There's No Place Like Oz

Brooke vs. the World has asked travel bloggers to put together their best thrifty and resourceful travel tips for a helpful, free ebook. If you think you’re thrifty and would like to participate, check out the official rules.

Since my first trip abroad in 2003, I’ve been a budget traveler. That first trip took me to Ireland, and I had a steal of a deal — round trip airfare, a week’s car rental, and 6 nights in B&Bs for $399 (plus taxes). Thank you, Budget Travel magazine.

Several European countries and a year in Australia later, I’ve found I have some thrifty tips and tricks that help me save money so I can travel longer and more often.

YAY, be thrifty

Earn more frequent flier miles

Truth be told, I’m not a frequent flier. I take 2 round trip lights per year if I’m lucky, with at least one of those being domestic. When I signed up for a frequent flier account with a Star Alliance partner, I realized it could take YEARS to earn enough miles for a free flight. I decided to earn points more often by signing up for the airline’s frequent flier credit card. With every dollar I spend, I earn a mile. Since I put just about everything on my credit card (and pay it off each month), I’ve been able to earn miles much more quickly than I would solely relying on flights. To date, I’ve scored one free round trip flight within Europe, a 1-way flight from Australia to the east coast of the US, and a 1-way flight from the east coast of the US to London.

Prioritize your spending

Food has becoming increasingly important to me, so I travel knowing that a fair amount of my budget will go toward eating at fun cafes and the occasional higher end meal. Since food is a priority for me, I compensate in the choices I make for accommodation, transportation, and how I see the sights and attractions. It helps that I’m not a drinker — I can easily do without.

Learn when and where to find discounts (again with the food)

One of the many reasons I was excited to work for an organic grocery store in Sydney was the free food perk — each shift I received a free meal and two free coffees. In addition to my store and cafe discount, enjoying free food every time I worked saved me a small fortune! If you’re traveling AND working, consider working for an employer that gives you freebies and discounts…I also considered working for a gym for free membership.

Who doesn’t love FREE?!

At the end of a the day, some cafes and take away shops discount the food that must be sold by day’s end. I received a free item from time to time when I happened to be at a cafe at closing time. In one mall in Sydney, a shop in a food court discounts all of their salads to 50% (or less!) in the last hour of the day. Tourists and locals working in the CBD flocked to the shop for a super cheap dinner.

Exercise for free and save on transportation

I love going to the gym to participate in group fitness classes and use the weight machines. On the road, paying for day passes to local gyms just isn’t in the budget. I pack one or two changes of workout clothes and head out on long walks or short jogs. And in general, I prefer to walk just about anywhere. I skip the bus or train if possible, and I’ve walked for 10 hours in a day just to see the sights on foot.

Find the public transportation discounts

In Sydney, I bought the bus system’s “Travel 10” card. Instead of buying 10 individual tickets, the 10-journey “Travel 10” card saved me about 30% on fares (I had a long ride from my flat to work). In London, I take advantage of the Oyster Card and the savings it passes on to those hopping off and on the Underground.

Update your wardrobe for less

I packed as much for a year in Australia as I do for 3-week trips abroad — and perhaps less than I do for a weekend or 1-week trip at home! I knew I’d have to buy more clothes in Australia, and I quickly found the cute AND inexpensive place to go — SES. I scored both short and long-sleeved shirts for $5, tank tops for $3, and incredibly cute, going-out-for-a-nice-dinner-worthy dresses for $15. I found a few more bargains at thrift stores and local markets.

Camp for less than a hostel — or for FREE

Brooke and I traveled from tropical north Queensland, Australia to Sydney and spent two weeks camping at caravan/tourist parks. The cost per person was less than we’d spend for a hostel, and though it took me a few days to get used to sleeping in a tent in the great outdoors, I greatly valued the savings — don’t forget, I need to save money for food 😉

After the experience with Brooke, I spent TWO MONTHS camping around Australia, largely for free, thanks to the Camps Australia Wide book, which lists free and low-cost camp sites around the country. Thanks to this book, I was able to come under budget every week of the road trip 🙂

I know I’ve only scratched the surface of thrifty traveling and can’t wait to read the tips fellow travelers share in Brooke’s ebook!