On a shoestring – money saving tips for budget backpackers

There’s no doubt that taking time out to go on an extended backpacking trip is one of the best things that you can do. Opening yourself up to new cultures, new experiences and new friends.

However, to make the most of this fantastic opportunity you’ll need to ensure that your funds are sufficient enough to cover all of your expenses. No easy task in today’s exciting and demanding backpacking world!

Pick an affordable destination

The easiest way to reduce your overall costs is to pick an affordable destination. This is somewhere where the cost of living, as well as flights and accommodation costs, are low.

This will mean that every day expenses will be much cheaper, helping your budget stretch further each and every day.

Balance your route

If you can’t spend your entire trip in low cost countries, try to balance your route to include a variety of cheaper and more expensive destinations. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Europe, try to combine expensive cities like London, Paris and Stockholm with stays in more affordable places like Berlin, Prague or Belgrade.

Keep travel to a minimum

This may seem like a strange one for a backpacking trip, but the main idea is not to travel long distances unnecessarily as travel costs can quickly add up. Try to plan your route so the travel between destinations is relatively short and cheap.

This may mean that you cover less ground, but you’ll get to know the area that you’re visiting a lot better and that means you’ll end your holiday rich in experiences, not to mention financially better off.

Do your research

Just like when you’re at home, a lot of money saving comes from research. Before you jet off on your international adventure, invest a few hours in front of the computer searching for deals and money saving advice.

One of the first things to look for is travel insurance, so search sites like  http://www.allianz-assistance.co.uk/content/6/en/travel/backpacker-travel-insurance for the best deals. Next, check hostels, train tickets and bus tickets in your destination to get an idea of how far your money will go when you arrive, remembering to search for group discounts or tourist passes.

Backpacking is a great way to see the world, so make sure that you follow these money saving tips so that your adventure doesn’t get cut short by a lack of funds.