Interesting question. When I was young, I spent a lot of time figuring out ways that I could afford to travel. Simple as that. I camped. I backpacked. I traveled as a chaperone for student trips. I took every business trip I was offered. I wanted to go and had no money at that time.
It was then that I learned how to research travel locations, transportation, food, activities and so on. I did it so I could afford to go places. However, I got so much more than I bargained for.
By learning to do all these things, I developed an actual love for that style of travel. It's always an adventure, because you're doing everything on your own. Or most of it anyway. There are no guides. There are no travel agents. Nothing is all inclusive. There is no premade itinerary. I get to go where I want when I want how I want and to do what I want. Once I began to learn how to make it all happen, I was hooked.
Here's the irony. I'm not broke anymore. I can do what I want to. I could catch that cruise to Antarctica. I could rock that all inclusive resort in the Caribbean. I could take that safari in Kenya.
Why don't I do that?
I discovered something as a budget traveler. I got to make my own schedule and be a lot more flexible than a tour or cruise. I found that I was able to learn about the place I was visiting. I was able to talk to people and learn how they felt about living there and what their life was like. I got to try the food and go to the grocery store and the market. I learned about the places I was visiting.
I still like to watch "The Amazing Race" even though the participants are actually missing out on a lot of everywhere they travel to. They get just a taste and then run off to the next location. I like to take some time and learn a bit. I also love the views, and you can't rush while enjoying the views.
Would I ever take a luxury vacation? I doubt it. I would like to see Antarctica, so maybe. I would like to go on a safari of some kind, but I'm not sure about it. I love wandering. I love learning what a place is really like. I prefer watching YouTubers to watching a travel show, because it tends to show more real life. I guess it's who I've become.
And that also answers the next question that I get a lot. Why not pay more and have that luxury? I've already answered that. I love budget travel and I feel like I get more out of the experience than with more luxury.
Have I tried a luxury vacation? Yes, I have. I honestly at this juncture in my life prefer wandering on a budget with off beat locations, unique accommodations, and time to do things my way.
Why do I feel like budget travel is more adventurous?
There's a distinct difference. A while back I went to see "The Lion King" on Broadway with some friends. It was fun. We had a great time. We went to our hotel, we went to Times Square, we went to the play, we went to eat in Times Square, and we went back to our hotel. It was great, but it was also cliche.
Not that long after the trip for the play, I went to the city and found this. I'd heard about it for years and seen the towers in the movie "Men in Black." I took a fabulous ride on the number 7 train and it's an interesting subway. I had a great day at the park, which is also where the US Open is held. I met people and we talked about life in Flushing Queens and why the park is so special. By the way, it was created for the 1964 World's Fair. Very cool.
The park was the nearly unplanned wander. What I'd really gone to the city to see was the exhibit, "Dear New York," that was happening right in Grand Central Terminal. It was only there for a couple weeks, and was closing this weekend, so I went to check it out. It was an immersive experience in some sections, an exhibit in others and it even took over all the ad space in the terminal and was also in the subway station below. It was wonderful, and poignant.
Here's the thing. I went to an art exhibit at the train station. I took a subway ride or two. I walked around an amazing park. All I paid for was the subway and trains. Parks are free. The art exhibit was free. I couldn't have had a better day. I loved my day in the city. Budget travel is great.
I liked "The Lion King" but the night felt fancy. I felt like I had to dress a bit and look a certain way. There were schedules and all kinds of stuff. I like the way I travel. It's more fluid and less stressful. I don't always travel budget, but I don't just do it because I can't afford luxury. It's a choice. It's my choice.
What about apps? I've discussed them before. I travel to a lot of different places. I love cities and mass transit, but I also love to go hiking in the middle of nowhere in Maine. My tastes vary a lot.
What I can say about apps is that they do come in handy. When you book travel through a site like Expedia, you have all your information on your phone. I do recommend taking a few screen shots of information just in case, as I had happen in Finland, your phone acts up and you need to find your apartment. When you book with someone like Expedia, Hotels, Booking, and several others; they'll also help you book activities. Then information for all of it is in one place. On your app.
There's an app for everything, and having everything right on your phone makes it so easy. I booked a zip line activity in St. Lucia on my Expedia app and it all worked out seamlessly. It was great. That's just one example of what you can do and how easy an app can be.
I had a glitch with my plans in Stockholm, and used apps to get through that. I had a flight change alert and it left us needing to move to another hotel and make all kinds of alternate arrangements because the airline moved our flight time. Everything I used to make that mess into something fun was on an app. I was in Sweden at the time. I didn't have time or means to make the changes any other way. It was a necessary item that day and it all worked out amazingly well.
