Why Budget Travel Isn’t a Dirty Word
A friend of the family recently said to me, “I would love to do what you do, but you know me, I’m not much of a budget traveler.” I’ve been trying to figure out what that person meant and the word “budget” has been stuck in my head. Did they mean they don’t like to save money? That they like to haphazardly run around on vacation with a trail of 20 dollar bills fluttering in the breeze behind them as they rush from one over-priced resort to the next? Then it hit me. By budget, they meant uncomfortable. They want to be pampered, and I’m selling them hardship. They imagine sleeping on a bare mattress in a seedy hostel, wide-eyed as they listened to noisy neighbors and feared for their lives.
The reality? Not even close. When I talk about budget travel, it means getting the most out of your travel. It can mean traveling outside your comfort zone, pushing yourself a little, but isn’t that what travel is all about? Here are 5 ways budget travel can improve your trip, no matter where you go.
1. Most locals can’t afford what the tourists pay. For example, if you go to Venice and spend $300 a night, you’re not seeing Venice, you’re seeing high end luxury. If that’s your deal, then go for it, but don’t confuse it with experiencing authentic Venician life.
2. Independent travel lets you experience more culture. There are some excellent tour guides out there. But for the most part, that package deal to wine country in Italy is going to more fluff for the buck. Calculate the prices of hotel, sightseeing and food and chances are you can do the same trip at a fraction of the cost and sans the annoying tour guide with an umbrella. The other bonus? Removing the middleman means more access and time to explore.
3. It’s not all backpacks and dingy hostels. Hostels are cheap. But it’s not the only option. For example in Paris, many city dwellers are opening B&Bs to combat the shortage of hotel space in the city. For the same or a little more, you can stay in a stylish Parisian home with breakfast included.
4. Cheaper travel is usually slower. And that’s a good thing. Trust me, after your first whirlwind European tour, where you do 8 cities in 12 days, you’ll know what I mean. The best part of traveling is getting to see places—not just whizzing by from the top of a double decker bus.
5. Sometimes the best part of your trip is when you’re nowhere. You’re off the guidebook, off the tourist path and then you see it. The perfect little café, where you spend the most memorable few hours of your trip, chatting away with locals over vino or a pint.
Like anything there are degrees of budget travel. Sure there are folks that can make it for months on a $10/day. For others, budget means spending no more than $40 a night at a hotel. In the end, it’s the same concepts: independent travel, going slow, skipping the high priced tourist areas and clearing the way so you can have exactly the kind of trip you always imagined.
13 Comments
You’ve totally hit the nail on this head with this list – exactly what it takes to be an independent, budget-conscious traveler.
One thing which might be worth adding: by wandering out of tourist zones, you may actually help the local economy more – using local stores and services rather than large chain hotels or restaurants.
I agree with everything you say here. This is my kind of travel! I like to splurge where it counts…not on a generic experience with a cheesy guide and a whirlwind tour.
Very good article. You described the most commun mistakes not to make if one like to really discover a country.
When I went home, all the nurses I worked with said the same thing. “We’re not backpackers.” I kept telling them it wasn’t about backpacking, it was about making the most of your money and living locally. Most of the time they didn’t believe me.
I liked that post. B&B is an good option but if you want your privacy too then you can rent an apartment and the rule of thumb is longer you stay and if you book well in advance the cheaper it is. In addition you have more space than in a hotel because I have not seen apartment which is 12m2 (usual hotel room size)
Thanks guys!
Matt: I get the same thing too
I have a backpack, but I like a clean bed as much as the next person.
I agree that budget travel is an expansive word – for some it means a hostel at $10/night and for others it could be $150/night. My wife and I are all about traveling for as long as we can – given that we both have jobs in New York and a 3 year old. At least for now, gone are the days when we can travel around Asia for years at a time while teaching English. But still, we consider ourselves budget travelers today – and we like to spend less than $100/night, when possible, and still sleep in style in cool, funky, or just plain darn good digs.
Excellent tips!! I learned those tricks when I went to Italy last spring. I plan on following a budget more strictly this coming spring when I return
We’ve used wotif.com to arrange apartments in Prague and Rome, both times with great success. Managed apartments are really the way to go if you can find them.
If you’re already in Europe, keep an eye out for city breaks. They can be a cheap way to get a wee touch of luxury for a few days.
Excellent tip Andrew! I’ll have to check that out!
Many thanks for this article. I totally agree with you. It’s just what I experienced on my last trip to Berlin. (baxpax downtown).
Budget Travel for me means independent travelling without sacrificing the standard of living I am used to. Ideally this means fair prices.
Miss
This is indeed very practical and helpful advice. I’m one of those guilty of disliking the idea of ‘budget’ travel. It’s not just the thought of compromising or roughing it a bit. Where holidays are concerned I’m lazy. I like it all to be terribly simple and effort-free. Saving money does require a bit of research and thought, but I suppose you’re saving more money by not depending on others to organise your trip for you.
A new trend that’s really showing up here in the UK are the “boutique hostels”. Check the Guardian.co.uk site for articles. We stayed in Daddy Long Legs in Capetown, and would not classify it as a hostel. It was a best-in-class three-star with AMAZING decor. http://www.daddylonglegs.co.za/