This is How to Plan A Bad Ass Trip on a Budget
I’m planning a last minute, four day, bad ass trip on a budget to Siem Reap, Cambodia right now.
I’ll be in Bangkok for work next week, and got the OK from my boss to extend my trip a few days after. Siem Reap is an hour flight from Bangkok, so it makes for an easy side trip from there.
As I go through this planning process, I wanted to share my top tips for strategically organizing a trip to make the most out of your budget and time!
Study the Flight Prices
→ Always a big question mark — is this flight a good price? Should I book now? Will the price go down next week tho? Or what if it goes up?
→ Be a student of travel, and keep an eye on flight prices in advance. I always use Kayak to search for flights and then set weekly or daily email alerts so I can track how the prices are fluctuating, and be able to grab tickets if I see them drop.
→ Check to see when the main tourist season is. I always aim to go in the weeks right after it, when prices drop and it’s not as crowded. It can be a little risky with weather, but it’s worth to save money and get some cool (but typically overcrowded) places to yourself.
Take Advantage of Work Travel
→ Always make the most out of traveling for work if you can. Whether it’s getting up super early to explore before the work day while you’re there, or asking to extend your trip, don’t count out your inner explorer just because you’re working!
→ There are cool side trips to take EVERYWHERE in this world — regardless if you’re working in Bangkok or Alabama. Keep an open mind!
Let the Wanderlust Wash Over You
→ Dreaming and researching for a trip is half the fun! Enjoy the process :)
→ Kick off trip planning by watching loads of YouTube videos on where you’re going — pick up tips and tricks from other travelers and figure out what will work best for your personal preferences and budget.
Name Your Price
→ Once you’ve started stalking flight prices, and have gotten an idea of what you want to do on your trip — set your budget! Know what you have to work with so you can plan adventures within your means.
→ Don’t be fucking fancy. If you really want to travel more, stop putting so much emphasis on staying at an expensive boujee hotel or trying to fly first class to be comfortable, and focus on the experience you’ll get outside the luxuries of home.
Book a Hotel / Hostel
→ After you finalize your flights, get a hotel or hostel booked in your price range and ideal area to explore from. Again, don’t be fancy — prioritize cultural experience and adventure over comfort in your travel budget.
→ Hostelworld is my go to for budget stays, and I always check Expedia for other options too.
Strategically Plan Your Days Out
→ There is definitely a balance to strike between planning your trip out to make the most out of your time there, and giving yourself enough flexibility to be open to whatever happens.
→ Doing this initial research and mapping will help save money when you’re there, as you can plan to explore things within close proximity on the same day so you’re not spending extra zigzagging all over the place the whole time you’re there.
→ Read and watch as much as you can about where you’re going, there are so many great blogs and vlogs out there to help you prepare and have the most magical trip possible.
→ There is where my Handy Dandy Trip Template comes into play:
→ I create a google doc for each trip I go on to track my game plan, budget, recommendations and notes. The doc above has the template I use, along with a bunch of my past trips for your reference. If you have any questions about it, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
→ This will give you a bird’s eye view of your trip, and ensure you can enjoy and make the most out of your time there within your budget.
While You’re There
→ Again, stop being so fucking fancy and taking Ubers everywhere. Look up the public transportation system before you go and take the bus or the metro so you can save a ton of money (to spend on future travel!) and soak in more of the everyday life there.
This is especially true coming to and from the airport — I get that you’re tired and don’t want to lug all your shit on a bus, trust me I feel the same way but I still suck it up*— but 1. stop overpacking, it’s unnecessary and only holds you back and 2. realize that by doing so you can save hundreds of dollars to travel more. *A majority of the time — but if it’s super late or you’re truly exhausted, always put your self and safety first.
→ Be flexible and go with the flow! You never know what adventures a trip is going to hold for you, so make sure to disconnect from life and work back at home and truly live in these precious travel moments.
Remember, this trip will never happen again!
→ I’d love to know… What else do you do to successfully plan a trip on a budget? Do you plan as much as I do? Where do you want to go next?
Are you ready to finally turn your travel dreams into reality? Sign up for my newsletter today, and I’ll send you the first three steps you need to take to start traveling the world and living the life you’ve always imagined!
