The term budget travel seems pretty straightforward. But ask twenty people to define it and you'll probably get more than one correct answer.
Budget travel...the phrase literally means travel within a budget. But everyone has a different budget they're working with.
To some, budget travel means traveling for as cheap as possible, scrimping on everything. To others, it means getting the most that they can for the money they have to spend.
I prefer to follow the second point of view. Budget travel should be about getting the most out of your trip that you can for what you have to spend. Sure, it's about saving what you can where you can - I mean, who really wants to overspend on anything? But every once in a while, it's not so bad to upgrade on the accommodations or put aside a few bucks for a spa treatment to ease your tired bones from those hostel beds.
I feel budget travel is about saving money where you can without sacrificing those special things that will help make the trip memorable. After all, if all you remember from the trip is how much money you saved, why bother going?
To that end, I am planning on bringing you information you can use to save the most amount of money while still engaging in travel that stimulates you and leaves lasting memories.
I look forward to reading your responses and feel free to send in your tips, too - either via email or posting in the discussion forums.
The copyright of the article What Is Budget Travel? in Budget Vacations is owned by Michelle Snow. Permission to republish What Is Budget Travel? must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Jun 14, 2006 11:22 AM
Jill Florio
:
What a great first article to set up your topic! I am really looking forward to reading all your tips.
I've always had to use the 'scrimp and save' version of traveling (avidly reading and higlighting Let's Go, staying at hostels, using student passes, hitchiking and cheap eats) and I might be ready to enter your second category of traveler now!
Jun 14, 2006 9:20 PM
Jennifer W. Miner
:
For me, I like to go where it is that I want to go, but save money on meals (resorts can be incredibly extortionary in this regard) by buying the basics for our room. You know, dry cereal, coffee. Usually I'm not up to facing pert and cheerfull waitstaff until I've dosed myself with a certain amount of caffeine anyway. :) Jen http://luxuryresorttravel.suite101.com
Jun 15, 2006 5:52 PM
Kelby Carr
:
I also believe budget travel doesn't have to mean cheap, or sacrificing a good trip. Shoot, if you're too broke to enjoy yourself, don't go! I've traveled plenty of places without much money, and usually find the experience is even better those times. Comparing trips around Europe, for instance, by train and staying at hotels, we had a far less authentic experience than we did by car, camping the whole way. We met so many more people camping than we did in hotels. We got so used to camping on one long road trip around the Pyrnees that, when we decided to splurge and stay in a hotel one night, my husband, daughter and myself got barely any sleep that night! Heheh! I think we got used to our air mattress and the fresh night air.
Jun 15, 2006 6:00 PM
Jennifer W. Miner
:
I totally agree. Say you have X money in your travel budget. I'd much rather spend it going somewhere new and neat (but saving on the hotel room or avoiding fancy restaurants), than takaing a few high-end one-day overnights.
Jun 19, 2006 6:00 PM
Kelby Carr
:
Yes. This is actually why organized tours turn me off. You're paying for handholding and a total cheesy tourist experience. I'd much rather muddle through on a budget and see what I discover.
