- I have been traveling internationally since I was a teenager.
- Since then, I have visited 86 countries and learned to travel on a budget.
- I book directly with local businesses and take public transportation, among other things.
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As a teenager living in a small town, I became obsessed with travel, collecting stacks of books by authors who had traveled the world on their own. I vowed to do the same and got a job at a bookstore to pay for it. There is nothing like this work every hour to make you appreciate money, and I swore not to waste a cent when I saw the world.
After a wildlife viewing trip to Tanzania at age 18, I caught the travel bug, which made me even more motivated to save as much money as possible for future trips. Today, 20 years later, I visited 86 countries with a limited budget.
Although independent hiking brings up the idea of having to sacrifice various experiences, it doesn't have to be this way. In fact, many times I found myself standing next to other tourists and looking at the exact same thing, except I paid a lot less to be there than they did.
Jennifer Sizeland has been traveling since she was young. Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Stay with a host family and book directly with them
In a way, I save money is to book directly with local businesses rather than through reservation services. For example, when I went on a trip to the Kinabatangan River in Borneo to observe wildlife like pygmy elephants and orangutans, I found direct contact information for a host family online.
The owner had a boat and he took us out three times a day to watch Malaysian wildlife for the two days we were there. While my partner and I watched the incredible elephants, the other boats arrived, with tourists paying $900 to be there, compared to the $130 we paid for two nights, all our meals, and four boat tours. (I then wrote down the names of the companies to find prices online, and was shocked by the difference.) It also seems more ethical, because our money went directly to the people living by the river instead from a travel agency based elsewhere.
Jennifer Sizeland learned to travel on a budget. Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Take public transportation
While some travelers turn up their noses public transportit's a great way to meet people, and that's part of the experience. Places like Chile and Argentina have excellent long-distance bus services, and some even have attendants serving cheese and ham sandwiches.
It helps to kiss several types of transportespecially in small countries. Switching from one mode of transportation to another has allowed us to reach places we wouldn't be able to see if we stuck to just one. In Tunisia, my partner and I took shared trains, buses, and taxis all over the country to see everything from the ancient ruins of Carthage to pink flamingos in the ocean.
Jennifer Sizeland traveled 86 countries saving money. Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Rent a moped and travel alone
Another great way to see lots of sights in one day is to rent a moped to drive yourself. This is especially great for South and Southeast Asian countries, as a small vehicle can help you bypass heavy traffic in their busy cities.
However, if this is your plan, be sure to convert your driving license to an international license; otherwise, you could be arrested and fined by the police.
Check if you can take your own transportation to national parks
If you love wildlife and want to explore national parks on your own, find out if you can avoid paying for a tour by taking your own transportation through the park. Some national parks allow you to register on their reservation system to avoid paying a commission to an agent.
In places like Baku National Park in Borneo, you can get your own boat without taking an official tour. Plus, you don't even have to go very far into the park to see wildlife, as many animals simply hang out near the office.
Jennifer Sizeland has visited 86 countries. Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
Book tours once you're in the country
Sometimes you may need to take a guided tour because it's the only way to see a certain place that interests you. If this is the case, be sure to book the tours while you are in the country, as this will save you money. I did this in Gambia, and it was much cheaper than those offered by the airline. The money also went to a local business and local causes rather than to a corporation.
Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of the occasional splurge, and I set aside a little so I can treat myself every vacation. Usually I eat street food, which I love, or buy food from supermarkets, but if a bar or restaurant is particularly special, I try to visit it. In Singapore, for example, I went to the Raffles hotel to taste one of its famous Cocktails Singapore Slingan experience you can't recreate anywhere else. Budgeting can be hard work, so we all deserve a little treat!