Bougie on a Budget
Picture this: you’re swinging in a hammock on a beautiful beach, piña colada in hand. The ocean waves rise and fall, gently lulling you to sleep, as the call of seagulls echoes in the distance. Relaxing, right?
Let’s be honest: we’d all prefer to be snoozing on a sandy beach right about now, so what’s stopping us? Well, if you’re anything like me, it’s your bank account. Unfortunately, not all of us are millionaires who can jet down to Cancúun at a moment’s notice. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a little bit of luxury.
Here are some tips for making your next trip bougie on a budget.
Transportation
The first step in planning a getaway is the how. Will you go by plane, train, boat, or car? This largely dependson the location, but often, the cheapest way to travel is by using a combination of transportation methods.
If you’re looking to go by plane, there are a few things to keep in mind:
• The cheapest flights have several legs and often long layovers.
• You may need to plan for a day or two of travel.
• Packing light (one carry-on and one personal item) is the cheapest option.
Traveling by plane can be fairly economical, if you’re willing to concede these points. To find the cheapest flights, check out sites like kayak.com, cheapoair.com, photo by Leah Kelly103 and flightsfromhome.com. But remember—flying isn’t the only option!
Be sure to check out the public transportation where you’re going. Inter-country train lines and city subways can save you a pretty penny in travel expenses.
Food
Similar to lodging, the closer you are to a tourist hot spot, the more expensive the food will be. Explore the smaller, more local spots to find the best eats. The key to finding really good food is asking the locals. More often than not, they’ll point you away from the tourist traps and to a fabulous little hole-in-the-wall.
Lodging
Location is key. While you can find the occasional economical stay right in the middle of a tourist hot spot, chances are you’ll find better (and more charming) options if you stay away from the tourist traps and city centers. Some great sites to check out for housing are
• airbnb.com
• vrbo.com
• booking.com
• homestay.com
• theplumguide.com (if you’re looking for something extra bougie)
Have Fun!
Now that you’ve got some savvy for traveling on a budget, plan that trip you’ve been waiting for! Remember, it doesn’t take the salary of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos to have a good time while traveling.
So, get out there, and have some fun exploring the world!
—Reagan Fausett