How To Spend Less And Savor More As A Solo Traveler
Solo travel is fun, but it isn’t the most budget-friendly way to travel. Well, that’s the typical notion. But, if you ask me, you can experience solo travel on a budget. There are various travel hacks and tricks that you can apply in order to avoid spending a lot on your solo adventures. Yes, you do miss out on the advantage of sharing expenses while you’re traveling alone. Be it your hotel room, the private taxi that you hire or the meals that you take, everything makes you spend more money than what you’d spend with a companion or with a group. So, in that case, should you avoid solo travel? Nah!
Also read: Why I Like Traveling Alone
You SHOULD travel alone. There’s so much to savor as a solo traveler that you shouldn’t mind acquiring a few budget solo travel skills. I have been traveling solo for almost a decade now, and I have to say that it’s the best way to travel. Sure, there are challenges that a solo traveler has to face, but it’s all worth it.
Money is definitely a crucial aspect of solo travel. You need to be careful about how you spend money when it’s just you who has to take care of everything till the very end of the trip. If you ask me, I have never been totally sure of my funds on my travels. I always have this worry on my mind that I might fall short of money. But, I still have managed to travel to so many places. I guess you should travel despite the lack of funds. If you keep waiting to have sufficient funds in your bank account, you will probably never be on the road.
Also read: How Do I Manage To Travel?
Well, I don’t intend to say that there’s no need for you to prepare yourself financially before a solo trip. In fact, you should plan your travels so well that you don’t have to worry much about your budget during the trip. The idea is to strike a balance between ‘being courageous with your desire to travel and securing enough money in your account before a trip’.
How to spend less and savor more as a Solo Traveler
Look out for experiential accommodations
I always try to choose experiential places to stay, so that I don’t have to spend extra money on exploring the destination. If you stay in a hotel, it would offer you zero experience, and you are most likely to hire a taxi to see places that are far. On the other hand, if you stay in a local homestay, you’d get to meet the locals, experience their way of living, taste their cuisine and know their culture without spending anything extra. Plus, your homestay owners could be your guide. They could recommend you places that do not require a taxi.
Also read: How To Choose Accommodation As A Solo Female Traveler
Limit your activities, savor more
The idea is to have more authentic experiences of a place and not checking off a list. Make it a point to limit your activities wherever you go. It would not just help you curb your expenses, but also combat over-tourism. Going for a sunrise walk, cycling through the countryside, eating at a local food joint, spending the afternoon with a good book, soaking in the view from a hilltop and surrendering to the magic of a sunset are some of the simple, yet rewarding travel experiences. It would be great if you could avoid visiting all those touristic, overcrowded temples and museums. How about visiting a lesser-known temple where there are no visitors?
Look out for discounted deals on hotels
If I have to book a hotel (in case there are no homestays), I look out for really cheap deals like 3 nights for 2 grand or something. Yes, such cheap deals exist! But, you need to work a little hard on your research. As a solo traveler, you also need to assure that the place that you book is safe and comfy. I start with Airbnb, and if I can’t find my kind of stay, I move to other booking websites like Booking.com, Agoda and OYO rooms.
Choose ‘breakfast’ inclusive option for your stay
It’s always good to choose accommodation that comes with complimentary breakfast, or something even better would be a tariff plan that includes all three meals. There are homestays that offer such deals. For instance, my homestay in Yuksom (Sikkim) didn’t charge me anything for the food.
Choose ‘offbeat’ destinations
I have realized that there are so many cheap destinations, but they are overlooked by tourists. Perhaps that’s a good thing. As a solo traveler, lesser-known, modest destinations are a great find both monetarily as well as experientially. For instance, my trip to Champaner (Gujarat), which is not a popular tourist destination, was as low-budget as INR6,000/-. It was amazing to get coffee for 40-50 bucks in a nice café, and shared transport for as cheap as 10 bucks!
Commute on public transport
Public transport is always safer and cheaper than private taxis. Yes, there are times when you have no option but to opt for a cab, which is fine. I usually strike a balance between shared transport and private cabs. I think it’s always good to take taxis for short routes and buses for long routes. Also, it’s wise to ask the locals how they travel and take their advice in choosing your local conveyance.
Also read: Traveling Alone In Arunachal Pradesh
Travel by trains instead of flights
In India, trains are cheaper than flights. So, wherever possible, choose to travel on trains and save money. However, do make it a point to check flight fares before booking a train ticket. If you get a good flight deal, grab it. There are other factors that you should consider before deciding to travel by train or flight – your arrival time at your destination, train station/airport proximity to your hotel/city, and the available local transport options.
The idea is to look at it in totality – what’s going to save you more money in the long run, and more importantly, what’s more convenient and safe.
Befriend like-minded fellow travelers
Solo travel opens up opportunities for new friendships. Isn’t it? Get chatty with your fellow travelers. Don’t be shy! The more you talk to people on your travels, the more you learn. You get to know about nice places to explore, good deals on activities and experiences, and also you get an opportunity to share your transport expenses.
Jot down all your expenses
You might not want to do it, but writing down each and every expense of your trip, even if it’s 10 bucks for a water bottle, helps in managing your whole travel budget. It keeps you aware of how you typically spend money on a trip. You should keep expenditure records of all your trips, which would help you plan your travels better in terms of money.
Also read: 8 Practical Tips On How To Enjoy Luxury Travel On A Budget
Explore first, shop later
I typically stay away from shopping on my travels. I think there’s no need to shop unless you want to pick up something that’s totally exclusive. But, even if you really want to shop, make sure you keep it for the last day. Explore as much as possible (at your own pace, of course), gather great experiences, and if you still have some money left, shop!
What budget travel tip would you give to a solo traveler?
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