A trip overseas doesn’t have to empty your wallet. With just a little upfront planning and some savvy skills once you’re there, you can come away with an experience to remember at a price you can afford.
Create a budget before you go
Start by making a list of all the things you want to see and do, and determine the costs of each. Be sure to account for the cost of lodging, transportation, sightseeing and entertainment.
Once you’ve accounted for all the things you know you’ll encounter, add a little extra for the unknown. It’s the things you didn’t see coming that may cost a little more when you need to buy them in a pinch.
Lastly, balance what you spend against what you’ll have left in your teen savings account when you return. For older teens already in college, will there be enough for your next rent payment? Can you still cover the cost of books for next semester? Be sure your travel budget doesn’t leave you in a bad financial situation when you return.
Find helpful travel advice
Secure travel apps can be handy resources for finding inexpensive, but tasty places to eat. User reviews may help you decide what’s worth checking out and what’s not as well as what you can expect to pay for a meal.
Theses apps could be useful for finding out when popular sites are most crowded and when they’re not. The cost of admission may have an impact on what day and time you decide to visit. Data charges may apply at home and abroad, so be sure to contact your carrier.
Don’t forget your family and friends! They may be a wealth of first-hand experiences.
Spend wisely while you’re there
In many cases, you can eat like a local, and still stay within or below budget. Sometimes the best meals can be found on a path not part of an official guidebook. If you’re staying in a hostel, rented apartment or hotel with a kitchenette, find a local market for fresh, local food you can make.
When it comes to buying souvenirs, save money by buying meaningful gifts for those close to you. Then consider saving your gifts for upcoming special occasions or holidays. If your budget is limited for buying gifts, share pictures and stories from your trip instead with your family and friends when you return. Keep in mind if you buy a lot of large souvenirs, you’ll need to plan for the extra cost of luggage weight or shipping your items back home.
Traveling abroad doesn’t have to cost a lot — and should be safe. Call us at 888.732.8562 or visit your local branch to notify us of your travel plans, especially if you intend to use your debit card or credit card overseas. In case of emergency while abroad, add the country code (011) before the toll-free number if you are unable to access your account, lose your card or notice account fraud.
The advice provided is for informational purposes only.