How I managed To Travel On A Budget During My Gap Year Trip To Nepal

When I was planning for my gap year, my major concern was money. I always thought that if I would not have enough money I can’t explore the country where I am heading to. So I researched a lot online how can I finance my gap year on my own. I started reading about how can I earn some extra money for my trip.

Then I came into contact with a past gap year traveler who told me that it’s not always true that you need more money to travel and you can have your amazing gap year trip on a budget. So I started to find out the ways to travel on a shoestring budget and here I have compiled all those tips I got from my friends, online and asking with some industry experts.

1. Research for Budget-Friendly Country

When you are planning for your gap year journey abroad, you should focus on some budget-friendly countries. Go online and do some research to make a list of economic countries then shortlist any 4–5 countries, read about their history, culture, weather conditions, the best time to visit, etc.

2. Research Cost of Living

Once you have chosen your country, now its time to check its cost of living of that particular country. To do so you can research online and estimate your daily expenses like your local sightseeing, accommodation, food, and transportation, etc.

3. Check Currency Exchange Rates

If you are going abroad on your gap year, currency exchange can also be your major concern. Check online exchange rate fluctuations. If your own country currency is stronger than your visiting country then you don’t have to be worry but on the contrary, your travel country’s cost of living can steal your budget.

4. Book Your Travel in Advance

Now, you have decided your destination, its time to book your logistics to save some extra pounds. Mostly train, bus, and air ticket companies offer early bird discounts. It will always be advisable to secure your tickets in advance and make your trip more cost effective.

5. Apply Your Visa Sooner

Once you have done with your travel tickets, time to apply for your visa. Visa process generally takes the longest time to approve and it will cost you a lot if you apply later. Some countries do not accept late visa which means you would have to re plan your trip.

6. Cut Out the Middle Man

It is always advisable for the first time traveler to go with a tour company or with some organization. It saves your time and stress no doubt. But if you want to do budget travel, you have to plan on your own. There are many articles online which can help you with your visa, tickets, accommodation, safety tips, weather, sightseeing places, etc.

7. Don’t Exchange Money at the Airport

Most of the first time traveler exchange their money at the airport thinking that it is most convenient for them. That’s why the money exchangers at airport charge a hefty commission fee. To make your trip budget-friendly, just exchange enough amount for your taxi ride and when you will reach the main city, you can exchange there on better rates.

8. Don’t Carry Too Much Cash

Carrying too much cash with you, keep you away from budget travel. As your cash has lost, then there is a little chance to get it again. When you carry cash, you can’t keep track every time you spend. When you want to know at the end of the day, where your money was spent, it can make you feel bad about your mindless shopping.

9. Use a Budgeting App or A diary

If you are on a tight budget, you have to keep track of your spendings. To do this, you can download an app on your phone or write down your daily expenses at the end of the. When I travel, I usually keep away my phone as much as possible so that I can get the most out of my trip. I prefer to write in my diary. I write down the total estimated budget, then categorized my spending and also set my limit to spend in a day.

I prefer to write in my diary. I write down the total estimated budget, then categorized my spending and also set my limit to spend in a day.

10. Interact with the Locals

To know the culture of your chosen country, you should hang out with the locals. The locals will guide to visit those places, any guidebook or online blog are failed to tell you. You can taste the real authentic food of the country. It will not only save your money which you will be supposed to spend in fancy restaurants but also help you to get a deeper insight into a different culture.

11. Avoid Traveling During Holidays

It is a common mistake that everyone has done in their lifetime. They plan their trip during the holidays. It costs them too high in terms of overpriced air tickets, accommodation and overcrowded to explore the destination fully. For families who are planning to travel, they have to compromise with those costs but if you want to avoid all those extra costs and want to enjoy your gap year on a budget, you should be flexible with your travel dates. Travel during weekdays or in the off-season (of your country as well as your travel country) can save a lot.

12. Do Volunteering

Most gappers choose to volunteer abroad on their gap year break, so I did. I chose to volunteer in Nepal at childcare center and it saved my money which I would rather be spending on fancy accommodation. Volunteering for a noble cause helped me to boost my CV and made memories for a lifetime. Volunteering helped me to get lots of benefits.

Get Ready For An Amazing Gap Year

Most people take the word “Gap Year” as the year between your high school and college. But for me, gap year means a little wider. When you want to take a break from your daily routine, want to explore any country or want to know more about yourself, taking a break or gap will be a perfect decision. Traveling on a budget will make your decision more challenging. So pack your rucksack, follow these tips and go ahead.