IN THIS POST:
- Off-Peak Seasons
- Cheaper Destinations
- Frequent Flier Miles
- Discounted Air Tickets
- No Pre-Travel Shopping
- Motels and Guesthouses
- Free Attractions
Pakistan is a land of natural beauty and historical landmarks. No matter where you want to visit, there is always a way to reduce expenses while satisfying your wanderlust. Here are some of the best tips to travel on a budget in Pakistan.
Top Tips to Travel on a Budget in Pakistan
Budget travelling in Pakistan might seem impossible but there are some very easy tips and tricks to reduce expenses and visit the destinations on your bucket list. Let’s discuss some of the best tips to travel on a budget in Pakistan to help you plan pocket-friendly tours.
Planning Trips During Off-Peak Seasons
The first rule for travelling on a budget is to always travel in the off-peak season when you’ll get the smallest crowds, the best vacancies, and the most cost-effective prices for everything from tickets to accommodation. Within Pakistan, most people travel to the northern areas in the summer to escape the blazing heat in their own city but if you want to beat the crowds, head up north in the early winter season when the cold is bearable and the region is less crowded by tourists.
Similarly, if you want to head towards Balochistan, the province has a fairly hot climate with winter being the best time to explore it, but you can save money if you visit it in autumn or early spring instead. Ultimately, you need to do some research on the best time to explore the region you’re planning to visit. Next, you’ll have to check out the climatic conditions during off-peak seasons at your chosen destination to determine whether it would be feasible to plan your tour in the colder/warmer months accordingly.
Travelling to Cheaper Destinations
If you’re travelling on a budget, reduce the length of the commute to your destination and keep the mode of transport as simple as possible. This might mean travelling locally, only within your own province to see what it has in store for you. It may also mean opting for a cheaper train ride rather than a costly flight and taking longer to reach the destination but spending less overall.
Keeping this tip in mind, search for the best road trips in Pakistan and opt for the one closest to home. Here are some road trip essentials that you should not miss out on before embarking on your journey. If travelling by road isn’t satisfying, consider booking a train ride to save up on the airfare. We’ll discuss how to cut down on airfare below if that is the only option available or if that is your preferred mode of transport.
Using Frequent Flier Miles
If you love to travel, we highly recommend signing up for a frequent flier programme with the airline you use the most. The programme is free of cost and allows you to collect free flying miles in exchange for every flight you take on the respective airline. Ultimately, you can exchange the collected miles for a free flight to your destination, as long as it is less than or equal to the number of miles you’ve been awarded over time.
Buying Air Tickets During Discounts
Don’t worry if you haven’t signed up for a frequent flier programme. Most airlines offer sales and discounts at different times of the year to varying destinations. Follow the social media pages of different airlines and join some travel-based groups to stay updated on the latest offers so that you can buy a ticket in advance for your upcoming trip. Most sales and discounts allow a travel time of up to six months, so you can buy a discounted ticket now for a trip that you’re about to take in the next half of the year.
Avoiding Pre-Travel Shopping Sprees
We all love to look good while travelling but we’d advise saving the money for souvenirs and local cuisine rather than spending it on clothes before the trip. However, if you’re going camping or taking a road trip, it is always best to have all of the necessary equipment at hand before you begin your journey.
Accordingly, you may need to spend money on essentials depending on where you’re going and for how long. Camping equipment, hiking boots, a sturdy backpack, and warm clothes including a jacket, hat and gloves, are just some of the things that you should buy based on your itinerary and the current weather at your destination. Here is a complete checklist for all beginner-level backpackers. You should also check out these camping sites in Pakistan and some of the best tips and hacks for camping outdoors while planning your trip.
Visiting the Free Attractions
Aside from cutting costs on commute and accommodation, you always have the option of visiting and exploring your destination for free by skipping out on the more crowded and costlier attractions. Visit the best parks and mosques in every region, which are generally free. If you would love to know more about the historical significance of a particular city or district, consider visiting a museum, which might cost only a minimal entry fee.
Staying in Motels/Guesthouses Rather Than Hotels
Along with opting for a road trip, consider booking your accommodation in small motels, lodges, and guesthouses instead of renowned 4-star or 5-star hotels. While this shouldn’t be too difficult to do in the remote villages up north, where staying with the locals is the most common way to travel through the region for all tourists, you’ll need to use this tip in all of the major cities as well, if you truly want to make the most of your savings while you travel.
In most cases, local motels and guesthouses might not have an online presence and thus, it will be harder to make reservations beforehand. Thus, you will need to search for accommodation on the spot, after you arrive in town. However, every province does have its share of government-run motels that are well-maintained and cheap. You may be able to book a stay in these motels online from the official government-based websites.
This concludes our tips to travel on a budget in Pakistan. Remember that where you go, how you get there, and what you do once you reach your destination is entirely up to you and only you can decide which part of the experience is worth spending more money on. Plan for your trip in advance and you should have nothing to worry about.
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