The world is changing quickly and there are now many ways that budget backpackers can live like top-end travelers while on the road. With new ideas for travel-hacking and life-hacking spreading over the Internet every day, there's no reason why you can't travel in luxury while spending very little. Here are five tips that will help you live like a top-end traveler, while traveling on a backpacker's budget:
House Sit
Join TrustedHouseSitters.com and create an account with a few photos and a brief write-up about yourself and then you're ready to go! You can find thousands of listings from all over the world looking for a responsible traveler like yourself to watch over the luxurious property and pets for a few days, weeks or even months!
House sitting is a great way to live an extravagant life on the road by staying in beautiful homes for free. Places on offer range from stunning villas by the sea in the Caribbean to beautiful mansions on vineyards in France. Whatever you're looking for, you can find it on Trusted House Sitters.
Don't believe us? We're currently pet sitting in a beautiful ocean front cottage in Grenada. You can do it too, you just need to sign up!
Travel In The Off-Season
Did you know that you can save big money on flights, tours, food and accommodation by booking your trip in the off-season? You may be thinking that you don't want to get rained on during your travels, but these days you simply can't predict the weather.
We've traveled to countries in the off-season and had beautiful weather the entire time. We've also traveled places in the peak season and got rained on for days on end. You just never know! One thing you can be sure of though, is that if you go in the off-season, there will be discounts on just about every aspect of your trip.
Ask For Upgrades
This goes for hotels, flights, buses, tours and more... ask if there's any room for you in the "VIP" lounge. Ask flight attendants if you can take an empty seat in first class. Ask your hotel if you can try the penthouse suite for a night. You may get turned away a few times, but the worst that can happen is that you hear "no" a lot.
You'd be surprised how often companies are willing to give you that upgrade, especially if it doesn't cost them anything extra. A happy customer is worth more than an empty seat.
Use A Travel Rewards Credit Card
This is possibly the best way for budget travelers to reap some rewards and live life like a top-end traveler. Use your best travel rewards credit card and rack up some huge points so that you can use them later. Just make sure you're using the right cards for the right purchases.
If you have an Air Miles Rewards card, use it when purchasing flight tickets. Some cards offer cash back at grocery stores and gas stations, while others will give you bonus points for using them at airports. Have a few rewards cards and you'll be able to accumulate some valuable benefits.
Why not use your card to stay in a Hilton for the night, or take a first-class flight? Rewards cards can make any traveler feel like a boss!
If you're Canadian, choose from these Top 5 Best Credit Cards in Canada.
Travel Slower
Any long-term traveler knows that travel is the most expensive aspect of travel. Arriving somewhere on a bus, running around to see sites, and then hopping back on the bus to travel to another destination can end up costing you a fortune in transport costs. If you slow down a bit, you'll not only have better travel experiences, but you'll also be able to save a lot of money along the way to spend on whatever you want!
If you're taking a bus or a flight every couple of days, you'll be spending a lot more money than you need to. Also, if you spend a month or more in one city, you can rent an apartment and save big money on accommodation. You can also cook for yourself and save on food costs.
Instead of staying in a small cookie-cutter hotel room for just a couple of nights, try to rent an apartment and stay a while. You'll feel much more comfortable and it will be cheaper than a hotel. You may be surprised at the amazing apartments on offer, especially in the off-season.
Ready to travel in luxury?
These simple tips can really get you out of your budget limitations and into a world of luxurious possibilities. It's fun to travel on a budget sometimes and try to live a minimalist lifestyle, but once in a while we all enjoy some comforts. Why not treat yourself occasionally?
With these tips, anyone can live the life of luxury on the road, while still keeping to a conservative budget.
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