You could say we live in a golden age of international travel. Remote places are easier to access, websites and apps provide us with plenty of information about destinations, and the sharing economy allows us to connect and build relationships with people from all corners of the world.
But taking an epic trip can still cost you a few thousand dollars or more. THE average cost of a trip abroad for 12-13 nights it costs around $3,250. So how can you get those passport stamps back without also racking up hefty credit card debt? Here's our affordable travel guide to help you.
Research all costs beforehand to create a budget
The number one reason people overspend on vacation is not doing adequate research on costs beforehand. Overspending on vacation is very common, with 68% of Americans go over budget while globetrotting.
It's certainly more fun to spend hours poring over Google images of that white sand beach in Bali than checking transportation or accommodation prices, but the latter solution will save you time, energy and money when your plane lands on the tarmac.
Websites for Affordable Travel
1. Why.com
This handy website lets you enter your flight and hotel budget, then generates a list of domestic and international vacation spots for you, complete with flight and accommodation suggestions.
2. Budgetyourtrip.com
To gauge the average cost of almost everything at your next destination, look no further. You can find out everything from the average cup of coffee in France (US$3.20) to a cup of fruit juice in Morocco (around US$1.04).
3. Buzzfeed.com
You know you want a getaway, but you don't have an exact destination in mind? Look at this list of some of the cheapest travel destinations. You might find yourself planning your next three trips.
4. GoFundMe
Once your budget is defined, you can easily include it in your GoFundMe Travel Fundraiser to help with expenses. Supporters like to know exactly what their donations will be used for, and including a detailed budget will make them even more likely to give.
Three ways to find the best plane ticket
Not many people can say they love the experience of air travel. Crowded airports, long security checks, tiny seats and expensive food: it's probably not the highlight of your vacation. It doesn't help that the price of the plane ticket compensates 44 percent of the total vacation cost– the biggest part of your travel budget.
Taking the time to carefully plan your flight will pay off in the long run and make for a smoother vacation experience all round. Besides flying from cheaper airports or traveling during shoulder seasons, here are some other tips:
Are you flexible on the timing?
Experts say booking a continental trip 54 days in advance is often the magic number, but other factors like season and destination can affect this number. Everyone can agree that waiting until the last minute is a bad idea, but if you want a more specific window for the perfect plane ticket purchase, check out CheapAir's handy site. “Privileged booking window” table to know when to book for the best deals.
Low-cost airlines and aggregator sites
Low-cost airlines like JetBlue And Spirit in the United States, or WOW air And EasyJet internationally, can offer fantastic deals. It's easier to browse hundreds of flights with sites like Google Flights Or Hopperwhich allow you to set price alerts and compare thousands of flights from other sites.
Get a Flight with Credit Card Points
There's a steep learning curve when it comes to using credit cards to rack up points for flights and hotel stays, but many swear by it and end up rarely pay for the plane ticket when they travel. The points guy breaks it down on its full site.
Travel like a local
Toss your guidebook aside and think outside the box. Ditch overpriced hotels, rideshares, and restaurants. You'll have more adventures, better stories to tell, and you'll probably save more money to boot.
Take public transport
Swapping expensive rideshares or taxis for public transportation saves a ton of money. It's also a great way to mingle with locals and see the sights from their perspective.
Eat strategically
Eating strategically means dining at food stalls and markets rather than overpriced restaurants in tourist areas. Ask locals for their recommendations and enjoy better food than you'll find in your Lonely Planet guide. Instead of eating out three times a day, buy breakfast and lunch ingredients at the grocery store and have a picnic in the park.
Say no to hotels
It's no secret that hotels can be overpriced and crowded with other tourists. To save money and have a more authentic travel experience, consider renting a room from a local. Sites like Airbnb offer rooms or entire house rentals, and Flip Key lets you search through thousands of different property types.
Explore new ways to vacation
If you're even more flexible, take a look at CouchSurfing, a site that puts you in touch with locals with whom you can stay as part of a sort of cultural exchange. And if you're not opposed to putting in a little elbow grease while staying on a beautiful organic farm, you should take a look Work away Or WWOOF International. In exchange for approximately five hours of work per day, your host will provide shelter and sometimes provide all meals.
Consider crowdfunding to offset travel costs
We have helped thousands of people to collect funds for the trip of a lifetime, reunite with family members across the world and help those less fortunate through missions travel. Start a crowdfunding Fundraising is the easiest way to reach out to your network of friends and family and ask for help without feeling like a hand out.
GoFundMe Budget Travel Fundraising Examples
Daniel Bishikwabo is a Congolese student living in the United States who has not returned home to see his family in over two years. He started a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover his travel expenses so he could see his sister get married and meet his one-year-old brother. Daniel exceeded his fundraising goal and raised $5,575 for his trip.
For 18-year-old Destiny Nash, nothing stopped her desire to explore: neither a lack of money nor a lack of sight. Destiny was born with a degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment, making travel and exploration difficult. Having never left her home in Chevak, Alaska, Destiny dreamed of traveling to the lower 48 states before losing her vision completely. With the help of family and friends, Destiny was able to raise $13,935 on her GoFundMe for a 7-day cruise with her grandmother.
Start your budget travel fundraiser today
Everyone should be able to experience the wonders of a new city, state, or country, and come away with great stories, not more credit card debt. You should be able to do it no matter if it's a fun vacation, a to study abroad semester, emergency travel or opportunity to volunteer abroad. If the price of a trip is still out of your price range, don't worry: GoFundMe is here to help. Take the first step in your journey by create a fundraiser for your trip Today.
