You were scrolling through your Instagram feeds when you came across your friend’s recent post. He’s traveling the world with his family; right now he’s visiting Grand Canyon National Park.

You smiled and took a deep breath, imagining yourself roaming there too. But then your own bank balance slaps a cold bucket of water over that daydream and brings you back down to earth?

Holy crickets!

If that’s you, don’t worry. You’re not alone in dreaming of traveling the world without straining your bank balance.

If you’re like many, you’d think that to travel the world is something that only the rich can afford – somewhat a prerogative of the elite. Luckily, in contrast to popular belief, we can roam the globe too with some intelligent tips, making our journey an affordable one.

Open your eyes and prepare to find out how you can experience the distant corners of the world and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones – without burning a hole through your wallets.

After all, as they say, jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.

Let’s start your journey with this guide and feed your soul what it has been longing for quite some time.

To Plan is to Succeed

Embarking on your dream journey of traveling the world starts with a crucial first step: planning your travel the world budget. It’s certainly not as thrilling to plan your savings strategy, but it is the foundation that will let you choose a paradise and imagine yourself reclining in one – and peace of mind is something that really matters throughout this journey!

So first things first: give your wallet a careful perusal; how much can he respond to your travel plans?

First, decide just how much you can spend on travel.

Then go about your budget by categories, like flights and accommodation or activities, for example. But don’t forget emergency funds. You should also bear in mind that these costs fluctuate significantly, depending upon your destination and travel style.

It is only intelligent to consider expenses that may arise unexpectedly. Because when traveling the world, it’s wise to expect the unexpected.

Next, research is key. Go online to find out what it costs you in money terms to live there. Information about average prices for things like meals, transportation, etc. In addition, travel the world blogs and communities offer practical observations of other travelers.

You need to meticulously scour the internet to vet several online sources for this information.

Lastly, be sure to allow for the unforeseen. For example, these might be medical emergencies or the cancellation of a flight; they can even involve trivial matters such as forgetting one’s passport.

After all, only dreamers with thought-out plans can make their dreams come true. 

Choosing Affordable Destinations

It is said that you should travel far so may meet yourself. And the world is vast, full of unimaginable places.

While the world is a tourist paradise of myriad scenic encounters, not all destinations are equal when it comes to value for money. The place you choose to go could make the biggest dent in your wallet, so budgetary considerations should come into play when planning an itinerary.

Otherwise you’ll heartfelt trip will become a head-felt one!

So which areas should you travel as not to bother your budget?

For example, those in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America are famous for being cheap. In contrast to high-priced destinations like Paris, London or New York, you can even consider places such as Vietnam, and Thailand.

At the same time, Poland, Hungary, and Nicaragua offer glorious natural scenery as well elegant cultural treats enriched with history at a price really affordable for the masses

However, when hunting for cheap destinations one must look beyond just the starting price. If the cost of a flight to far away is even higher, but if you are going somewhere with inexpensive living expenses then it could be cheaper there than at places closer and more expensive.

Moreover, think about the kinds of experiences you seek. There are places that may be cheaper than others for beach holidays or city break, adventure travel the world. Information on destinations that fit your budget and are to your tastes is actually all over the Internet.

Finally, don’t ignore the remote places. Countries usually have many cities or regions yet to be discovered. They often provide a more genuine (and economical) experience than their better-known counterparts.

Smart Booking Strategies

Interestingly, planning your bookings smartly is the core of your trip. If you spend enough time strategizing timely and intelligently, it can go a long way in making your tour more economical than it would normally cost.

Flexibility is the best friend you’ve got, in terms of flights. Those open to traveling the world in off-peak times, flying during less popular hours, or departing from a city with even longer connections can save big money.

Turn to the search engines: Here are two flight comparison sites, Skyscanner and Google Flights. In addition, requesting e-mail notifications of any bargain prices for a given route will allow you to jump on the chance immediately.

Moreover, for lodging, think of hotels other than a traditional hotel. Several choices, including Airbnb; Booking.com or Hostelworld provide a broad selection of options.

In addition, planning your stay in advance is usually cheaper. Yet, as long as you’re not bothered by uncertainties, last-minute bookings can also get you good discounts.

Prudent Spendings

After you’ve reached your destination, the fun really begins. But, of course, it’s still important to keep an eye on your pocketbook.

The first technique is: use public transport instead of cabs or car-pooling services. Not only is it often much cheaper, but it can also give visitors a better sense of the local scene. Buy a day or week pass if you are someplace you will be sticking for some days or weeks.

As far as meals are concerned, do your best to escape the tourist haunts where prices tend to be high. Better yet, choose street food or local restaurants; it is usually quite tasty and authentically prepared. It may also prove kinder to the pocketbook. A further tip is to take advantage of any cooking facilities your lodging may provide. Doing some of your own cooking can mean big savings when you are looking to travel the world.

After all, you have to enjoy yourself while not hurting your savings. So little effort can assist in the long run.

Moreover, seek out free or economical activities. A lot of cities offer free walking tours, and parks open to the public for strolling. Many museums and galleries provide pay-as-you-wish admission on particular days or at certain times. 

Remember to record your expenses along the way, lest you regret your spending later.