The most budget travel around the world. How to start traveling around the world cheaply and independently: from Europe to the most distant corners. How to visit all these places at the expense of Tinkoff Bank
How to travel cheaply on your own? Where to start, where to rent housing, how to buy cheap tickets? I will try to answer these and other questions below, based on my own experience.
Remember that to organize a good independent trip takes a lot of time, but such a trip gives you complete freedom of action and can make your dreams come true.
Is it cheaper to travel on your own?
Solo travel it won't always be cheaper(but in 60%-70% of cases it will be much cheaper) than going on a voucher, where you don’t have to think and everything has already been invented a long time ago. But impression from "package holiday" will never compare with impressions and emotions received from a trip planned by you personally. And this is the first and main advantage of independent travel.
If you are going to the first independent travel, be sure to read on!
How to travel cheaply on your own and how to organize an unforgettable trip?
Airplane tickets
For me, organizing an independent trip usually starts with search for tickets to your desired destination. Moreover, it is not necessary that plane tickets be for this particular country/city.
For example, if we talk about Europe, then there distances between cities and even countries are relatively small. And the difference in ticket prices between them can amount to a significant amount.
It often happens that with the “won” difference in the cost of a plane ticket you can not only get from one city to another, but also live there for several days. And by the way, flights to Europe can be very cheap(often cheaper than other transport), a 2.5 hour flight for 1000 rubles is the norm there.
Thus, open the map, look, what cities are nearby and build a route. Of course, there will be people who don’t need all these hassles.
If the final price of the intermediary and the airline is the same or differs slightly, then It's better to buy tickets on the airline's website to avoid trouble. By the way, when purchasing tickets S7 has a promotional code S7APP through the application(2-3% of the tariff), a trifle, but nice.
- We are looking for the best prices for flights;
- we check prices for tickets from/to neighboring cities;
- We compare the cost of tickets on the search engine’s website and on the official website of the selected airline;
- Don’t forget to look for a promotional code for your purchase;
- We use our imagination in developing the route!
Check ticket prices to neighboring cities and countries. Check prices on airline websites and multi-search. Try to loop the route.
Drawing up an independent travel route
Once the starting and ending points are known, it's time to get down to business working out the travel route. You shouldn’t gallop and change cities every day, but I personally don’t like staying in one place for a long time. Explore information on the Internet, forums, blogs- a sea of information and ideas.
I always use the forums on Otzyv.ru and Vinsky forum. Various blogs are found by searching.
Forums and blogs are a great source for creating itineraries.
Tickets for transport between cities and/or countries you need to look on the websites of local carriers. If you really want to save money, you will have to search hard best offers. Or you can just take advantage of the increasingly popular project, which will search for available tickets for buses, trains and planes, compare prices and travel duration (works throughout Europe)!
- We are looking for information on the Internet, I recommend Otzyv.ru, Vinsky forum, tripavisor;
- you can buy or download a guide with ready-made routes;
- we find best options moving between cities.
Selection of attractions and interesting places for independent travel
To find your way around the city at least a little, it’s enough make a list of the main attractions and other places of interest to you (you can also pre-mark them in Google Maps or print/buy a map). You need to be on this list for yourself in advance. Mark places the ones you want must see, And plan a visit to them in the first days stay in the city. It's worth finding out first opening hours, weekends, days when admission is free(it happens).
Again, use your imagination. You are no longer obliged to blindly follow the tourist program and run to see the sight with your tongue hanging out, because in an hour you will already meet at the bus. Independence and time management- This is the fourth plus of independent travel.
I again get information about attractions mainly from the Internet. In addition, for major cities Can download/buy guide(I usually download and look for “overlooked” places on the Internet).
I also use app for travelers tripadvisor - where you can see top places, reviews, and also find good cafes/restaurants. The only possible disadvantage is that there are not enough reviews in Russian, it is advisable to know English (or use a translator application). Also information about major cities can be loaded into phone memory and use the application offline.
If you still don’t trust yourself a little and/or you don’t have time to work out a sightseeing program, you can always hire a guide! On the site tripster and even in Russian. Often found there really interesting routes!
- make a list of attractions;
- find out opening hours, prices, free days;
- Otzyv.ru, Vinsky forum, tripavisor or guidebook will also be useful;
- we select interesting excursion.
The Internet, guidebooks, TripAdvisor are a storehouse of information about attractions and interesting places.
Where to live while traveling
In the process of drawing up the route, I at least briefly looking at housing prices in the places where I plan to stay. It may happen that a plane ticket from Russia will cost as much as one night's accommodation in the city.
For example, in Europe hellishly expensive in Switzerland and Scandinavia. In this case, it is important for a budget tourist wisely plan your stay in the most expensive places... well, or use couchsurfing.
Booking, etc.
