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Taking a gap year is a fantastic opportunity to explore the world and discover fascinating countries and cultures. While you can have fun deciding where you go and what you do, unfortunately you also have to do the less exciting task of working out how you’re going to afford it! Budgeting for your gap year properly can help you make the most of your trip. There’s nothing worse than running out of cash halfway through your gap year and having to make an embarrassing phone call home to your friends and family!

Below our some good tips on how to budget for a gap year abroad that will save you from stressing about cash flow:

Work out how much you’ll need

Sounds obvious, but if you already know some of the costs involved then you can add them up and work out a rough budget for your gap year. Start with the biggest expenses (usually flights) and work your way through everything else until you have an idea of what you’ll be spending day-to-day. Research the average cost of accommodation in each destination as well as rough prices for local food and attractions, including any ‘must-see’ activities – you won’t enjoy your gap year travel half as much if you miss out on all the best experiences! Of course, you can’t account for everything and there are certain to be unexpected costs, but at least if you have a target budget then you’ve got something to work to. If you’re halfway into your budget within the first week of your gap year then you know you’re going to have to start cutting back!

Spend wisely before you go

No one travels half way around the world without first buying some travel essentials. The trick is to limit yourself to exactly that: essentials. This will include visas and vaccinations, as well as travel insurance, which in itself can save you huge amounts of money if you get into trouble. Most other things are optional so make sure that if you buy something you’re going to use it and it will last further than the first bus journey! Buying a good quality backpack is a good start, but don’t go overboard buying travel kit. Spending too much before you go could blow your budget and anyway, it’s always best to travel light!

Get saving!

Agra is one destination that has been visited by millions of tourists all around the world and yet the charm of the place does not seem to die down, with a million more tourists waiting to get to this city, home of the eternal monument of love, the Taj Mahal. If are also one of those tourists wishing to visit Agra, but the money factor holding you up, then here is a little guide aimed to help you get your Agra tour within a budget.

Agra is a relatively cheap place to holiday as compared to other destinations of India. However, there needs to be a plan in place for a good budget travel. Firstly, starting with travel, the most economical as well comfortable way to reach Agra is by the trains. With a widespread network, Indian Railways connects Agra to even the remotest region of India making trains one of the most trustworthy modes of transportation. Agra has five big and small railway stations that host trains coming in from all directions of India.

Another economical way to reach Agra is the bus. Agra has three interstate bus stops and as such it boasts of a good connectivity with several regions of India like Delhi, Jaipur and Vrindavan. However there are two major setbacks to bus travel, firstly being the time factor as bus journeys are time consuming and the second being the fatigue factor, it is a well known fact that long bus journeys are extremely tiring and exhausting. So if you can overlook these two factors then bus journeys are the most economical way to reach Agra. You can also choose to drive or hire a cab to Agra and enjoy the ride.

For accommodation Agra Hotels offer a plethora of options that fits varied budget ranges. These hotels are known for their quality services and amenities and are also well located, as a majority of these budget hotels sit in prime locations of the city.

Lastly sightseeing in Agra although not overtly expensive requires a little planning. There is a really complicated entry fees system at the Taj Mahal and other major attractions of Agra, for instance you must shell out 500 Rs levy to the Agra Development Authority in addition to the regular entry fees. Once paid, the levy is valid for all the sights of Agra, but only for one day. However, If you don’t intend to visit the Taj Mahal then you do not have to pay the Rs 500 levy but a smaller one if you are going to the other sites, for example Rs 50 for Red Fort.