Photo by Denni Schnapp

So you’re gearing up for that gap year trip or backpacking adventure of a lifetime?

Unfortunately most intrepid travellers won’t have an unlimited supply of cash to splash on their journey. But that’s not to say you need masses of money to have a good time anyways.

Here are a few handy money saving hints and tips to make that backpacking budget stretch a little bit further:

Be a brainy buyer
Shop around online before you travel to get the best deals on flights, backpacks and all the other essentials you’ll need to take. You can also make big savings by spending a little time to sort yourself out a cheap travel insurance deal. There are loads of companies offering policies specifically aimed at backpackers and gap year travellers so don’t take the first quote you find. But do make sure you are covered though, it could end up saving you loads of money if something was to go wrong.

Get a flying start
Try and book midweek flights as prices can skyrocket by more than 400% on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It’s also worth paying attention to local calendars and trying to avoid any specific holiday periods – it’s always cheaper to travel out of peak season where possible.

Share the good times (and the cost)
Of course some of you will be determined to go it alone on some sort of epic “rite of passage” journey, and that’s your choice. But why not travel as part of a group to share out the cost of rooms, travel, food etc? Even solo travellers can share rooms with people they meet on their journey to save some cash – single rooms can be much more pricey.

Stock up on those little added extras
When you occasionally eat out at restaurants or takeaways, be cheeky and sneak away with a few extra napkins, plastic cutlery and packs of salt, pepper, vinegar and sauce. They’ll all come in handy in the days and weeks to come.

Snaffle some soap and other luxuries
Similarly, if you do stay in the occasional hotel from time to time, don’t be afraid to raid their supplies of soap, shampoo and hair conditioner. You might also be able to nab yourself some free pens and notepads too, as well as a few extra tea bags.

Find a friendly face
Do you have any old friends or family who live anywhere on your planned travel route? You might be able to bag yourself a spare room, or at worst a comfy sofa, for a few days, saving yourself a bundle in accommodation costs. You might even get a few free meals thrown in too if you are lucky!

Mind your mobile phone
Buy a local SIM card so you save cash on domestic calls. And double check your contract to see how much it’ll cost to make and receive calls abroad. It makes sense to steer clear of costly international calls – use email and social media to catch up with your friends back home.

Get online for free
If you’re staying in a large town or city, head off to the local library. Many offer free internet access and you can also browse through some local travel books to get the lowdown on the best and worst places to visit.

Lap up the local knowledge
Don’t be afraid of tapping into the expertise of staff at your hostel or hotel. Ask them where the best places to go are. Find out where to steer clear of as you’re likely to get ripped off. And get a rough idea of local prices so you have a good indication about how much you should be spending.

Find free entertainment
Don’t pay to see shows or go to the cinema. Many pubs and restaurants will feature free live music or comedy performances. Are there any free local galleries or museums? There’s always plenty of free entertainment on offer.