budget

Travel Budgeting Tips & Templates

Travel Budgeting Tips & Templates

Traveling is a dream for most people, but too often it feels out of reach. However, with the right amount of research and preparation, you can make any travel dream a reality with effective travel budgeting.

Explore my best tips to get the most out of your money while abroad, plan effectively for the costs you’ll likely run into, and some tricks to cut unnecessary costs! No matter what kind of traveler you are, you can go on the trip of your dreams with a few short steps that break it all down.

Map for travel planning with a notebook and pen

Table of Contents

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Part 1: Know Your Starting Point

Define Your Goals

Why you want to travel, and what you’re hoping to get out of it is a great place to start. Are you looking to live lavishly without a care in the world for a few weeks? Or, are you trying to connect more deeply with yourself, your communities, and the planet? 

This is more than just how you want to travel, it also includes where. Each location has a different cost of living which is a major factor to consider. Island hopping in the Mediterranean is much more expensive than mountain trekking in South America!

The ‘way’ you envision your travels will set the scene for your expenses, and be the best starting place to begin planning!

Estimate Your Expenses

Based on how you envision your travel looking like, and where you hope you go, you’ll be able to dive deeper into the logistics of the costs you’ll face. Travel budgeting is only possible if you know what expenses you’ll likely have abroad. 

In general, this can be broken down into transport, accommodation, food, activities, health, documentation, and any pre-travel expenses you will have!

Transportation

Transport is typically the most expensive element of travel expenses, especially if you fly to your destination. Be sure to check out how to book the cheapest flight so you can cut costs where possible!

Once you arrive, how much will you need to move around? Will you be in one place for a few weeks or months, is there public transport, or will you need to rent a car or a motorbike? Ground transport differs greatly by region, check out Omio for Europe, 12Go in Asia, and providers like BudBud for long-haul buses!

While you won’t know the specifics of every cost, it is essential to do some research here to understand what the expenses of your destination look like so you can move around comfortably!

 

Accommodation

Once you arrive, where will you stay? Your accommodation is an essential element that will set the scene for your trip. The luxurious traveler may love an all-inclusive with no extra thoughts, while a more cultured traveler will be looking for a homestay, guest house, or more engaging lodging experience.

Check out sites like Booking.com, HostelWorld, or Airbnb to familiarize yourself with the accommodation options you have at your destination. Often, you can get great deals on accommodations by connecting with hosts directly, or with a minimum stay. For example, Airbnb often has a ‘long-term’ stay discount for any bookings over 28 days!

Food

The food you eat while traveling depends on the type of traveler you are. Local food is always the most affordable and allows you to connect with the local culture and people while having the lowest environmental impact.

Many accommodations offer free breakfast, which is a life-savor for your budget and for those mornings you just want to take it a bit slow. Be sure to consider this in your cost and choices when choosing accommodation!

Estimate your food in terms of cost per day, so you can easily multiply it over the number of days you will be traveling. 

Technology

Technology isn’t something you need to have while traveling, but in the modern day, it’s hard to go without it. This includes your phone plan, VPN, and anything specific to you like drone registration costs, or specific tech insurance.

International phone plans can be tricky to set up, but essential for every traveler! Getting an eSIM through Nomad or Airalo can be the easiest option, and affordable! If you plan to work or connect to public WiFi, getting a VPN is also advisable to protect your data.

Use code TAYL58RX for Nomad eSIM, or TAYLOR8492 for Airalo eSIM to save $3!

Activities

What type of traveler are you? Are you excited to explore the outdoors with some hikes, dives, and anything in nature? Or, are you ready to lay back on the beach with a book and a sunhat for days on end?

The things you’re interested in greatly change your activities budget. To get ideas of what to do in a destination, I always start with a booking tour like Get Your Guide to see what is offered! 

If you have any extra money to spend with your travel budgeting, I suggest you send it towards the activities and excursions you take. These are the once-in-a-lifetime moments that you’ll remember forever.

Health

This is an essential element of travel expenses that you really shouldn’t cut corners on. This includes travel insurance, travel medical insurance, and any relevant vaccines.

There is no better way to put stress on your travels if you aren’t fully prepared with the best travel insurance for you. In case your bags get lost or damaged, you get injured during an excursion, or if your things get stolen. Know the differences between the types of insurance, and be prepared for the unexpected.

Depending on where you’re traveling, a vaccine may be required or highly encouraged. Every country handles vaccines differently – in the US you can call your local Passport Health office to see what is advised and the costs for each. Unfortunately but not surprisingly, no US insurance company will cover these costs. 

