(From my personal point of view that is)

Schonn Brunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Hello my fellow wanderlusts-filled people.

I have a lot of people asking me,

"How on earth you travel to Europe for 50 days with less than Sgd 2500?! You siao ah! How can one?! My budget was Sgd 6000 but I finish all in a month. "

Well, now the secret is gonna be out!
Hence, It's no secret any more *sigh*


My best friend (her name is Shivani Sasha btw. Hi Sasha! Now if you're reading this, I'm dedicating this part to you just like you requested :p ) always put strong emphasis on this quote,

" You can spend $100, but still look like 50 cents.Or you can spent 50 cents, but look like $100 "

I cannot agree more.

In this new generation, where everything is (almost) about travelling and posting Outfits of the Day (OOTD) etc etc, on their social media platforms, well, everyone wants to travel to Europe, America, basically the f__ out of Asia and do the same.

BUT there is 1 big issue that we all can agree on:
WE HAVE NO MONEY

I don't know if you've read my first travel post with regards to how I spent less than S$2500 in Europe for 50 days. If you haven't, here's the link.

This S$2500 was enough for not only food and transport, but as well as Drinks, Shopping and Sightseeing.
NOT BAD RIGHT!

Well my friends, I am here to teach you that you don't necessarily need to spend so much money when you're in countries like Paris or Germany. You just need to travel smart, and cheap.

Here are some tips you might want to consider when are in the midst of planning/packing for your next travel adventure:

1. Accommodation

This is the killer of all travel budgets.
This where at least 30% of your travel budget gets spent on.

Now, if you know how to alleviate the cost of your accommodation, then well, you have nothing more to worry about. You can spend more money on the things you want to do and food you've always wanted to try.

Being super calculative (Okay maybe not that much) and stingy with our money, during our 50 days in Europe, we put our foot down, and said NO, we will NOT spend a single cent on accommodation unless it is the last resort.
and we never did.
Because of that, we saved A looooot of money, and could use it for other stuff like souvenirs.

Now I bet you're asking,
" Then where do you stay?? "

(A) Friend's Place

Like I mentioned before, I'm blessed with a lot of international friends.

Now where did I meet them?
In Singapore.

Nowadays, there are plentiful of international students coming down to Singapore for a couple of months, to do their exchange programme. With a sea of westerners heading towards the East side, what else can we do besides host them?
AKA PARTY.

If you know where to look, there are actually quite a number of parties and events for exchange students. All you have to do is turn up, and if you want, put on a fake identity, and well, mingle around.
Get to know everyone! Socialize! and simply have fun.
Once you're cool with them and vice versa, get their contact, build a strong foundation for your friendship and well, let nature takes it's course.

If you're going to tell me,
"But but I shy... I don't know what to say..."

Shut up. I don't want to entertain such nonsense.
If you want something, then go for it.
If not, shut up.
(Sorry for the angst, but I have a lot of people constantly give me this really unnecessary remark)

(B) Meet People and form Alliances la

title pree much explains it.

(C) AirBNB

If you're not the type who likes staying in Hostels nor want to pay for the crazy prices for luxury, then Airbnb is your bestfriend.

Usually, If you're lucky enough, You can find really good/reasonable deals. But you gotta search a little high and low.

(D) Hostels
Recommend for solo travelers!
If you're travelin' alone, the best way to meet people and like minded travelers would prolly be in the hostel.

I actually prefer staying in party hostels, because you know it's usually gonna be lit when alcohol is involved. Plus, everyone is drunk, and it's easier to make friends in that state.

A trick Talya and I did:
Because some hostels are so BLOODY EXPENSIVE, we actually booked a bed and shared the cost. I.e. we sneaked one of us in.

(E) Camping Out
This is for those who reeeeaaallly don't want to pay for shit, or actually preferred the great outdoors and Mother nature.

Most countries in Europe actually allow you to pitch a tent at their designated camping site. So if you game, you can always bring your portable tent along, and have a sleep over with the wild life.

Not too sure about the fees though, if there are any, coz I, myself have never really camped out before, but I've met many who have.

2. Bring Food Along.

Rinaz.net

Pack all your maggie noodles, instant noodles, Canned food, chips, seasoning taste etc etc.
Just pack enough for your trip.
If, say you trip is for quite a period of time, pack what you think is sufficient and learn to ration from there.

If you're going to Europe, bear in mind the exchange rate is 1 Euro = SGD 1.55.
That's almost twice as much.
So if you want to not overspend, next you can limit the amount you spend on food.

I'm not asking you to starve yourself.
You can still put 3 meals a day, but at least know the places you can get cheap food from.

The best way, is to simply, cook.
Go to the nearest store and buy the ingredients necessary for your meal.
Keep a wary eye for 1 Euro items.
Trust me, they exist.


3. Transport

Another killer.
In certain countries, for example, Germany, Transport can be pretty expensive.
If I'm not wrong, a single trip in Berlin costs about 2.60 Euro (S$4).
So can you imagine, constantly paying $4 every time you use the metro.
Ouchhhh

The best and most effective way to completely cut the cost of transport, is well, by Walking.
Not only do you save money, but you get exercise out of it as well.
(HELLO TONED LEGS)

You can try downloading this app called CITYMAPS2GO.
It's satellite based, so don't worry about bombing your data with this app.


Another alternative, if you want, you can try to live like a criminal :p
Just try sneaking into one of the trams or metros and pretend like nothing happened.
I've done that on quite a number of occasions.
BUT be smart!
Know the time when the controllers are checking for your tickers.
If you want to take the Tram, the best times are usually peak hours, because I highly doubt the controllers bother to squeeze into cramp Trams and ask one by one for their tickets.
Avoid Metros during peak hours.
You can try doing it, but just don't try risking it too much.

My friend got caught in Prague and she has to pay 30 Euro.
Sigh. The heartache.


4. DFS

Want to get drunk & wasted without over exceeding your budget?
Then Duty Free is a place for you to go!
This is a must in every vacation you take!
If you want to save on the costs of drinks and cigarettes overseas, then DFS is your best friend,
Enough said.


5. Bring Your Student ID
You'd be quite surprise at how many student discounts and privileges there are in the world.
When I was in Europe, Oh boy! From transport, to Museum privileges and the list goes on and on.
So much discounts every where, and you know how we Singaporeans are like..



6. Budget here Budget there
Know your budget, and be reasonable with it.

Don't go to countries like Greece or Norway and expect to pay like 20 Euros for 3 Nights.
Do your research and Plan your budget from there.

You are travelling alone, so you are dependent on no one else but yourself.
Be smart with your money.

PLAN


7. Dress like It's the Last Day Living
Maybe it's just for us Asians, but somehow the majority of us love to dress up and parade around in each country, in their fancy schmancy attire.

Maybe it's because we don't  have the gift of appearing so effortlessly glamorous like most of the westerners do. (sadly, harsh truth)

What can we do about it?
We'll bring along the nicest (but cheap) clothes you have and i guess, the world is your run way.

Put on your best clothes, nicest pair of shoes (that will still look nice after all that walking), doll up with some make up and flaunt it!

Because who knows?
One day we will die (touchwood, not yet ah), at least when you do, you die with fabulousity!


It's not that difficult to not look glamorous, considering our society is mostly based on doing the best OOTDs or getting updated with the latest fashion trends.

For me, seriously, keep it simple and comfortable.
That's the best ah.


Basically, the summary of the whole post:
Wear fashionable clothes but travel like a hobo (Ahem, I mean, be smart with your money)



Till then!