Sometimes choosing hotels can be quite difficult (for small towns). Then you can search official website of the city, where you can usually find a list of hotels- and search directly.
And by the way, you can return 1000 rubles by booking accommodation on Booking using my link https://www.booking.com/s/11_8/zhdy0p55
Airbnb
In addition to the hotel/hostel you can rent a separate room or an entire apartment. Airbnb, which is rapidly gaining popularity, will help you with this.
The meaning is this: people rent out their housing, you rent it, money for accommodation is withdrawn immediately and kept by the site. If a day after arrival from the tenant, i.e. you, no complaints have been received - the money is transferred to the owner of the property.
My experience with this site is only positive. I managed to live in a separate apartment at a price cheaper than a bed in a 6-bed hostel.
And for long periods of stay there are discounts. So, for example, we lived in an apartment in Genoa for 9 nights for only 15,000 rubles, i.e. for 800 rubles per day per person!
It's better to choose options with reviews so as not to run into trouble.
By the way, this way of living allows for deeper immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city. You can see how they live real people and feel a little bit like a local - open the door with your own key, say hello to your neighbors, go down in the morning to buy fresh bread at the local bakery... :)
I would point out that opportunity to choose housing to suit your own needs and requests, this is the fifth indisputable advantage of independent travel.
Don’t forget that when you register on airbnb using this link https://www.airbnb.ru/c/tgorokhova2?currency=RUB you will find discount of 2100 rubles!
Couchsurfing
And the last way is find a local(couch), who will kindly allow you to live in his apartment gratuitously, that is, for nothing! Yes, for some this sounds crazy. You sign up with a complete stranger from the other side of the world and go to visit him. 🙂
Often the coach can act as guide, take you to interesting places or at least tell about them. This is a great opportunity to go deeper. immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place, as well as communicate with representatives of other cultures. The platform will help you with all this couchsurfing, which has been around for many years.
The site is available in Russian, but for the whole idea it is advisable to know some foreign language(for communication), or look only for a Russian-speaking coach. There's similar advice here: read reviews.
If you're too lazy to look for it yourself, create a public trip— describe your route, interests, what you want from your stay. And potential coaches will write to you and invite you to visit. 🙂
- We will find out approximate housing prices at the route planning stage;
- looking for hotels; or on one of the most popular resources;
- check the price on the official website of the hotel;
- You can also rent an apartment or a room, with a coupon for 2100 rubles it will be cheaper;
- or try your hand at couchsurfing.
If you are going to rent a car, study the parking information. In some European cities, entry into the city center by car is prohibited, and in many there are problems with parking (not to mention the fact that they are paid). For example, in the center of Amsterdam, just a day parking pass will cost 30 euros!
Opportunity go anywhere and at any time using public transport, or even better, a rented car - this is the sixth plus of independent travel!
- We study travel prices, possible options travel cards;
- We are wondering whether we should buy a tourist card?
- For those with a car, be sure to check the parking situation!
Study the types of transport, tickets, and discount cards in advance. This will allow you to avoid wasting time on on-site proceedings.
Visa for traveling around Europe
Many people are scared by the word visa and pay two or three times more money to companies involved in visa processing. In fact, obtaining a visa to Europe is completely not scary. In large cities there have long been multi visa centers, where you can consult and submit documents yourself (primarily we are talking about Schengen).
The main rule when choosing a country to obtain a visa is documents are submitted to the country in which you will be staying the longest. If there are the same number of days in several countries, preference is given to the country first entry.
When the country of filing has been decided, studying the list of documents(for a tourist visa, these are usually plane tickets and other transport; hotel/apartment reservations; proof of solvency - a certificate from a bank, a letter from a sponsor, a certificate of currency purchase; medical insurance; employment certificate; photos).
Insurance without unnecessary running around Can Compare and select insurances on the website . All options are clearly laid out, you can compare several insurance companies. In my experience, purchasing It's even cheaper through this site(I applied for it in the office for 10 days - it cost 1010 rubles, another time I bought it through the website for 15 days for 740 rubles and with big amount options)!
Well, then you collect it all and serve it, preferably in advance. In my experience, from submitting documents to receiving a passport, it takes on average 2 weeks. If you receive not the first Schengen, it is better to apply for a multiple visa, and then the consul will sort it out.
The seventh advantage of independent travel is obtaining a visa at a “fair” price, possibility to choose insurance with the options you need from any insurance company, and even with discount.
- find out if there is a visa/consular center in your city;
- select a country to obtain a visa;
- find out the list of required documents;
- download the application form from the consulate website and print it out specified rules(on both sides) and fill it out;
- print out plane tickets, if available, for train, bus or car reservation confirmation;
- print out hotel or apartment booking confirmations;
- we take a certificate of employment at work;
- at the bank we get a certificate of account status (sometimes an ATM statement + a photocopy of the front side of the card is enough) or we leave a certificate of currency purchase;
- select and arrange insurance, print it out;
- we take photos for the visa (sometimes you can take them right at the visa center);
- We take all this, the necessary amount of money to pay the fee and go to submit the documents!
