It’s natural to want to spend money when you travel. But, what if I told you that it is possible to save money? Sounds too good to be true right? Well, just think about how much time and effort you could put into saving the next time you go on a solo vacation. It’s not always easy but it can be done!
It’s natural to want to spend money when you travel. But, what if I told you that it is possible to save money? Sounds too good to be true right? Well, just think about how much time and effort you could put into saving the next time you go on a solo vacation. It’s not always easy but it can be done! Here are some tips to save money when traveling alone.
Accommodations Beyond Hotels
Hotels are convenient, but they can be expensive. More economical options include hostels, apartments with Airbnb, and shared accommodations like Couchsurfing or Worldpackers (where you trade work for lodging). Hostelworld is a great resource where you can find the best deals on hotels near your destination.
Another affordable option is camping, but it’s not for everyone. If you do go this route though, several booking sites can help you find the best deals on campgrounds near your destination: Camp in My Garden; Reserve America; and National Park Reservations. You may also want to check out websites like Wikicamps, which lists campsites throughout the world.
Couchsurfing is a site that allows you to stay with local hosts who volunteer their homes for travelers across the globe. Site members are approved based on reviews from past CouchSurfers, so it’s best to build up your reputation before asking people if they can host you.
If you are an experienced traveler or someone who enjoys the outdoors, try Worldpackers, which allows you to stay with local hosts in exchange for some help on their farm. This website is great because it’s more of a community than just another hotel booking site.
You can connect with people before traveling and ask them questions about what you can expect when you arrive. You can also find help in the forums, where other people are discussing their experiences with different hosts around the world.
Inquire If Accommodations Include Freebies
If you are going on a trip and will be staying in a hotel, it is about time to ask if accommodations include complimentary services. Most hotels offer freebies such as buffet breakfast or Wi-Fi access. Other places might provide amenities that could help save money while traveling alone like airport transfers, shuttle service from the airport to your destination, or discounts on dining.
When traveling by yourself, it is not necessary to book a costly hotel room with all the amenities you need. There are plenty of cheap hotels which offer basic services at low rates and might include freebies as well. These can be found through travel aggregators such as Trivago or Kayak where users post their reviews of hotels they have stayed in.
Avoid Single Supplements
You can save money when traveling alone by avoiding a single supplement. This is an additional fee that some tour companies charge to solo travelers who want to share a room with someone of the same sex. The fee can be anywhere between 50% and 100% of the total price for a double room, depending on which company you book through.
Many tour companies offer single supplements as an option, but it is usually cheaper to book your own independent travel arrangements rather than go with group tours or scheduled flights that don’t allow solo travelers much flexibility.
Instead of a single supplement, you can often negotiate a cheaper rate for a private room by booking on your own and sharing with someone of the same sex who is paying full price.
Try to Negotiate
If you are traveling alone, try to negotiate the price. They will usually lower their prices just for a single traveler instead of two or more travelers that may have been originally willing to pay up for it.
If they don’t want to go down on the original price quoted by them, at least offer a cheaper amount so as not to waste both of your time.
Eat Out at Lunch Instead of Supper
The best way to save money when traveling alone is by eating out at lunch rather than supper. Most people think that the later in the day it gets, the less expensive your food will be; however, this works against you if you are traveling on a budget. People tend to eat out more often during dinner because there is usually entertainment or happy hour that is involved.
Lunch prices are usually the same during lunch and supper times, so it’s best to eat out earlier in the day if you want to save money while traveling alone.
Another tip is to make breakfast the biggest meal of your day. It is so much cheaper than cooking in your hotel room and it will keep you full all day. The money that you save by not eating out during the middle of the day can be used to buy a hearty breakfast, which costs less than $20 most of the time.
Be Flexible about Your Plans
The nice thing about traveling alone is you get to make all the decisions. If you had plans but find a way to save money, you can cancel and do it your way. It is not about avoiding responsibility. You just want to be smart and save money when you can.
Traveling solo allows flexibility with your plans that would otherwise ruin your budget. If one of the attractions in a city is closed during the time you were planning on visiting, then come up with an alternative plan or go somewhere else for that day.
For a solo traveler, traveling is often more expensive than when you travel in groups. However, there are ways to save money on your next vacation that will make it worth the cost of flying solo. With a little creativity and a keen eye for a good deal, you can save money while enjoying a fabulous trip to your dream destination.
