If you want to travel on a tight budget (and make sure you have fun doing it) is if you go with friends. Not only will you have someone to share your memories with, you’ll also be able to share other things – like the prices of your accommodations, food, and activities together. Here’s how you can go on a trip with your friends on a budget!
Plan Everything Before Your Trip
Get together with your BFF and talk about what you exactly want to do on your trip. Think about everything from the main idea to the little things. Where do you guys plan to go? Are you going to go anywhere else from there? Exactly how much are you guys willing to spend on maximum? When is the tentative date of this looming adventure!? Though it can be exhilarating to just wing it, going on that shoestring budget calls for masterful attention to details, and planning everything as much as you humanly can.
Book Together
It’s important to book together in case your airline, hotel/AirBnB, or activity centers give discounts for group rates. “Group rate” are the magic words that you will want to use if you are travelling in a big group, or use it anyway to see if you can squeeze out some savings even if you’re just a pair. See if you can pay lesser for your transportation around the city as well. This works if you’re in a big group as well. Aside from getting good group rates, booking together will help you assess just how much you can split between each other for a room. You can also agree on cheaper flights (which usually have more connecting flights) but when you’re with good company, flying doesn’t seem to be that bad! If your friends are willing to separate (or if you are looking to be a little more adventurous) you can also try couchsurfing. You usually don’t have to pay for anything while couchsurfing, and you meet a whole array of people on your travels.
Share As Much As You Can
If you’re visiting a country that serves big portions for food, and you really want to tighten your belts on that budget, share everything! Whether it’s what you eat and, to a certain extent, what you use as toiletries, sharing cuts expenses enormously. Think you’re going to put on a few pounds if you eat that entire In N’ Out burger? Half it and split the costs. Launder your clothes together! We’re not even talking about meals in restaurants. It’s also cost effective to shop in local supermarkets and just cook up good food at home!
Binge On Free Stuff
You know how they say that money can’t buy happiness? Loading on all the free things you’ll bump into during your journey will save you a hefty amount. Instead of going out to buy lotions for your cracked palms, stash the ones you got from your last hotel stay. Take advantage of that breakfast buffet. Check out those museums! What makes a trip fun isn’t how much you spend on it, rather the good times you had while on it.