The great thing about traveling is that you can be as cheap or as lavish as you want. However, there are a number of ways to make your trip even less costly. Find out how to save money with these tips.

Planning ahead of time will go a long way, Create a road trip budget before you go to predict exactly how much you'll spend on expenses — be it transportation, entertainment, an emergency fund, or something else.

Your budget will help you stay on track and prevent overspending. You'll feel confident knowing you've projected how much money to spend on each part of your trip.

Whether you are driving cross-country or to the next state over, there are plenty of ways to save money and enjoy a fun, inexpensive road trip. All you need is a little preparation and planning ahead to make your budget-friendly road trip the best ever without breaking the bank.

In this post, I will share some of my most helpful and practical tips for planning a cheap trip, including how to save money on food, fuel, lodging, and activities while you are traveling.

TRAVEL DURING THE LOW SEASON 

If you travel away from the main tourist season, you can save a significant amount of money. You may even be able to afford to stay at that luxury hotel that was otherwise out of your budget. However, it differs if you're heading to the mountains, when winter is avoidable and summer is the busiest time. Prices are too skyrocket during Indian holidays such as Diwali, Christmas and the New Year.

April and September offer good deals, and you can avoid the worst of the heat and monsoon weather in India. Otherwise, if you don't mind the rain, you also can save up to 50% during the monsoon from June to August.

STAY AT A HOSTEL 

Thankfully, gone are the days that hostels in India feel like institutions, with rigid rules and staid atmospheres.

Groovy backpacker hostel chains are rapidly opening up all over India. They're fun, vibrant places where a good time is guaranteed. The accommodations are really comfortable and you'll find all the facilities you'd expect at a world-class backpacker hostel. Plus, most have inexpensive private rooms, for those who are adverse to dorms. Couchsurfing is also popular in India, but choose your host wisely especially if you're female.

GO ON A BACKPACKER TOUR

If you're young and want to see India on the cheap, low-cost group tours especially for backpackers are an excellent option. there are many  reputable company that offers special small group tours for "18-to-30-Somethings". These tours are perfect for those who want to travel inexpensively and with like-minded people.

BOOK FLIGHTS IN ADVANCE 

You may be thinking that if you wait to the last minute, you'll get a good deal for your India trip. However, this is unfortunately usually not the case. Most domestic airlines in India offer discounts for advance bookings. Not only this, the fare structure is set so that prices keep rising closer to the date you want to depart. If you book at the last minute, you'll most likely pay double compared to if you booked a month in advance.

 NEGOTIATE THE PRICE 

Bargaining is in the heart of indian people, and not to mention necessary, especially if you're desi. Vendors often start by quoting foreigners double or triple the market price. If you don't haggle, you'll end up paying much more than necessary. If you walk into a hotel, you can also try negotiating a cheaper rate if it's not fully booked.

CHOOSE A HOLIDAY PACKAGE 

Combination flight and hotel deals, or holiday packages with multiple destinations and flights, offered by tour agents and online aggregator sites. Makemytrip, Yatra and Cleartrip are the main sites in India that offer holiday packages bookable online. You can usually save up to 30% of the cost of booking flights and hotels separately. But then this to has its own drawbacks, you have to travel according to them, for me as I'm a free spirit person, this kills all my freedom. 

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

Bring your own food! Go to the store ahead of time and buy a variety of snacks in bulk. Nuts, granola bars, dark chocolate and other hearty snacks that are packed with protein and fiber will keep you happy and full. Since you’re going to be on the road for a few days don’t buy individual bars, buying a mixed assortment pack is cheaper. This will save you money on food during your road trip and keep you from mindlessly munching on junk food along the way.

To take it a step further, save money on meals during your road trip by bringing a cooler full of easy to prepare meals. You can even bring a camp stove to cook your main meals. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is one of my favorite easy dinners while road tripping on the cheap.

TRY LOCAL FOOD MARKET

At the same time, part of traveling is experiencing the local cuisine, this allows us to explore their culture and how it feels to live like them and be one, so allow yourself a meal or two out. Generally eating breakfast or lunch out is less expensive than dinner prices. 

SET AND STICK WITH A BUDGET 

Always stick to the budget, plan the whole trip in advance, get all the requirements done, this might save you from over-spending in the trip 

Know where to spend hand how much to spend, and work according to it and follow strict to the plan. 

If you plan on doing any activities like hiking, biking or walking around, or, if the weather will be warmer, be prepared and bring extra water. As a bonus, drinking water can also curb snack cravings, which is sometimes your body’s way of telling you that you’re dehydrated. So, sip away!

MAP OUT A BUDGET-FRIENDLY ROUTE  

Theory says that, going an hour in the wrong direction is simply a waste of time and money when you’re planning a trip. Map out your route ahead of time and do your research to see if there are any good shortcuts or more efficient ways to get where you are going. A great tip is to use two different GPS systems because navigational tools can give you vastly different routes to the same place.

SPLIT THE COST WITH FRIENDS 

Splitting bills and expenses with your friends is the best way to avoid over spending and stay in budget. Split it with the gang you are travelling with, or find someone who is ready to cooperate with you. 

This the best way to navigate the trip, you can minimize your expenses and witness the beauty of the trip. And on the better side you are going to be with your friends, and that's a hell of a company mate. 

CAMPING

Depending on the size of your Group and how many people you are traveling with, this can be a simple (or not so simple) solution to saving money during the overnight portion of a trip. So, if you’ve got the room, bring along pillows and extra blankets for some a quick, improvised night of shut-eye. If your car isn’t roomy enough, consider renting a campervan for your trip. It will give you a taste of van life, and depending on the region and length of your road trip,  renting a camper van can still be less expensive than renting a hotel every night.

BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS WITH KITCHENS

Book accommodations that have some kind of kitchen facilities. I love AirBnb for this reason.  By having a kitchen available, it gives you an opportunity to not only save money on meals, but an opportunity to replenish the above-mentioned car snacks.

REUNITE WITH FRIENDS

Chances are that if you are passing through a major city, there aren’t ample spaces to camp out for the night. It may seem obvious, however, staying with a friend or relative is perfect for the frugal explorer, just remember to be a good houseguest and offer to help out around the house where you can.

Up for an adventure? Reach out and see if there are any friends of a friend in the city you’re visiting who would be willing to host you for a night or two. If it’s your first time in the area, getting a local’s advice on cheap (and tasty) places to eat, things to do or places to go is priceless. Plus, you might make a new friend who you can extend the same offer to someday should they need it.

VISIT FREE ATTRACTIONS

Spending time in the outdoors is the most budget-friendly option out there. In many places, it’s absolutely free and you’ll gain a lifetime worth of memories, great photos and rewarding experiences all for a great cost. Visit a National Park, take a long day-hike, have a picnic or spend a day on the water to make the most of your time out of the car. Luckily, these naturally beautiful destination points also happen to be the most scenic drives, too. So, go ahead and drive off into the sunset.

What are your best ways to plan a trip on a budget? Tell us your tips and money-saving tricks for a fun and affordable time on the road! Epic stories are always welcome.