Hello MTV, welcome to my blog
It's very different to travel, depending on where you come from, there are different tips ! For example for my fellow americans readers, you can sign up for airlines credit card and travel for free from time to time, impossible in Europe, or at least in France (unless you're like CEO rich with the gold cards). The cheap destinations are also very different depending on where you fly from.
So this blog will mostly speak to my fellow europeans readers for some tips but really to anyone travelling here as well ! And PLEASE share your travel tips and memories and photos with me, I would love it ! Thank you thank you xoxo
1. TRAVEL LOW SEASON, MIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Basically the times everyone else is busy. Yes you need to be flexible to travel cheap ! Middle of the week, early days, off holiday, no summer, no christmas time. Check the local holiday as well (example golden week in Asia, in may). It will be cheap and not crowded, you're welcome !
2. FOLLOW PAGES SUCH AS TRAVEL DETECTIVES and whatnot (there are a lot)
They give good deals (I mean Japan for 278 euros the round trip, that's what I call a good deal), but most of the time it's off season, middle of the week, etc. Again you need to be flexible hon
3. AIRBNB BITCH
Well of course the cheapest is to camp outside, but eh. I really would advise to sacrifice comfyness over the price. You will likely be there only to sleep. You will get home after a long day, and just crash. Dont spend a lot on hotels and airbnb.
For example i found (twice) three-stories houses in central cities in Japan, for 18 euros a night. EIGHTEEN euros, the whole house. Close to everything. I dont travel alone so we shared the cost. 9 buck a night. Japan sure is super expensive :0 I'm sharing below a view from my airbnb in Greenland as well.
uglyyy
4. PLAN AHEAD
This is purely a matter of style, you do what you want. Personally I like to plan everything and research everything during a year so I'm sure I know the most things to see and to do, to not be disappointed later and see I've missed this or that. Plus it makes me very happy to plan. Some people don't plan anything at all, it's fine. I also make sure of the budget this way as well. I like to take pictures so i spend a lot of time on google maps to find the best photo spots and not lose time (lose light) when i get there ! Also I'm able to be completely carefree during the travel, and not to worry about the day after, losing travel time to plan for transportation etc... I'm a control freak and I'm happy ! Better find someone who likes your style before you go (if you're not alone)
5. GOOGLE MAPS OFFLINE
Download the local maps on google maps. This way you dont lose phone battery because you can put it offline and you still won't get lost. This doesn't work in some places like Asia because of the different alphabet. In this case you can use maps.me !
6. PLEASE RESEARCH ABOUT THE CULTURAL NORMS
Jte parle toi, de France là, oui. On a la pire réputation de connards, en rajoute pas steup.
7. BUY THE LOCAL ART, EAT THE LOCAL FOOD, SUPPORT THE LOCALS
Don't buy cheap stuff in tourist stores ; if you went to this particular country it's because you liked it, right ? Show your support by giving your money to the locals, not the corporations ! Neocolonialism is an issue.
8. LOW COST TRANSPORTS
Low cost airlines like Ryanair, WOW, Aeroflot, and so on. Car pooling, long distance buses, low cost trains in some countries (like ouigo in France). Unlimited train passes like Eurorail or Japan Rail Pass. Bike riding. I don't have a driving licence.
9. PERSONAL MONEY TIPS
Personally I don't shop for clothes, I don't take a daily starbuck, I don't have a car (i walk), I don't have kids, I don't smoke and I don't drink, I don't buy a new smartphone every year. I have no expensive hobby like make up, tattoos (well i mean i have enough now), cinema, analog photography, fitness, restaurants/bars, cosplay, art, gambling... I mean if I had the money, sure !! But I need to make a choice and it's easily done for ME, personally. You do what you want hon ! Just sometimes we want to save money and don't realize how little money spent everyday is big money at the end of the month.
(I'm not perfect tho, my weak spots are plants and dog toys)
10. TAKE A LOT OF PICTUUUUUURES
Of everythinnnnnnng. You will never regret it. It's memories forever. Be careful with selfie sticks and don't damage nature (don't step on moss in Iceland and don't annoy animals in Japan)
I kind of like cold countries. Follow my travel instagram if you like ! Thanks for reading guys, xoxo @rambo @missy
