How To Travel Cheap

When you know how to travel cheap, almost any destination can be affordable. Good planning and a few tips can make your travel both reasonably priced and memorable.

To travel cheap, you will need:

• Internet access 
• Good guidebook 
• Calendar 
• Picnic supplies 
• Local newspaper

1. Go off-season. If you travel to a popular destination during high season you will pay the highest prices and have to deal with crowds of people. The off season offers options that are not even available during busy times like restaurant reservations, hotel rooms, and tickets to events. Hotels are often discounted up to 40% during the slow part of the year.
2. Get the best airfare. Airfare can be one of the biggest budget busters when you travel cheap. One way to get a better airfare is to buy your ticket in advance. Find out which airlines fly to your destination often. If they have a hub there, for example, they may have better rates. Some airline booking websites, let you sign up for automatic updates when a great fare becomes available.
3. Go your own way.  Heavy tourist locations usually come with tourist prices. If you travel away from the crowds you will be paying local prices and this can make a big difference in the price of accommodations and dining.
4. Take mass transit. A cab from the airport can eat into your travel budget. Find out in advance what public transportation is available from the airport. The airport Website usually lists trains or buses that you can take to the city center. Buy a transit pass to get around. One bonus of having a pass is that you will feel free to hop on the subway or buses to go anywhere you like without worrying about the cost.
5. Eat locally. Choose a restaurant full of local customers. Don’t ask the concierge at your hotel since they often get a kickback on recommendations. Ask the local butcher or baker where they would eat. Restaurants aren’t the only options for meals. Picnicking is one of the secrets to eating when you travel cheap. Go to the local grocer and get some cold cuts or prepared food from the deli such as bread, wine and fresh produce. You’ll have a feast and get to try local food at reasonable prices. Street food is one of the least expensive options. From a crepe at the stand outside the Notre Dame to a beach side shack serving seafood don’t count out fast, easy, and cheap street food. 
6. Sleep well for less. A five star hotel sounds like a safe bet but it can blow your travel budget. Staying in a small, locally-owned bed and breakfast or small hotel may actually give you a better view of the area’s culture and helps you travel cheap. Another bonus at a bed and breakfast is that you get a good meal before you head out in the morning.
7. Find free sights to see. Most places that you travel to will have some free events. Get the local paper, usually there is one specifically for tourists, and see what’s happening while you are there. Free concerts, art exhibitions, fairs and carnivals may be on the calendar during your trip. There may also be permanent sites such as museums and churches that are free. Some sites may be free on certain days. Don’t forget that window shopping, local fairs, parks, and other public spaces are free.