Long story short; use apps. The travel business has the best and most user friendly apps in the world. They'll help you all the time and save your butt every time.
I'm often asked about apartments and hotels. Which is better?
Interesting question. I travel a lot. When I'm going for a couple of days, I get a hotel. I want it to have a mini fridge and a coffeemaker, but I'll settle for the fridge. For a couple of days it's great. You normally get a hair dryer. You normally get soap, shampoo, conditioner and sometimes lotions. As long as I can cool some drinks, I'm good to go for a short trip.
The great thing about hotels, particularly in a city, is that you tend to be on an upper floor with a view out the window. Love that. Hotels often have free breakfast, restaurants on the premises. There may be a pool or gym or even a sauna. I love the amenities. There's someone at the desk if you need anything. Wonderful.
However, for longer trips I like an apartment. I like the feeling of home. I like a little kitchen area where I can cook a little bit if I want. I like to visit markets and grocery stores, so sometimes we stay in for a night and cook local food. I like to have breakfast before I go out, and that's a great reason for a kitchen too. It's fun. I like having a sofa and/or chairs to hang out. It has a more homey feel when you're gone for a while.
Most importantly, an apartment can be rented that has a washer and sometimes a dryer. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick of paying baggage fees all the time. Some of them are $75+ for one bag. Being able to do laundry is a game changer, and being included with your lodging is the best of all worlds. I love it when I'm on a longer trip.
I have to mention one very important thing about these accommodations. I've learned in Europe that they have an alternative to both of these in a lot of cities. I've stayed in them twice already. They are called an Aparthotel. This is an apartment that's in a building that's run like a hotel. They have desk service, amenities and also they are apartments. I love these and highly recommend them.
The last question I'm going to talk about here is about seasonal travel. When to go? I have some thoughts.
First, and I can't stress this enough, if you're going to a place for a special event, or for a holiday visit; you're going to pay. The worst travel that I book every year is my son's visit home for Christmas. It's tedious. It's expensive. It has to be done early or there's nothing livable for flights.
I avoid traveling during event and holiday times like the plague. If I go to see something for Christmas, I do it early. Here's the thing. Take New York City. They love Christmas and there's a million things to see and do during that season. Here's the trick. Everything starts in early November. Do it before mid December. Less crowds. Less money. Less freezing cold outside. That's the way I travel.
Most people vacation in the summer because of school schedules. That's great if you have that schedule to adhere to. I did that for roughly 20 years myself. But, here's the reality. Summer is hot and sticky and crowded. That first or second week of September is calling you, people. It's still warm, but not hot and sticky. It's far less crowded. It's the perfect time to visit.
On the other shoulder, if you aren't so worried about the beach and swimming and boating; May is the month. The summer stuff is just opening up and it's far less crowded. You can't beat it.
One of my favorites was going to Iceland in January. Relax, I'm not that cheap. I wanted to see the Northern Lights. They were beautiful. It's the best time of year to see them. The trip cost next to nothing and we had a great time. We got to see a volcano erupting as well.
Another idea for winter. We once went to stay in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in February. I got a little sunburn at the indoor beach by the indoor water park. There was a ton of stuff to do and we never left the building. It cost next to nothing and we had the time of our lives.
Events are what they are, but seasonal travel is really only for people with school age children and people visiting the Arctic or Antarctic. Other than that, I say early for the holiday season and during the spring and fall off seasons. If you like, check into those few wonderful winter ideas as well. You can't beat it for crowds or price.
There you have it. If you ever wondered what it's like to plan budget adventures, or why someone might just prefer it to luxury travel; I hope I've answered some of those questions. If you have any other questions about budget travel, mass transit, travel apps, or anything else about travel abroad or in New York City and the Northeast, let me know
You can also catch my excursions here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone/
https://www.instagram.com/ninakindred1/
https://x.com/NinaKindred
Have a look at these sites and Enjoy!
https://plateandcompass.com/best-travel-apps/
https://www.budgettravel.com/
https://diytravelagent.blog/2025/02/13/28-best-travel-apps-to-make-your-diy-trips-easier/
https://voyeglobal.com/free-things-to-do-while-traveling/?srsltid=AfmBOoodB00RKhj6pnGrOJfzKAhi6O2R4bV0TwDh8qcKb-vYlRjJLdD_
https://airbornenomad.com/Budget-Travel/guide-to-using-public-transportation-for-budget-travelers-ptcg0b6fb61181/PTCG0B6FB61181
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/sleeping-eating/vacation-rental-or-hotel
https://nativeplaces.com/10-benefits-of-staying-in-an-aparthotel-vs-a-traditional-hotel/