If there is a visa center in your or a nearby city, do not overpay to intermediaries, submit the documents yourself! It's not difficult at all. And it’s better to immediately apply for a multiple visa.
What to take on an independent trip, or rather, what not to take on a trip
No need to take 3 suitcases with you of things. Think about how much clothing you will need for 2-3 weeks? Considering that everything and everywhere can be bought if necessary.
For many years I traveled with a small backpack - and there was always extra stuff! Remember that the trend now is that you often have to pay for extra pounds and extra bags. Typically the size of a suitcase (backpack) that can be carried as hand luggage — 55x40x20 cm, up to 10 kg.
It is also worth considering that in hand luggage no liquids allowed(including cream) in containers, over 100 ml total volume more than 1 liter. And it’s better to put all liquids in one bag/cosmetic bag and not put them far away - they may ask to show you. I just I pour everything into small bottles, left over from hotels. :) Similar bottles can be purchased in the store.
- thinking about a reasonable list of things;
- we buy medicine for the trip (just in case, of course);
- Necessarily!!! study the airline rules (at least read what is written on the ticket);
- we remove all liquids over 100 ml from hand luggage (including creams) or pour them into small bottles;
- We are packing our suitcase, it is advisable to check the weight before leaving for the airport.
Take a reasonable minimum of things. This way you will be more mobile and save money on flights.
These are all the main points when planning an independent trip. Believe me, by following these simple tips, you can travel independently and cheaply!
Just think about how much money you overpay to travel agencies just because some uncle/aunt will “lead you by the hand” from the bus to the next attraction. And often you won’t even be able to really take a good look at the attraction, because it’s time to go to another one!
By planning your trip yourself, you can do everything the way you want!
And with the money you save, you can order a transfer or hire a guide, and you’ll also have some money left over for trips to restaurants and other entertainment!
I hope this article helped you learn how to travel cheaply on your own. Enjoy your independent and cheap travel!
Summer is just around the corner, which means that many are already thinking about their long-awaited vacation.
Traveling on vacation is always a significant burden on the budget, so, especially in order to help you reduce expenses, we have prepared these 40 proven ways to save money while traveling without sacrificing comfort. Relax with pleasure and don’t overpay!
At the end of the article, read information about the competition, participate and win valuable prizes!
- Book your flights in advance and monitor special offers from airline companies; they periodically hold sales - seasonal, holiday, etc.
- Research the availability of low-cost carriers(low-cost airlines) in the direction you need - they are available both in Europe and America, and in Asia.
- Use metasearch engines for air tickets for all airlines (for example aviasales.ru). Often with their help you can get better prices than the airlines themselves offer.
- Earn airline miles(for flights and for spending using co-branded cards) and fly or stay in hotels for free. Many people have such programs major airlines(Aeroflot, Lufthansa, Emirates, etc.).
- Get visas yourself- There is plenty of information on the correct preparation of documents on the Internet. Agencies, as a rule, do not provide any guarantees, but simply perform courier functions in delivering your documents to the consulate.
- Travel light take a minimum of luggage with you. The cost of air tickets for low-cost airlines most often includes only hand luggage, and you will have to pay for luggage separately. Why do you need heavy bags on a trip and 4 pairs of shoes for 10 days?
- Look into the issue of airport transfers. Some airlines offer a transfer to the city along with the ticket, which is not always, but is often cheaper than buying a ticket or ordering a taxi at the airport upon arrival.
- If you plan to take a taxi from the airport, don’t be lazy to chat with other passengers, it is quite possible that you will be able to team up and save 50% of the fare.
- Night travel on trains and buses, as well as on ferries, especially first and VIP class – good opportunity Save time and money on your hotel bill at the same time. In general, there are slipper buses - recumbent, soft shelves, like on trains. On many intercity buses there is wi-fi, so you can also do business.
- Transport tickets on local websites, are sometimes cheaper than in English. We have purchased several times cheap tickets on trains in Germany, Austria and France, as well as ferries in Finland.
- To search for housing, use not only booking sites, such as booking.com, but also metasearch engines (for example roomguru.ru).
- When traveling to Asia, book accommodation for 1-2 days, and on the spot look for a cheaper (does not mean worse) option. Not all hotels/guesthouses provide their data to search engines.
- Instead of big hotels, choose hostels and guesthouses– for a room of comparable quality you will pay significantly less. Why pay for a swimming pool, fitness and a plasma panel at the reception if you only plan to spend the night at the hotel?
