Think Locally for Budget Travel

Exploring the world is less expensive than you think! Before you cringe when thinking about the cost of your next vacation, consider traveling down these less expensive avenues and return home with a more substantial bank account!

Vacation in Your Backyard

Yes, that exotic 3-week vacation to hit all the sites in Europe sounds fantastic, but have you considered looking in your own backyard? I live in Utah, and many of the locals who have lived here all their life haven't even seen all seven gorgeous National Parks, which people travel to from all over the world (I've heard multiple languages spoken on one trail hike!). 

Look in your own backyard, see what adventures you can take inside your own state. Check TripAdvisor and search inside your state to see what other travelers have enjoyed. Google search for "Things to do..." and add your local destination to the search. You would be surprised to find out how many fun travel activities to delve into within 100 miles of your home. Jump on Pinterest and look for a hashtag of a place near you to see what pops up! Does your location lend to a border with another state? Even better! Search for localities within a two to the three-state area. Your search will turn up a plethora of types of museums, sites, and outdoor adventures you would not have considered before!

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Road Trip for Budget Travel

To get to your destination, you have many choices. For the budget traveler, a road trip is the most economical venue. Traversing the highways in your own car leaves you with no car rental costs, being limited with you on the road time or worrying about late fees. Your vehicle is your best choice for budget travel when you are moving around within driving distance from your home. Quickly estimate the cost of fuel with the GasBuddy app on your phone. Type in the location you are driving to and the type of gas you would need to purchase, and Gas Buddy will give you the most up-to-date pricing on cost per gallon in the US. Easily map your miles using Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze for accurate mileage both to and from your destination. 

In addition to economy, using your car gives you the freedom to leave and travel to your next destination or adventure on your own time table, giving you more freedom when planning your trip each step of the way!

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Economical Lodging Options

You may know that Airbnb rentals include condos and homes, but did you know Air also rents couches and shared rooms in homes? For the single traveler, you can't beat renting a couch for one overnight for $25, especially if the stay is simply an overnight to break up a long road trip into two separate days of travel. If you have a travel partner, an economical choice would be a private room in a shared home. These are private furnished bedrooms in the same house, usually with a shared bathroom; however, you can find private bedrooms with private bathrooms for as little as $45 a night. At this price, you can stay at an Air for three nights at the price you would pay for one hotel overnight. Hosts are very welcoming, and my personal experience has been very good with Air B'n'B stays.

For budget travel, using these steps can be an easy, affordable way to find your next local destination without having to break your local bank account, making your adventure become a reality.

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