Budget Travel: A Guide

Everything you need to know to get the most bang for your buck.

We’ve all heard the saying that “time is of the essence”. When it comes to budget traveling, nothing could be truer. Knowing when to book and when to take part in different aspects of planning, truly differentiates between the average and the smart traveler.

According to a report from Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), when traveling domestically, the best time to book for the lowest prices is between twenty eight and thirty five days in advance, compared to booking three to four months in advance for international flights. The ideal day to book a flight is Sunday, which can “save travelers around five percent [domestically], and for international flights the savings are nearly 10 percent”. For both international and domestic flights, generally it’s cheaper to start a trip from Wednesday to Saturday, compared to starting from Sunday to Tuesday, which tends to be less cost effective. The ideal time to take a domestic flight is on a Friday in January, saving over ten percent compared to traveling in June. However, when flying internationally, Thursday tends to be the cheapest day to start a trip and August the ideal month to depart, which can save the traveler around a whopping twenty percent, compared to December!

In addition to timing, being knowledgeable about where you are going and having an idea of the travel costs of your destination is absolutely essential. Understanding that some destinations are cheaper than others and can give just as good of an experience is one of the first steps of planning a budget trip. While travelers can still definitely have a great time at more expensive destinations, they won’t necessarily get the most bang for their buck. Deciding between whether or not one should go to a more popular and tourist famous destination compared to a more cost-effective, yet maybe not as popular city, and comparing the positives and negatives is honestly a decision that each individual needs to make for themselves. However, with that being said, knowing the facts and prices of your destination is incredibly important. Getting a sense of daily spending averages, or even planning your days ahead of time, are a great way to gauge prices. When working on this, travelers should take into account their budget for accommodation, entertainment, transportation, meals, and more.

When looking at Europe and comparing Western countries to Eastern countries, Western and Northern European countries, on average, tend to be more expensive than other countries in Eastern Europe, making Eastern countries much more affordable and accessible for many tourists. Although you may not be visiting a typical tourist city, tourists can still experience an amazing journey, full of beautiful sites, kind people, and rich history.

Another important aspect of travel is being up to date with the knowledge, policies, culture, and safety levels of the foreign country that you are traveling to. While getting a great deal is always amazing, putting yourself in harm's way is not worth it.

Remember, safety first!

Budget traveling allows for people to truly experience the joys of the world all while getting the most out of their money. By being flexible, knowledgeable about their destination, and knowing when and where to book, travelers can get the best possible prices and live out their dreams. After all, who hasn’t ever dreamed of flying? Safe travels, Across the Waves!