A vacation is already costly, but when you head overseas suddenly the expenses can skyrocket. However, there are some strategies to save big on your next international getaway. It all starts with choosing your location wisely.
The more “touristy” destinations innately cost the most. If you’re fortunate enough to have some flexibility in choosing your destination, you can get a head start on budgeting your vacation based on destination alone.
Here are a few more ways to go on a budget-friendly vacation:

1. Drive, don’t depend on public transportation. When you rent new vehicles overseas, you’re going to save a bundle on transportation. It might seem like public transportation is more affordable, but it can also be time consuming and confusing—a lot of people will end up using taxis or Ubers, and that can quickly add up. If you’re heading to Canada, Mexico, or another destination where you can drive your own vehicle, you can also consider a lease or finance options and get an upgrade on a travel-friendly car.
   
   
2. Consider the currency exchange. Countries where the dollar is strong will give you more bang for your literal buck. This can change regularly, so keep an eye out for desirable destinations where your currency will go a long way. Likewise, think twice about countries where the dollar is weak.
   
   
3. Look into home sharing opportunities. Decent hotels can be very expensive, especially when you consider taxes and related costs. Increasingly, there are home sharing options available, often in even more desirable locations than many hotels. You can choose to rent a room, an entire home, and decide whether or not you’d like to share the space with a host. If you share a home with a local, you’ll also get a chance to get to know the nearby region from someone who really knows it.
   
   
4. Travel standby. Standby flights aren’t quite as common as they used to be, but they’re still a great way to save—especially on international flights. If you’re up for being flexible and spending some time at the airport, you can save big on vacant seats. In most cases, outside of peak travel times, you won’t have to wait very long to find your way onto a flight.
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5. Use cash and give yourself a daily allowance. Budgeting should extend to vacations, too. However, it can be difficult to remember that foreign currency is “real.” Studies have shown people are less likely to spend cash compared to cards, but this might not extend to foreign currency. Keep your budget on point by giving yourself a daily cash allowance and sticking to it. This will also encourage you to get creative and check out options such as lesser known cafes, in an effort to stay on budget.
   
   
6. Avoid the tourist traps. Of course, some high-traffic areas are a must-see. Still, in many cases you don’t need to splurge on items such as taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower when there’s a staircase. Research avenues for saving on major tourist sites, such as free museum days. Otherwise, go off the beaten track and explore on your own. Walking around a city on foot will give you opportunities to discover hidden gems.
   
   
7. Travel during the off season. Most regions have an off season when you will automatically save on hotels and transportation. This is especially true in tropical locations. Monsoon season isn’t desirable for a lot of travelers, but that means less crowds and you’ll get off season rates on everything from experiences to transportation.
   
   
8. Try a volunteer for board gig. Volunteer tourism has peaked in popularity, and it can be a great way to save. Most cases require volunteers to work a certain number of hours per day or week in exchange for room and board. You’ll get to meet locals and fellow volunteers, too. However, be certain that the number of required work hours is in keeping with what you’ll get in exchange.

Traveling overseas is exciting, but can also be a budget buster. With these strategies, you can save money and get to do and experience more in your chosen destination.