- Use couchsurfing. If not for housing (although often a room offered by a couchsurfer, especially in Asia, maybe), then at least for meetings and dinner together. Locals always know non-tourist places where you can try the most. In addition, they are often up to date with events in their city , they can suggest what and at what time is best to visit, so that there will be more opportunities to learn about the life of other nations. And at the same time, there will be an opportunity to practice a foreign language, so you will also save on courses :)
- Pay attention to apartment rentals(airbnb.com), especially if you are traveling to one place for more or less long term in or . Along with saving money, this is also an opportunity to communicate with locals, and in addition, you will not live in a standard hotel room, but in a cozy, furnished apartment.
- If you are a student, teacher or under thirty years of age, get yourself an international IDIC, ITIC or IYTC, respectively. With an international ID you can get good discounts, especially in Europe and the USA.
- Take advantage of discounts. Groupon is widespread in both Europe and America, as well as in major cities in Asia. We have more than once bought not only very profitable coupons for cafes and restaurants, but also successfully used them in other areas - we went to, went to, visited attractions and spas, and even booked hotels with good discounts.
- For local calls, sending SMS And mobile internet connect to your local operator. In Asia, communications are generally very cheap, but even in Europe it will be more profitable than using roaming.
- For free calls use Skype. You can also send SMS through it at prices comparable to Russian ones (about 2 rubles). You can link your Skype account to your mobile phone number, so calls and SMS from Skype will appear as incoming calls from your usual number.
- It is beneficial to use for calls to RussiaSipnet. The cost is cheaper than Skype, there are no connection fees, and calls to landlines in Moscow and St. Petersburg from anywhere in the world are currently free (in general, this is a temporary promotion, but it has lasted for more than two years).
- If you plan to travel around Europe by buses and trains, do not delay purchasing tickets - you do not have to buy them at the box office at the place of arrival, everything can be done in advance via the Internet. Firstly, it will most likely be cheaper, and secondly, you will save time; in addition, on the desired day there may no longer be tickets at the box office. But even if you find yourself in such a situation, don’t get confused - this is a good reason to go on a trip.
- When booking a car, as in the case of air tickets, use aggregators (for example, Epronto.ru). The rule also applies here - “the sooner, the cheaper”, in addition, the price greatly depends on the duration of the rental, for example, renting a car for 6 days often costs the same as for 7.
- Cost of motorbike rental in Asia Depends even more on the length of the lease. Most often, rental companies have daily and monthly rates, so renting a bike for 12 days can cost the same as for a month. Sometimes it is cheaper to rent a bike for 2 weeks, even if you need it for example for 8-9 days and just return it earlier, the tariff for half a month will be more profitable than when calculating daily rental for 8 days. Same with bicycles, kayaks and boats.
- In many European cities parking is often paid, but almost everywhere there are supermarkets where you can leave your car for free.
- Paper maps are a thing of the past. Install maps on your smartphone and save on purchasing atlases and mobile traffic when using Google Maps.
- If sometimes you still want to take a walk around the old city with a map, you don’t have to buy it - in non-profit tourist centers marked with the letter “i” you will most often be given a free map of the city, with tourist attractions marked.
- If you plan to travel a lot by public transport Yes, find out about the travel card system. For example, in Paris and even if we stayed for 5 days, it was more profitable for us to issue weekly passes than to buy a ticket each time. In Germany, domestic trains have group fares, for example a ticket for 2-5 people. So, if there are three of you traveling (and sometimes even two of you), it is more profitable to buy one such ticket than separately for each. In Hong Kong, you can get a special travel card, put a certain amount on it and use it to pay for any transport, even a taxi - this is, firstly, more convenient, and secondly, cheaper. In addition, you can pay by card in some stores.
- For shopping lovers we recommend combine vacations with sales seasons. Prices at European and American sales are always more pleasing than at sales in Russia.
- There are entire villages of outlet stores in Europe for lovers of branded clothing, and in Asia, for example, in Hong Kong, such clothing is actually cheaper, even without sales. Similarly with equipment, for example, it is profitable to buy photographic equipment in the USA, Singapore and Hong Kong.
- If you make large purchases, check the possibilities of tax refund in this country (Tax Free).
- Purchasing a tour in Asian countries, for example, on neighboring islands, a coffee plantation or just around the surrounding area in a Russian travel agency or with a Russian guide, can cost 1.5-2 times more expensive. Unfortunately, enterprising compatriots like to punish with a ruble for ignorance of the language, so don’t be lazy, learn English.
- Entry tickets in entertainment, and even, sometimes, in National parks, to observation platforms, waterfalls, etc., are often more expensive on weekends, and besides, on these days there are many local vacationers. If you are on vacation and it makes no difference to you, go to such places on weekdays.
