One of the biggest delusions we sometimes have is that we need a big budget to satisfy our burning wanderlust.

When your feet are itching to travel, money should not be an obstacle. The only thing standing in your way is your decision to hit the road.

Here are some ideas on how to travel on a budget and save money with

• Smart packing

• Cheap flights

• Affordable accommodation

• Traveling by road

Pack wisely for your trip

Excessive baggage is something that can increase the costs of any trip you have planned.

Whether you have to pay for luggage or carry extra weight, it would be a much better option to learn how to pack lightly.

These are the travel essentials you should bring with you on your trip:

• Hygiene items and necessary medicine

• Chargers for your devices

• A quick-dry towel that doesn't occupy much space

• Underwear and socks

• Travel insurance

Many of us make the same mistake of packing too many clothes. Besides underwear, you can manage with fewer clothing items if you can wash them on the trip.

On another note, if you are going on a road trip, wise packing would include packing camping food to save you some money on restaurants.

Here is what you can bring:

• Canned food

• Processed food

• Instant food such as noodles

• Small gas station

• Pot for boiling water

• Portable fridge

• Lunch set

• Swiss knife

Find cheap flights under the radar

To reach exotic destinations, sometimes the most expensive part of the trip is how to get there. 

South Asia or South America are not too expensive for tourists but can be inaccessible to your region.

Here are my favorite hacks for finding affordable flights:

• Subscribe to Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) newsletter to be the first to learn about low-cost flights to far-away destinations.

• Explore Momondo to find the cheapest alternatives for your trip - including nearby airports and flexible dates to get a better deal.

• Search for a ticket where your actual destination would be a layover. Sometimes these hidden options can be far cheaper than the flight you wish to take.

• Take advantage of low-cost airlines. Booking a trip via Wizzair or Ryanair with no check-in luggage can significantly lower your fees.

Another good thing to highlight here is: Buy tickets months in advance. As you probably already know, the flight fees increase as the dates get closer. 

When I say months in advance, I mean six months and over. You can get to another side of the world for less than $100 if you book enough in advance.

Affordable accommodation hacks

The difference in the quality of accommodation can be minimal between a hostel and a hotel. What is the distinction, then?

Hotels are mostly searched by guests who require a level of glamour, which is not essential for all travelers.

There are alternatives to expensive accommodation that you can find. Here are some examples:

• Couchsurfing

• Workaway

• Airbnb

• Camping

• Youth Hostels

• House Sitting

• Worldpackers

Organize a family road trip

Perhaps you don't need to go very far to discover amazing sights. Your country or neighboring countries also have a lot to offer, and if these are the places you did not get to visit yet, like Baileys Harbor — maybe now is the time.

Family road trips are always an excellent bonding opportunity. You can rent a camper van or bring your tents and design an adventure of your own.

Don't forget to check if:

1. Your driver's license is valid in the country you are visiting.

2. You are equipped with car insurance in case you need road assistance.

3. The vehicle has a RideSafer travel vest for children.

4. Your embassy clears the place you are visiting as safe for traveling.

Where to next?

We hope this article gave you a few ideas and inspired you to get ready for your next adventure. 

Pick a destination and start packing!