What it takes to be a low cost traveler: cheap tourism
Knowing how to travel spending less is much more complex than it seems. Learn how to be a "low cost" traveler and what is required.
Traveling somewhere with little money is not an impossible task, rather it is possible as long as the expenses that one intends to make are planned. Researching in advance and discovering offers that are much cheaper and just as efficient is one of the tasks that a “low cost” traveler performs. Find out what you need to know to travel without having to spend so much and optimizing resources.
How to be a “low cost” traveler
Knowing how to travel spending less is undoubtedly a great advantage that only few travelers know how to implement. However, it is also quite a challenge, since you are constantly looking for the most economical option during your trip, which may not always be the most luxurious or comfortable.
Currently, it is possible to travel to a large part of the planet for very little money, as long as you know what decisions to make. Next, we mention some rules that "low cost" travelers have to be able to move to the destinations they want.
Think more economically
Traveling this way implies giving up things such as trendy hotels and restaurants, eating at airports, buying food and drinks on board and paying for extra services such as seat reservations, etc.
The first thing to do is set a maximum budget, which should not be exceeded under any circumstances. One of the things that benefit this type of traveler are the options of low cost airlines, hostels, which are increasingly abundant in large cities, home exchanges, private accommodation around the world, couchsurfing and tourism. generally collaborative. These are aspects that help make the trip much more bearable.
choose the best option
The low cost traveler must find a life for himself, through the internet. Sometimes you will have to navigate complex pages, concepts that are not well understood, and the threat of additional charges. Assigned seats, optional insurance and other services will have to be dispensed with. Boarding passes will also need to be printed before leaving home.
Fortunately, this is the era of search engines that allow you to find out in a few seconds the best fares, the best flight combinations, the extras for each flight and even the airports that will be the most comfortable for a stopover. Spending a lot of time searching and comparing will save money and a lot of hassle.
suitable baggage
Low cost suitcases should not weigh more than 10 kilos, which can be carried comfortably without having to pay the additional baggage surcharge. In 10 kilos you can store everything you need to spend a week and up to 10 days without problems.
Take only what is necessary
When traveling, you should only carry items that are known to be used. The rest, which are usually those objects to use "just in case", will only generate a weight on the traveler. This ends up making the trip difficult, since it must be dragged with something that is not being used.
It is necessary to wear the clothes considered the heaviest when traveling, such as coats, boots, jeans, etc. Inside the luggage, two or three T-shirts, a sweater, something for rainy days, some other garment in case the need arises to go something more arranged, underwear and spare shoes will be taken as basic.
For personal hygiene, the same methodology of the essentials only is applied. Thus, everything for cleaning will be included in small packages and not including liquids.
little technology
Being a "low cost" traveler means not taking many electronic devices, since many times it implies an additional hassle to charge your cables, batteries and others. What you could take is a mobile phone and not much else, because it is small and doesn't weigh that much.
Emergency kit
For difficult situations in which you have to spend the night at a station or airport, it is always good to have an emergency kit that includes a wipe, a bag, an inflatable cushion, a mobile phone charger, and some personal hygiene. It can also be very useful to have something to read nearby and if you want to sleep, a mask. And of course, you must always try to have essential documents, money, cards, mobile phones and medicines at hand.
Travel against the current
The low cost traveler should choose, whenever possible, destinations out of season. It is the only way to take advantage of cheaper flights, get hotels at a good price and above all, not to meet masses of tourists. In exchange, he will go when everyone returns, he will leave at dawn or he will not be able to take advantage of the entire weekend. The reward is getting to amazing destinations for very, very little money.
Secondary airports
The great offers do not usually include destinations like New York, London or Paris. And in case they meet, you will not arrive at the large airports but at the secondary ones, far from the destination. From there you will travel by bus for more than an hour or you will pay more for a taxi than the cost of the flight. But it's worth trying.
It is best to take advantage of bargain flights to secondary airports to discover other cities that were not included in the trip planning.
Alternatives to eat
Some ideas to eat well and at a good price are to buy in supermarkets and local markets or have a hearty breakfast, which will always be cheaper than a lunch or dinner in order to better endure the day.
A brunch or the classic snack can also be good substitutes for more formal meals and can always be cheaper. And if the weather is good, the perfect resource is to make a picnic bought in local stores to enjoy eating in a park.
