When you watch âCinema Travel Clubâ and similar programs on TV, you really want to go to distant lands yourself! Seeing all these exotic wonders with your own eyes - isn't that a dream? But many are stopped by difficulties, especially financial ones. Now that the ruble is melting just before our eyes, even experienced travelers refuse tours abroad. And it became expensive to travel around the Motherland. But this is not a reason to abandon the dream of life and spend the next vacation with the mother-in-law in the country. If you plan your trip wisely, you can save a lot. To do this, you need to know some secrets. In this article, we will reveal them and talk about how to travel cheaply in Russia, Europe and the world. For such trips it is not at all necessary to be young and healthy: everywhere to walk, spend the night in tents and eat canned food that I took from home. There are many other options when a trip will give only positive emotions, and not memories of hardships and tribulations against the background of the "holiday of life." Read the article and go on a budget trip to distant countries.
Traveling in Russia
Let's start with a simple one. Many complain that holidays in Russia are more expensive than abroad, and even the service leaves much to be desired. But there are also a lot of reasonable arguments in favor of spending holidays in their native country. Firstly, there is no need to take a visa, and indeed have a foreign passport. Access to Europe costs at least thirty-five euros. And not the fact that they will open a visa for you. The second plus of vacationing in Russia is the absence of a language barrier. Not knowing English, you should not go on your own to where you do not understand. And the third argument: you do not need to change the currency and depend on its jumps. Russia is a big country. To see all her beauty, and life is not enough. But overcoming long distances is, of course, a waste. And if we want to go not on hiking trips, but away and on vacation, we need to think out a scheme of how to get to the place. To do this, you must constantly monitor the offers of Aeroflot and other air carriers, as well as be interested in tickets for charter flights. If you travel a short distance, choose a reserved seat train car . The Bla-bla-car system is just beginning to make its way in Russia. But there will always be good people who can toss you, because they are on the way. There are some more tips on how to travel cheap in Russia. Staying at resorts is best in the private sector, and in large cities - in hostels. This will help save on food. Indeed, unlike hotels, in these places there is a kitchen.
Travel while you are young
In some countries, a passport is sufficient that states that you are not yet twenty-five years old to receive substantial discounts. This applies to transport and access to museums. It is a pity that the times of youth often pass during a period of lack of money, because people have not yet established themselves in life and earn little. But youth has significant advantages - health and indefatigable energy. When and travel, if not in his young years! And you can do it very cheaply. The first thing we go to the store "Goods for tourism and recreation" and purchase a tent for two, karematy, sleeping bags. Modern tents are compact and light enough to pack into a backpack. Young people in Europe have long been practicing such a hospitality system as âcoaching surfingâ or âhospitality clubâ. You can stay with your family absolutely free in order to later provide your accommodation for a guest stay. To travel to young people, you can buy a bicycle for tourism. In some cities, the practice of renting two-wheeled vehicles, sometimes even free. When traveling by bicycle, you can search for a motel in the country - it is cheaper there. Or stay for the night at a campsite. You can eat in fast foods or cook your own food.
How to travel for free
And would you like to go to the country of your dreams for nothing, and even so, so that you get paid for this trip? Then you need to master the traveling profession. In countries where many Russian-speaking tourists rest, hotels are looking for outgoing young people for a team of animators. If you have a sporty appearance or you have creative talents, you can try your luck and go to Egypt, Turkey, Greece not to spend money, but to earn it. The professions of alpine skiing and diving are also in demand. You can engage in a travel agency and go on a trip to the country of your dreams as an accompanying group or guide. Good photographers and journalists are also sent by various publishers to receive quality articles about life in other countries. Brilliant knowledge of foreign languages ââgives a person the opportunity to get a translator or get a job as a receptionist at the hotel. Another profession that allows you to travel the world is a remote worker. Now web designers, copywriters, programmers and content fillers get enough money to live anywhere with their laptop and not be aware of financial problems.
Visa. Is it possible to save?
Let us now consider how to travel cheaply abroad. Some countries do not require the opening of visas for Russians. Others make access free during the tourist season. But if we want to visit the countries of the Schengen zone, we need to go through this troublesome procedure - opening a visa. But here you can save money, especially if you are a Muscovite. Embassies of all European (and not only) countries are located in the capital of Russia. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply to the visa center and pay its employees for the provision of services. You can make an appointment on the website of the consulate and bring a package of documents for opening a visa yourself. Advice to those who have repeatedly been abroad. If you already have several passports in your passport about staying in the Schengen area, ask for a multi-visa for several years. The embassies of France and Germany issue permits for entry for three years to those who have visited these countries twice. Recall that with a Schengen visa you can travel almost throughout the European Union. But you need to be in the country no more than ninety days from a six-month term. The embassy, ââconvinced of your loyalty to their visa requirements, at another time may grant you the right to enter for five years.
How to travel cheap around the world: create a âroad mapâ
First of all, you need to think about where we are going. No less important in planning a travel budget will be the answer to the question of when the trip will take place. The fact is that in many tourist countries there are such concepts as high and low season. And in this last price fall on everything: airline tickets, hotels and even food. Believe me, Thailand in the rainy season looks no less attractive. Showers do not go for days, and the sun dries puddles in ten minutes. Therefore, the "Kingdom of Smiles" is better to go in the summer. But in Iceland and the countries of Scandinavia, you can go in the winter. At least in order to admire the aurora. On the beaches of Greece you can swim in late April and early November. A stay in this country during these periods will cost several times cheaper than in the summer season. When we travel ourselves (and this is an indispensable condition for a budget holiday), we can plan our trip and offer our own itinerary. Air transport is good when we need to travel a long distance: to get from Moscow to Petropavlovsk-on-Kamchatka or to Cuba. But if we want to visit Poland, Sweden or Hungary, it is quite possible to hit the road by train. To see several countries in one fell swoop - isn't it wonderful?
Flights
If you go to the website of such seasoned carrier companies as Aeroflot and ask about the price of a ticket for a certain date, a figure with a few zeros will greatly disappoint us. But there are secrets here. Want to know how to travel cheap by air? To do this, there are special sites for the search for low cost flights. Do not be lazy to study all the offers. The pricing policy of air carriers is complex and unpredictable, but one thing can be said: it is best to buy tickets a month or more before departure or the day before. Of course, in the second case you need to sit on your suitcases, but the action "Last minutes" is quite profitable. You can fly to Italy or Spain for fifty dollars. Unfortunately, Russian monopolists are crowding out low-cost fires from our market. But if low cost airlines do not go to the tourist, he goes to them. Petersburgers have been traveling the world for a long time, having first gone by bus to the Finnish cities of Lappeenranta and Tampere. There, they board the Ryanair, Wizzair, EasyJet, CemanWins and other low-cost. From Scandinavia to sunny Milan in this way can be reached for only twenty euros. Another way to reduce the cost of flights is charter flights. The only drawback is that they depart seasonally and only along popular tourist routes (usually to beach resorts).
How to travel cheap within the country
Many budget bus and rail lines in Europe are âhiddenâ from tourists. If you just ask the cashier how much the train ticket from Berlin to, say, Bonn costs, then the amount he calls will throw you in shock. However, ticket machines âAll Germanyâ are sold in vending machines at the station, which costs fifty-two euros on weekdays and forty-four on weekends. Moreover, the other three passengers on this travel document can go at all for ridiculous money. There are also tickets inside a separate federal state. If you plan your trip in advance, you can buy a seat on a high-speed train, such as the German Tales or French TGV, for twenty euros. Budget buses run in Europe. These are such lines as Euroline, City that City and others. In some provinces of France, you can reach any point for one euro on the so-called social buses. The same tricks exist with city transport. In some tourist places, absolutely free âslam-shutsâ run - municipal buses. A bicycle for tourism will be a great help to look at the country from the inside, because the local culture is best revealed in the province. You can move between cities and even countries by joining the Blah Blah Car program. The driver, about to go from point A to point B, announces that he will take fellow travelers. A place in Blah Blah Kare is much cheaper than on a bus or train.
