| With the price of travel tickets dropping almost daily, | | | | If your trip involves flights (long-haul or short-haul), you |
| independent backpacking on a budget is growing more | | | | have two choices when it comes to budgeting: plan |
| and more popular. Whether you're backpacking in | | | | well in advance or look for budget airlines, last minute |
| South Africa, Singapore or Sri Lanka, take into account | | | | deals or cancellations. If you intend to visit more than |
| these tips to help you stay within your budget, so you | | | | one country, consider a multi-destination ticket. Don't |
| can experience all the fun and flavour of a true | | | | overlook internal flights - they can be cheaper than |
| backpacking adventure. | | | | trains or buses in some countries. Other travel options |
| Your destination | | | | for shorter distances include taxis - in some countries |
| Probably the most important decision to make - and | | | | they can be relatively cheap but you will usually need |
| therefore the one you ought to make first. Where you | | | | to negotiate the price with the driver beforehand. |
| go has a huge impact on your expenses. Some | | | | Insurance |
| countries are considerably cheaper than others, so | | | | Be careful not to underestimate the importance of |
| choosing a cheaper destination can really help you | | | | travel insurance. Consider specialised backpacker |
| budget. | | | | travel insurance, as this is likely to prove better value |
| For example, in India backpackers can manage for as | | | | than travel insurance designed for shorter trips. Costs |
| little as £4 a day, but in Australia even staying at | | | | will depend on where you are going, for how long, and |
| the cheapest hostels could cost around £30 per | | | | what you will do when you get there. Direct Travel |
| day. | | | | Insurance Backpacker Insurance starts from |
| Spending | | | | £16.97 for up to 90 days. Read into the finer |
| Do your research into local prices and work out a daily | | | | details of your travel insurance policy too - for |
| budget, and then try to stick to it. Make sure you have | | | | example, some policies will not cover you for extreme |
| reserves in case of a theft or other unforeseen | | | | sports such as bungee jumping. If you are planning on |
| expenses. Read up on your destination using various | | | | hiring a vehicle on your trip, make sure you have |
| online forums and travel guides so you are prepared, | | | | adequate cover for this too. Scheduled airline failure |
| financially, for almost any eventuality. Take into | | | | cover is also something worth considering so that you |
| account accommodation costs, local travel expenses, | | | | are protected if the airline you have booked your |
| regular meals as well as any activities. | | | | flights with declares bankruptcy. |
| Travel costs | | | | |