All of the health costs can be estimated before you depart!

Documentation

You cannot enter a country without the proper documentation. That may include a valid passport, a visa for entry, proof of vaccinations, proof of a booked departure ticket, and any other requirements like proof of accommodation, bank statements with a minimum balance, and more.

Check with your country’s embassy to see a full list of requirements for entry into a country. For US citizens, you can check out the US Embassy hereTo purchase a visa, check out iVisa!

All of the documentation requirements can be purchased before you depart. but will be dependent on where you’re from and where you’re going!

Pre-Travel Expenses

Are you ready to go, or do you have a few things to get still? This could include luggage, a travel backpack, a travel camera to document your trip, some packable clothing to complete your wardrobe, travel toiletries, and more!

Be realistic and don’t get more than you need. Traveling on a budget is easier when you have fewer things, especially for long-term travel plans. Check out the ultimate long-term travel packing guide so you have what you need!

Set Your Budget!

And just like that, you should have a rough idea of your budget! Whatever number you have come up with, add 10% to be sure you’re financially set even when faced with the unexpected. We can’t plan everything perfectly, but we can plan for the uncertainties of life. 

There may be some other things for you personally to consider while travel budgeting, like if you’re traveling with a pet, or a child, or going for a specific cause like a retreat or volunteering. 

 

Part 2: Saving For Your Trip

Now that you know approximately how much your trip is going to cost, you’ll have to save the money for it. Saving money isn’t easy for everyone, but with some simple goals and guidelines, anyone can do it!

If you already have the money at your disposal – if so, skip ahead to Part 3!

Cut Your Costs

The easiest way to save is to cut out some of your expenses currently. Maybe you make coffee at home rather than picking it up on your commute, eat at home more often, or favor free activities while you’re waiting to go on your trip. 

The sooner you can cut your costs and add to your savings, the sooner you’ll be on your way… or have more money to spend on your experience!

Track Your Expenses

To know where your money is going, and where you can maybe cut back, it’s helpful to have a  app, journal, spreadsheet, or whatever you use best to help monitor your spending. 

Historically I used Mint, which is now a part of Kredit Karma. Apps are a great way to track your spending in real-time, categorizing your transactions into specific groupings for easier tracking. 

It’s a great idea to track your spending for a few months to get an idea of your baseline, and make realistic cuts where you can!

Part 3: Make Your Money Last

Travel Credit & Debit Cards

A simple way to cut your costs abroad is by getting a credit and debit account that is designed for travelers. That means, no ATM withdrawal fees, and no foreign transaction feesNot only will you save, but you’ll also get points that you can put towards your trip! 

Not enough travelers do this, and especially when most of the world relies on cash transactions, that’s a lot of ATM withdrawals at $3.50 each! 

Travel Hacks To Save

There is no set way to save money abroad, it depends on where you go and the type of traveler you are. But, here is a list of my favorite travel hacks to save abroad that you should do on top of travel budgeting!

Travel in the Off-Season

Traveling in the off-season is a guaranteed way to save, plus, you’ll get to experience a place with way fewer people! Nothing takes away from the magic of a place than a bunch of tourists from your home country. Usually the ‘shoulder seasons’ have great weather, fewer travelers, and lower prices!

Avoid the Tourist Destinations

On the note of avoiding tourists, the places you see on Instagram that it seems everyone and their mom has been to, usually just aren’t worth it. They’re crowded, overpriced, and sometimes even require hours in a line! There are almost always hidden gems nearby that are similar, without the crowds of people.

Travel Slowly

Slow travel is a game-changer for those who have the time to do it. By traveling slowly, you’re not in a rush to see everything there is to be seen. Instead, you can wander freely, finding the hidden gems at your pace, while getting to connect to the locals and the land. 

Read more about what slow travel is and why it's right for you

More Ground TRansport, Fewer Flights

Flights are always more expensive when traveling a shorter distance. Although it seems like a huge time saver, you miss the beauty on the ground, the rolling hills, and rural landscape of a place. Not to mention, the carbon footprint of flights is insanely higher than a bus, train, or ferry. 

Thrift Shop & Local Markets

Shopping abroad can be an excursion in itself. Whether you’re at a boutique thrift store or a market with local artisans, you’re guaranteed to find unique things to bring home. Avoid shopping malls or any other chain store, you’ll be missing the unique gems you could find off the beaten path. 

