by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash
“F***”, I thought to myself as I stood at a debit machine in Vienna at 9:37PM. In the midst of withdrawing cash for a restaurant meal I had just eaten and couldn’t pay for (as the server had notified me – AFTER I ate - that they don’t take debit or credit) since I had no other form of currency on me, I made a deal with the waitress that I’d run to the nearest debit machine, withdraw cash, and come back to pay and tip her before the restaurant closed at 10:00PM.
This was 37 minutes ago. It took me that long to travel on foot to what was supposedly – on Google Maps – the nearest debit machine. I had 23 minutes to get back to the restaurant, and pay the waitress (who was great).
Not only was I short on time and out of breath from running so hard to get to this machine on time – I also got hit with nearly $10 of foreign exchange fees. That hurt, and constant transactions such as this one heavily impacted my budget throughout my first backpacking trip.
Yet despite all of this, I still managed to survive my travels below budget and with plenty of awesome memories and experiences. I also paid my friendly, Vienna waitress on time as I got back to the restaurant at 10:00PM sharp.
Gents, while it may seem like backpacking & travelling on a limited budget is a handicap, it’s actually an opportunity. Why, you might ask? Well it’s a chance to practice your economical skills. I’m not suggesting that you skimp out on all the fun stuff – far from it! I’m simply saying that prioritizing the experiences you want the most and sacrificing ones that you can do without is an excellent way to save not just money, but time.
And with the latter being your most valuable resource (yes, even more so than money) – one that you never seem to have enough of – it’s crucial that you figure out what your spending plan will be throughout your journey so that you can maximize your time doing the things you want to do and have the experiences you want to partake in the most.
Gentlemen, without further ado, here are 10 tips for all those backpackers & travellers who – like me – are wayfaring on a tight budget, and want to get the absolute best experience imaginable:
Table of Contents:
1. Plan and Prioritize Your Expenses
3. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
5. Using Public Transportation
6. Traveling Light & Packing Smart
1. Plan and Prioritize Your Expenses
Gentlemen, the very first thing you’ll want to do when you’ve decided that you’re ready to set off on a backpacking adventure is to create a travel budget, or as I like to call it, a spending plan (the term budget connotes restriction, and because of this it makes you feel unnecessarily stressed out).
The best way to come up with a spending plan is to first estimate how long you’ll be travelling for: One week? Two Weeks? Three weeks? A month? Three months? Six months? A year? Once you figure that out, have a number in mind of how much money you’re willing to spend in total over the course of your trip: $5000? $7000? $10000? Some would argue that these are hefty sums for a budget friendly trip, and I agree – that said, even when you’re staying in hostels, avoiding expensive restaurants, and using public transit, the fees still add up, especially if you’re wayfaring for a while (i.e. a month or longer).
Bottom line is that once you have that number in mind, you want to divide it by the number of days you think you’ll gone for (i.e. if it’s 3 months then roughly 90 days, if it’s 2 months, then 60, if it’s 1 month, then 30-31 days). That’ll give you a rough estimate of how much you’ll be spending per day. If you think that it’s not enough or that you need more leeway, then feel free to either increase your budget, or decrease the length of your trip. Otherwise, you’re just going to have to do everything you can to live frugally while still being able to enjoy your travels.
Here are some budget travel (or financial planner) template download links to help you keep track of your daily, weekly, and monthly spending:
· Jotform
· WPS
Feel free to use the templates from some of the above links, or come up with your own (i.e. on Excel). Just make sure that before allocating a specific amount of money to each category, you create a list of values, in order, from greatest to least (or vice versa) (i.e. food, entertainment, museums, transportation – feel free to go even more in depth and get detailed). That way, you’ll know – based on your values – what sorts of experiences are most precious to you on your journey, and you’ll be able to assign a specified budget for each area based on how important they are to you (i.e. if I value the experience of trying exotic cuisines over fancy hotels, I’ll assign more money to eating out at restaurants, doing grocery shopping, and trying street food than I would to accommodations).
As you can see, backpacking & travelling teach you the skill of financial planning, which will help you in all areas of your life, be it in business, relationships, recreation, or just in general day to day living. Such proficiencies teach you independence, and enhance your maturity, which is why I recommend everyone try travelling abroad for a month or two at least once in their lives.
When you do go abroad, however, avoid making the same mistake I did at the start of this article, and…
2. Exchange Money Wisely
Gentlemen, currency exchange rates are a b***h. That’s why I recommend you do your research on currency exchange rates and fees, even before you leave the country since you’ll want to have some cash on you for backup in case your credit and / or debit cards get declined when you’re abroad (as mine did when I first arrived in London, England, despite my telling the bank I’d be gone for a few months, something you definitely want to do as well).
