5 Strategies to Make Travel More Affordable

Traveling the world can enrich your life and bring about new experiences you probably wouldn’t have had otherwise. But frequently, people have trouble saving up for their dream trip, and sometimes it just never happens. However, there are ways to make affordable travel plans so that you can visit the places you’ve always dreamed of visiting. From packing less and doing as the locals do to using a cash back credit card and cutting down on transportation costs, you can find a way to make traveling more affordable. Here are five ways to do just that.

1. Pack Less

Suppose you plan on flying to your next destination, packing less than you normally would can save you money on baggage fees. Find a way to pack less so that you don’t have to check your bags. Grab a backpack or small carry-on bag and pack only the essentials. A lot of people make the mistake of over-packing and bringing items they don’t need. 

Another way to avoid checking bags is to roll your clothes instead of folding them to save the most space. Of course, you might not be able to roll stiffer garments, but when it comes to T-shirts, underwear, jeans, and anything made of cotton, you can roll it on up to save space.

2. Do as the Locals Do

Whenever you get where you’re going, don’t do the typical touristy things, like eating out every night at expensive restaurants, staying at fancy hotels, and spending all of your money on tourist traps. Instead, avoid the typical tourist activities and spend a day in the life of the locals. That might mean staying in guesthouses, sharing Airbnb’s, or even finding lodging at a local motel or hostel. Find the cheapest accommodation to save the most money. Just remember that you won’t be holed up in your room the entire time, so don’t spend too much time worrying about what it looks like — as long as it’s clean and the bed is comfortable, it should be enough.

3. Consider Using a Credit Card

Using a credit card to cover part or all of your trip costs can save you money when you cash in your points or miles. USAA’s points rewards system is an excellent reason for getting the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card. In addition to 1.5 percent cash back, you’ll also enjoy perks like:

• No category restrictions
• No annual fee
• No penalty APR
• $0 foreign transaction fee

It also comes with special features like zero liability, unlimited cashback, and industry-leading security measures.

4. Cut Down on Transportation Costs

Once you get to your destination, try to avoid taking expensive forms of transportation. Skip the expensive cabs and Ubers and find out what the locals use to get around. If your destination isn’t too far, consider walking. You’ll see sights you might not have seen, and you’ll truly uniquely experience the city or town. You can also cut down on transportation costs by finding things to do that are closer to wherever you’ll be staying. 

5. Travel with a Group

Often, hotels will give you a discount for booking as a group. Traveling with a group also means you can split the cost of everything from tolls, gas, food, and lodging. You can also save money on flights and save with trip packages. Consider taking a group trip with your friends or family. You could even make it a double family trip by inviting another family to travel with you and your family. The more people that go, the less you have to spend individually. Think about joining a travel group on social media to save money on your next trip.

Planning Your Next Affordable Travel Adventure

With the above in mind, you can begin planning your next getaway without stressing how you’ll pay for everything. Using a credit card to rack up points or miles or cutting down on travel costs in some of the ways mentioned, you can fund the trip you’ve always wanted to take. So start figuring out what steps you want to take to make it happen. Bon Voyage!