How to Travel Like a Local and Save Money​ with 8 Tips

Traveling can often feel like a series of tourist traps and expensive experiences. It doesn’t truly reflect the culture of your destination.

It’s frustrating to spend a fortune on travel. It is to find yourself missing out on the authentic local experiences that make a trip memorable. You end up feeling like another tourist. Not fully immersed in the culture and traditions of the place you’re visiting.

Traveling like a local is the key to unlocking an enriching and budget-friendly experience. Adopting a local mindset helps you

• Go in the culture
• Uncover hidden gems
• Enjoy authentic delicacies at lower prices

  

My Journey

Over the years, I’ve explored new places by seeing them like a local. I’ve found hidden gems and enjoyed real experiences while keeping costs low. This way, my travels have been richer and more memorable.

Here’s how you can do the same and why it’s worth it to travel like a local.

How Does it Pay to Travel Like a Local?

It is not only a question of saving money, but traveling like a local is a trend. It is about the view of the world which is completely different from what we are used to. If you attempt local concepts, you spend less and feel a place. 

The lesson that I have gotten from this journey is that using local transport, food and accommodation makes the journey more fulfilling.

One more benefit of traveling like a local is the versatility that comes with the campaign. It is much more convenient to move around a country without strict schedules and schedules of visits. 

For instance, I have personally realized that local public transport means in Southeast Asia or Europe are relatively cheap and effective. It makes the trips to be more natural, easier to manage, and fun.

How Easy Is It to Travel Around Your Country?

It is not necessary to only travel like a local when visiting another country. It can also be quite insightful when you travel through your own country in such a manner. At home, I walk or take a bus or bike then hire a taxi or rent a car. It is more cost effective and it is environmentally friendly thus cutting down on my impacts on the environment.

People don’t pay enough attention to domestic travel as it is as entertaining as international travel because of the relatively low prices. In this case, you are able to find new places that are off the beaten track without having to spend a lot of money. 

I have found lovely villages, beautiful parks, and nice cafes. Some of these were a little out of the way but were some of the highlights.

Travel Like a Local in Singapore

Singapore is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, but there are ways to travel on a budget and be a ‘Singaporean tourist’. Another thing that I can say that I have come to realize after living in Singapore is the need to use public transport. The MRT system in Singapore is cheap and convenient to transport all the parts of the city while being cheaper compared to the taxis.

When it comes to local experiences in Singapore one of the best things I enjoyed was visiting the hawker centers. These are open-air food courts that give the best and mouthwatering foods at very affordable prices. For a few dollars, you can get yourself a delicious meal of Hainanese chicken rice or laksa. 

It is cheaper than other restaurants that offer luxurious meals. Hence, areas like Tiong Bahru and Katong give a better feel of the local population. It is not in the vicinity of the popular attraction which is the Marina Bay Sands.

Potential Challenges

• Make use of the cheap and effective means of transport, the MRT to move around the city.
• Select hostels or cheap hotels to get lodging at a reasonable price.
• Instead of going to expensive restaurants, go to hawker centers to taste good and cheap Singaporean food.

Travel Like a Local in Norway

Norway’s fjords and beautiful terrains might sound expensive at first glance. However, this does not mean that you cannot travel like a local in Norway while at the same time minimizing the costs.

A trick I’ve picked up is using the ‘right to roam’ that is in force in Norway which allows you to camp anywhere you want for free. I did not spend much money on accommodation, some nights I slept in the campsite near the fjords and in the morning I saw beautiful scenery.

As for the food, it is much cheaper to buy from local markets and supermarkets than to eat in restaurants. I bought new products, and cooked easily prepared dishes. Last but not least, for transportation Norway has trains and the best thing about them is that they are cheap and the journey is very picturesque. 

I chose the route Oslo to Bergen which is known as one of the most stunning railway journeys of the world and I could do this without spending a lot of money on flight tickets.

Potential Challenges

• Limited English among locals can make communication challenging.
• Norway’s unpredictable weather can be tough for those unfamiliar with cold or wet conditions.
• Remote areas often have sparse or no public transport, requiring extra planning.

Travel Like a Local in Malaysia

Malaysia is one country where traveling like a local is very effective in reducing expenses. To avoid big hotel chains, I decided to go for locally owned-guesthouses. The two things I would like to save were money and tips on places of interest from the people of the place.

Cheap and easily accessible means of transport such as buses and trains are well-developed in Malaysia. A ride between Kuala Lumpur and Penang two of the most active cities in Malaysia cost me just a few dollars. 

Local travel experience in Malaysia was a great experience, but the one that I enjoyed most was the night markets. I ate char kway teow and roti canai which cost me one-third of the price I would have been charged at a restaurant.

Potential Challenges

• Use guesthouses to cut on the cost and get to know the local people.
• Use buses and trains for an affordable means of transport.
• Eat delicious and cheap food at hawker centres and local eateries.

Get Local Travel Ideas

• It is better to stay at guesthouses, homestays or small boutiques to feel the atmosphere as close as possible.
• Local transportation such as buses, trains and taxi are cheap and also provide a view of the locals’ lifestyle.
• If you want to get to know what sort of food is most popular in the country and what you should try, then you should eat where the locals eat.
• Skip the touristy restaurants. For the true taste of the country, one should go for street cuisine or small restaurants.
• Get to know neighborhoods on foot or bike. Meet with people and find places that are not familiar yet.
• Understand some simple rules of manners and customs. It is to honor and to increase intimacy.
• Buy from local stores and look for local trinkets. You can do it by visiting local markets and artisan shops We can do it by going to local markets and the shops that are owned and run by artisans.
• Do not over-schedule yourself so that you have time for the unknown gems and recommendations by the locals.

Lower Cost of Traveling in Local Destinations

There is the benefit of lower costs since the traveling will be done within the country. In this way, one can save money and have more opportunities to get to know more about the country’s traditions and customs. This has helped me to save more cash by taking local food, public transport, and accommodation from local families.

Every time I go somewhere, I always ensure that I get to know where the people of that place go to eat, shop, and have fun. Most of the time, they guided me to places that were cheap and actually the local joints. 

The Departure

Traveling like a local therefore allows one to get more involved with the place or country they are visiting and they are also able to save some cash. When you are in a costly city, for instance, Singapore, or in a relatively cheaper city such as Malaysia, you may develop a local mentality. It enhances your experience and reveals what tourists fail to see Next time you travel, avoid the tourist attractions, think locally and save your money while having the best memories ever.

FAQs

How to live like a local when you travel?

To travel like a local, the following tips should be followed when one is a visitor in another region;

• Using public transport
• Eating local food
• Staying in local accommodations

Interact with people to get real-life experiences and do not stick to the tourist traps.

How to act like a local?

To blend in, follow, and respect the local culture and etiquette of the place. The ways are to dress properly and try to learn a few basic words of the language spoken in that country. When in the locality, the best thing to do is to emulate the locals in the way they move around and conduct themselves so as to avoid any form of conflict with the locals.

How do you travel as alone?

For lone travel, it is advisable to have a loose schedule avoid areas that can be dangerous to a lone traveler, and also avoid places that do not accommodate single travelers. Have fun and enjoy the traveling as you make your own decisions while at the same time taking time to reflect on yourself.