- To most places where tours and excursions are usually sold, you can get there on your own, in a rented or public transport– it will not always be longer and always cheaper.
- If you are traveling to any, especially Asian, country for a long time, learn basic words and expressions in the local language. At a minimum, this will please the natives, and perhaps also save you money when buying food and goods at markets.
- Training in various skills– surfing, kiting, etc. V local school or with a local instructor, it may turn out to be much cheaper than in English or, especially, in Russian.
- Always take out travel insurance, even if this is not required by the country's visa rules. Seeking medical help can be an order of magnitude more expensive than the cost of an insurance policy.
- If you are traveling to Europe or, it may be more profitable to take euros or dollars with you, but for a trip to Asian countries, it makes no sense to take currency with you - on a double exchange you will most likely lose more than on the commission for withdrawing cash from the card, in addition, some banks and They provide the opportunity to withdraw money from the card without commission all over the world. Also, from many banks, using cards you can get discounts when paying at certain points or cashback on certain types of goods and services (for example, when paying in restaurants or at gas stations).
- Meet national cuisine not only in tourist restaurants, but also in ordinary cafes - there you will not overpay for design and interior, and will get an idea of real local cuisine. The main sign that the establishment is worthwhile is a large number of visitors inside. If your budget does not allow you to eat in a cafe, pay attention to food courts in large shopping complexes - in addition to fast food, they usually have a large selection of local cuisine.
- Choose local and seasonal dishes. If you're on the coast, why order pork when seafood and fish are cheaper and fresher? In Asia, salads and shakes made from apples and oranges are cheaper.
- Souvenirs in tourist places and at the airport are usually more expensive. Most often, almost everything the same can be bought in large supermarkets, at prices 1.5-2 times lower.
We hope these tips will help you save your vacation budget or spend it more efficiently. What proven ways do you have to save money while traveling? Tell us about them in the comments!
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Today, when frequent moves from one city to another or changing countries have become commonplace, the question becomes very relevant: “How to travel cheaper?” There are many ways you can save on transportation, housing and food. This approach will allow you to visit more places and enjoy all the beauty of our world.
Basic rules for saving on travel
If you want to find out, you need to follow a few of the most important rules of saving. This will allow you not to spend extra money on unnecessary services, thus getting the opportunity to buy something useful with it.
So, the first rule of saving is no need to wonder how to travel cheaper: on your own or through a travel agency. The answer to this is unequivocal - of course, on your own. You must understand that any mediation, regardless of the volume of services, means payment for them. Therefore, if you are planning to travel on a budget, you need to plan everything yourself. What needs to be done for this?
- Determine your “minimum comfort zone”.
- Have a debit bank card.
- To book a ticket.
- Book your accommodation.
- If we are talking about traveling abroad, get a visa.
- Carefully familiarize yourself with the place you are staying in order to plot the optimal routes that will allow you to see the maximum in the minimum time.
- Find out all the information about the proposed discounts.
Following these simple rules is the best instruction on how to travel cheap This approach will allow you to visit many countries in just one year.
Minimum comfort zone
This term includes a list of the minimum amenities you personally need. This is the very first step you need to take in organizing an independent economical trip. This includes all aspects of travel: transportation, accommodation, food, attractions. For example, excellent option The cheapest way to travel is to choose a route with transfers. The more transfers, the lower the price. However, changing transport always entails certain inconveniences, in addition to the fact that the journey takes longer. Therefore, a lot depends on your personal preferences.
Also with other aspects: what exactly do you want to have in your place of residence, where and how do you want to eat. The fewer requirements, the lower the cost of travel. When it comes to sightseeing, you can also save a lot of money by not using tour agencies.
Determining your own requirements for travel conditions will help you enjoy it, avoiding any disappointments and surprises.
Why do you need a bank card?
A bank card is a great helper in solving the problem of how to travel around the world cheaply. Online ordering with payment via card is always cheaper than a similar method through the office. This is a great way to save money, for example, on buying a ticket. Now there are many companies with a choice of the most optimal option for purchasing a ticket, taking into account your preferences and financial capabilities. For example, the principle of the “Pirates” site is to travel cheap , which implies significant savings when purchasing.
In addition, when traveling, it is much more convenient to carry money stored on a card with you than money in your pocket. Moreover, it is now difficult to find a place where you cannot pay by bank transfer, both in Russia and abroad. Just keep in mind that bank card it should be a debit card, since many hotels and airlines do not accept payments from credit cards.
Buying a ticket, booking a hotel and obtaining a visa
Booking a ticket and hotel will cost you much less if you deal with this issue in advance.
Paying for a hotel at 100% will greatly reduce the cost of living, but entails a significant risk in case of a change of plans. If you are sure that you will definitely fly at the appointed time to the chosen place, then try this method of saving.
