Vacation time should be a time to rest and relax and money woes should be the last thing on your mind. But being on a budget can quickly put a damper on things if you are trying to pinch pennies.
If you are teaching English abroad, you are one of the lucky travelers who gets multiple holidays a year, often paid, or the opportunity to work while you travel. But budget travel is probably still in the back of your mind. Luckily, there are tons of ways to be budget-conscious when planning your holiday without skimping on experiences.
So, let the good times roll by learning how to plan a vacation on a budget while teaching English abroad.
In this article
Eat Like the Locals
The number one rule for sticking to a budget while traveling is to steer clear of fancy restaurants. You will find scores of upscale touristy restaurants close to major attractions but these are nothing but a waste of money.
Of course, you should splurge once or twice on vacation and treat yourself to a nice meal, but you will get much better value for money by eating at local eateries. This is also the best way to truly get to know a new city or culture and see all the traditional foods on offer.
There is also nothing wrong with buying food from a local market or cooking at home if you are staying in one place or have the luxury of a kitchen. Rather spend money on experiences than expensive plates of food if there are cheaper options available.
Rethink Transportation
Transportation at your destination can quickly get costly, especially if you don’t speak the local language. Taxi drivers and tour groups can easily take advantage of tourists who don’t know how to navigate a city.
Instead, do thorough research into public transport and hop on the nearest bus or train to get around. Ride-sharing apps are also a safer bet as their prices are often fixed or pre-determined.
You can also rent a bicycle or scooter in cities where these modes of transport are common. Getting around on them also gives you a much better look at your surroundings and you can get a great feel for the area.
Travel During the Off-Season
If you are teaching in person, you might be more limited to only going on vacation during school holidays but online English teachers usually stay put as the holiday season is the time to make lots of extra money. Autumn is a less popular time to travel in most places but you can still enjoy plenty of great weather before winter sets in.
Planning to travel during the off-season will help you save money as many hotels inflate their rates during these times. Instead, take advantage of weekday deals or seasons that might seem less favorable for travel to get the best deals. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy attractions with much fewer people around, perfect if you are trying to escape the hustle and bustle of normal life.
Find Free Events
When you get to a new city, keep an eye out for local events being advertised on social media. There are tons of free concerts, markets, and events all around but tourists won’t always pay attention to these.
This will give you a truly local experience and the opportunity to save some money. This is especially true for events around special local holidays celebrating food, culture, and religion. There are also major attractions that have discount days or offer free entrance at odd hours for example big cathedrals that offer free entrance if you attend a service.
Dig for Deals
There are tons of websites that help you get more bang for your buck with a great deals, last-minute discounts, and coupons. You should also compare flight prices on different days. Weekend flights are more expensive than weekday flights and it has been proven that checking for flights on Tuesday mornings gives you the best rates as airlines start to offer discounts on Monday nights.
Many attractions want you to pre-book online so look for those kinds of discounts and if you travel with friends you can make use of 2-for-1 deals. It is important to make a wish list beforehand of places you want to see to avoid spending money on other attractions just for the sake of “getting a good deal”.
Slash Accommodation Costs
Hotels are the ultimate luxury but will probably be the biggest part of your vacation budget. Try to explore some alternatives to traditional hotels to get significantly better rates. Hostels are always the first place to look for good deals but this doesn’t mean you have to share a room with a dozen strangers. Hostels also offer private rooms that are still cheaper than most hotels.
Vacation rentals are also a good option if you can travel out of season. Holiday homes or condos stand empty for most of the year so see if you can find one in local listings for less than the cost of a hotel.
Volunteer Holiday
If none of these money-saving tips seem to help, look into a volunteering holiday. Many volunteer programs offer lodging and meals in exchange for volunteer work. They won’t keep you occupied 24/7 so you can use your off-time to explore your surroundings.
International corporations like Habitat for Humanity and International Volunteer HQ even offer a small stipend in some of their programs. You could also teach English as a volunteer and many countries in South East Asia and South America offer fantastic opportunities for volunteers in some idyllic locations.
Click here to learn more about how to teach English and earn money while you travel to maximize your budget.
Stop procrastinating on your next holiday and start planning with these fantastic money-saving tips. A vacation on a holiday is entirely possible and just as enjoyable and oftentimes ends up being much more memorable!
