Has it been awhile since you last ventured abroad? You’re not alone. According to a recent study from Hostelworld Global Traveler Report, Americans are half as likely to travel abroad and visit multiple countries than Europeans. Not only that, 29% of US adults have never even been abroad! Travel expenses are certainly a contributing factor. Which is one reason why most Americans that do travel abroad tend to visit our neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico. But experiencing other cultures, foods, histories, and languages doesn’t have to break the bank.
In fact, there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to the total cost of traveling in the first place. That is because the first thing people usually look into is the cost of airfare. This, in many cases, is by far the most expensive cost of the trip, depending on the length of your stay and the country you’re visiting. And seeing the huge initial cost of a roundtrip ticket can put a real damper on your travel plans.
Sites like Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kiwi offer the best prices for flights. Kiwi also goes a step further by combining all airlines to create cheaper routes than booking with just 1 airline (they also feature their own guarantee that covers schedule changes, delays, and cancellations, so long as you inform them of the delay as soon as you’re aware of it). You’ll also save money by selecting a weekday to fly—Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically thought to be the cheapest days to travel, while Sundays are the most expensive. You should also aim to book a flight 1.5 - 2 months prior to your day of departure to get the best deal on airfare.
After getting off the plane, prices can drop considerably. Especially in cheaper areas of the world—like Southeast Asia, Central America, or Northern Europe. Luxury items you’re used to spending a pretty penny on, like a pint that normally costs $6 - $8, can be purchased for just a buck or less. A bottle of fine wine can even be found for $4! You can save even further by having a mobile bank account that doesn’t charge for foreign transactions, and allows you to take your finances on the go! This can amount to huge savings if making big purchases or using your credit card frequently whilst abroad.
Cost savings like these you’ll only become aware of by venturing abroad yourself, or by reading into it online before planning your travels. If your plan was the latter, here are some of the cheapest countries in the world to travel when you’re on a budget: