We know that a trip will cost money. Airfare, accommodations, food, admission fees, local transit, shopping – it will all add up.
Once you’ve decided you’re going on a trip, start saving for it. Better yet, just keep saving up for a trip whether or not you have one planned. Decide how much you will set aside every time you get paid. That could be a fixed amount or a percentage. Whatever it is, commit to it and set the money aside the moment you get paid.
Will the money you save cover all your expenses for the trip? It really depends on how much your trip will cost and how much you’re setting aside. In all honesty, it probably won’t. But you’ll be that much further ahead than if you didn’t save up at all.
You can also do research on how much major things will cost: airfare, accommodations, admission tickets. Remember that seasonality affects some of these costs, going up during peak season and getting a little cheaper during shoulder and off seasons. This will give you a rough idea of how much you’ll likely need for your trip.
You can use tools like Google Flights or the app Hopper to check out flights and how much they will cost. They both give an indication of how the price may fluctuate over time. You can even get alerts as prices fluctuate, giving you the chance to buy your tickets when the prices drop.
Many travel guide books will also give you an idea of local costs for accommodations, food, entertainment, transit and shopping. Make sure to purchase a current guide book. One that was published more than two years ago may already have out-of-date information.
Most cities and countries have official tourism websites that are very informative. That’s another resource for understanding options and costs.
Don’t let the cost of things put you off, just manage them. If accommodations are expensive, you may find cheaper alternatives if you stay a little bit outside of the city centre. Consider travelling during the shoulder or off season to take advantage of cheaper fares and accommodations. And there are some cities that are simply cheaper than others, but just as much fun to visit and explore. The important thing is to go in knowing what you’re getting yourself into. Be aware of the costs, and then plan for it or plan around it.