You want to ensure that you’re getting the best currency exchange rates available. That way, you’re not bleeding money. Travelling (or solo backpacking) is expensive as is, even if you’re on a budget, and losing money unnecessarily on currency exchange fees only adds to that expense.
Of course, when you’re abroad, you won’t always be able to avoid getting charged foreign transaction fees. That’s why I recommend you look into getting and using a travel-friendly credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Here’re a few for you to get started:
· For Canadians:
1. HSBC World Elite Mastercard
2. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
3. Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card
4. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
7. Brim World Elite Mastercard
9. CIBC AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card
11. EQ Bank Card
12. BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard
· For U.S. Citizens:
1. Capitol One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
2. Capitol One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
3. Capitol One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
4. Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
As always, make sure to do your research before signing up for or investing in any of the above options (or any purchase decisions that you make period) in order to find the right option for you.
Another way to save on cash while travelling is to…
3. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
This is a contested point because - depending on where you travel to - you might encounter cold weather, and snow. If you don’t like backpacking in the cold, then this might not be the ideal solution for you (although in more Southern European countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, temperatures are somewhat warm regardless… and don’t even get me started on the Southern U.S., the Middle East or South America).
That said, if you don’t mind embracing the cold weather and snow, then backpacking – or travelling – during off-peak seasons (i.e. November – April) can save you a ton of money. Since this time of the year is the least popular for travelling, rates on flights, accommodations, and tourist attractions are lower.
To supplement this budget saving strategy, you might also consider…
4. Accommodation Alternatives
Thank G-d that I had a place to stay when I arrived in London, the first stop on my 3-month, solo backpacking trip in 2019. My friend happened to live there when I was travelling, and so she allowed me to stay with her at her apartment. This was huge, since it saved me a ton of money on hostel bookings and accommodations. Not only that, but she also had laundry machines at her apartment, so I didn’t need to pay the Laundromat to wash my clothes. And I got to spend time with a friend, who showed me the city, and made the experience that much warmer.
Anyways, gentlemen, my point is that if you at any time on your journey have the opportunity to save on lodging costs (whether it’s through staying with a friend, relative, or colleague, splitting the costs of a rental with a fellow traveller or group of backpackers, renting an Airbnb, couchsurfing, finding an affordable hostel, guesthouse, or campsite), then take it. Even if it’s only at one of the many destinations you’ll visit, you’re still saving money.
A word of caution, though, for staying at inexpensive hostels or guesthouses: while these lodgings are designed to be budget friendly, sometimes the REALLY cheap ones are also dingy and disgusting. Be sure to read the reviews on websites and apps like Hostelworld or booking.com before scheduling your stay at one of these quarters, for you might find that some of them have lower ratings than others. The last thing you want is to stay at a hostel that has poor cleanliness, bedbugs, rodents, and G-d knows what else.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s also discuss how to save money by…
5. Using Public Transportation
I live in Toronto, and if you do as well (or if you’ve visited here), then you know the TTC (our public transportation system) sucks. The subways in London (or the Tube, as they call it), Paris, Barcelona, and Munich are – from my experience – much better (less delays, bottlenecks, and power outages). Why do I bring this up? Well because, gentlemen, while this might sound obvious, you’ll be using A LOT of public transportation while you’re backpacking.
Instead of wasting money on Uber rides (although you will sometimes have to splurge on these in cities that don’t have public transportation, or in order to get to certain locations at times when the subway and buses aren’t operating, such as overnight), taxis, or rental cars, you invest it in the cheapest mode of conveyance available: public transportation.
Just like in NYC, LA (barring the subway), Chicago, Vancouver, or Toronto, many cities throughout the world use a mix of underpasses and buses in order to transport citizens and visitors from place to place at a discounted rate. What’s great about public transportation (aside from the low cost) is that buses and subways not only allow you to soak up the cities you travel in (the latter when you’re above ground), but also to get from one location to another at incredible speeds, leaving you more time to explore on foot.
Make sure to research local transit options in each city you plan to visit in advance. That way, you’re aware of what sorts of transportation options are available as well as whether or not public transit is even offered in those municipalities.
Also, make sure you download Citymapper on your smartphone. If you haven’t yet used Citymapper, it’s a public transit & mapping app that delivers transit options and schedules in real time based on your location. While its services aren’t available in smaller or lesser-known cities, most major cities will support it. This app will save your life when you’re backpacking, and it’s great for use in your hometown as well if you live in a supported area.
