Top three strategies that I passionately follow in order to save money during travel.
↑ Free vacation!! A bicycle, a tent and camping in a farm. Unfortunately I cannot do this everywhere…
Being frugal on the road is not difficult at all. Infact, after a while, it becomes a way of life because it’s natural for us to want more for less. Travellers LOVE talking about the things they do to save money and I am no exception.
Here is how I save on travel, food and accommodations during my trips:
1. Squeeze into a chicken bus
↑ Mini-bus and shared-taxi terminal in Wangdue, Bhutan
Public transportation is cheaper than hiring a private taxi. But besides the money part, I like traveling with locals to get a better feel of the place. I feel more secure travelling in a group, and I get to see the countryside, chat with fellow passengers, even get lost and find my way back: such experiences have given me ever lasting memories, and the stories I take home are priceless.
The other day, I got into a very crowded chicken bus and the driver was still forcing more people in. Just like India, buses in Mexico seem to have infinite capacity. A woman boarded with a big bag and a baby. The baby was handed over to the grandma sitting next to me while the bag was thrust on my lap. The journey was uncomfortable but I’d totally do it again!
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↑ Ticket window at Pereslavl Zaleskiy, Russia
Do the math: Travelling in Mexico from Valladolid-Cancún:
Private taxi: $250 (bargain hard!)
First-class bus with AC, reclining seats: $14
Second-class bus: $9
Combi-van with someone else’s bag on your lap: $7
2. Savour some street food
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↑ Taco in Cuernavaca, Mexico. $0.30.
I admit I was terrified of getting traveler’s diarrhea in Mexico. But with basic precautions, I was able to shrug off those fears and indulge in yummy street fare. Not only is the food cheap and served fast, but also it is more authentic compared to restaurants where the chefs usually customize the dishes for tourists.
Conversations at food stalls can lead to random and interesting outcomes. At one taco stand in Mérida, I was chatting with a guy eating next to me. Turns out that he was the lead guitarist of a popular band that was having a concert that same night. I left the place happily with a free ticket.
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↑ Pozole and Tostadas in Taxco, Mexico. $3.50. I needed help to finish all that!
Do the math: Typical lunch in Mexico-city:
1 chicken burrito in a mid-range restaurant: $5
2 Gorditas made by a Mexican mamma at a street corner: $1.50
3 large pork Tacos at a Taqueria: $1.2
3. Be a guest
↑ Sometimes you get a couch, sometimes you get a room! My CS host in Peru was very generous!
Couchsurfing is not as sketchy as it sounds. I’ve stayed int people’s homes and hosted many travellers at my place in Toronto. In the olden days, travellers used to knock on people’s doors to get a place to sleep. We are lucky to have a digital version of that custom, complete with identity checks, references, etc. Try it if you haven’t; need I state that it’s free?
My favorite couchsurfing moment was when I was invited to a large dinner in Russia and my host put a fish on my plate. A whole fish, I must clarify, complete with fins and scales… how the heck does one eat that? I also learned that if you finish your shot of vodka, your host will refill it rightaway (and its pointless to enter into a vodka-drinking contest there).
↑ My Russian host’s told me about this soviet-era canteen that, according to him, nobody knew.
Do the math: Accommodation in Moscow:
3-star hotel: $350
Dorm-bed in a hostel: $25
Couchsurfing: $5 (because I am a good guest, I bring a gift, make a meal or buy a drink for my host.)
Drawing the line
↑ Artist market and tourist trinkets in Cusco, Peru
Travel responsibly; be frugal without being cheap. A dollar may not have much value in the west, but in many countries it will buy you lots.
So, those were some of my favorite tactics to save money on holidays and do more with it. I’m curious to hear your tips!
I am still skeptical about this couchsurfing thing… but I should give it a try one of these days! One of my favorite tip is to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) trip rather than going with an organized tour. Saves a lot and you get to choose your pace.