How to hitchhike
There is also a way to move around Europe, such as carpooling or ride sharing. It resembles a blah blah car. The only difference is that the driver is one of the tourists. The remaining passengers are discounted on gasoline, payment of highways and, if any, car rental. Sometimes they even take turns. But the cheapest way to move is after all hitchhiking. And here you need to know some tricks. Each country has its own nuances of finding a ride. In Germany, for example, you will have little chance if you just stand on the sidelines. Yes, this is impossible. You need to come to the gas station and kindly ask the drivers if they will throw you at the point you need. And in other countries (in Turkey, for example), a finger raised up means an indecent gesture and can be perceived as an insult. Hitchhiking around Europe is, in principle, easy, but a lot depends on luck. You can wait only ten minutes, or you can inhale the smell of exhaust gases for half a day. If for ridersharing it is best to travel in the company of four people, then for hitchhiking the ideal option is one or two people. In Ukraine and countries of Central Europe, drivers are counting on a small, but still reward. It can be sweets or a completely symbolic amount of money. Also, get ready to entertain them with conversation.
Where to stay overnight
Hotels in capitals and tourist centers are always very expensive. And the closer they are located near the sights, the higher the price per room. If you are traveling by car or bicycle, it is most reasonable to stay at a motel at the entrance to the city. In picturesque places, campsites are located on the coast of the sea. In Europe, these are places that are not at all like our dull sites, crammed with cars and tents. If you donât carry all the necessary goods for tourism and leisure in your backpack, you can rent a mobile house at the campsite - a real house with its own bathroom and kitchen. Do not be afraid to browse the Internet. There are sites for coaching, apartment exchange for the period of departure. In resorts, private owners offer their services over the Internet, so you do not overpay for intermediaries. In low season, seaside hotels lure customers with very significant discounts or settle in rooms of a higher category at the price of âStandardâ.
Where to eat
In Europe, there is a huge difference between the prices of groceries in the supermarket and the dishes in the cafe. A loaf of bread, a pack of butter and a piece of cheese will cost the same as a sandwich served at a restaurant. A bottle of wine in a store is sold for the price of a glass of beer in a bar. What is the conclusion? How to travel cheap in Europe yourself? That's right - rent apartments with a kitchen and cook your own meals. If you still want to have a bite to eat while exploring city attractions, then avoid the places recommended by Michelin and Tripadvisor. Having received flattering stickers on the front door, the owners of such establishments inflate prices. Often cafes offer set menus or âdaily dishesâ. Such a lunch will cost you many times cheaper. Arab, Chinese, Vietnamese eateries will also not empty your wallet too much. In France, the rule applies: an order eaten at a table on the terrace will cost you more than the one served in the hall at the counter.
Tours and museums
Dreaming of a look at the masterpieces stored in the Louvre? Go to the museumâs website and see when it announces an âopen dayâ (free admission) or at least a âwhite nightâ (the exhibition will run until morning). In many tourist cities in Europe, municipalities are interested in attracting tourists. At the expense of the municipality (that is, free of charge for all comers), walking excursions to local attractions are organized. Of course, such hiking trips will not take place in Russian. Beware of guides offering you their services. At the end of the tour (not the fact that it will be interesting), he will present you with a rather large bill. If you do not know English or the language of the country where you intend to come, take care of acquiring a guide. In cities, look for tourist information bureau. There you will be provided with a free map indicating the places of interest to the traveler, they will be told about festivals and other events. There you can buy a "tourist pass". This card can be valid for one, three, five days or even a week. Not many tourist cities have it. This card not only opens you the doors of many museums, but also allows you to freely and unlimitedly use public transport. The tourist information desk offers free guided tours.
What can not be saved
Of course, on health. Always buy medical insurance when traveling abroad. Traveling with kids? Then you canât replenish the army of backpackers, hitchhiking and stopping at hostels or tents. You are responsible for the child, his health and safety. Do not ride with a hare - fines in Europe are very large.