Budgeting Your Travels

I would hardly call myself an expert traveler. I’ve only been to three continents so far, and my goal is to visit 10 countries this year (the third one will be Italy for a bit of skiing in a week or two). Despite not being a digital nomad or true explorer, I often see people squandering both their money and, perhaps more importantly, their time, traveling dumb. Or missing the opportunity to blog about their travels on Hive – where great travel-related posts receive generous rewards, partially covering the trip costs. In the interconnected world, traveling has become more accessible than ever, with international flights sometimes cheaper than domestic bus or train fares.

Take my home country, the Czech Republic, known for its extensive and remarkably affordable public transportation network. A journey by bus or train from Prague to Brno, the two largest Czech cities, spans about 200 km and costs a mere 12 EUR (13 USD). As for flying, my frequent trips to Madrid, the hometown of my Spanish girlfriend, usually cost around 80 EUR (90 USD) with a bit of flexibility on timing, but I've managed to snag flights for as low as 25 EUR (27 USD). See the Skyscanner print-screen of April direct flights.

However, these budget flights come with drawbacks. Operated by low-cost airlines like Ryanair, these flights apply additional charges for seat selection and cabin baggage. Yet, I've learned to travel light, opting for a single backpack on one or two-week-long journeys, which usually suffices, especially if I can do my laundry someplace. Besides, I prefer to keep moving during my travels, and exploring various locations within a single trip and extra luggage wouldn't help. For instance, my week in Cyprus – a truly enchanting island, by the way – resulted in around 30 Pinmapple-pinned posts from 7+ locations. I'm sure they covered a significant portion of my travel expenses.

Accommodation

Getting there is just the beginning. Accommodation is another piece of the puzzle. I prefer Booking.com for short stays, particularly after discovering the perks it offers frequent travelers like myself. After 15 stays within two years, which isn't too difficult to reach for someone with my travel habits (we stayed in five different hotels during that Cypriot adventure), Booking.com rewards us with up to a 20% discount on stays, along with complimentary breakfasts – a treat I appreciate. I love proper English-style breakfasts, arguably the only thing English cuisine does right.

Reviewing my Booking.com history, I've noticed that we typically spend less than 50 EUR or 55 USD per night, bed and breakfast for two. These rates are for private accommodations, not hostels, although the latter are significantly cheaper. The key is in avoiding peak seasons and booking either well in advance (which isn't my thing) or at the very last minute when prices drop by 50%. I've even scored stays at luxury resorts this way, although some might find our approach a tad insecure. It's fun, though, when you arrive at posh hotels sweaty and unkempt after a rugged two-day mountain hike and see the look on the staff's faces when it turns out you've booked the super-premium suite (since the other perk of Booking a loyalty program is free room upgrades if available).

Travel Insurance

Insurance is basically a reversed lottery. While in lotteries, you pay a bargain for an almost zero chance to become incredibly rich, insurance is a little payment for not becoming poor. True, it may seem incomprehensible with its exclusions, excesses, and deductibles, but it's an important safeguard. In my case, it's not just protective but also profitable. Rather than settling for the insurance offered with credit/debit cards or through airlines, I've sought out the best options in my country and tried to negotiate a discount directly with insurers. As I have some friends in the business, I've secured top-notch Czech travel insurance at a staggering 70% discount. I am aware this is a deal of the year, as my premium barely covers the insurer's costs, yet I believe you could do the same securing at least some discount.

What should your travel insurance encompass? Let's put aside the basic coverage, even the ones I advised against include, such as emergency healthcare and repatriation. Superior policies offer broader coverage, including rescue operations (imagine needing a helicopter lift after a mountain hike mishap—I'd shudder to pay that expense myself) and liability protection. For instance, when skiing in Italy, you may need to prove you have liability coverage to obtain a ski pass. And here's how travel insurance has proven beneficial in my own experiences:

• European regulations stipulate passenger compensation for delays exceeding three hours. I would be paid 400 EUR in this case, way more than I paid for the ticket. However, the airlines almost always make it just in time to avoid paying any compensation. Fortunately, my insurance covers delays of even two hours, so I basically got a free flight. Not for the first time.
• When it comes to renting cars, providers typically offer various plans. The most budget-friendly option often lacks liability limits. Conversely, the priciest plans tout liability-free rentals. Thanks to my insurance covering this liability, we managed to rent a car for a mere 6 EUR per day during our Croatian trip last year. It was cheaper than even renting a bicycle. Exploring the region, we drove some dirt roads and incurred minor damage to the chassis. The repair was fully covered by my insurance, though. By opting for insurance over the highest-tier rental plan, we saved approximately 150 EUR. Quite enough for a return flight somewhere.

Conclusion

I've just tallied up the cost of the upcoming four-day skiing trip to Italy: transportation, accommodation with half-board, a four-day ski pass, and insurance for two persons amount to 600 EUR or 650 USD. Seems great. Here are some tips to slash expenses without cutting on your comfort and experience:

• Avoid travel agencies unless they offer additional services you can hardly arrange. Booking flights and accommodation is easy.
• Stay flexible and hunt for deals; there's always a bargain waiting to be discovered, especially cheap flights.
• Invest in quality travel insurance. While winning the lottery is unlikely, unforeseen mishaps occur, and it's best to be prepared.
• Share your travel experiences on Hive. With Hive hovering around $1.5, your posts could easily cover all your travel costs. With the current price, you can at least enjoy a free flight.
  
  
  
  
  
  This is my entry to March Inleo writing prompt.

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