Seeing the world can be so exciting and fun, but it can also be expensive. It’s hard to balance where you want to go and what you want to see with how much you’re able to spend. That’s why we’ve compiled these helpful tips—to make sure you still get the most out of every trip without having to beggar yourself in the process!

Book the Right Flights
Flights are always the most expensive part of any trip, that’s why it’s important to make sure you’re planning your flights with price in mind. You can save money by waiting to book your return flight—though it’s tempting to just book a return trip all in one go, those can be more expensive than if you wait until you’ve made it to your destination to book your flight home. Another key way to save money on flights is to fly at off-times—a little red eye never hurt anybody! Stopover flights are always cheaper, and that way you can even check out another city while you wait—it’ll be a trip within a trip! Of course, the best way to save money on the flight is to visit a destination during the off-season. If you have the opportunity to book your trip for any time during the year, go when there’s nothing particularly special happening in that country that would make your flight more expensive. AND, you’d have the city and its attractions all to yourself!

Avoid hotels
A great way to save money is to look for alternate lodgings. Staying in four-star hotels every night is a sure way to run up your bill. Look into staying at a hostel instead—it’s cheaper and you’ll have the chance to make friends to explore the city with! And don’t discount bed and breakfasts—they offer comfort oftentimes at a cheaper price than a hotel. Also looks into house-sharing sites such as Airbnb, or if you’re looking for even more adventure, try camping!

Eat what the locals eat
Avoid areas where all the tourists go because all of the prices will be run up. Talk to the locals and find out their favorite places—not only will this save you some money, but you’ll also be getting a more authentic experience of the city you’re exploring! You might have to spend a bit more time doing a little bit of research, but you won’t regret it in the long run!

* If you’re looking for a way to save money in general, I recommend reading these money saving tips.