You've got this whimsical urge, don't you? The one that dreams about jetting off to far-flung places, tasting the world one bite at a time. There's nothing quite like the thrill of touching down in a land of unfamiliar accents and exotic cuisines.

But the daunting reality often brings us back down to earth - the considerable cost. Travel indeed demands a pretty penny - from those coveted tickets to the essentials of comfortable living. It takes a fair bit of squirrelled away savings, strategic planning and sharp acuity, depending on how distant the location or long the holiday.

Who says you can't savour the world on a modest budget though? Take a step back and listen carefully - these six top-notch tips are your ticket to frugal globetrotting. Try ditching the luxury flights and settle for economy; it's a different adventure but the destination remains the same. Immerse yourself in the local culture and become best chums with the street food vendors, trading the costly eatery tag for a generous spoonful of authenticity. Trade the sterile hotel stays with a room at a homestay or a petite guesthouse, promoting both cultural immersion and economy. Travel during off-peak periods, when the rush has fizzled out and better deals present themselves. Use walking or public transport over taxis, it'll save your wallet and compound your travel tales.

As you apply these thrifty tricks, remember that travelling is all about the beautiful memories created, not expenses accrued.

Read also: How to Travel Alone as Asian

Table of Content

1. Travel During Off Season
2. Book Accommodation Online
3. Avoid Renting a Car
4. Be a Window Shopper
5. Shop at Local Markets
6. Bring Your Own Food

Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Super Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Travel During Off Season

Hotels and flights will be less expensive if you avoid the busiest months. You'll also encounter fewer people and shorter lines at the places you intend to visit. Most tourist destinations have "off-seasons", or periods of the year when there is much less visitation.

Not only are fewer people vacationing, but you'll find that things are relatively cheaper - from souvenirs to lodging and even plane tickets! Be sure to keep up to date with your flight company to look for a cheaper price or more discount. Off-seasons months are different for each country and region. For example, you can save more money if you travel between March to June in Malaysia.

You can save more money if you travel between March to June in Malaysia, which are off-season periods.

Book Accommodation Online

If you are a frequent traveller, you might be familiar with Agoda, Booking.com and other online travel agencies. These hassle-free platforms periodically offer amazing seasonal or member-only deals for resorts, hotels or fuss-free BnBs.

Online prices are almost always cheaper compared to walk-in, and you will get a generous cashback in the form of credits upon check out. Look out for promo codes to be applied during check out for additional discounts!

Avoid Renting a Car

Instead of renting a car, opt for public transportation as much as you can as this option is significantly cheaper. You may be spending more time commuting when it comes to taking the bus or train, but that can easily be compensated with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the locals in the area.

If you are travelling within a country and can only reach certain destinations by car, you can choose to use e-hailing vehicles as this will only cost you the fare. Not only can you easily book a ride through an app, you also won’t have stress over the costs for gas and car maintenance.

Reduce your carbon footprint while savings money! There are many cheaper and more exciting alternatives to car, such as by renting a bicycle.

Be a Window Shopper

The simplest yet most effective way to save money is to stop buying things. While it is totally normal to think “we don’t have this back home, we should buy it while we’re here!” - try to limit yourself to window shopping rather than actual shopping. Not only will this save you from buying things you don't actually need, but you can cut back on your expenses too.

Shop at Local Markets

Before travelling, spend some time to do research on the popular local markets at your destination. You will be surprised to learn that some goods offered are cheaper compared to supermarkets or boutiques. On most occasions, if you are lucky, you can even find unique local items in the markets that the malls do not carry.

Shopping at local markets or limiting yourself to just window shopping can be helpful if you're trying to cut back on unnecessary expenses.

Bring Your Own Food 

We can’t deny that one of our top priorities during travelling is to try the local fares. However, you can save up some money by stocking up on instant noodles and snacks for the trip. Please keep in mind to always avoid meals at the airport or on the road. Only spend your money on food that you really want to try - ideally those that are unique to the region you're visiting only.

If saving money is your number one priority, consider bringing your own food such as instant noodles or snacks to your holiday destinations.

As travellers, you tend to let your hair and guards down which might result in you overspending on unnecessary items and calling it a "self-reward". However, it is important to keep in mind that anything could happen during on your holiday, which might require some extra money. Budgeting alone is not enough - you must be wise at managing your expenses. You can always enjoy your trip without having to spend a large sum of money!

Share your wanderlust and culinary delights with us on Instagram! Use @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace to showcase your experiences. Bon voyage!