International Travel on a Budget

If you’ve dreamed of traveling around the world, but are worried about the cost, we’re here to help. With these tips, you can learn how to take the trip of a lifetime, for less.

Cheap Ways to Get from Here to There

When traveling internationally, flying won’t be your only transportation expense. You’ll also need to navigate your way from the airport to your final destination, determine how you’ll get from where you’re staying to the attractions you’re planning to visit, and consider if you’d like to plan day trips to nearby towns.

• Public transportation. When making your plans, look into what public transportation options are available at your destination, as buses, trains, and subways usually offer the most cost-effective and efficient means of transportation. Spend time before your trip studying the local public transportation system, familiarizing yourself with how to get and pay for tickets, and mapping out the routes you’ll need to take.

• Renting a car. In some cases, such as traveling as a family or with several friends, it may be cheaper to rent a car than to take public transportation. To help decide what’s best for you, research gas prices, parking fees, and the cost of having more than one driver in addition to the cost of the rental itself. You’ll also want to determine if you need to purchase additional insurance for the rental vehicle.

• Unique forms of transportation. You may be tempted to try a special local form of transportation, such as tuk-tuks, rickshaws, or double-decker buses. While it can be a cool experience, make sure you’re not falling into tourist traps and getting overcharged. Pay attention to how locals travel to see where you may be able to save the most.

Finding an Affordable Place to Stay

Consider all your options before booking a hotel or rental apartment. In some instances, a big-name hotel may offer special pricing. In others, it might be cheaper to search for small mom-and-pop locations. Other times still, it could be cheaper to rent an entire apartment through sites like Travelocity, Expedia, or AirBnB.

Outside of determining which type of lodging is best for you, there are other ways to save, as well.

• Be flexible with dates. As you’re searching for accommodations, search the same location with slightly different dates. Some places may offer you a better deal for staying longer (like Friday to Friday), and others may lower their prices if you check in during the week (like on a Tuesday or Wednesday). If you can be flexible with your exact arrival and departure dates, you may be able to save a decent amount of money.

• Be willing to walk. It’s tempting to stay in the center of a new city, but if you’re looking to save on costs, you may need to stay outside of downtown. You may find that you can save big by being willing to walk or drive a bit further to tourist attractions.

• Consider a hostel. Hostels provide one of the most affordable options if you’re willing to stay outside of a traditional hotel. These are not available in every country, but you can find locations ahead of time by searching the web. Some may have age restrictions, but others are available to all backpackers or travelers.

Saving Money on Food

Food can take up a large portion of your travel budget if you aren’t careful. You can keep costs down by:

• Finding lodging that includes breakfast in overnight charges.

• Going to markets to purchase produce for lunch and snacks, rather than going to a restaurant.

• Trying food stalls on the street for the cheapest dinners (use your best judgment about the cleanliness and watch to see where locals frequent).

• Cooking at the hostel or hotel where you stay.

• Visiting a fancy restaurant for breakfast or lunch, when their costs may be lower than for dinner.

The Art of Bargaining

When you travel abroad, part of the joy and challenge is abiding by the rules and traditions of another country. One major difference you may note in some other countries is a propensity for bargaining.

Here in the United States, we generally see prices as set values. You either can or can’t afford something.

But abroad, prices are often merely the first salvo in a drawn-out bidding process. You can bring down the price you’re being asked to pay by bargaining. Some refer to this as haggling. The aim of bargaining is to get the merchant or business owner to agree to a lower price through negotiation. Use these guidelines:

• Know what you’re willing to pay and the value of the item you’re trying to purchase.

• Be respectful of the time and effort that has been put into making a handmade item.

• Watch someone else’s interaction with a merchant before trying to haggle yourself, to get an idea of what they respond to.

• Don’t pay the first price they offer - they expect to be talked down, so they start off high.

• Don’t try bargaining at a chain - those prices are usually set in stone. In most locations, bargaining is usually better received at markets or locations with various vendors.

• Be polite and willing to walk away if the seller won’t budge on a price.

Finding the Right Destination

Perhaps you’ve already booked your journey, in which case, kudos to you for taking the plunge. But if you’re still searching for a place to go, consider these factors to plan an international vacation on a budget.

• Choose a location that’s in their off season for tourism during the time you want to travel. You’ll often see lower prices on lodging during these times.

• If you’re looking to travel, but not set on a specific place, avoid overly popular international tourist locations, such as London or Paris, as these cities may be expensive year-round.

• Consider countries where the currency exchange rate is in your favor.

• If you’re open to new ideas for destinations, use tools like Google Flights to see which locations may offer the cheapest flights from your home airport.

Enjoy Affordable International Travel with These Tips

Traveling outside the country doesn’t have to break the bank. By keeping these tips in mind, you can have a fantastic trip while also saving yourself money.

Having a PSECU account makes it easy to manage your money while traveling internationally. Using our digital banking tools, you can continue to manage your money anytime, anywhere. And with ATM rebates and no credit card foreign transaction fees, you can affordably use your account while you’re out of the country.

For more tips on saving, whether you’re flying overseas or following your daily routine at home, visit our blog.