While saving for my first trip overseas, I was working two jobs. The first was a full-time job as a legal assistant at a law firm in Toronto. The second was a part-time job at a Milestone's Grill and Bar in Mississauga. I was exhausted about 80 per cent of the time but I had a goal, and I was going to make this trip happen. I am lucky enough to have some pretty cool parents who are very much behind the idea of travel as an essential life experience. They were avid travelers back in their youth. A couple of young hippies back-packing around Europe, finding love and returning to Canada to start a family. Maybe travel is in the genes? With parents backing my travel plans and allowing me to live at home (rent-free)while saving up, in a year, I was able to save a good chunk of money. Friends of mine thought I was crazy to spend it all on a trip and I often heard "Claire, you can put that on a house!", but I didn't care. I wanted to travel worry-free and be able to experience the world. I thought to myself, "I can always save more when I get back." HA HA HA. It turns out that no matter how much you save, if you aren't wise with your money, it's never enough! A few big purchases on the Mastercard in combination with a return to school in order to start a new career has left me broke and at this point in my life, it is very scary and depressing to think that I could be living with my parents forever!
Now, the last thing I want to do is to scare any potential travelers away from pursuing a dream or even a slight curiosity. So, in order to ease some of your worries, I have put together a list of tips to help keep you on budget, while still being able to explore the world that's out there waiting for you.
1. Hostels are fantastic!
Stay away from hotels, please. Hostels are a cheap alternative, ranging in price from approximately $35 per night and upwards. They provide many accommodation options. There are single, double and share room options. Female only, male only or mixed rooms. You are able to meet people your own age and make new travel companions and friends! I was lucky enough to make some great friends that I am still in touch with today!
Some of "the gang" from the Sydney Beachhouse in Collaroy,
a suburb of Sydney.
2. Planes are not the only way!
If you find a group and are planning on travelling in the same direction, rent a car or a camper van. It is so much cheaper than flying. You can split the cost of the rental, the gas and the camp sites and it is a way to get to see a lot of a country that you wouldn't otherwise see if you were to fly. A van trip up the east coast of Australia allowed me and my group to stop at some cool spots and see some tiny little towns and beautiful scenery, all the while being mindful of our budget.
Our camper van and home for two and a half weeks while travelling up to northern Queensland, Australia. Pretty swanky! :)
A beautiful beach that we found along our journey. A prime example of the hidden treasures you can find when you don't fly.3. Get to know the subway, bus and train systems.
A foreign subway system may look intimidating, but trust me they're not. Still skeptical? I am THE WORST person to talk to about directions. I get lost in my own city, WITH my GPS in the car, yet I was able to navigate London's tube system and get all over the city! And once you know the system, you realize how far you can go for a small amount of money. All major cities have transit discount cards, for example the Oyster Card in London. Discount fares and daily passes become your best friends.
4. Do your research.
Buy a guide book and actually read it. They offer great budget-friendly suggestions for attractions, tours, transit and meals. And pick up pamphlets and tourist guides along the way. They offer some great coupons and discounts! I was able to discover some great packages deals on museum passes in France, where entry costs can be quite expensive for all of the different sights Paris has to offer.
5. Plan, plan and plan some more!
No matter how excited I was to go away on a trip, I hated the planning part of it. But I have learned that planning is essential to a budget-friendly trip. A major consideration is the time of year that you are choosing to escape to your ideal destination. You get the best deals on flights either months in advance or days before you want to leave. Subscribe to a price tracking service, for example www.yapta.com and you will be informed via email as to when there is a price drop in air fares. Also, think about peak travel seasons and try to avoid them. A good idea is to plan your day-to-day activities. Plan out a general route for your day in order to avoid trekking all over a foreign city, wasting time and travel costs.
Some of these suggestions are those that I was smart enough to follow, and others I wish I had thought about before-hand. Once I dig myself out of my financial hole, I will be smarter with my next set of travel plans. See? I plan on doing it again, because no matter how much money I've spent on travel, I really believe that it is one of the best things that you can spend (or waste) your money on. :)
...Claire was here.