Cook At Home & Eat Local

Where you eat will determine a lot of your expenses. In expensive regions like the US or Europe, cooking at home is a great way to save on costs while you try to create local dishes. If you don’t have a kitchen or you’re in a more affordable place, stick to eating where the locals do for a fun experience while saving money! 

Check Out Volunteering Abroad & Work Exchanges

If you’re an extreme budget traveler, or if you simply favor a raw experience, check out volunteering abroad and work exchanges. Programs like WorkAway or WorldPackers are a great way to experience a new place for little to no cost, with accommodation and food provided in exchange for 20 hours of work! 

Summary - Travel Budgeting

No matter what kind of traveler you are, or where in the world you want to go, it is all possible with the right planning, saving, and commitment. By breaking down each of the main expense categories, and doing some realistic travel budgeting for what you want, you’ll be able to create the trip of a lifetime!

While planning only gets you so far, saving is still a necessary component to see your dreams through to reality. Follow the tips to cut costs where you can before you go, while also choosing more budget options abroad. Traveling doesn’t need to be expensive if you don’t want it to!

As always, slow travel is the best way to save money, create a more enriching experience, reduce your stress, and make travel sustainable for the long term. Nobody wants to leave their trip, and the best part is you don’t have to!

What are some of your favorite ways to save money abroad, so you can do more?

Posted by Taylor Mallaber in Budget, Travel Planning, 0 comments
How To Book The Cheapest Flights

How To Book The Cheapest Flights

Traveling is so exciting once all of the planning is finally done. The costs can quickly add up in the process, leaving you with little to spend while you’re actually there exploring! Unlike rental cars or museums that have generally consistent costs, flights are a huge way to save if you navigate it well and do the research. This article will help you book the cheapest flights so you can save where you can, and explore more!

Check out the following resources to help you surf the web and find the best deals for you!

View out of a plane with a yellow sky and clouds

Table of Contents

Anything purchased through the links on this page helps me maintain this blog going. Thanks for supporting – Learn More.

Summary

1. Check your Points

2. Discount Flights

3. Flight Search Engines

4. Airline Direct

5. Check again within 24 hours

Be ready to take these offers with the flexibility of destination and date, pack light to save on luggage costs, and travel in the shoulder seasons!

Flight Search Engine

If you're able to drive to your destination in less than 5 hours, look for public buses or trains instead of a flight!

Myth or Fact?

1. Flights are Cheaper on Tuesdays

Myth. However, it is in fact cheaper to fly on a Tuesday, as well as on Wednesday and Saturday. The day of the week a flight is booked is irrelevant, however, there is a difference in flight cost depending on the length of time until the scheduled flight! It’s typically best to book early (2-3 months), however, there are some unbeatable last-minute flight deals!

2. Search in Incognito Mode

Myth. While flight prices do fluctuate on the market and demand for a particular flight, your search patterns will not influence this! Flight prices are constantly changing, but your cookies have nothing to do with it! However, if you don’t search in incognito mode, be prepared for endless ads!!

3. Flying a Budget Flight is Always Less Enjoyable

Myth. While there definitely are a lot of cheap flights out there that have some pretty significant drawbacks, there are some gems you can find for a good price. Often, flights are reduced in price due to a long layover, a self-transfer between airports, limited baggage, and a lower-quality experience. Check below for the discounted flight sites where you can find insane deals without all of the extra negatives!

Before you take off on your next adventure, get ready with everything you need to know about an International Phone Plan!

Before You Start

Be Flexible

The key to cheap flights is flexibility. You may find flights that have crazy long layovers in another city or better options on a different day. Maybe, you aren’t super attached to any specific destination, so you can be flexible there too!

Another big consideration is your luggage – many budget airlines have baggage limitations. Keep your options open and ready to grab by traveling light and being flexible. Otherwise, the price that’s too good to be true will probably cost you an arm and a leg just for a simple carry on!

Start With What You Know

Start with what you know and search from there – there are a lot of variables to consider and some may be necessary for you to keep consistent. For example, you want to go to South America but don’t care when or which specific country. Or, maybe you have 2 weeks off in the spring and want to go anywhere during those dates. These are 2 completely different situations that require different approaches

So, do you know the dates you want to travel? Do you know where you want to go? The cheapest flights can be purchased with the most flexible plans! Do yourself a favor and see if you can get a bit of wiggle room with both the destination and the dates. 

The 24-hour Rule

Once your flight is booked, you have 24 hours to cancel (this is a federal law in the US). Since flight prices fluctuate daily, you may find that the flight you purchased went down in price just hours later! If you’re a real bargain hunter, go ahead and cancel your flight to purchase the better option. 