Finally, if you’re travelling across Europe, make sure to get a Eurail Pass (or an Interrail Pass if you’re a European resident). While this may seem like a hefty expense initially, it’s one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your backpacking journey. Trust me, not only will the pass get you from city to city and country to country at a much cheaper rate than airplanes; it’ll also give you access to some of the most stunning views & sights throughout Europe.
I used it to travel from Lisbon, to Madrid, to Barcelona, and then across the French Riviera (where I saw Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt walk across the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, a great event to check out if you’re travelling in mid-late May) into Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and so on and so forth. The landscapes you witness on these train rides - from the Mediterranean Coast, to the Italian, Swiss, & German Alps (the geographical transition from Northern Italy into Switzerland is particularly stunning) – are dreamlike, and they alone are worth the price of admission.
You’ll need to do your research to see which Eurail or Interrail Pass is right for you (depending on how long your trip is and how many train rides you foresee), and trust me – this is the optimum way to experience Europe on a budget (and realistically, the price for even the three month pass is WAY cheaper than it would cost to travel across Europe by plane).
Now that you’ve got your transportation options figured out, let’s discuss how to save money by…
6. Traveling Light & Packing Smart
I remember taking a plane from Paris to Lisbon. While at the airport, I got charged with an exorbitant baggage fee. Why, you might ask? Because during my first two weeks of travelling in London and Paris, I bought too many things, thereby adding weight to my baggage. And what happens when your luggage goes over a specified weight? The airport charges you baggage fees.
Gentlemen, I encourage you to pack as light as possible. When travelling, it’s important to pack light because it’ll not only make wayfaring easier (less strain on your back, and less exertion being spent); it’ll also save you money.
Baggage fees are a b**** and they’re one of the expenses to look out for when you want to avoid bleeding money. These fees won’t apply to train rides (which is the mode of transport you’ll be using most often anyways while budget travelling), and they’re a pain in the a** at airports.
Before heading off on your trip, research the luggage weight limits at your local airport. Make sure that your baggage weighs below this limit. I recommend purchasing a portable luggage scale, both for measuring your baggage weight at home, and to take with you on your trip (since they’re light, transportable, and attachable, they can measure your luggage weight anytime & anywhere).
Here are a few portable luggage scale options:
· Travel Inspira Luggage Scale
· Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale
· Amazon Basics Portable Digital Luggage Scale
· Pack All Digital Handheld Luggage Scale
There’s tons of them out there, so you can do some research to find the one that’s right for you. These will help you get started!
While packing, make sure to pack ONLY the essentials. Choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched, as these will make your travels more convenient. I’d recommend having no more than 1-4 pairs of shoes (i.e. 1 pair of running or hiking shoes, 1 pair of flip flops for public showers and beaches, 1 pair of sandals, and 1 pair of walking / going out shoes), 3-4 T-shirts, 1-2 sweatshirts, 1 light jacket or raincoat, 4-5 pairs of socks and underwear, and 2-3 pairs of shorts.
If you’re travelling in the colder months / during off- peak seasons, you might need a winter jacket, a pair of snow pants, winter boots, and some other, heavier stuff depending on where you plan to travel to. Keep in mind that usually in the winter months, you pack more and / or weightier items, (i.e. because of layers, and warmth), so this can affect your luggage weight.
Obviously you’ll also need to take your self-care and personal hygiene products with you like towels and toothbrushes and whatnot, so keep those in mind when you’re packing.
You’ll need to experiment with filling and removing certain items from your bag based on your target luggage weight, hence why I recommend packing as far in advance as possible (start at least 1 month beforehand) so you have time to measure & experiment, and to plan accordingly (i.e. putting some of your items into or purchasing a carry on bag) if you find that you’re overweight.
Once you’re travelling, you can stay on or below your spending plan by engaging in…
7. Free & Low-Cost Activities
Gentlemen, one of the best ways you can save money whilst backpacking is to partake in low-cost events. This is not a damper - trust me. In Europe (or anywhere else you travel to), there’re so many outdoor parks, sights, architectural feats, trails, mountains, churches, beaches, castles, palaces, gardens, zoos, historical landmarks, attractions, markets, and festivals that you can spend DAYS roaming about cities without spending money on galleries, museums, or other activities (aside from food, of course).
You might also get lucky and experience a free ticket to the opera (or some other attraction), like I did in Lucerne, Switzerland. Always be looking out for people giving away their passes or tickets!
