I’ve been traveling at least once a year since 2002, first on my own and now with my husband. We’ve learned so many things about how to travel smarter and cheaper with every trip we take. Here is a list of some of the key things to keep your budget under control:

Hang with the Locals.  Not only does this enhance your travel experience by learning more about their culture and way of life, they’ll also tell you everything you need to know about the city or area you are in.  Some of the most unusual experiences we’ve had were because we met locals who were happy to share.  They’ll even give you tips on where and when you can save a few bucks. Don’t forget to get a quick language lesson too!

Pay in Cash using Local Currency.  This way, you don’t get charged whatever exchange rate is dictated by the retailer.  We’ve also noticed that exchanging to the local currency when you get there also gets you better rates.  Try not to use traveler’s cheques.  It’s cheaper to use the ATM in that case.  There are also ways to reduce/avoid the international ATM fees.  I’ll try write a post on that soon.

Eat Local.  Seeing a trend? 🙂   Try to find the hidden gems, which are usually not in the main tourist areas.  When you seek authentic local cuisine, not only will your taste buds be rewarded, your wallet will thank you too.  Check if there is a morning farmer’s market close to where you are staying and see if you can assemble your own lunch from the vendors’ products.  Then enjoy your creation al fresco.  Depending on where you are, there may also be night markets, which are super fun & usually have a wide array of interesting meal options.

Take Public Transit.  This is usually the most economical option whether you are traveling within a city or between cities.  If you are staying in the city for a few days, ask to see if they sell passes that will suit your needs.  A lot of countries also have a network of buses that will connect you to other cities within the country.

And don’t forget, walking is always free –  & my new favourite is bicycling!  This way, you also get a chance to explore the city and get lost in the side streets.

If you need to rent a car, do it outside of the city.  Generally, rental rates are higher within a dense city and you will be less likely to catch a promotion.  Always ask to see if there are any unadvertised promotions.  And if you have a chance before you arrive, see if you can find any online coupons or discounts that can be applied from loyalty programs you are a part of.

Travel Off-Season.  Every country or region has an optimal tourism season.  Try to figure out what that is and book your vacation outside of that timeframe.  You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it will make, even if you adjust your timing by a week or two.

Be Flexible with Dates/Times.  This applies to flights as well as bookings for accommodations/tickets.  Weekends in general are usually pricier.  I find that if you are ok with flying in/out mid-week, your international flight will be cheaper.  Take some time & play around with the dates.  Sometimes you’ll find a day that is randomly cheaper than the rest, so it’s worth doing the research.

Choose Free Whenever Possible.  Check online for dates/times where admissions to certain sites are either free or at a discounted rate.  If you are a student, remember to bring your student ID with you as you never know who may accept it.

Explore a Region Longer.  Rather than jumping from 1 country/continent to another, try to limit your travel distance between locations.  Whether you’re flying or traveling by land, it will always be more expensive to try to see 1 city in 3 countries than 3 cities in the same country.  Trying to cover too much distance will inevitably cost you more and suck up a lot of your valuable time as well.  If you limit the distance traveled, you can really immerse yourself in your new surroundings and gain an authentic travel experience.

Start Booking Beds, not Rooms.  This may be a bit harder to do as you do lose some privacy, as well as the comfort of having your own washroom.  However, for a few dollars a night, it’s really hard not to consider this as an option.  Just make sure you research the hostels and read the reviews in advance.  You may also have some negotiating room if there are a few vacant beds when you arrive.  It’s always worth asking.