If you truly love outdoor travel, you can also achieve your dreams through the most cost-effective budget travel methods. It may sound easy, but it’s hard to do—so why not take a look at how others save money with their “cut, hitch, and free” budget travel tips.
Brief outdoor travel strategies for budget travelers
1. When making purchases, don’t tell street vendors where you’re from, as they often set prices based on how wealthy they think your region is.
2. Traveling in a group of 2–4 people is the most economical.
3. Some sights don’t reveal much on your own, especially ancient architecture—but hiring a guide definitely means paying an explanation fee. What to do? Eavesdrop. Tour groups will almost certainly have guides explaining the sights—you can simply listen in. If you’re worried about following one group too obviously, you can listen to one guide and then move on to another at the next spot. After hearing all the introductions, you can then explore the sites on your own more thoroughly.
4. You can get free timetables at ticket booking offices and free maps at star-rated hotels, saving you the cost of buying maps.
5. It’s best to bring a small personal water bottle to save money on buying drinks or bottled water. Once it’s empty, you can ask for hot water at restaurants to refill it. Waiting areas usually offer free hot water, so you can also fill up your bottle there.
6. If you’re a student, be sure to bring your student ID—many attractions offer student discounts that can save you a lot of money. If you’re a graduate student, it’s best to borrow an undergraduate ID, as many places don’t offer half-price tickets to graduate students.
7. Carry a nationally accepted IC card with you for convenient phone calls and to avoid being overcharged. Of course, public payphones at three jiao (RMB 0.3) per call are cheaper than using an IC card, so you can skip the IC card in that case.
8. When staying at accommodations, ask clearly whether breakfast is included and whether local call charges are covered. If they are, use the room phone. If not, avoid using the room phone, as the rates are usually even higher than the most expensive public options.
9. Before setting off, browse online for travel guides—some detailed guides list the prices of various expenses, so you won’t have to worry about being ripped off.