Guest Post: 8 Tips for Traveling Abroad on a Budget

Heather Johnson, a contributor for Credit Card Lowdown, was kind enough to write a guest post for me regarding overseas traveling on a budget--perfect for the topics I've been writing about lately! She had alot of great ideas--check them out:

Spring has sprung and some of you may already be planning for a summer vacation. Don't be quick to dismiss the idea of traveling overseas when you are weighing your options. Although a foreign vacation may sound very expensive, there are ways to plan one on a strict budget and still have a lot of fun. Below are eight frugal tips for traveling abroad.

1. Research, Research, Research – You need to thoroughly plan your trip before you leave in order to avoid any unexpected expenses. For instance, you will find that Eastern Europe is much cheaper to travel through than Western Europe. Not only do you need to research your destination, you need to plot exactly where and when you will travel.

2. Purchase an International Phone Card – Not only will you save money on long distance charges if you use a pre-paid phone card, you will also ensure that you don’t lose the ability to communicate. After all, losing your cell phone service in a foreign country could be a tad daunting.

3. Give Your Credit Card Companies a Heads Up – Some credit card companies charge extra fees when you use a card overseas. Other companies don't allow foreign usage at all and will freeze your account if you try to make overseas charges. Call your credit card issuers beforehand and ask them about their policies.

4. Skip the Gift Shops – You may feel obligated to grab a souvenir for everyone you know when you're traveling to exotic locations. However, gift shop prices are always gouged. There are plenty of ways to procure free souvenirs when traveling. A rock or shell from a famous beach is one example.

5. Consider a Money Belt – Unfortunately, you will become more susceptible to being robbed when you are in unfamiliar territory. Although robberies can obviously occur while traveling in the U.S., you may not be as observant when you are in a foreign location. For that reason, you may want to keep your money and valuables inside an obscured money belt.

6. Use Public Transportation – Many foreign countries offer dependable public transportation. If you feel the bus is just as safe as a taxi, then you should certainly go with the cheaper of the two.

7. Wash Your Own Laundry – Certain amenities, such as paying for a laundry service, can add up very quickly. Just like when you are in the U.S., it is much cheaper to wash your own laundry.

8. Share Lodging With Friends - You will probably be traveling with at least one companion. However, it may be even less expensive to go as a group and share lodging expenses. Ask some of your closest friends and family if they would like to get in on the deal.

Traveling overseas isn't reserved for the rich and famous. Many people wax poetically about seeing foreign lands, as if it's an unattainable goal for those who aren't independently wealthy. However, a little foresight can help your dollars stretch over the ocean and back again.

Byline:

Heather P. Johnson is a freelance writer, as well as a contributor for Credit Card Lowdown, a site specializing in helping consumers select a 0 apr credit card. Heather invites your questions and writing/editing job inquiries at her email address heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.