Travel On A Small Budget

As the old saying goes: “He who does not honour the penny is not worth the mark.

So whether you’re planning the trip of a lifetime or a last-minute short break, we have the best tips on how to get the most out of your travel budget.

Flights

  • Since you will probably spend the most money on the flight, it is worth it to spend a little longer
  • and search harder to find the best offer. Search engines like
  • Skyscanners are great, because they do all the hard work for you and all the
  • Browse airlines to find the cheapest flight.
  • Make sure that you don’t incur any extra travel costs if you compare a few flights with your own.
  • found it. Flights are often only so cheap because they land far outside (i.e. you have to
  • have additional travel costs) or because high costs are charged for luggage and food on board.
  • will be. So add it all up before you decide on a flight.

Flights

When it comes to finding cheap accommodation, there are many great offers. Hostels are a popular option for those on a budget. Nowadays hostels are a comfortable place to stay because they are clean, cosy and hospitable. Check out Hostelworld to find great deals.

For some years now, sharing and swapping has been in vogue and many people use the “Share Economy” with sites like Airbnb. With Airbnb you have the possibility to book a room or a whole accommodation from a local. The prices are often much cheaper than those of the hotels. Coachsurfing allows you to stay overnight with a local.

Food

Enjoying the culinary delights in an exuberant and carefree way is part of every trip, and there are even some ways you can save money. If you’re staying in a hostel that offers free breakfast, you’ll have to make a good start to the day!

Instead of going out for lunch and dinner, it’s worth shopping in one of the local grocery stores or getting the fresh ingredients at a market. Street food is also a good way to get to know the local cuisine and prices are moderate. In countries like Thailand, India and Morocco, street food is often better than in cafes. Or restaurants. Eat like a local and be surprised by the delicious traditional dishes!

Transport

Although it is much easier to take a taxi, you dare to use public transport. Whether bus or train, you will save a lot of money and most buses and trains will take you directly to your destination. The best way to get to know a place is on foot, wherever you are in the world. The only exception is at night. If you don’t feel safe, take a taxi.

Recreational activities

Whether you travel to a vibrant city or the countryside, you’ll find free activities to participate in everywhere. Most cities offer free walking tours, a great way to get to know the city and experience its flair. Free museums and exhibitions can be found almost everywhere – and if not, you can usually buy a tourist discount card, such as the Paris Pass in Paris.

What is always free is nature. Spend a day on the beach or picnic in the park in the sunshine. You won’t have to spend anything and you can also observe the life of the local people.

Cash

If you are reasonably planning, it will be child’s play to keep an eye on your expenses. Find out about the exchange rate and the best time to buy the foreign currency for your trip.

It is often a good idea to order the foreign currency before you travel, as the exchange rate is usually cheaper than abroad and it is also cheaper than withdrawing cash with your bank card.

Is 100 Euro enough for a weekend in Paris?

The next morning starts again in Montmartre. This time with a monsieur in jeans and a check shirt who asks me if I have a coin for him. I apologise. Desolée. Unfortunately I have nothing of my own. “Everything cool,” he says. “At least they smiled. That’s more than many others.” I smile a bit more. Next door, two guys are losing 50 Euros at the hat player. A man makes music on the harp.

After a long internet research I found out that a weekend metro ticket for under 26 year olds is valid all day and up to the airport for 8,90 Euro. My flight will depart the next morning at six o’clock, the night I will spend there. I buy the ticket and first go to the Saint-Martin canal.

In the book from the boutique there is a walk that I would like to try out. The route leads past India with turban sales and chicken curry, Turkey with fruit stands and Dürüm, Africa is only a few steps away. Women braiding Rastazopf. The further away from the tourists, the more beautiful. In the crêperie I buy one with egg for three euros. In addition a few nougat biscuits. A little further on, on the Place de la République, there is a public play café. Chess, building towers, mill. All for free.

Some highly concentrated, like the old man with the moustache, some laughing, like the young girl with the ponytail who wins “Four Wins”. If you’re looking for more exercise: a few metro stations further on, in the Park de Bellevue, Paris Salsa dances.

Three hours of Shakespeare for five euros

In the early evening I drive to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s also free for under-26-year-olds. The queue is long, I stand in line for half an hour, the view of the star, the Champs-Elysée and the tower is pretty nice.

Back on the ground, I ask a Tuktuk driver if he will take me for a mini round around the Arc de Triomphe. Free of charge? The man, his Iroquois cut, he has tied together to a tail, and a goatee beard, briefly considered. Smiles. Nods. I get on his red bike, he drives off, drives in a circle, drives on and turns off. Say “Surprise” and surprise with an extra tour to the Eiffel Tower and back.

Stirred I offer him my remaining cookies. He doesn’t like cookies. And maybe that touches me a bit more. For dinner there’s hummus and half a baguette that I got shortly before closing time. I still have a little more than five euros left. “Go to the Comédie-Française,” my hosts recommended to me on the first evening. One hour before the start of the performance, some remaining seats are sold. And the theatre, golden red with velvet and stucco, is gigantic.

Now I’m standing here.

“Are there any seats left?”

“Yes, two. But you really don’t see anything there.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Very little!

“I’ve only saved one mini-budget and an extra five euros.”

“If I still had five euros and only one evening. I wouldn’t have invested them any better.”

Three hours of Shakespeare, and I could only see what was happening on the right side of the stage. But the salesman was right: it was worth it anyway.

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