How to travel the world on a Budget

Exploring new places is the best way to break the monotony of everyday life. Here’s how you can go globetrotting without the hefty price tag.

Hotels

Eyeing that fancy hotel you have always dreamt of? It's about time you gave yourself a little treat – and you do not always need to spend an exorbitant amount, either. Try booking tickets months in advance, and avoid the holiday seasons. Hotels such as the Hilton Worldwide even give its members exclusive discounts when you book directly as a Hilton HHonors member (membership is free). In fact, last year alone, more than 1.6 million free nights went unearned because guests did not book directly with the hotel!

Activities

It is always best to plan your itinerary prior to arriving at your destination, to ensure you are making the most of your time abroad. Before booking activities or tours, check the reviews and ratings online or on sites like TripAdvisor. Based on the live user ratings, it is easy to gauge if you are getting a good deal.

Getting Around

If you are travelling to cities such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Melbourne or popular destinations in the United States or Europe, download the app Citymapper onto your phone. With the app, you can easily use public transportation like trains and buses instead of renting a car or using taxis (where you are more likely to be charged extra as a visitor and not even realise it!).

Flights

The biggest mistake a travel rookie does is immediately booking the first fare she sets her eyes on. Look at different airlines and check the pricing on different days – you never know what deal you might score. According to Expedia’s report, “Preparing For Takeoff: Air Travel Outlook For 2016”, it does not matter where you are travelling to. Basically, the earlier you buy an air ticket, the more money you will save.

Websites With The Best Deals

There are many travel websites available that can help you save money. Do thorough research before settling on a deal.

Trivago helps you to compare hotel prices from more than 350 booking sites, so you no longer have to do tedious separate searches to find the best deals.

We love Expedia’s Best Price Guarantee. If you find a lower price online within 24 hours of making your booking, they will refund you twice the difference up to $125.

Skyscanner allows you to set a destination to “Everywhere” and choose the cheapest months to travel. It breaks down the daily fares based on your selected destination.

Photos: bauersyndication.com.au.