If you’re planning a holiday but are a little short on cash, the best way to make themost of your time is to plan the type of holiday that stretches your tourist dollar the furthest. Whether this means heading to somewhere cheap like Southeast Asia totake advantage of Vietnam hotels for under $20 and beer for under $1, or choosing a different, more economic style of accommodation option than you’re usually used to, it’s possible to have a great time without breaking the bank. Here, we share some ofour best budget travel tips, so that money (or lack of it) doesn’t get in the way of you having the best time ever.

Accommodation

When it comes to your accommodation options, choosing a cheaper style will mean you can afford to spend longer wherever it is you’re planning to go. If you don’t mind roughing it a little bit, this can greatly improve the quality of your trip, as you’ll get a chance to see more, and really soak up the relaxation. Choosing to camp or stay in ayouth hostel can reduce your accommodation costs considerably, not to mention the opportunities these types of accommodation provide for meeting people and making friends. Alternatively, combine your funds with some friends and rent out a house or apartment rather than paying for individual hotel rooms—you’ll be amazed by how much you can save this way. Renting somewhere with cooking and food storage facilities has an added bonus in that you can prepare your own meals and take them with you, rather than being forced to purchase them in touristy areas where prices areinflated.

Food

Speaking of food, here’s another way that you can cut costs when you’re on holidays. Usually, we feel like holidays are times to splurge on decadent meals in fancy restaurants—after all, it’s part of the fun! You can still treat yourself while you’re away without having to break the bank, however, and putting some food budget restrictions in will help you stay on track. Instead of eating out at expensive restaurants, why not buy luxury items from the supermarket and treat yourself toan indulgent picnic instead? This has the two-fold benefit of letting you experience the outdoors while enjoying your meal at the same time, and you’ll only have to pay a fraction of the price! Another option, if you’re intent on having that restaurant experience, is to eat dinner at home, or at a cheaper place, and then stop by the more expensive restaurants or cafes for dessert and coffee.

Location

In the end, where you travel to will have the biggest effect on how much you end up spending. Hotels in Malaysia, for example, are much cheaper on average than hotels in Sweden, so you should take into account the local economy, and how well your dollar does against it, when you’re making your travel plans.

Being frugal with your money doesn’t have to mean being frugal on fun and experiences! Part of travelling is the adventure of being outside of your comfort zone, and it’s possible to find ways to budget while still having an amazing travel experience.