International Travel Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

My husband’s number one on his bucket list is to go to Rome. I have rolled my eyes several times at this outlandish wish, but after some research and talking to some friends I realize it really isn’t out of reach. With some planning and careful budgeting we could have a great Roman holiday!

International travel isn’t so different than traveling in the states. You still have to plan, plan, plan if you want to save money. Airfare is a big expense when it comes to visiting another country, especially one across the Atlantic Ocean. Plan ahead when you are looking for plane tickets. The earlier you start, the better chance you have at getting a good deal. Make a goal for what you would like to pay for airfare — be realistic. Then check fares daily until you find a sale that meets your budget. If you are like me, checking every day is a challenge. Don’t be afraid to go through a travel agent, they can find better fares than I can and usually, I can save money even after paying their fee.

When visiting a foreign country you should plan out where you want to go and research the things you would like to do. You can leave some things to chance, like where to eat because you may want local recommendations, but many things can be found online with reviews that will save you time and possible disappointment.

If you are traveling alone or with a small group of adults hostels are a great way to save money on a place to sleep. Hostels offer a bed for a low fee, some have private rooms, but many are bunk beds in dormitories with a shared bathroom and maybe a kitchen. This is especially good for travelers with little luggage who are planning to visit a lot of different cities.

If this works for you, it can save you a ton. Truth be told, it’s not for me. I think I would go the route of renting an apartment or condo and staying in a smaller area for longer. Vacation rentals can be found online and having a kitchen can save you a lot of money on food while giving you more space and a lot of them even have swimming pools just like hotels. Eating out is one of the biggest expenses while on vacation and eating in even one meal a day can make a huge difference in keeping you in a smaller budget. There are also reviews online that can give you a good idea of what to expect.

Research public transportation before you decide to rent a car, it might not be as convenient, but many international cities have great public transportation systems that can get you where you want to go for much less than renting a car.

One final tip: You can save a lot of time planning ahead, which is almost as good as money. Knowing where you want to go each day will allow you do accomplish more than deciding and second-guessing each day.

I am looking forward to my affordable vacation to Rome with these useful hints.

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