Budget Adventures Travel Guide

Budget adventure travel doesn't have to be boring adventure travel. It’s about being savvy with your money while not scrimping on the fun factor. The main thing to bear in mind is that everyone defines ‘budget’ differently: it is subjective.

For most people the terms backpacking and budget go hand-in-hand but this doesn’t have to be the case. However short or long the duration of your holiday, whatever the style of your trip and wherever your choice of destination takes you, your holiday can benefit from a little bit of clever money management.

Budget adventure travel is about using your own knowledge wisely and listening to others in order to pick up tit-bits of useful information. These little gems of info can, and often do, lead you to places that might not be mentioned in the guide books but are frequented more by locals. A gentle nudge in the direction of an unassuming looking café might herald an amazing, authentic meal. Or a tip-off to stay at an unmentioned, un-reviewed place could end up being the highlight of your trip. The point is to be prepared to go outside the comfort zone in your pursuit of budget adventure travel.

Flights & Overland Travel

Probably the largest single payment you will make towards your adventure is the airfare. To begin your adventure in the month of August or December will mean you pay a higher price for plane journeys. This is because these two months are peak holiday periods. The masses will be travelling and the increased demand drives prices up. So shop and choose the most cost effective carrier best suited to your needs. Last minute bookings can be cheaper than regular bookings - but not always, so don't expect always save by booking late. It's a lottery, and for that reason it's best to plan in advance even when taking budget travel trips.

Once landed, using public transport is often the best way to get around, much cheaper than renting or buying a car. In some countries it might pay to buy an unlimited travel pass. These are valid for a set duration and enable you to hop on and off public transport, as you choose. These take away the need to buy individual tickets for each journey. Some examples are the Inter-Rail pass for Europe, the Kiwi-Bus in New Zealand or the Bula Pass in Fiji.

Activities & Experiences

To make a good adventure holiday you need to pack in the adrenalin-fuelled activities, and often these don't come cheap. The recommendation of others is helpful when choosing which company to get adventurous with. Here, it pays to do the research and shop around, as adventure sports operators will often compete strongly on price in order to garner your business. Another good tip is to herd as many like-minded people together for one activity. This generally brings the price per head down. All said, price should not be the most important factor when choosing which company to throw yourself out of a plane with; good safety records, quality equipment and knowledgeable instructors are also paramount. If these mean you pay a bit more but come home safe, then the extra money was well spent.

Sightseeing

Whilst visiting cities, a good way to spend less and see more is to walk your way around. Walking is free and the slower pace opens you up to the finer workings of a place, those so easily missed from the comfort of the tour bus. It can also lead to meetings with local residents, and from here the beginning of new friendships and adventures.

Check out hostel notice boards and leaflets, for news on festivals, museums, gardens and other entertainment that might be free.

Eating & Sleeping

As you amble around you will at some point feel the urge to eat. A good rule of thumb to follow is: 'If a restaurant is full of local people then the food must be alright.' So spot one, sit down and enjoy.

If the restaurant is full of tourists it could mean that the food is all right, but watch for inflated prices.

Top tip: Don't disregard the street food. These meals can be delicious and they are extremely cheap in most countries. You do run a culinary gauntlet and need to watch out the food is prepared correctly. This may not prove the least eventful of choices, however, travellers take the rough with the smooth and still come out smiling.

Guidebook referrals for accommodation = pay more money. Once accepted by a guidebook most places hike up their prices, so be open-minded when choosing your accommodation. You can always check the condition of the room before agreeing to stay, or book for one night only at first in order to get a feel for the place. Some hostel owners may consider letting you do a few days work at their premises in lieu of your bill - a good way to meet new people and save money.

Camping is consistently the cheapest form of accommodation when travelling. If you’re camping while island-hopping in a far flung place, then you might escape the confines of ‘designated camping areas’ and get free reign to pitch up wherever you like - just back from the high-tide line ensures a dawn chorus beautiful enough to stir any soul.