This is also a good thing to know when you come across a good deal. Found a flight you can’t pass up? Book now and sort out the rest after, you never know how long the prices will last!

Let’s Go Through an Example of the Process:

1 Passenger with 0 bags traveling from San Francisco (SFO) to Costa Rica on October 18, 2023. The dates are slightly flexible +/- 7 days, and the airport in Costa Rica does not matter.  

*These figures are researched on August 29, 2023,<2 months before the trip. 

Option 1: Fly Free With Points

For any budget traveler, getting the right credit card and cashing in on those points is essential. Not only will they help cover travel costs if things don’t go to plan, but with the right card you can accrue points that you can cash in for flights!

Especially if you’re not a frequent flyer, you’ll want to use those points whenever you can, so start here! Check your credit card’s points value, and see how much that translates to in-flight miles. Typically the points can only be used when the flight is purchased through the credit card’s website, and these aren’t typically the cheapest options. So that’s up to you to decide if the points are worth using this time around. 

Find the best deal you can with your credit card points, and then continue to Step 1 and beyond to see what you’re comparing it to! You may find an awesome deal within the steps below that makes you want to save your points for something else. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred

This is the best travel card for its travel benefits. Earn 5x points booked on travel through Chase, earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, get comprehensive travel insurance, and more!

Example: Chase Sapphire Preferred

I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card – Through the Chase app, I found a flight for $205 on October 17 – a great option to compare to after the final steps!

By booking through Chase, I can use my Rewards points to pay for the flight, making it essentially free!

Option 2: Discount Flight Sites

You have probably heard of these discount flight websites – they offer insanely low prices for select flights. This is a great place to start, especially if your plans are flexible. Let’s break down some of the most popular discount flight sites!

Using any 3rd party booking sites can create a complicated customer service network. Be sure all info is accurate before booking to avoid unnecessary headaches!

Going (formerly "Scott's Cheap Flights")

Going is a subscription-based search engine connecting you with discounted flight deals departing from your home airport. You choose the destination, and Going will provide alerts of insane deals that can get you there for cheaper.

Subscription tiers are either Limited ($0/year), Premium ($49/year), or Elite ($199/year), each offering increased benefits to get the best deals. The deals are found by a team of people who search for the best options. However, there are limited features showing only round-trip tickets!

Example: Going

In Going, I found 1 deal that matches a flight from SFO > Costa Rica. A round-trip Avianca flight for $350 in September-November, with more options available by changing the date!

*This is round-trip, however, the link directed me to Google Flights where the price was $150

Travel Pirates

Travel Pirates uses a tried and trusted search engine to guarantee quality flight options – KAYAK. However, what distinguished Travel Pirates from KAYAK, is not the search feature, but the deals lists. Travel Pirates uses a team of deal hunters to put together the best deals for flight, transport, and accommodation while considering the overall value of the option (for your money & time)!

Example: Travel Pirates

In Travel Pirates, using the ‘Plan Your Own Trip’ feature, I found a flight for $135 on October 18! Within the deals section, there was a discount for $133 across LATAM – with further inspection, the $135 flight found through the specific search was the best option!

The Dollar Flight Club

The Dollar Flight Club works similarly to Going – where you input your home airport, ideal destinations, and date range and the platform will provide alerts when there is a low price. There is a free option, with the upgraded subscription available for $ /year. 

One major drawback is you cannot specify whether it is a one-way or round trip, providing skewed results. The results direct you back to either Skyscanner or Google Flights to further investigate. So if you know where you want to go, just go straight to Skyscanner / Google Flights and skip this step, however this is a great place to take advantage of deals found for random destinations around the world!

Example: The Dollar Flight Club

In The Dollar Flight Club, I found the applicable flight through Avianca listed online for $135, however, with further inspection the price was actually $150 as I was directed to Skyscanner and Google Flights. 

Option 3. Flight Search Engines

If you didn’t find any killer deals from step 1, then we move to a broader search with these flight search engines. These are technically an Online Travel Agency (OTA), which have their own added fees and discounts applicable. So, even if all of the search engines you use pull up the same flight options, you may see different prices! That’s why it is best to use them all and compare!

 

Protect your flight costs and any unforseen hiccups with the best Travel Insurance.

