How to Plan a Multi-Country Trip Without Overspending

 

🌍 Introduction

Planning a multi-country trip is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and expensive

if not done correctly. With smart planning, choosing the right destinations, transport, and accommodation, you can visit multiple countries without breaking the bank!

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to plan an affordable multi-country trip, covering everything from visa rules to budget-friendly travel tips.

📍 1. Choose the Right Destinations

📌 How to Pick the Best Countries:
✔ Geographically close countries – Lower travel costs between destinations

✔ Budget-friendly places – Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America are great for cheap multi-country trips

✔ Visa-friendly destinations – Some regions allow easy cross-border travel with a single visa

🚨 Pro Tip: Use Google Flights Explore or Skyscanner’s "Everywhere" search to find cheap flight routes between countries!

📌 Best Budget-Friendly Multi-Country Trips:
🌍 Europe: Spain → Portugal → Italy → Greece
🌏 Southeast Asia: Thailand → Vietnam → Cambodia → Malaysia
🌎 South America: Argentina → Chile → Peru → Colombia

✈️ 2. Book the Cheapest Transport Between Countries

📌 How to Travel Between Countries for Less:
✔ Use budget airlines – Ryanair, AirAsia, Wizz Air offer cheap international flights
✔ Overnight trains & buses – Save on hotel costs by traveling at night
✔ Group travel passes – Eurail Pass (Europe), ASEAN Pass (Asia), South America Airpass

🚨 Pro Tip: Book multi-city flights instead of round-trip to save money on airfare!

📌 Best Budget Airlines for Multi-Country Travel:
✈️ Europe: Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet
✈️ Asia: AirAsia, VietJet Air, Scoot
✈️ South America: LATAM, Sky Airline, Azul

💰 3. Budgeting & Saving Money on a Multi-Country Trip

📌 How to Set a Realistic Travel Budget:
✔ Calculate daily expenses – Accommodation, food, transport, and activities
✔ Use budgeting apps – Trail Wallet, TravelSpend, or Splitwise for tracking expenses
✔ Get a multi-currency travel card – Wise, Revolut, or Niyo Global Card for lower exchange fees

🚨 Pro Tip: Eat where locals eat, use public transport, and avoid airport ATMs to save money!

📌 Estimated Daily Budgets for Budget Travelers:
🌍 Europe: $40-70/day
🌏 Southeast Asia: $20-50/day
🌎 South America: $30-60/day

🏨 4. Finding Affordable Accommodation

📌 Best Budget Accommodation Options:
✔ Hostels & Guesthouses – Great for solo travelers & backpackers
✔ Airbnb & Budget Hotels – Good for couples & families
✔ Work Exchanges & Volunteering – Workaway, WWOOF, or TrustedHousesitters

🚨 Pro Tip: Use hotel comparison sites (Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld) and book non-refundable stays for discounts!

📌 Best Websites for Budget Accommodation:
🏨 Hostels: Hostelworld, HI Hostels
🏡 Apartments & Homestays: Airbnb, Couchsurfing
🛏️ Budget Hotels: Agoda, Booking.com

🛂 5. Understand Visa & Entry Requirements

📌 How to Handle Visas for Multi-Country Travel:
✔ Check visa-free countries for your passport
✔ Apply for multi-country visas (Schengen Visa for Europe, ASEAN Visa for Southeast Asia)
✔ Look for visa-on-arrival & eVisa options

🚨 Pro Tip: Always double-check visa rules before booking flights to avoid problems at the border!

📌 Best Websites for Checking Visa Rules:
🌍 VisaHQ – Up-to-date visa info
🌏 iVisa – Online visa application
🌎 Timatic (IATA) – Airline visa requirements

📲 6. Stay Connected & Avoid Roaming Fees

📌 How to Use Your Phone Abroad Without High Costs:
✔ Get a local SIM card – Cheaper than international roaming
✔ Use eSIMs for multiple countries – Airalo, Holafly, Nomad
✔ Use Wi-Fi calling & messaging apps – WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Voice

🚨 Pro Tip: Check if your phone is unlocked before buying a local SIM card!

📌 Best Travel SIM Cards & eSIM Providers:
📶 Global SIMs: Google Fi, Nomad eSIM
📶 Asia SIMs: AIS, TrueMove H, Viettel
📶 Europe SIMs: Vodafone, Three UK, Orange Holiday

💳 7. Use the Best Travel Credit Cards & Currency Exchange Tips

📌 How to Avoid Extra Charges While Traveling:
✔ Use a no-foreign transaction fee credit card
✔ Withdraw larger amounts from ATMs to minimize fees
✔ Exchange money in the city, not at the airport

🚨 Pro Tip: Always choose local currency instead of "home currency" at ATMs to avoid bad exchange rates!

📌 Best Travel Credit Cards (India & International):
💳 India: HDFC Regalia, Axis Magnus, SBI ELITE
💳 USA: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Platinum
💳 UK: Revolut, Monzo

🎒 8. Packing Tips for a Multi-Country Trip

📌 How to Pack for Multiple Climates & Countries:
✔ Layer your clothing – Works for both warm & cold destinations
✔ Pack multi-purpose items – Convertible pants, lightweight jacket
✔ Use compression packing cubes – Save space in your luggage

🚨 Pro Tip: Carry a collapsible daypack for city explorations & day trips!

📌 Must-Have Travel Gear:
🎒 Packing Cubes – Keep clothes organized
🌂 Travel Umbrella – Essential for unpredictable weather
🔋 Power Bank – Stay charged on long travel days

📌 Conclusion

A multi-country trip doesn’t have to be expensive! By choosing the right destinations, booking budget transport, and using smart travel hacks, you can see the world affordably.

📌 Follow us on Instagram for more travel tips: @travelthriftytales

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How much money do I need for a multi-country trip?

A: It depends on your destination! Budget travelers spend $20–$50 per day in Southeast Asia, $50–$80 in Europe, and $30–$60 in South America.

Q2: How do I get the best deals on multi-city flights?

A: Use Google Flights "Multi-City" tool and compare prices on Kiwi.com & Skyscanner.

Q3: What’s the best way to avoid high currency exchange fees?

A: Use travel credit cards with zero foreign transaction fees or withdraw cash in bulk from ATMs.

Recommended Posts:

👉 ✈️ How to Travel the World on a Tight Budget
👉 🚗 How to Plan a Stress-Free Last-Minute Trip Without Overspending
👉 🏕️ Tips for Multi-Country Trip