Cheap Travel Plans

You can divide the cost of travel into two main categories: what you must spend, and what you want to spend. If you minimize category 1, you have more money left for the fun stuff. Cheap travel plans involve cutting costs for the "must" areas of transportation, housing and food.

Transportation

The cheapest method of transportation on the planet is walking. Bicycling is another cheap travel method. You may not want to walk from here to your vacation destination, but walking and bicycling while you're there will save you money you would otherwise spend on car rentals, gas and parking.

Other cheap travel methods include:

• taking the bus or a train
• hitching a ride with a friend and sharing expenses (no, that does not mean hitchhiking)
• becoming a courier and carrying or driving something that needs to go where you're going
• joining a tour group

Housing

Instead of a hotel, find somewhere free to stay. Stay with family or a friend. Or with the friend of a cousin of your sister's in-laws. Use any connection you can think of. The rules for cheap travel housing are:

• offer to sleep on the floor or couch
• take your own pillows and sleeping bag
• don't eat their food
• be a good guest and clean up after yourself
• leave a nice gift

Food

Cheap travel means not eating in restaurants. Not even golden arch restaurants. Buy your food at local stores and markets and eat it fresh.

By cutting the cost of transportation, housing and food, you'll have more money to spend on fun stuff. And you'll have a unique cheap travel experience and it may be the most enjoyable travel you've ever had.