Google Flights

Google Flights is many travelers’ starting point when looking for flights. This is a user-friendly platform that provides a great baseline for what to expect in regard to price. Google Flights considers both major & budget airlines, offering a wide range of options! It also has some helpful features including: 

  • ‘Explore Everywhere’ feature
  •  Low price alert
  • Calendar price view to show cheaper dates
  • Extensive filters

Example: Google Flights

Using Google Flights, I found the same $150 flight with Avianca that many of the Discount Flights found. However, it also showed that if I changed the date from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20, the price would go down to $81

Since that’s only 2 days and a very reasonable flight schedule, that is the best option so far!

Google Flights is the best place to start to find the cheapest flights
See the "Travel on October 20 for $81" pop-up!

Skyscanner

While no flight-searching platform is consistently the cheapest, Skyscanner would definitely be a top contender. This platform is reliable and has a well-supportive customer service department. 

  • Often has the best prices!
  • Explore Everywhere Feature
  •  Low Price Alert

Example: Skyscanner

Using Skyscanner, the best flight is $150 through Avianca. This is the same search result as the Dollar Flight Club above!

ITA Matrix

Owned by Google, the ITA Matrix is a common tool amongst travelers, that compares the prices of major airlines. This is another great way to get a baseline, but it often doesn’t boast the best prices. ITA Matrix has a unique UX compared to many of the other sites, which, is preferred by many users due to its expansive filter options. 

  • Low price alert
  • Calendar Price View
  • Does not include budget airlines
  • You must use the exact destination airport code

Example: ITA Matrix

Considering the ideal date of October 18, ITA Matrix provided a JetBlue flight option for $205. However, their calendar view showed a cheaper option for only $81 on October 20. 

Since 2 days is worth a $124 savings, the $86 flight with Frontier is a better option. 

Momondo

Momondo is a part of the Booking Holdings Corporation, which owns KAYAK, Expedia, Booking.com, and more. However, this site has a fun style and quality options! One of the best features is the Flight Insights view to see historical changes and the best times to go!
  • ‘Search Anywhere’ feature
  • Low price alerts

Example: Momondo

Using Momondo, the cheapest flight on October 18 is $150 with Avianca, as reported above by other sources.

Kayak

If you open KAYAK after Momondo, you’ll notice they are extremely similar, and so far I can’t see any difference! 

  • Flight price alerts
  • ‘Explore Everywhere’ feature
  • Date Range filter

Example: KAYAK

KAYAK shows a $150 flight from Avianca 

Option 4: Straight To The Source

Once you find the best flight at the lowest price, you may want to check out and be done. However, it’s worth it to go straight to the airline site and see if they offer the flight any cheaper. Sometimes, they even have discounts and deals on their website to encourage you to purchase through them rather than a 3rd party agency. Call customer service and see if you can lock in anything cheaper!

Example Decision: San Francisco to Costa Rica

So far, the cheapest flight from San Francisco > Costa Rica is $81 from Frontier as seen on Google Flights & the ITA Matrix. 

However, this flight is for October 13 or October 20, and if flying on a Friday doesn’t work, then the best option is $150 through Avianca on the 18th. 

Let’s move forward with Frontier!

The website does have a discount offer for members of the ‘Den’, however, this is a membership service costing $60/year and $40 enrollment. Definitely not worth buying into that unless you fly Frontier often!

So with some time and research, you found a flight for only $81 to Costa Rica using Google Flights.. time to pack your bags and get to planning!

Summary - How To Book The Cheapest Flights

There are dozens if not hundreds of flight-searching options out there. You could spend your life finding deals and saving the most, but your time should also be valued in this process! 

The more flexibility you can have in your travel plans, the easier it is to find flight prices you feel good about. Some major ways to save include traveling with only a carry-on, traveling mid-week, and going during the shoulder seasons.

There is no perfect answer when it comes to finding the best flight, so start with some ideas about what you want to prioritize so your primary needs are met, and the rest will fall into place!

Posted by Taylor Mallaber in Budget, Transportation, Travel Planning, 0 comments
One Month Budget in Austria For Travelers

One Month Budget in Austria For Travelers

Austria has long been a travel destination for tourists and nature lovers for good reason. However, traveling anywhere costs money. This post will cover an average one-month budget in Austria for travelers.

This historic country is nestled in the northern Alps, where the sun is always shining, and nearly everyone is outside enjoying the beauty of nature. While Austria isn’t usually considered a budget destination, it can definitely be done affordably with a little bit of planning!

We traveled for 2 months in Austria, split between Upper Austria including Salzburg and Hallstatt, as well as in the heart of the Alps, in Tirol near Innsbruck.

