Make your travel dreams come true with my cheap travel tricks
- Melissa Royo
- Feb 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 25
It's a common misconception that only the wealthy can afford to travel, but I've discovered numerous ways to make it accessible and sustainable for everyone. When I took my first solo trip at the age of 22, working as a server, I had to get creative to stretch my limited funds throughout my time abroad. Keep reading for my six most useful budget travel tips.
Getting a Travel Credit Card for cheap travel If you want to start researching something useful from the comfort of your home, consider getting a travel credit card. These cards can earn you points on your everyday purchases like groceries and gas. You can compare different companies based on the categories they offer points for. By earning points on purchases we can unlock a world of FREE flights and FREE hotel stays. There are so many companies to compare but let's take a look at the most popular. cheap travel
If you are interested in maximizing your rewards while using Chase credit cards, consider learning about the "Chase Trifecta". This strategy involves using three different Chase Rewards credit cards in combination to increase the number of points earned on purchases. By transferring points between the different cards, you can also redeem them for greater value. There are many internet resources available with more detailed information on this topic and suggest doing as much research as you can to make sure Chase is right for you. I love using Chase and I couldn't be happier with their rewards program. The Chase portal is incredibly user-friendly and offers a wide range of flights from various airlines.
LOW AND BEHOLD: THE CHASE TRIFECTA
Chase also rewards people who recommend chase to their friends and family and allows you to get extra points by referring someone!
Chase Freedom Flex credit card info
Chase Sapphire info
Next up is American Express. Now I don't use AMEX but have heard nothing but good things from AMEX users and their rewards program is pretty spot on as well. The annual fees are going to be a bit higher than Chase but you get more benefits, like monthly Uber credits, access to lounges in airports all over the world, and luggage protection- just to name a few. Head over to Amex's website for a detailed benefits list. Cheap Travel
Next on the list is Capital One. Like American Express, Capital One offers lounge access across airports throughout the world. They offer no foreign transaction fees, flexible redemption options, as well as auto rental insurance. Again, these are just some of the many benefits that come with this card so be sure to do your research before choosing any credit card.
Staying in Hostels
A hostel is a type of short-term, low-budget, shared accommodation that promotes social interactions among travelers. During your stay, you will be sharing a room with anywhere from 3 to 12 people. The bathroom facilities may be shared or private, and a communal kitchen is usually available for everyone in the building to use. Average costs in Europe for hostels can be anywhere from 10 USD - 40 USD on average. The basic price usually includes a bed in a shared room. Additional amenities such as a private room or bathroom will cost more.
Hostels are the ultimate hub for guests looking to mingle. With many activities and events to offer, ranging from walking tours of the city to bar crawls at night, hostels provide the perfect platform for solo travelers to make new friends. So, if you're looking for a vibrant and exciting social scene, hostels might just fit your travel needs. You can be confident that your stay here will be an unforgettable experience that you'll cherish forever.
It's important to keep in mind that there can be extremes when it comes to hostels, just like with anything else in life. Once during my solo trek in Sevilla, Spain, I had booked a hostel months before my trip. There ended up being a 108-degree heat wave and I had food poisoning the night before I arrived in the city and they had no air conditioning. They kept all the windows open; even the cold water turned hot in less than 20 minutes. It was one of the most uncomfortable moments during my entire trip. Luckily, I found a hostel half a mile away that I walked to in the middle of the night, and there I met some amazing people! The good thing about hostels is that they're easy, cheap, and accessible, so if you end up in a crappy one, there's always a chance that something amazing is waiting for you just around the corner.
Worldpackers and other types of Volunteer Travel
Volunteer travel or work trades are great ways to save money on accommodations while slow traveling. This typically will consist of volunteering at several places ranging from hostels to farms, to even being an au pair. Here are just a few popular platforms to research more and find the right fit for you
Worldpackers is one of the leaders in the world of volunteer work. Worldpackers allows travelers to trade their skills for accommodations. For example, someone like me who is a full-time server during the winter can travel to Portugal and help bartend and serve food at a hostel in exchange for a free room. Usually, volunteers will only work anywhere from 15-20 hours a week and are provided with certain meals and perks depending on what that particular host is offering.
WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. This organization promotes the link of travelers and organic farmers to help build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices. If you want to connect with a more sustainable way of life, this program is for you. Visit their website to learn more about their mission and how you can participate.
Using Public Transport
Many countries abroad rely on public transportation as opposed to personal cars, which is quite different from how we use cars in America. During my travels in Spain, I found it easy to get around using only public transport. If you plan on traveling abroad, consider using the available public transport options to save money on a car rental. I used an amazing and user-friendly app called Moov-it when I was using Public transport in Spain.
It made getting around by bus or train the easiest task! I also used Omio to book all of my train or plane rides from city to city in Europe. I am sure there are many options but these two were the best for me!
Not everyone is fond of budget travel, but personally, it helps me appreciate the small things in life and not take comfort for granted. As humans, we tend to grow the most when we put ourselves in uncomfortable situations that we are not used to. I hope this helps you in your travel ventures in the future and inspires you to take the solo trip you've always dreamed of. Budget Travel Tips
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