Anyhow, I’m not suggesting you sacrifice enjoyment for the sake of saving money. After all, how often do you go travelling? This is THE time to explore and experience all that the world has to offer. What I am advising you to do is to be conscious of your spending plan so that your money goes towards desired experiences. And since some of the most stunning and worthwhile experiences cost little to no money (heck, in London, museums are free, and other countries offer free or discounted days), why not take advantage of them?
Some examples of free and stunning attractions include roaming around the city, taking photos and filming videos (particularly of famous landmarks, if that’s what you’re into), visiting museums, art galleries, palaces, parks, gardens, you name it.
In London, royal parks and gardens are free (as are markets), so you can also do that. In Paris, hanging around the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero Square as well as seeing the Arc de Triomphe are noble activities. In Barcelona, checking out the Arc de Triomf, visiting Park Citadel (I recommend you do this during the off-peak season, or at the very least in May-early June, like I did, as it gets SUPER crowded during the summer), exploring the exteriors of Gaudi’s architecture – particularly the Sagrada Familia (which you will want to purchase a ticket for so that you can head inside, and you can still check out its stunning construction from the outside for free), going on hiking trails – particularly ones that provide stunning city views (i.e. Mount Tibidabo), and walking down La Rambla (you might also run into festivals and parades) are just some of the ways you can experience budget friendly travel.
As you can see, guys, there’re tons of ways to save on costs AND have a great time. Nevertheless, gents, to ensure that you’re not breaking your wallet (and for security reasons), you MUST invest in…
8. Travel Insurance & Health Precautions
Guys, invest in travel insurance. I go more in depth on this topic in my other blog post, which you can check out here, and suffice it to say that no matter what your spending plan is, being insured throughout your travels is imperative.
Here are some travel insurance options to get you started, and make sure to do your own research to find the best option for you:
Canada:
U.S.:
International:
You’ll also want to stay healthy throughout your trip by keeping hydrated, and practicing good hygiene (i.e. washing your hands, taking daily showers, wearing shoes or flip flops in public washrooms, change rooms, spas, and bathrooms, wearing deodorant… I know it sounds obvious, and people can forget about their cleanliness when backpacking). This’ll allow you to avoid medical expenses. Also, be sure to keep an eye on all of your belongings so that none of your medical supplies get stolen (like my thyroid meds did in Naples).
I recommend investing in a hydration bladder and / or at the very least a reusable water bottle so that you’re not spending money on water all the time (there’re plenty of water fountains throughout Europe to refill your hydration pack or water bottle).
You can also practice healthy eating (at least as much as can be allowed when indulging in delicious, foreign, and exotic delicacies) as colds and flu are common when backpacking (I speak from experience as I must’ve gotten six colds biweekly throughout my first backpacking trip in 2019 as a result of straying from my healthy lifestyle and therefore not getting enough vitamins). Nutritious foods prevent illness, meaning fewer trips to the hospital, and more money saved.
Finally, gentlemen, my last tip for all you budget conscious backpackers is to…
9. Embrace The Sharing Economy
Wind flies through my hair at the speed of 30 mph as the sound of laughter from my fellow backpackers, the warm, June breeze ruffling my clothes, and the sunshine gently caressing my neck as I look up at the clear skies, and then down at the rush of oncoming buildings and historical landmarks in Berlin, all intertwine to create a cacophony of adventurous, fun, liberating, exciting, and enjoyable sounds. This is what traveling is all about. If you want more experiences like this, one way to get them is to make use of E-scooter or bike-sharing services.
Leveraging sharing economy platforms like Uber, Lyft, scooter, or bike-sharing services to save on transportation costs and support local initiatives is one of the best ways to have a great time on your backpacking journeys.
Make sure to have the aforementioned apps downloaded on your smartphone (as well as any local transportation sharing service apps), as they’ll be essential tools in your budget friendly backpacking arsenal. I can’t recount to you the number of times I’ve leveraged Uber to save my a** when public transportation was either not working, or unavailable in the area I was in. While more expensive than public transit, services like Uber and Lyft offer discounted rates for shared rides.
You’ll also have the added benefit of championing local businesses, and who doesn’t want to be a part of that?
All right, gents, that about wraps it up for this one. I hope you got some useful tips, tricks, and anecdotes. Please feel free to comment down below and share your own thoughts on backpacking as well as some travel tips & stories – we’re always eager to hear and learn from you.
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Until next time, enjoy the rest of your week.