Check out what’s waiting for you in Austria, and what you can expect to spend on accommodation, food, transportation, excursions, and general living expenses!

A snow covered trail through a forest with a stray painted austrian flag

Table of Contents

Accommodation Budget In Austria

Our accommodation is what determines our trips since many Airbnb hosts have a huge discount for any stay over 28 days, especially in the shoulder- and off-seasons. This is what has made living in Austria for 2 months affordable for us.

During our first month, we stayed in Bad Ischl, centrally located in the Salzkammergut of Upper Austria, only 20 minutes from Hallstatt! Our Airbnb was about 700 in total, with a tourist tax of 3.85/night. Since I travel with my boyfriend, we were able to split the Airbnb cost, however, the cost listed is the total price.

For our second month, we stayed in the Stubai Valley, south of Innsbruck. Our Airbnb was a total of 650 before we split it. The tourist tax in this region was 2.68/night.

Accommodation

774 Monthly
  • Airbnb
  • Tourist Tax

Regardless if you're in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, many regions have a tourist tax that should be factored into your accommodation expense! It is usually due upon arrival, in cash so be prepared!

Food Budget In Austria

Austrian food is hearty, locally sourced, and keeps you warm on those brisk winter days. Food prices were comparable to what we knew at home in the US, so budgeting was essential!

Our food expenses differed greatly between the two months. During the first month in Bad Ischl, we were constantly out and exploring, eating out, and working from cafes where we would get a few coffees and snacks.

In our second month, we were in a much smaller town, where we mostly grocery shopped and ate out less frequently, with very few small expenses at cafes.

On average, we spent 415 on food. Most of this was on groceries, with a few small meals and coffees or beers out! We are definitely big coffee and dessert people, so there was some room to save, but the food was too good!

Food

415 Monthly
  • Groceries
  • Restaurants
  • Cafes

Austrian diet is very meat, dairy and grain heavy. Eating local foods is the best sustainable choice, since the food didn't get transported far to get to your plate, it supports local farmers, and it's a great connection to the local culture! Take a 'flexitarian' approach to your travel diet.

Two people clinking ber steins on a mountain in the Austrian Alps
Drinks on Katrin Mountain

Transportation Budget in Austria

Transportation around Austria was extremely easy and affordable for us. If you’re trying to see the whole country, you may experience it differently, but we were able to utilize FREE BUSES during both of our one-month stays.

Austria has a well-connected public transit system including buses, trains, and ferries. We loved the availability of electric scooters for short-term travel! There wasn’t a single time we needed a ride share like Uber or wished we had a rental car.

The Tourist Tax we paid at both of our month-long stays provided free transport within the region and even transport to our destination upon arrival! 

You can’t explore Austria without a few cable cars & funiculars to get to the best viewpoints. These tickets are anywhere from €5-20 and make up the bulk of transit costs! Learn more about everything you need to know for transportation in Austria.

Transportation

65 Monthly
  • Public Bus
  • Cable Cars
  • Electric Scooters
Red cable car in Austria ascending a steep mountain with hot air balloons in the back
Katrin Cable Car, Bad Ischl Austria

Excursions Budget in Austria

There is so much to explore in Austria, luckily we love exploring the outdoors the most, which is accessible and mostly free! We were in Austria from mid-December to mid-February, so we focused a lot on skiing, gondola rides to mountain tops, and a bit of sightseeing when we were in cities.

Although skiing seems like an expensive sport, it is very affordable in Austria. We did travel with our own skis (which I definitely DO NOT recommend), so we avoided rental costs which are about 50.  Coming from California where day-pass skiing can be 180 (or more), 50 a day was so cheap!

We also loved getting up into the mountains on gondolas and funiculars to see the views. This can be about 15 a ride, but we got a month pass to go up the Katrin Cable Car in Bad Ischl for 65!

We did visit Salzburg for a day, and got the 24-hour tourist pass for only 25! We planned a long layover between train rides to see the city sights, without going out of our way and incurring more transport costs!

While in Austria, you HAVE to check out Tobogganing. This is a fun sport in the Alps, like adult sledding. Tickets were typically 20 for the toboggan rental and gondola ride, but highly recommend it as a great winter activity!

Excursions

170 Monthly
  • Skiing
  • Sight Seeing
  • Gondolas
  • Tobogganing
Man wearing black snow suit, white backpack, and skis, standing on a wooden deck in the Austrian Alps

Life Expenses

This section isn’t Austria-specific, but it is important to make note of the other monthly expenses you may have that will eat a chunk of your budget. This includes Health Insurance, Renter’s Insurance, a Mobile Phone plan, and various subscriptions for music, apps, and a VPN.

