‘The world is your Oyster’, they say. ‘There is no greater love than the love to travel’, they say. But how to travel without selling your body organs is what they never said. Well, you need not worry, because if the travel bug has bitten you too but you have no money, you’ve come to the right place!
Hundreds of blogs will tell you where to go and what to do, but if you are a college student and live on a shoe string budget, none of these blogs will help you out. It’s important to plan strategically so as to get the best bang out of your buck. Here are 7 ways which will end your wanderlust dilemmas:
Keep your options open
As a college student, we seldom get what we want and it is always easier, better and more prudent to keep your options for newer places pen. No spot is a bad spot and there are definitely inexpensive travel spots in India. Choose some place which generally doesn’t involve a lot of to and fro cost, and is visited by school/college students more than honeymooners or families. Places like Kasol, Kodaikanal, Goa and Jaipur are good options.
Hostels = Life
Cheap hotels are a thing of the past and the world is now governed by AirBnB’s and Zostels. Look for pocket friendly room accommodations and drop the idea of living comfortably in a posh hotel. This will save you valuable bucks. Not to say that hostels aren’t comfortable, but the very basic hygienic conditions found in several guest houses, home stays and shared hostels are more than what you need to explore the country.
Backpack
No, this is not a luggage advice. This is a lifestyle advice. Backpacking has always been a mainstay of people who travelled abroad when abroad trips burnt a hole in your pocket. Now, flight tickets are cheaper than ever and mobility is the key. Be ready to move, shift, hustle, walk and run and for that, you need a backpack and not your parents’ almirah to carry your luggage.
Group up!
Going solo might be a kickass idea, but it also kicks your monetary ass. Travelling in small, manageable groups helps you share resources like cabs, stay costs and food and keeps your budget in check. It also provides a sense of security and known faces around which is psychologically uplifting and encourages you to explore more. The only thing to keep in mind is to travel with likeminded people or close friends as taking a group trip can push buttons you never knew you had!
Touch and go
Patient, slow travel is a way of being, but there are plenty of places which you can absorb in a relatively less amount of time. Try to cover many places in a particular spot and explore nearby places quickly, as that will help you keep your trip and budget in control.
Valuables
On a travel spree, there are several things which we carry but don’t end up using. A DSLR, kindle, jewelry, these are objects that can be done away with when you go out and are hence just burdens. Losing valuables can prevent you from taking another wonderful trip and no one wants to get mugged!
General Tips
Saving costs can be pretty cumbersome, but if you eat at the hostels, shop less, explore more, rent bikes instead of cabs, find a friend who stays at your travel place, bunk along with pals, rent instead of buy and anticipate emergencies, you will always be on top of your budget travelling game.
So enjoy your trips, be safe and travel on!
