You’ve requested time off from work, you haven’t touched your travel savings account, and you’ve done nothing for the past three months but map out your upcoming trip. It’s time to get logistics in order, like how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay — not to mention how you’re going to afford all of this. Let’s get started:

 

Book Alternative Accommodations

Instead of booking a room at a hotel that attracts a ton of tourists, consider less-expensive (yet still nice) alternatives. Airbnb is a go-to for a lot of young travelers because you can find all sorts of accommodations to suit your specifications, usually for a fraction of the cost of a regular hotel. Many Airbnb rentals are centrally located to appeal to travelers.

You can also check out local bed-and-breakfasts. They’re smaller than hotels but more professional than Airbnb rentals, giving you the best of both worlds. You can still get a complimentary breakfast and room service without being at a massive, pricey hotel or resort.

Want to save as much as possible on lodging? Consider staying at a hostel or two throughout your trip, either the entire time or as an alternative between stays at nicer places. You won’t get much in the way of luxury, but you may be able to find a clean hostel that serves a decent complimentary breakfast or lunch. Plus, you’ll meet other travelers, so this is a good option if you’re traveling solo.

 

Save Money While Traveling

Vacations aren’t just for the rich. There are plenty of ways to travel without clearing out your savings account. Even if you have plenty of travel money socked away, it’s still nice to spend less than you expected. Here are a few must-know money-saving travel tips:

• Travel during the shoulder season, when the weather is still nice but travelers have returned home. Each destination has its own shoulder season on either end of peak travel season.
• When booking your flight, snag a seat as early as possible, when demand is still low. Make sure to use any travel points you’ve acquired, especially if they expire for non-use.
• Figure out what credit card you’re going to use to limit international transaction fees. It costs a lot to exchange money at a bank or post office, so you’ll get the best deal if you use a bank or credit card — assuming they’re not charging you a high fee too. Talk to your bank about what types of fees you can expect, and try to balance out the difference. For example, PayPal debit cards charge 2.5% for international transactions, but you also get 1% back on purchases, so it cushions the blow. Additionally, some credit cards have excellent travel perks, which might be worth checking out.
• Take public transportation instead of renting a car or using taxis. If where you’re staying doesn’t have a reliable or connected public transportation system, see if they have a ride-sharing service. It won’t be as inexpensive as taking the bus or subway, but it will still cost much less than renting a car for your entire trip.

The key to saving money while traveling is to never assume that there’s a saving opportunity that’s too small. Saving a little here and there will add up to big savings by the end of your trip. Unless there’s some luxury you want to splurge on, try to cut corners where you can to enjoy your trip without running out of money.

 

Avoid Tourist Traps (Within Reason)

When you first land, you may be dying for something familiar, so treat yourself to that Starbucks latte or McDonald’s lunch. Lucky for you, globalization means that many of the brands you see at home will be present even when you’re abroad, and fin-tech advancements mean you’ll always be ready to pay for goods and services.

Once you’ve scratched that itch, though, try to truly steep yourself in all things local. You’ll get a much more memorable experience if you get out of your regular mindset and embrace the newness around you.

Here are three easy ways to avoid tourist traps:

1. As you research things to do in your area, pay attention to the spots that appear over and over again. If they’re frequently recommended to tourists, then they’re also frequented by tourists. Instead, check with the hotel staff about where they go — they live in the area and will know the best local spots.
2. Consider staying in a hotel or rental that’s not centrally located. You’ll be in the midst of normal life instead of areas pandering to tourists.
3. As you explore the area, look for translations. If you see signs that translate info into different languages, that means the attraction is marketed to tourists.

Okay, so this is your first time in this country and you want to see some of the tourist attractions, even if you’re sick of crowds. Save money and visit the must-see sights with a tourism pass. You may be able to know all of the tourist traps out in one day and then get on with your out-of-the-box vacation.

 

Keep Track of Photos and Memorabilia

The more pictures you take, the more you have to sort through and store. If you don’t do a little bit along the way, you could end up with such an overwhelming number of photos that you never bother going through them. Here are a few tips for managing your photos:

• Immediately get rid of any accidental photos, as well as those that are blurry or have bad lighting. Delete any photos you know you’re never going to want.
• If you take a series of photos, quickly scroll through them and delete any that are almost-exact duplicates or ones you don’t want, like those that have someone caught mid-blink.
• Use a service like Google Photos that will let you back up photos to the cloud, organize them by album, and then auto-delete them from your phone to free up space.
• When it comes to memorabilia, do you need the item itself or just the memory of it? For example, do you want to hold a memento in your hand, or will looking at a picture of it evoke the same nostalgia? If you can do without the physical item, take a photo of it and toss it.

You’re going to have a lot of in-between time, especially as you wait in lines or for public transportation, take advantage of it. This is the perfect opportunity to delete photos you don’t want and organize ones you do.

 

Practice Good Health Habits

Your vacation abroad means a reprieve from your duties at work, but it doesn’t mean you should also get lax on your personal hygiene and health habits. While on vacation (as well as in the months prior), it is wise to be vigilant with maintaining your health. Doing so can prevent any unexpected medical complications or health risks. This includes:

• Immunizations: There are some standard immunizations that everyone should have (vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, and polio, for example), but depending on where you travel, the CDC may advise you get other specific ones. Do your research and be prepared!
• Probiotics: If you want to ensure good digestive health and avoid unnecessary bloating or discomfort during your eco traveling, you’ll want to invest in some good probiotic supplements. Alternatively, some foods that are rich in probiotics include kimchi, tempeh, yogurt, and kombucha, among others.
• Dental Hygiene: In addition to being mindful about what you put into your mouth, you need to be smart about taking care of those pearly whites in it. Failing to maintain good dental hygiene can lead to excessive pain, possibly prompting you to cancel your travels prematurely in order to pursue dental work. In addition to brushing, be sure to floss regularly to save money on dental work and prevent some serious discomfort.

You don’t want to end your vacation early or in medical debt. Following these steps is a savvy way to avoid doing so.

 

Bon Voyage!

There’s plenty to plan before a trip, but don’t over-plan so much that you can’t be spontaneous when you’re away. Yes, you’ll obviously need to book your flight before you leave, and securing a place to stay is much easier from home than winging it when you’re there. Avoid booking tours or making reservations for restaurants, though. You’ll have a much better idea of what you want to do and when you want to do it once you’re actually at your destination.