Turning That Expensive Dream Trip Into An Affordable Reality

Around 80% of Americans are in debt, but that doesn’t mean that this is a shopping-obsessed society. USA residents are more willing to go in debt to travel than to buy a much-needed new sofa, revealing how a new generation of digital natives are craving the raw physicality and adventure of a travel experience. However, more financially frugal members of society may put off a world trip for fear of ending up in debt. If this sounds like you, then fear not. By breaking your travel budget down into manageable chunks, you can find the savings to turn a dream vacation into an affordable reality.

Start With Flights

Transportation takes up more than 50% of the cost of a typical vacation, so if you can hack this part of the vacation, you are well on your way to booking an affordable adventure. Fortunately, flight prices are incredibly volatile and can fluctuate significantly day by day. If you use a service like Sykscanner or Kayak, you will be able to pinpoint the days when flights are at their cheapest, even during holiday season. Consider taking public transport to another airport if this is cheaper. If you can halve the cost of a flight, then you have already made the trip significantly cheaper.

Lower Your Accommodation Expectations

Once a flight is sorted, your other main cost is lodging. Remember, you are traveling for the adventure, not for the comfort. If you can forego some luxury, then a whole world of affordable travel will open up for you. Trendy, safe, and relatively comfortable backpacker hostels are popping up all over the world. By packing ten beds into one room, you can have a roof over your head, free coffee and a shower for as little as $4 a night. You will also have access to a kitchen, which can greatly cut food costs. As you travel around, you will hopefully make friends, who could end up putting you up for free on their sofa or offering a ride in their RV for a few days. That’s all part of the adventure.

All a traveler really needs is a means of transportation, a safe place to sleep, and some food to eat. If you can afford these things, then you can afford to live on the road. Hacking flights and accommodation should be your starting point; then see if you can work on the road to cover some of the low costs of living. Be open and friendly with everyone, and you might just enjoy the kindness of strangers. Sacrifice luxury in favor of adventure, and that dream trip will be within your grasp.