How to travel cheaply

I’m often asked how I can afford to travel. And my primary answer is, “I don’t seek luxury”. Amidst all the good that has come from social media, belies plenty of the bad. Glamorous photos of exotic getaways are what many people think of when it comes to travel. Many often assume that that is the only way to travel. I, however, regularly reside in hostels, which are hundreds of dollars cheaper than a hotel. With access to your own stove and refrigerator, I go to the grocery store and stock up for the next few days (or for however long I plan to stay at that location), and I cook for myself daily. Hotels and food are the main expenditures while traveling, and with these simple steps, I’m able to cut my spending in half.

Travel as the locals do. If most of the people where you’re visiting use the bus, do the same. That applies with taxis, trains and shuttles as well. If it works for the locals, it’ll work just as well for you. While an Uber or Lyft can add a certain level of convenience, they can also add more to the costs of your trip.

If it sounds too expensive, you’re probably being hustled. Most front desks at hostels and hotels will offer tours for the main tourist attractions in the area and will have a better price than any of the local companies 90% of the time. If you venture out to find a tour guide, they may often charge more because they know you may be unaware of what you’re supposed to pay. Hostel staff tell you what price you’ll usually have to pay for transportation as well and inform you that if anyone tries to charge you more, then don’t pay it and refuse service. They will almost always lower their price. And it never hurts to know a little bit of the language, so you can determine for yourself whether you’re being hustled, and to also discourage the attempt altogether.

With these 3 tips, you can save ultimately hundreds of dollars in a short period of time. Use hostels, cook for yourself as often as you can, and use the tour companies associated with where you are staying.

Staying safe while traveling solo

The advice I have about staying safe may only apply to me. I’m aware that there are certain precautions that a small 120lb woman will have to take that I never would. But there are definitely universal safeguards that every solo traveler should adhere to, to keep themselves and their property safe.

First, listen to the locals. The staff at your hostel or hotel have more knowledge about where you’re visiting than some random guy on the internet. They’ll honestly tell you where to avoid and where to enjoy. If they tell you to be back by nightfall, listen to them. If they tell to watch out for pickpockets, wear pants with zippers in the pockets and stay aware of how close people are to you. Locals typically like for tourists to enjoy their country and to be safe and will only give good advice to make sure that is the case.

Secondly, stay with a group. I know I’ve said how much I love solo travel, but it is so easy to meet people who are doing the same activity as you are. When that is the case, it makes you appear like less of an easy target to anyone who may have bad intentions. If you ever do decide to go out solo, let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return. A sprained ankle on a solo hike would suck a lot less knowing that someone knows where you are.

Stay sober!!! Yes, I will have an occasional drink while I travel. I’ll even go partying and have several drinks in one night. But I’ll do this under one condition, and that is if I’m with a group. Getting drunk is the quickest way to lose your phone, wallet and passport. You must stay aware of your surroundings and that is impossible to do if you are inebriated. You will be offered drugs while traveling, and the answer should ALWAYS be NO!

Don’t go looking for sex. I don’t know how this works for women, but I can guarantee that there are countless women who prey on horny men. There are several cases of men being drugged and robbed of everything just because they were trying to hook up with a pretty woman. No matter how nice or gorgeous a person may be, remember YOU DON’T KNOW THEM.

And if none of this works, the last resort to make sure that you can’t be completely inconvenienced, is to make sure you don’t have any valuables on you in the first place. Your cash, spare credit cards and passport should always be under lock and key at your habitation. Don’t carry it on you, so if anyone does try to rob you, they have nothing to take.

Always be aware of your surroundings and listen to what the locals say, and follow these bits of advice, and you should be just fine.