A record number of Americans are predicted to travel this summer. In fact, travel consistently ranks as one of the top areas of discretionary spending outside of needs for both individuals and families.
It makes sense - there are few things in life that can both expand your horizons and provide once-in-a-lifetime fun like traveling can. However, many international travelers, cost is the biggest factor impacting their choices of travel destinations, vacation lengths, activity itineraries, and overall number of traveling opportunities.
Traveling overseas isn't always cheap. The average cost of a 2 week international vacation - including transportation, lodging, food and entertainment - is over $3,500 per person.
That said, by making smart decisions about international travel spending, it is possible to get more out of both your travel budget and your trips abroad.
A solid plan can even open up destinations that you might have thought would be too expensive.
There are certainly some general tips that can help make international travel more affordable.
When demand is high, so are prices. Finding travel destinations that are less popular and more "off the beaten path" is a great way to make international travel more affordable and have truly unique adventures in the process!
Pay attention to local prices of essentials like food staples, personal care items, medical care, transportation, and entertainment. Expatistan's cost-of-living calculator is a great tool to keep open while planning an international vacation.
You probably won't see and do everything on your list, but the tradeoff is savings that might allow you to travel more often. Should you feel like a trip is too short, look on the bright side: leaving some adventures on the table gives you things to save for a future return trip!
Before you travel, research the cards you already have to see if you have any that do not include these fees - many travel rewards cards tend to offer this perk (just be sure to call your credit card company so they know you are traveling abroad!) This is just one of our favorite money-related tips for safe international travel.
Before you travel, make sure you have either activated the coverage you need or have sought out an travel-friendly alternative to cover your everyday smartphone use.
How you choose to get from place to place is a great opportunity for international travel savings as well.
You can minimize your reliance on planes (and the long, stressful airport security lines) by branching out into other transportation options. Ferries, trains, busses, and even car rentals can help reduce your travel costs dramatically. That said, be on the lookout for discounts offered for early bookings. Last minute travel of any kind tends to be the most expensive!
Especially if you are traveling at an off-peak time, these can be some of the cheapest per night rates you can find. That said, be sure to do your due diligence (read reviews, talk to former patrons, etc.) to ensure your lodging choices will provide the minimum comfort and safety levels you expect.
Depending on where you travel, any number of these types of off-beat abodes may be available to you. Because of this, expanding your search for lodging beyond the typical hotels and motels can yield options that both are cost-effective and add to the uniqueness of your adventure abroad.
Expenses like travel, food, and some utilities are typically the responsibility of the housesitter, not the property owner. Furthermore, don’t expect additional payment (this would require additional paperwork and more than just a simple tourist visa). Even so, it can be a pretty sweet deal compared to expensive alternatives like hotels or vacation rentals.
Once you arrive at your destination(s), give local newspapers and magazines a glance and you may find even more discounts to snip.
Not only does this give you a way to find healthy, delicious food to prepare yourself, it also gives you a chance for an even more authentic cultural experience abroad.
These cost-effective meals can save you both money and time on your trip. That said, just because you are trying to be frugal with your choices, doesn’t mean you miss out on some of the best food experiences on the planet.
Skeptical? Even late food critic superstars like Anthony Bordain and Jonathan Gold cite street food options as true hidden gems of the culinary world.
Free museum admission days, public programs held at libraries and other town centers, local street fairs, church-sponsored events, and open air concerts are all opportunities to make your international escape fun on a budget.
And don’t forget, the excitement of simply touring your new surroundings rarely comes with a price tag.
Ecotourism - visiting and exploring places having unspoiled natural resources - continues to thrive. As such, there are plenty of resources out there for finding some of the most beautiful (and free) natural wonders wherever your international wanderlust takes you.
As long as you plan on taking full advantage of the available destinations, this can be a great way to cut down on admissions fees and ticket prices to places and sites you were planning on visiting anyway.
International travel requires several extra layers of preparation. A big part of that is budgeting for everything from passports to transportation to lodging to entertainment.
With some smart planning strategies and an eye towards savings, you can successfully keep costs down while you see the world.
Click here for expedited passport courier servicesFor over 20 years, U.S. Passport Service Guide has helped American citizens understand and navigate the passport application process. We use our expertise and experience to help travelers get United States passports quickly and efficiently.
Our website currently receives over half a million visitors a month. We are committed to going the "extra mile" for all of our readers. Both passport officials and website visitors frequently write to express gratitude for the assistance we provide.
Please contact us if you have any travel related questions - especially ones about passports and visa expediting. We usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours, oftentimes the same day. We are committed to working with you until you get the answer you need.
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