Mark Gerardot on How To Travel The World On A Budget

Everyone loves to travel. No matter if it is a weekend getaway or a month long retreat, everyone has the same concern when they try to plan a vacation “How much is this going to cost me?” You used to need a travel agent to book trips with ease, but nowadays with the digital age, you can do it yourself. When you book a trip yourself, it's interesting to see how much you can save. Here are some tips that will make traveling cheap.

Travel Hack
One of the easiest ways to travel on a budget is through travel hacking. This involves signing up for travel-related credit cards and earning bonus miles that can end up paying for flights or hotels. Some of the most successful travel hackers have been able to accumulate millions of miles to travel to just about any destination around the world at a steep discount, many times in first class. You can sign up with hotel or airplane chains, such as Southwest and Delta.

CouchSurfing
Another way to save money on lodging is through CouchSurfing. The app, CouchSurfing, connects travelers with locals who are willing to let people stay in one of their bedrooms or on a couch or an air mattress for a night. The best part of CouchSurfing is the fact that it's free. It's a great way to connect with people and see what the locals think of the area.

Take Free Walking Tours
Not all trips require that you spend an obscene amount of money seeing the city. Many major cities across the globe offer free walking tours. Show up at the appointed time and place, and see the city from a street-level view while getting expert knowledge. While these tours are free, the tour guides work on tips.

Work
Those who might not have much money when they leave on a globetrotting adventure might want to check out working while on the road. This does not necessarily involve skilled labor. Many people help around on farms in return for food and lodging. Additionally, for English speakers, there are countless opportunities to make a little money by teaching English to students. The language is in high demand across the world. Finally, there are many digital working options for travelers that can access from any location with an Internet connection.

Avoid Souvenirs
While a cute snow globe or cheesy t-shirt is always a tempting purchase, your best bet is to say no and walk away. Buying souvenirs is a great way to spend your travel budget fast. Those who are looking to avoid the cost of travel can just skip out on buying souvenirs to save money and stay within their means.

These are just a handful of ways to save money while traveling. Be creative with your spending next time you travel so that you work with the budget that you create.

Originally published at MarkGerardot.Wordpress.com.

Mark Gerardot is currently with AMResorts in Philadelphia as the Creative Director. He has an extensive history in marketing and graphic design. With his knowledge and expertise, he is helping his team at AMResorts achieve their goals and potential.