Hi Paul, you should give CS a try for sure! Start with finding someone in your age group and with similar interests. That will make it easier to adjust. Age is one of the big factos that distinguishes travellers – I’ve hosted people between the ages of 19 and 49, believe me!!
Thanks for the tip on DIY trips, I do that all the time!
HAHAHA, chicken bus?? Do they really have chicken in them? That incident was funny, I can totally see that happening in Africa or S.E. Asia too!
Haggling can be very rewarding if done ethically because in several countries, there is no fixed price for anything. I have saved a lot when shopping or booking tours.
Hi Roshan, ofcourse they serve butter chicken and chiken tikka masala in those buses! 😛
Seriously though, since these buses travel to rural areas, sometimes people transport live animals in them because there is no other way to commute… hence the name.
I am increasingly cautious about haggling now a days. But as you pointed out, as long as you are being respectful, its fine.
Good post! Who will you take on the vacation??? I think I know!
In addition to taking local buses and eating street junk, I love haggling a lot, maybe bcoz I grew up with it so itis a part of me. When I was a student I traveled with my student ID all the time… believe me that saves a lot. Machu Picchu’s student ticket is a lot lot cheaper than regulat adult fare. Many universities will issue a student ID – just register for some small course with them!
You got it man! I went to Machu Picchu on student ticket also. Pheww I almost fainted looking at the price of the site as well as train ticket. Alas I am no longer a student…
[…] 11. Final Transit […]
These tips are silly, how much will you save overall???
Ankan, since you took the effort to stop by and write this comment, how about writing a money saving tip too?…. you know, since my article is silly, your comment might just make it ‘acceptable’…
Thanks for the article, Priyank. I love your photos!
I suggest traveling with light baggage. That increases your mobility and options to choose mode of transport. More and more airliens are charging for checked baggage, so can you get by just with a carry-on??
Hi Christy, thanks for the comment! That’s an excellent idea, and I actually use it too! Now that we can carry 100ml liquids, its slightly easier to carry stuff.
Nice tipss! I like eating street food wherever I go. Plus, if you go and shop in a fruit and vegetable market, you can make very good food for low price. I like trying produce from different parts of the world.
Thanks BH. I should do that more often… At the end of the day, I am too tired to shop and cook. But I do cook once in a while for my couchsurf hosts.
Interesting and helpful blog post.
My only question is. Say you win the competition, how much will it cost you to get to Manchester airport in England from Canada? wouldn’t it just be cheaper to go to Cuba from Canada?
Hi Jim, Welcome to my blog!
Ah yes it would be cheaper to fly directly from Toronto. I’m not sure if the contest rules permit it… I hope the folks are okay. Now, does that count as a “money saving tip”?
Ah nice tips. CS might not work here but i can surely take the other two tips. Thanks a lot 🙂
Amod, CS has a huge community in India, I know many visitors who have tried it.
Bonjur Priyank, good tips here. I very like street food becos your pocket formulation is better and extra money to other travel projects. I also travel in group of friends, so every cost becomes fractionated and cheaper. Merci! A.
Bonjur Amelie, thanks for your comment. It does help if you are traveling in a pair or group of three. After that, I think it just becomes inefficient. 😀
Good luck winning the trip!
We have similar strategies, such as taking local transportation (chicken buses, Greyhound etc.), eating local food (including lots of street food), learning the language (you get some cool tips by locals!) and living in hostels or cheap hotels.
Fantastic! I like the language learning tip – I can survive Spanish and Russian easily. 🙂
Thanks a bunch for these tips Priyank. Very well written post and I agree with all the tips 🙂 and yes, CS is something i will definitely give a try 🙂 Hope you win!!
Thanks Gauri!
This CS thing is inresting.. It should be fun to stay with total strangers. I should try it out.
haha 🙂 yes, try it. You can do lot of research about the person online, through references from the previous people they hosted/surfed at.