Who doesn’t like to travel? Whether you’re in school, working, or retired, you can’t be bored of traveling. However, traveling can be expensive, and you may not have the budget to travel twice a year, especially if you’re a student. However, visiting places near me can be an intelligent way to fulfill your wanderlust desire without hurting your wallet.
Here’s a quick guide to how you can travel and have fun without spending too much money.
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Search for Visiting Places Near Me
The first thing you should do is visit Google and search for “visiting places near me.” For instance, if you live in Australia, a place full of beaches and deserts, you might be tempted to go somewhere like Switzerland or Norway to enjoy the snowfall and natural beauty.
But if you don’t know already, commuting costs make up the greatest portion of your travel costs. A one-way flight from Sydney to Zurich may cost you around $800, which means you’ll have to pay around $1,600 for flight tickets only. In comparison, the average price for a hotel room in Zurich is $100-150. Clearly, flight costs are substantial when it comes to traveling.
Now, if you visit a nearby place, you won’t have to pay for such a hefty flight ticket. For example, the cost of a flight ticket from Sydney to Wellington (New Zealand) is around $450 only, which is about half the price of the Zurich flight. Hence, by visiting places near me, you can save up on airline costs and reduce your overall travel expenses.
Avoid Visiting Tourist Destinations
People have a misconception that only tourist destinations are worth traveling to. Countries like France, Spain, and the US welcome around 80 million visitors each annually. They’re amazing places to visit, but their sheer popularity as a tourist destination makes them expensive. Hence, something that’s not as expensive in a regular place will be exorbitant in these places.
On the other hand, let’s talk about Comoros, a small island country in the Indian Ocean. It’s absolutely beautiful, but less than 30,000 tourists visit the island every year. As a result, everything on the island is cheap, and you can enjoy a full vacation without spending too much money.
Did you get the idea? A place that’s popular is naturally more expensive. By visiting less-visited, you can not only greatly reduce your expenses but also explore some hidden gems in the world. Just to help you get started, here seven less-visited places you should definitely visit.
- Moldova
- Eritrea
- New Caledonia
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Vanuatu
- Liechtenstein
Keep the Season in Mind
If you want to reduce your expenses even further, travel in the off-season. Everything from flights to hotels to popular activities like adventure sports are inexpensive. While the difference in price may vary from country to country, you can save anywhere between 20% to 60% when you travel in the off-season.
However, ensure that you don’t choose a season that affects your travel experience. For example, in Norway, the peak tourist season is between May and October. Almost no tourists visit the country in winter, but you shouldn’t either. Winters in Norway can be brutally cold, and unless you enjoy sub-zero temperatures, it’s better to avoid visiting Norway in winter.
Late March to early April could be an ideal time to visit Norway. The weather is cold but not brutal, and the influx of tourists is yet to begin. Therefore, it’s the perfect time to visit the country and enjoy a vacation without spending too much money.
Now, the seasons could vary from country to country. For example, the best time to visit Australia is between December and January, while the low season is between June and August. So, be sure to conduct proper research and decide on a time to travel accordingly.
Look for Cheaper Accommodation Options When Visiting Places Near Me
Booking a four-star hotel for $100 a night may seem tempting, but do you really need that sort of luxury? It’s understandable when you travel with your family – you want to provide them with the best experience. But when traveling alone, you can give up on some luxury.
There are numerous cheaper accommodation options available. For starters, you can go for three-star hotels and instantly save a few bucks. Giving up on amenities like a swimming pool or spa shouldn’t hurt when you’re trying to save money.
You can take a step further and go for hostels and other forms of sharing accommodation options. You can also do Couchsurfing while visiting places near me to save some more money.
Travel Like a Local
Another critical tip to keep in mind when visiting places near me on a budget is to travel like a local. You must’ve heard about traveling like a local a multitude of times, but what does it really mean?
Suppose you’re in Canada and currently exploring Vancouver. You need to go from your hotel to a popular tourist destination, such as Stanley Park. Now, how would a local travel? Would they spend 15-20 bucks on a taxi or hop on a bus and save most of that money?
When we’re in a new place, our natural tendency is to avoid public transport and use taxis, which is a wrong approach. Taxis can be expensive, especially in tourist destinations. It’s better to opt for public transportation options, such as buses or other shared vehicles. That said, there might be instances when you should choose taxis.
For example, if it’s late-night, waiting for a bus may not be the best option, especially in places where crime rates are high. Keep these things in mind and make sure that in addition to cost savings, you also ensure safety.
Wrap Up: Visiting Places Near Me
When visiting places near me, you don’t necessarily have to hurt your wallet. By making some smart decisions, you can drastically reduce your expenses and enjoy budget travel to the fullest.
So, what steps do you take to reduce your expenses when traveling?
