Budgeting Hacks For Travel: Stay, Food and Tickets

When planning a trip, especially to destinations like hill stations or popular tourist spots, managing your travel expenses can be challenging. However, with a little strategy and planning, you can make your travel budget stretch further while enjoying a fulfilling and memorable experience. Here are some budgeting hacks specifically focused on accommodation, food, and transportation for a cost-effective journey.

1. Budget-Friendly Stay
Accommodation often becomes the major chunk of your travel expenses. However, there are several ways to save on your stay without compromising comfort.

• Opt for Homestays or Guesthouses: Homestays and small guesthouses can offer affordable accommodation while providing an authentic, local experience. They are often less expensive than large hotels and provide insight into the culture of the destination. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com can help you find affordable options.

• Book in Advance: Prices can fluctuate depending on the season, and booking early often ensures lower rates. Use apps and websites like Agoda, Booking.com, or Trivago to compare prices and get good deals. Also contacting the hotel or homestay directly might help in getting a better deal. 

• Stay in OffBeat locations: Popular tourist areas or destinations can be expensive. If you’re traveling to some popular hill stations then consider staying a bit further from the main attractions in order to get some significant savings.

• Consider Shared Rooms or Dormitories: If you’re traveling solo, shared rooms(mainly hostels) or dormitories are a great way to save on accommodation costs. This is especially true in popular trekking areas.

Budget Hack: Consider staying in places with kitchen facilities where you can prepare your meals, saving both money and the hassle of always eating out.

 

2. Eating on a Budget
Food is another area where you can save significantly with a few smart choices.

• Street Food & Local Eateries: Street food is an affordable and delicious way to experience local cuisine. In places like Pelling and Darjeeling, local food stalls offer a variety of cheap yet tasty dishes. Avoiding expensive restaurants and opting for local eateries can save you a lot.

• Pack Snacks for Day Trips: For day trips especially to any destination, pack some snacks and sandwiches to avoid paying high prices at tourist spots.

• Stay in Accommodation with Kitchen Access: Many budget accommodations, homestays, or Airbnbs provide kitchen facilities where you can cook your own meals. Grocery shopping and cooking can help you cut down on food costs while giving you the freedom to eat what you like. But this will be helpful for tourists who will be staying for a long period.

• Avoid Tourist Traps: Restaurants near famous tourist attractions tend to charge higher prices. Walk a little further away from the there and you will find more reasonably priced places.

Budget Hack: Look for local specials or pack some snacks and sandwiches during lunch hours. Also look for combo meals (thali) rather than a-la-carte in dinner.

 

3. Budgeting for Train and Flight Tickets
Transportation is yet another essential part of the budget and with the right strategies you can travel affordably.

• Book Train Tickets Early: Train tickets, especially for long-distance travel can be cheaper when booked in advance. In India, websites like IRCTC offer discounts for trains.

• Use Discount Airlines or Discount Coupons for Flights: If you are flying to your destination, look for budget airlines like IndiGo or SpiceJet, and use apps like Skyscanner to compare airfares. Apps and websites like easemytrip, makemytrip, goibibo and ixigo always offer some discount.

• Travel During Off-Peak Seasons: Flight and train fares vary depending on the time of year. Traveling during the off-peak season (usually just before or after the holidays) can help you secure cheaper tickets. Avoid traveling during weekends or festivals when prices are higher.

Budget Hack: Look for flights as part of a round-trip that can often be cheaper than booking one-way tickets. Look for deals or discount coupons on platforms like easemytrip, makemytrip, goibibo and ixigo.

 

4. Use Local Transport
To save on transportation while exploring your destination, use local transport like buses, shared taxis, or shared rides.

• For Hill Stations: In Hill stations, taxis are a common mode of transportation. Look for shared taxis or group rides that are significantly cheaper than private rides.

• Public Transport: Use local buses for short trips within the town or to nearby attractions. It is the most economical way to roam around.

Budget Hack: If you are in a popular tourist area then you can consider using apps like Ola or Uber (if available), which might be cheaper than traditional taxis in some regions.