The biggest expense is health insurance, which costs €40 for Safety Wing emergency medical coverage. I also have renter’s insurance to cover up to $10,000 worth of my items, costing me €12/month.

For our cell phone,  we purchased an eSIM for Austria, which is great for saving money while traveling and managing your data from your phone! We purchased 10GB of data for €24 a month. Check out what we did for international phone plans abroad, and get discounts!

Finally, some of the subscriptions I have total up to about €24 a month, which includes Lightroom, YouTube Music, a hosting platform for this website, and most importantly a VPN. If you are traveling and have any intention of using your computer or phone for personal things, I highly suggest using a VPN to protect your online information!

Life Expenses

112 Monthly
  • Insurance
  • Phone Plan
  • Subscriptions

As a reminder; when you are on any public WiFi, make sure to use a VPN to protect yourself online! Learn more here.

Total Expenses

1-Month Budget in Austria
1,517 Monthly
  • Accommodations - €774
  • Food - €415
  • Transportation - €65
  • Excursions - €170
  • Life Expenses - €112

Summary - One Month Budget in Austria

Austria is an idyllic country in the mountains, with so much history, culture, and natural beauty to explore. Although it isn’t typically on the top of the list when it comes to ‘budget destinations’, it can definitely be explored thoroughly on a budget! 

My biggest suggestion to save while in Austria, is to stay in a long-term Airbnb (more than 28 days), use public transport as much as possible, and be aware of what free transport options you have! Also, use a local phone plan where you can top-up data as needed.

We would go back to the 2 regions where we stayed in Austria. To check out the highlights of the areas, see my posts on Bad Ischl, the Salzkammergut, and the Stubai Valley! Austria is beautiful year-round, so start planning your next trip to the Alps!

Explore the other destinations waiting for you in Europe!

Posted by Taylor Mallaber in Austria, 0 comments
A Detailed One Month Budget in Croatia For Travelers

A Detailed One Month Budget in Croatia For Travelers

Croatia has become a destination for travelers and digital nomads globally for good reason. The impressive coastline and historic architecture will have something to do for everyone, and the cost is affordable for a European country. This post will go over a traveler’s one-month budget in Croatia, including accommodation, food, transportation, excursions, and other life expenses!

Check out what life looks like for a one-month budget in Croatia!

White building with terra cotta roof tiles on the coast of Split, Croatia

Table of Contents

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Check out all of the reasons Why You Need To Visit Croatia this year! 

Accommodation Budget In Croatia

Croatia has recently become a tourist hotspot destination as people are drawn to its crystal blue water, never-ending coastline, and jaw-dropping architecture. You can find various accommodation types from hotels, hostels, Couchsurfing, Airbnb, campsites, and more!

Our accommodation is what determines our trips since many Airbnb hosts have a crazy good deal for any stay over 28 days, especially in the shoulder- and off-seasons. On average, our Airbnb’s cost a total of €751 for the month. Since my partner and I share living expenses, we were able to split this cost, making it even cheaper. 

Hotels in Croatia range from about €75-150 a night, while hostels are between €25-40 for a single bed. Hostels are a great option, but Airbnb’s can be split the more people you have so find some travel buddies and save big time!

Check out cheaper options on HostelWorld.com and Booking.com!

Accommodation

751 Monthly
  • Airbnb

Traveling with another person is a great way to cut costs on accommodation and transport! Find yourself a travel buddy to save!

Food Budget In Croatia

Croatia is known for its incredibly fresh seafood and pizza that is comparable to Italy’s (unless you ask an Italian). Since we are traveling on a pretty conservative budget, our goal was to keep our food budget below €400 per month, which was pretty easy in Croatia!

There are great options for grocery stores, Spar being the most popular, and most town and city centers have a daily fresh market where you can pick up produce, meat, and bread. On average for the month, we each spend €278 on groceries.

No matter where you visit, there will be plenty of restaurants and cafes in a historic setting or with incredible views. Restaurants are typically a seat-yourself style and don’t expect the servers to come over to your table constantly to check in

Tipping is also not required, but if you enjoyed your experience, 10-15% would be a great tip to leave! You can get a sandwich from a deli or a slice of pizza for as low as 2, whereas a mid-level meal out could be about €10-15. We spent about €75 each for the month on restaurants and cafes

Cafe bars are a big part of Croatian culture like much of Europe. Most cafes offer a selection of alcoholic drinks, where people socialize and drink beers at 10 am, unlike your typical coffee shop in the US. As digital nomads, we frequented these cafes to get some work done and had a drink or two with some pastries throughout the day for about €4. 