In order to avoid any problems with the timing of the trip, it is necessary to resolve the issue with the visa. This is the longest-term process, taking on average about a month. By entrusting it to a tour operator, you will greatly facilitate your preparation for the trip, but its cost will increase. Therefore, if you are determined to save money, visit the embassy, fill out a form and other Required documents, answer the employee’s questions and wait for the result. As a rule, the outcome of the decision does not depend on whether you deal with this issue yourself or through a travel agency.
Ways to save on flights
There are several ways to reduce your flight costs.
- Low-cost is a term widely used in the West, but so far little known to our compatriots. It consists of using the services of small budget airlines. Savings are achieved due to the absence additional services, for example, nutrition. Tickets are usually purchased online. The downside to this choice is the fixed schedule, which means you'll have to work around the airline's schedule.
- Metasearch engines are another way to significantly reduce the cost of air tickets. The bottom line is that such companies do not have their own database, so they search for tickets on other sites. Within 30 seconds, all available offers are selected for you, from which you choose the most optimal one for you personally. The undoubted advantage of this search is that airlines often do not indicate the price for fees and taxes, but here you will be shown the final price taking into account all the features.
Today there are several companies that provide such services. One of them is “Pirates - Travel Cheap”, where you can find many tickets at the most attractive prices.
Such simple things will help you purchase tickets at more than affordable prices.
How to save on housing?
It's no secret that most of the expenses during any trip come from paying for housing. But if you're looking for ways to travel cheaply , Here you can also find several saving options.
One of them is couchsurfing, which means hospitality network. This method has not yet become very popular, but it has undoubted advantages. The essence of this travel option is to register on certain resources, after which you can stay in the house of another member of this group. The undoubted advantage of this option, in addition to savings, is the commonality of interests. Registration on the same resource means the same interests, which means you will have enough common topics with your new friend during your stay with him. The host party, as a rule, also provides a tour of the city, which eliminates the problem of finding the optimal route.
However, couchsurfing is not an absolutely ideal option for finding accommodation. The need to agree on the date of arrival in advance, as well as the risk of ending up on an uncomfortable sofa or folding bed at night are quite noticeable disadvantages. But the main disadvantage of this method of travel is the risk associated with it. After all, you will spend the night in the company of strangers whom you only know from the Internet. Nevertheless, couchsurfing is gaining popularity among those who want to travel cheaply.
How to save on food?
When making a plan for how to travel cheaply on your own, you need to think in detail about where and how you will eat. In addition to tickets and accommodation, a lot of money is spent on food.
So, if you don't want to overpay for food, you need:
In addition, in many countries it is not worth avoiding street food. As a rule, it is very tasty and at the same time very inexpensive.
How to save money on excursions?
There is only one way to save on excursions - to refuse them. After all, its cost is calculated per person, which means if you are traveling with two or three, it will be quite an expensive pleasure. However, refusal excursion tours does not mean spending whole days on the beach and in the hotel. You can easily explore a new place on your own without spending almost anything.
For example, you can rent a moped. With it you can decide for yourself where and for how long to travel. This is a great way to find a lot most interesting places, where you wouldn’t get on a regular excursion.
In large cities, you can get around by public transport or rent a car. This way you can visit all the famous attractions on your own and spend as much time at each place as you want. This way you will not depend on the guide and other vacationers.
In any case, you can just leave the hotel and go wherever your eyes lead you. Don't wait for someone to entertain you, do it yourself!
How to travel cheaply in Europe?
In Europe, they have long stopped spending extra money on travel, trying to see more and spend less. One of the ways to travel around Europe cheaply - it's a trip with the locals. There are companies that are platforms for finding travel companions. This way you can find someone who is going to the same place as you. This way, you will only spend money on gas, and traveling by car will give you the opportunity to see more of the country than by plane or train. This method of travel is very popular in Europe.
Another way is to purchase an inter-European train ticket. This option is perfect for those who have a Schengen visa and a lot of time to travel. This train travels at 30 European countries, and the journey takes about a month. However, this does not mean that you have to buy a ticket for the entire 30 days. You can pay for a trip to the number of countries you want to visit. This method is very good for those who want to see a lot in a short time. But if you like to stay in one place for a long time, then this method of travel will not suit you.
You can also travel around Europe by bicycle, which is practically inexpensive and at the same time good for your health. There are many cycling tours from which you can choose the most interesting one for you.
Budget travel in Russia
If you are interested in where to travel cheaply, take a trip to the cities of Russia. Despite the fact that we are accustomed to thinking that good vacation is possible only abroad, in our country there are many places where you can have a great time.
If you want to know how to travel around Russia on the cheap, check out car, bike and walking tours. By choosing any of these options, you will be able to see amazing Beautiful places our country, without spending almost anything.
