Budget travelling is one of those phrases thrown about casually but which is so often taken for granted that it becomes a part of everyday speech. To make a budget for a family holiday can be a bit of a challenge because we all like to plan a fabulous holiday but it requires some discipline and dedication to make the best use of our funds. We all know we can’t afford a holiday so making a realistic budget is vitally important. So what are the essentials for budget travelling? Well, you must consider exactly what you are going to be doing and how much you are going to spend.
Once you have your daily budget then you need to set aside time on a regular basis to budget your trip. Some people prefer to set aside a few days each year when they can just relax on their own for a couple of weeks with no family whatsoever and create a whole new adventure in their minds. For others, setting aside a budget is more important than actually sticking to the budget and they would happily budget their trip with friends and go away together. So what are some essentials for budget travelling?
Well, there are many essentials for budget travelling but one essential that will always be needed is accommodation. Finding cheap accommodation that still provides all the basic amenities is vital to getting the best deals. A budget trip to New Zealand alone will cost more than most people earn in a year so why take out a cheap hotel room when you could get a much better place to stay if you just looked around for a bit cheaper? Keep an eye out for last-minute deals at hotels and motels, as these are often the cheapest places to be. They may not have the greatest reviews in the tourist guides but they certainly offer some great prices and are often well worth a look. It is also possible to indulge in self-care and self-pampering while on your trip if you have some extra savings. In that regard, maybe you can even visit the Health & Beauty stores in Takapuna, and indulge yourself in a spa date or so, too.
Another thing that many travellers forget about when budget travelling is walking. If you are planning a short trip then free walking maps are sometimes a great idea to take with you. Free walking maps are available online and in many stores and are very useful when you are travelling. It allows you to explore areas that you might not otherwise have seen and this will keep you more interested in the journey and will increase the likelihood that you will enjoy it.
In case you are someone who likes exploring different restaurants and bars, such as this Cocktail Lounge NoMad NYC, for instance, make sure you set a budget for this as well. Most people travel the bare minimum and will eat out as often as possible. When budget travelling, it is important to make the most of what little you have and therefore eat in restaurants that you can afford to eat in. Otherwise you may be eating away at your funds while still not having enough food to fill yourself up and stop feeling hungry. Hostels are usually the cheapest places to be and you will still save money on your meals as well as being close to where you are going.
One thing that many people do not consider when budget travelling is backpacking. Backpacking is very similar to camping in that it involves using many of the same basic items but in a slightly different way. While backpacking you get the benefit of sleeping in a house that is usually a little cheaper than hotels and is a lot more homely and welcoming. On top of this you will get to save even more money by not eating out every night and instead choosing to cook and eat your meals in the house itself. You should always try to avoid backpacking if you can since it is very easy to become lost and get badly sick from poor eating conditions.