Backpacking Asia: How to Travel Frugally

One of the things that you probably promised to do this year is to start saving. However, one of the goals you probably set for 2017 is to travel more and see the world. Both are good, but aren’t they conflicting? Not really, if you know a thing about frugal traveling. This doesn’t mean you’ll sleep and shower at airports or eat crap throughout your trip. This basically means you get the best value for your money and not spend much for nonessentials.

There is renewed appreciation for Asia among budget travelers and backpackers. The continent is rich in tradition, natural wonders, and is significantly cheaper than the rest of the world. You’d be surprised of how much an Asian tour would cost compared to a trip to Europe or the Americas.

If you’re planning to visit Asia this year, be smart and be wise. Know how you can save money when traveling to Asia, while spending nothing but time and gaining new experiences.

Plan early and plan ahead

Photo courtesyof DariuszSankowski via Pixabay

The key to frugal travel in Asia, or any part of the world, is planning ahead. You can’t expect to score airfare and great accommodation deals if you only plan weeks before the trip. Have a travel plan on paper so you can manage expenses. You have to decide on what you want to do before you can map out an itinerary. Are you going to an amusement park that charges entrance fees or temples and landmarks that you can visit for free?

You should know that Asia is fast developing. Big cities in Korea and Japan may cost you a fortune, but countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, India or Nepal are perfect for budget travel. There are a lot to do for very little money—visit volcanoes and famous landmarks, swim in beaches, and trek mountains. So before you book a flight, decide where you want to go and which experiences you want to try.

How to visit Paris on a budget

Paris is an amazing city; there is so much to see and do. It is a vibrant and busy city with so much culture and history. As well as being a romantic city, it does have a reputation for being a little pricey. You might think that you have to spend a lot when you are there, to make it worth it. This is not the case! You can have a great time without having to spend a lot. You just need to plan ahead a little more so that you are planned and prepared.

Image from Pixabay

The cost of living for Parisians is a little higher than it is for others in France . It goes that way in most cities, though. As a result, the hotels often cost a little more too. It is a good idea to avoid the classic touristy areas when you are thinking about somewhere to stay. They know tourists want to be in the thick of it all, and will charge you extra for it. Think about staying somewhere a little further out. You should take into account the cost of travel, though. So work it all out and see if it will cost less. The chances are that it still will. You could even look to stay in a home that someone is renting out. This is safer than a hostel and way cheaper than a hotel.  There will be plenty of vacation rentals in Paris you don't want to miss . So do your research and see if there is one that is right for you.

When you are out and about in Paris, it can be costly to get things like ice creams or bottles of water or soda. A bottle of water can cost around €4! So one of the best things to do is to go to a supermarket near to where you are staying and stock up. Take a backpack with you during the day and carry bottles of water with you. It can be a little bit annoying, but will save money.  It will stop you having to find shops or restaurants to stop for a drink too.

Image from Pixabay

You want to see a lot of the main sights when you visit. To do it on a budget, visit the free attractions first. The likes of the Notre Dame cathedral and Montmartre are free. You could take a walk along the banks of the river Seine . You can walk down the Champs Elysées and look in all of the lovely shops. Things like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower cost money to go up them. It doesn’t cost anything to have a picture outside of them, though. So you can still see the main event for free. The same goes for the Louvre; you can take a picture outside to prove that you were there. You don’t have to pay to go in unless you want to.

If you are under 26, there are a lot of the main attractions that you get in for free at. So check which ones are included and make sure that you have your ID with you. The French are sticklers for the rules!