As for housing and food, you can spend the night in tents or stay in hotels or private sectors. In any case, it will cost less than a holiday in another country. In addition, you will see something new every day, and not the same faces of your neighbors on the beach or in the dining room.
Last minute tours
Of course, traveling on your own is always much cheaper than traveling through a travel agency. But the undoubted advantage of coming here are last-minute travel packages, when the price of the trip is even halved. The only inconvenience is that you will travel almost the next day. This means that all necessary documents must be ready at any time: passports, Russian and foreign, visa, insurance.
Pirates - travel cheap
If you are looking for ways to travel with minimal costs, this site is what you need. Pirates - this is what a group of people call themselves who love to travel around the world, and at the same time know how to do it with significant savings. The Pirates team principle is to travel cheap, so you can be sure that you will find the best options here. Current discounts, promotions, last-minute tours - all this is posted on their website and is available to everyone. And if you have information about any way to save money, share it on the pirates’ website, many people will be very grateful to you.
So, if you want to go on a trip around the country or abroad, while saving quite a significant amount, this is what all the cheapest ways look like. You can travel quite comfortably, despite the lack of luxury hotels and expensive restaurants. This is all compensated by mass vivid impressions that will remain in the memory for a long time.
Most of us develop a wanderlust at some point in our lives. But in reality, for many it is not so easy to get together and buy a ticket. Traveling costs a lot of money, and sometimes it’s scary to think how much we spend on the road.
But it turns out you don't have to have a ton of money saved up for travel—you can go anywhere on a shoestring budget. We've all heard the saying: "The best things in the world are free." However, many people believe that this rule only applies to the small pleasures in life, like time with friends or the smell of spring. This is wrong! Great joys can also be free. Well, or very cheap.
So if you want to turn travel from dream to reality, but don't know how, take some advice from Graham Hughes. He is a British adventurer, director and television presenter, as well as a Guinness World Record holder. He completed his epic journey around the world on a relatively shoestring budget. His 4-year trip by land, without flights, cost about 40 thousand dollars.
How could he afford this? It is true that Graham took out several loans for his trip, and also made documentary notes along the way. But he also knew that budget travel was The best way travel around the world. But it needs to be done correctly. Below you will find 10 ways to help you plan your trip correctly.
Avoid expensive countries
Countries such as Qatar, Angola or Norway are the most expensive in the world. This may be obvious to you, but before you go anywhere, plan your trip and cross expensive countries off your list. You can have the same entertainment, if not better, in budget countries.
Travel light
Don't spend money on things you might need before you go. Most time, you probably won't be using an underwater camera or an expensive tripod. If you really need something during your trip, you can rent or buy everything on the spot. 
Find a good guide
You just need to know the value of things. You should be savvy regarding exchange rates, prices for various excursions and trips (especially in taxis). This will allow you to plan your trip better and make it less likely that you will be out of money halfway through your trip. 
Unlock your phone
Most phones are designed to work with any service provider and all you have to do is plug in a SIM card. If you plan to take your phone with you while traveling, buy a new SIM card in each country you visit. It will cost you much less than roaming calls. 
Buy travel insurance
While it may seem like you'll be wasting money before you even start your trip, insurance is very important for the budget traveler. For what? Because if you are not insured in a foreign country and you suddenly need health care, it can cost thousands of dollars.
Chip flights
Browse the list of budget airlines and see if you can find cheap flights. If you are planning a trip but have not yet decided on a destination country, look at where tickets are cheapest. Let chance decide for you. 
Choose street food
Street food can be cheap, tasty and safe - and more accessible than the restaurants you find along the way. If you are concerned about food safety, ask for advice from local residents. They are usually happy to help. 
Couchsurfing
This is an opportunity to stay in other people's homes as a guest and not have to pay for a place. Not only will this help you save a lot of money, but it will also allow you to experience another culture from the inside and have a real travel experience. 
Bargain
Sometimes the cost of goods for a traveler is several times more expensive than for local residents. Learn to bargain and get the best price for yourself. But if the seller is really not inclined to reduce the price, accept it. He's just trying to earn a living.
Don't buy souvenirs
When you're trying to find the best souvenirs best price, you often miss what is happening around you. Instead of worrying about what you bring home, try to enjoy the moment. Memories and photographs will usually be sufficient. 
Graham Hughes went traveling alone on a budget of no more than $100 a week. However, he was able to have enough adventures. And if you also suffer from wanderlust, you can follow his example. Keep track of your expenses - good idea, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy traveling on a budget. So no matter where you are, there are plenty simple ways cut costs.
To travel like this, you just have to look for opportunities and be willing to accept them. Don't let an empty wallet stop you from taking the trip you've always dreamed of. Just remember: with the right attitude, the best things in life, even things like traveling the world, can be very cheap.