Food

354 Monthly
  • Groceries
  • Restaurants
  • Cafes
A typical meal in Pula, Croatia
Croatian Food

Transportation Budget in Croatia

Getting around Croatia is fast, easy, and affordable. While in the country for 2 months, we were able to rely a lot on public buses and ride-share apps to get around. Public buses are readily available and easy to use and cost just a few euros for a ticket. However, we did have some issues where the bus timetable wasn’t accurate for off-season travel! So definitely give yourself plenty of time to figure it out, and have a backup option.

Uber was popular in Split, but in Pula, we only found drivers on the ride-share app called Bolt which was super affordable and easy to use. This is only necessary for transporting all of your bags when you arrive and leave or for further trips. Like most European cities, Croatian cities and towns are constructed so that most things are walkable, which is free, good for you and so beautiful to take it slowly and be engaged with the area.

We also rented a car for a few days while in Pula to do an Istria road trip. Since we were there in the off-season, the rental car was only €17 a day! We paid a total of €44 for 2 days with a car including the rental price, fuel, and tolls. 

Please Note: this budget doesn’t include the transport to Croatia, or to the next destination! While this is a crucial part of the travel budget, it can vary so much depending on the location so definitely check out those costs before committing to any travel.

Transportation

108 Monthly
  • Public Transport
  • Rental Car

Excursions Budget in Croatia

There is so much to explore in Croatia, from boat tours along the coast, entry into some historic forts and palaces, and the many National Parks to explore. Luckily, a lot of Croatia’s beauty can be enjoyed for free if you’re a budget traveler.

Depending on where in Croatia you’re visiting, and what you are looking to do, a lot of the beauty for us was nature. Our favorite things to do in Split were exploring the city’s beaches and Marjan Hill to get the best views of the city. 

We also took a day trip to walk around the historic Klis Fortress on the outskirts of the city, which was only €10 to enter (we even brought our wine to enjoy at sunset)! 

We did a lot more paid excursions and day trips in Pula, starting with Brijuni National Park which was about €22 for the ferry ticket to the island and entrance fee. The Galebijana Sea Cave was our favorite thing to do in Pula and can be free!

Although we only spent average €40 each on average, we were in an exceptional budget mode since this was our first stop. Looking back, there are a few things that I wish we had done, like taking a trip to Plitvice Lakes, or a ferry out to Hvar, so I set the monthly budget to €60 to give a better idea of what it would cost to do a lot more!

Excursions

60 Monthly
  • Entry Tickets
  • Exploration
View of Premantura recreational area from above in the Istrian Peninsula
Image by Medulin Riviera

Life Expenses

This section isn’t Croatia-specific, but it is important to make note of the other monthly expenses you may have that will eat a chunk of your budget.

The biggest expense is health insurance, which costs €40 per month with SafetyWing. Travel insurance is super necessary, but can be complicated!

We each also have renter’s insurance, which costs about €14 a month and will cover up to 10,000 worth of items that get lost, damaged, or stolen while we are abroad.

For our cell phone,  we purchased a local plan with a physical SIM which is great for saving money while traveling. Check out the best tips for International phone plans with some discounts available. We typically get 15GB of data for around €17 a month.

Finally, some of the subscriptions I have total up to about €24 a month, which includes YouTube Music, a Hosting platform for this website, and most importantly a VPN

Life Expenses

105 Monthly
  • Insurance
  • Mobile Phone
  • Subscriptions

As a reminder; when you are on any public WiFi, make sure to use a VPN to protect yourself online! Learn more here.

Total Expenses

1 Month Budget in Croatia
1,378 Monthly
  • Accommodations - €751
  • Food - €354
  • Transportation - €108
  • Excursions - €60
  • Life Expenses - €105

Summary - Detailed 1 Month Budget in Croatia for Travelers

Croatia is an affordable Mediterranean destination that has drawn the attention of travelers globally. The blue coastline and impressive architecture make it feel like a sacred place that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. The country is affordable for travelers and digital nomads, with prices varying heavily between the peak and off-season. 

Although you can budget yourself into a cardboard box without seeing much, life is meant to be lived. Save where you can (everything counts), but don’t skip out on opportunities to explore a beautiful new place when you have the chance. 

Explore the other destinations waiting for you in Europe!

Posted by Taylor Mallaber in Croatia, 0 comments