskimo eSIM, you can use a global data plan, or if you are only traveling within one continent, you can simply choose a continental data plan.
FAQs
How can I manage my money safely while traveling for months?
Use a mix of cash and digital payments. Keep most of your money in a secure online account or travel card, and only carry small amounts of cash for daily expenses. Always have a backup card in a separate bag in case one gets lost or stolen.
What is the best way to track my spending during long travels?
Download a travel expense tracker app or use a simple spreadsheet to record your daily expenses. Categorize spending by food, transport, accommodation, and activities to easily spot where you can cut costs.
Is it better to buy travel insurance for extended trips?
Yes, travel insurance is essential for long trips. It protects you from unexpected medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations. Look for a policy that covers multiple countries and allows extensions if you decide to stay longer.
