Tips for traveling on a shoestring budget

In the spectrum of types of travelers, I would classify myself as somewhere in between the luxurious kind and the backpacker sort. Five-star hotels aren’t my first choice and neither are dormitory-type rooms. Whether I visit a domestic or international destination, I choose to travel within my means, but still make sure that my experience will be comfortable and enjoyable. 

 

Here’s how to make the most of your next trip.

 

Be a travel agent for a day

 

Booking through travel agencies has become passé with the advent of the Internet. Nowadays, anyone can book a flight, reserve rooms, and even schedule tours as long as you are connected to the World Wide Web. It’s easy to search for promo airfares, budget accommodations, and itinerary suggestions with just the click of a button. 

 

Aside from visiting individual company websites and search engines, you can also do crowdsourcing on your social media accounts. There’s no harm in asking your network if they know a nice place to stay in Davao, a cheap flight to the US, or an all-in package tour to Hong Kong.

 

It’s also useful to read the newspapers where you can find advertisements, or check out online promotions. My hubby and I were able to grab discounted fares to Taipei through an airline’s online promo and paid less than P8,000 for two round-trip tickets. 

 

Discover deal sites

 

If you happen to be online, don’t forget to look for deal sites that offer travel promos. Make sure that you visit reputable websites that feature true-blue deals. Some of the local well-known sites are DealGrocer, EnSogo and Groupon. My husband and I got a deal on hotel accommodations in Cebu and we were pretty happy that we got a decent room for half the price. I wouldn’t hesitate browsing through similar sites again for the next best deal. 

 

Spend a day at the travel expo

 

Keep abreast with announcements about travel expos happening around the metro through traditional and social media. These major events occur just a few times a year and you should prepare yourself and your travel documents if you plan to attend one. 

 

Some expos are scheduled from Friday to Sunday and I believe it’s best to go early on a Friday to avoid the weekend crowd. I attempted to go there once on a Saturday and couldn’t even get inside because it was teeming with a mob of excited travelers. The other time, I went on a Friday morning and the crowd was more manageable. 

 

The trick there is to know where you want to go so you can narrow down your search. Make sure to bring your passport, necessary travel documents, and cash and/or credit card so you can immediately grab a travel deal once you encounter one you like. Also, be prepared to spend a couple of hours there—if not a day—since there could be long lines in the exhibiting booths.

 

Give alternative accommodations a try

 

Instead of reserving a room at conventional hotels, why not try alternative accommodations like couch surfing or Airbnb? Couch surfing entails staying with a local, hosting travelers, or even doing homestays (a consensual agreement to exchange places). There are couch surfing communities that you can join and maybe meet other travelers.

 

Another option is to find vacation rentals or rooms for rent on Airbnb.com, which lists unique places to stay in more than 190 countries. My sister recently stayed at a French couple’s home in Singapore, which she found through Airbnb. The apartment had complete facilities like a kitchen and laundry area. It was also relatively cheaper compared to other accommodations that had similar amenities. She felt she got value for her money because of its good location as well. 

 

Pack light

 

Most airlines, especially budget carriers, charge additional fees for check-in luggage. The heavier your bag, the more you have to pay. It’s either you shell out for the luggage fees beforehand (stick to the allotted weight to avoid paying for excess weight), or fit all your things in your seven-kilo carry-on bag that’s free-of-charge. It’s useful to have a handy digital scale that will help you stick to your weight limit wherever you are.