The rise of influencers have made traveling a must-do thing. While many think traveling is expensive, you don’t really have to break the bank to explore a foreign country or an exotic new destination. If you just know how to efficiently plan the trip and budget your money, you’re good to go. But in case you need a rundown of tips, here are ten to get you started.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

You don’t have to plan everything out down to the smallest minute but at least have a general idea of what you’ll be doing or how long you’ll be staying in a city or country. Having a plan means you know where to spend your money.

Keep Track of Your Spending

When on a limited budget, every dollar you have is precious so make sure you take into account every time you spend on something. Knowing the exact amount of your expenses and the remaining cash you have helps keep the budget intact.

Scout for Cheap Accommodation

You have to be savvy in choosing the accommodations. You can skip the expensive hotels and scout for cheaper alternatives like hostel dorm rooms. You share a room with other travelers, but the cost is equally divided. Other alternatives include AirBnB and Couchsurfing, where you can stay in a local’s house.

Pack Properly

Make sure to bring the essentials so you don’t have to shop or buy toiletries and gadgets when you reach your destination. Wherever you’re going, it’s always handy to have a pair of long jeans, a hoodie, and an umbrella for bad weather or extreme heat when in a tropical country.

Travel During Off-Season

Trips made during school holidays are much more expensive because the travel industry often jacks up the prices to take advantage of families going on vacations. You can time your trips just before or after these dates so you’ll be paying less. This is usually known as shoulder season.

Book Flights Ahead of Time

This is especially true for your return flight. Running out of cash in a foreign land and no sure way to go back home is certainly not ideal. Also, the earlier you book your flight, the cheaper it’s going to be because the price of tickets increase the closer the departure date.

Learn to Use Public Transportation

If you keep on using the taxi, you’re going to burn through cash quickly. Familiarize yourself with the transport system and the routes you need to take. As another option, you can bring a bicycle if you can and save more money. Often cycling enthusiasts use this opportunity to train and improve pedal power for an upcoming cycling race while traveling.

Cook Your Own Meals

You don’t always have to go out and eat in cafés and swanky restaurants. If you happen to stay in a place with a kitchen you can use, cook your own meals instead. If you visit a local market and buy meats and vegetables there, you’ll be able to save some cash.

Ask Recommendations from the Locals

The locals know the best and cheapest places to go and eat, so take advantage of that. While you may have done some research already, it’s always nice to have a local’s insight. Not only that, you just might gain a new friend out of it.

Don’t Buy Unnecessary Souvenirs

It’s enticing to buy trinkets and souvenirs. Unless you really fancy them because you feel they’re one of a kind, don’t buy them. If every traveler brought every painting, handmade jewelry, or wood carving they liked, they’d all be broke by now!