Traveling internationally on a budget can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and research, it is possible. In 2022, Arilene and I took a 6-week vacation to Brazil, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Canada. Through extensive research and planning well in advance, we were able to keep our budget under $15,000 USD total which included air tickets, hotels, attractions, and other activities for both of us. Below are some tips to help you plan for an international trip on a budget:
Choose your destination wisely- choose a budget-friendly destination with a comparatively low cost of living such as Italy. Or if you are traveling to an expensive destination such as Switzerland or France, plan a shorter vacation to cut costs. Moreover, read blogs and do your own research to customize your itinerary according to your budget.
Be flexible with your travel dates: Having a flexible schedule allows you to travel during the off-season during which flights and hotels offer significant discounts.
Book flights and accommodations early: If you cannot travel during the off-season due to work or family, try to book your flights and accommodations as early as possible. This will allow you to take advantage of early-bird deals and lower prices. We booked our air tickets and accommodations at least 6 months in advance to capitalize on early bird discounts. We searched on multiple websites for air tickets such as Google flights, Kayak, and Chase travel if you have a Chase bank credit card to get the best deals on air tickets. For hotels, we used booking.com to avail of the best deals on hotels in all the destinations and take advantage of free upgrades and free cancelation policies.
Utilize travel credit cards- One way to save money on travel is to use travel credit cards that offer cash-back rewards. Do your research to find the best credit card for your needs. We decided to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card because it offered 5% cash-back on travel booked through Chase such as hotels, flights, and dining, and 3% cash-back on all other purchases. Moreover, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 0% international transaction fees which allowed us to use this card for all our expenses during our trip without worrying about paying expensive fees. By using this card for all our trip expenses, we were able to maximize our cash-back rewards and earn more money. Additionally, as a new sign-on bonus, we received 80,000 points for spending $4000 in the first 3 months from account opening which was equivalent to almost $1000 cash-back. (P.S.- pay off your credit card back in full to avoid paying high interest. Use your credit card responsibly).
Use budget airlines: Consider using budget airlines to get to your destination. These airlines may not have as many amenities as traditional airlines, but they are often significantly cheaper. Additionally, traveling on budget airlines in economy class gives you extra money to indulge in memorable activities that give you true pleasure and memories for a lifetime.
Look for affordable accommodations: Consider staying in hostels, guesthouses, or Airbnb accommodations. These options are often cheaper than hotels and can offer a more authentic travel experience. We love to use Airbnb accommodations and book hotels through booking.com. We aim for budget accommodations that have basic amenities, are located in a safe neighborhood, and are close to public transportation to avoid spending money on booking cabs.
Use public transportation: Public transportation can be significantly cheaper than taxis or private transportation. Research the transportation options at your destination and plan your route in advance. We read blogs related to traveling to our destinations and strategically planned to use public transportation by purchasing city passes that allowed us to travel from one attraction to another for a free or minimal fee. Many cities in Europe offer city passes that include discounts on attractions and transportation. These passes can be a great way to save money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions.
Plan your meals: Eating out can be expensive, so consider planning your meals in advance. Look for affordable restaurants or street food vendors, or consider cooking your meals in your accommodation. Another hack that worked for us during our international travel was taking advantage of free breakfast at the hotel. Additionally, we limited ourselves to eating out at a nice restaurant either for lunch or dinner. We would reserve a nice restaurant for our lunch or dinner and find local delis, supermarkets, and take-out restaurants for the other meal. We also did some grocery shopping in local supermarkets to buy some fruits and non-perishable snacks to carry in our backpacks during our exploration to save money.
Avoid tourist traps: Tourist traps can be expensive and overcrowded. Instead, seek out local experiences and activities that are off the beaten path. Again do a little research before traveling by reading articles and blogs related to your desired destination.
Take advantage of free activities: Many museums, parks, and landmarks offer free admission or reduced prices on certain days. Do your research in advance to take advantage of these opportunities. We did our research and planned a customized itinerary for each day. We also purchased museum passes in advance which saved us from waiting in a queue or purchasing expensive last-minute tickets. We took advantage of a combined museum and transportation pass in every city in Europe that gave us unlimited travel on public transportation and free or discounted entry to the attractions.
It takes time and energy to plan for an international vacation on a budget but it is well worth the money that you save. By following these tips, you can become a globetrotter on a shoestring. Remember to research your destination, plan in advance, and be flexible. With a little effort and creativity, you can have a fantastic travel experience without breaking the bank and memories to share for a lifetime. For too many people, international travel remains a thing on the bucket list but if you follow these tips, you can make it a reality sooner than you think.
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