How to travel cheaply throughout Russia, Europe and the whole world? This question is asked by many beginners and experienced travelers and tourists. In this article, I have collected various sites and services that help you save on travel.
Using promotional codes and invitation links
Sometimes, to get a discount on a service or product, you need to enter a special promo code or follow an invitation link. Where can I get these codes and links? Here are some examples:
- cuponation.ru is a special website that collects discounts and promotional codes for various services and products. For example, here is a list of promotional codes for hotels and tours from the Biglion website (discounts can reach up to 90%). But to purchase goods that may be useful while traveling (clothing, gadgets, backpacks, tents and other equipment), there are promotional codes for the online stores AliExpress and Decathlon.
- airbnb.ru is a leader in private housing rentals around the world. If you just go to the site, you will not receive any bonuses for registration, but if you follow this link and then register, you will receive a $20-35 bonus - a discount on your booking. I wrote all the details and our experience in the article: .
$35 discount coupon from airbnb - tripinsurance.ru – insurance with reliable assistance from Mondial Assistans and positive reviews. The policy will cost 5% less if you enter a promo code frog— travelers.
- - a site that sells cheap plane tickets. Promo code MARINA9536 will allow you to get a discount on an air ticket or hotel room in the amount of 500 rubles.
- uber.com – international taxi. Operates in many cities around the world. In Russia it is represented in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar. Uber recently appeared in Belarus - Minsk. If you enter the promo code uber-333ue when registering, you can get your first free ride.
Free Uber ride Websites that track discounts and promotions in the tourism industry
The owners of the websites vandrouki.ru and piratesru.com probably know better than anyone how to travel cheaply around the world. They track last-minute tours, promotions on air tickets, hotels, and bus routes. You don’t need to look for current sales yourself; you can just go to these sites and look at the latest information.
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Save on travel with travelpayots Using search engine sites
It seems like everyone has long known that in order to travel cheaper, it is advisable to use search engines. However, I still often meet people who, in the old fashioned way, look for hotels on Booking, air tickets on Ozone, insurance on Liberty, etc. All of these are sites selling their services. There are a bunch of other similar sites where prices and conditions can be much better. But don't check everything. Therefore, smart people have created special search engines that monitor offers and prices on a large number of sites that sell services. This, firstly, allows you to find the maximum low price, and secondly, see a wider range of offers.
Hotel search engines:
- hotellook.ru
- roomguru.ru
An example of displaying prices for one of the hotels on roomguru Air ticket search engines:
- skyscanner.ru
- aviasales.ru
- buruki.ru
- momondo.ru
Travel search engines:
- travelata.ru
- level.travel
These sites not only show prices for tours from various tour operators, but also make it possible to purchase tours online.
Search engines for insurance for traveling abroad:
- sravni.ru
- cherehapa.ru
On this moment these sites provide the opportunity to compare prices and options for more than a dozen well-known insurance companies, thereby allowing you to buy insurance at the most favorable price with a zero deductible and a maximum number of services included in the policy price.
Live for free in someone else's apartment (house)
Want to know how to travel cheap? Here are some super ways that many people don’t know about yet (especially the last two). There are opportunities to live for free in other people's homes. But in return you will need to provide a certain service. Examples:
- couchsurfing.com is a global community dedicated to uniting the nations of the world. You come to visit, talk about yourself and your country. The owner, in turn, provides you with sleeping area, also talks about himself, shows his city, etc.
- trustedhousesitters.com – website representative of house sitting. Housesitting is looking after the house, animals and plants during the absence of the owners. In return - free accommodation. Registration on the site is paid.
- workaway.info – volunteering, helping with housework in exchange for accommodation, sometimes including food. Registration on the site is paid.
These services have one common disadvantage - the lack of a Russian-language version.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing is a trip in a private car where costs are divided proportionally between the driver and passengers. On the website blablacar.ru you can find drivers who go from point A to point B and are willing to take travel companions with them for a fixed nominal fee, usually covering the cost of fuel. The search works great across Russia and Europe, finding the cheapest options for moving from one point to another.
Mobile appmaps. me
The maps.me mobile application allows you to save money when traveling by purchasing paper maps of cities and countries. This free application can be used offline (without the Internet). With maps.me you can easily find attractions, hotels, ATMs, cafes and other useful objects. I've been using it for almost two years and absolutely love it.
In this article, I tried to collect Internet services that I know and tell you how to travel cheaply throughout Russia, Europe and the whole world. There may be many more options, so e If you know any other sites that can help you travel cheaper, share it in the comments.
Marina and Kostya Samorosenko
Hello! We, Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko, are the authors of this travel blog. All information provided on the site free. But if you want thank the authors, take part in raising funds for an expensive hearing restoration surgery to our son Elisha. Details and our history can be found.
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