5 Fun and Budget-Friendly Travel Ideas

September 19, 2019 · 6 min. read

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5 Fun and Budget-Friendly Travel Ideas • Kenton de Jong Travel (1)

I don't know about you, but I could really use a vacation these days. After all the hustle and bustle of the summer, it seems there wasn't any time to relax. What's worse is that it seems whenever I have a chance to save up any money to get away, life throws me a curveball. For many, money and a budget is the key to making your travel dream come true... but it doesn't have to be.

Many people think that you need wads of cash to travel, but that isn't true. You don't have to save up tens of thousands of dollars to go on a vacation. Chances are you can make by with a couple hundred. I've talked about a few different ways to save money while travelling on this blog before, but here are a few other options you can consider:

1. Embrace Flexibility

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the trips you hear about are the only ones worth going on. Thinking outside the box is one of the best things you can do if you're serious about saving as much money as possible. You can start by looking at alternative destinations that aren't as expensive as others, although equally as enjoyable. For example, Ukraine is often cheaper than England, and Greece is often cheaper than Italy.

2. Consider a Cruise

When it comes to affordable, convenient ways to travel, it doesn't get much better than a cruise. If you have a little patience and diligence, a last-minute deal might be just the thing to prevent you from breaking the bank. Cruises are especially fun and economical ways to travel with your family or friends. Your accommodations, not to mention a lot of your food and entertainment costs, are covered by the cost of your package. You have tons of different options to choose from when it comes to your cruise experience as well. There are family-friendly cruises and cruises that are ideal for couples. If you're thinking about going on acasino cruise, you can even brush up on your card-game skills online.

3. Try Regional Travel

A trip doesn't have to earn you a stamp on your passport in order to be worth taking. One of my favourite pieces of advice for budget travel is to explore your own backyard. Not only does local travel cost you less overall, but it helps you appreciate the place you call home so much more. It's a perfect way to make the occasional weekend a little more exciting. Instead of spending a long holiday weekend at home for the fiftieth time in a row, you can pack up the family and a few necessaries for a road trip instead. Go camping, stay at a bed and breakfast a few towns away, be a tourist while exploring the next province over. Whatever you do, you're bound to have a great -- and affordable -- time.

4. Check Out a National Park

Whether you're planning on travelling within Canada, taking a jaunt to the United States, or hopping a plane to Europe, you don't want to overlook national parks. If you're the type who likes roughing it, you can save a bundle on accommodations and food costs by camping. If camping isn't your thing, you many national parks have "glamping" options, like the oTentik I stayed in while in Riding Mountain National Park. There are also many cabins or lodges as well. Regardless of how you sleep there, you'll be treated to a much-needed mental and emotional reboot and make unforgettable memories.

5. Be Spontaneous

If your schedule ever allows for impromptu travel or last-minute adventures, it can literally pay to be a little more spontaneous. Airlines, cruise ships and tour companies definitely prefer to fill as many seats as possible, so it's not uncommon for some pretty sweet deals to suddenly become available at the last minute. That said, you may want to think about clearing the room in your schedule for a trip, seeing what's most affordable when the time comes, and letting fate make your travel decisions for you. At the end of the day, travelling doesn't have to be expensive to be worth it. Just think outside the box, be spontaneous, and embrace the possibilities!