Hello there FollowMe family! I hope you’ve enjoyed our other posts and have already taken our stories, tips, and advice and converted them to trips, adventures, and memories…all the while not breaking the bank!

We all know that there is no worse feeling than coming back from an amazing weekend of travels with friends and checking your bank account (or at least what is left of it) and finding that you have, literally, paid the price for your adventures. We want to change that. Traveling with groups can be stressful, especially when money is an issue, which is why I am here to give you some tips on how to travel in groups while keeping finances a priority. Buckle Up, Shake off those Sunday Scaries or Monday Blues, and tune in so you can take your next amazing trip with friends with confidence that there will be many more to come after!

This past weekend, a group of friends and I decided to travel to Copenhagen and had agreed to try and minimize our spending while maximizing our experience in one of the more expensive cities in Europe. Here’s a few tips on how we did it:

1) Set out a Budget

You and your friends may have different interpretations of what “traveling on a budget” means, which can lead to plenty of tension and frustration. I don't want that. Instead of going in blind, set out a budget with friends beforehand so that everyone is on the same page. My friends and I decided on not wanting to pay more than €75 for accommodation, keeping meals below €20 per person, and partaking in tourist activities that did not require expensive tickets. As it was previously agreed upon, each member of my group felt responsible for sticking to our budget. I recommend doing some research beforehand on what the typical prices of common items in the country are, and setting aside a few exchange bucks in case you go over the budget accidentally. All in all, it should keep everyone on the same wavelength for group meals and activities.

2) Book Your Flights Early!

Flights can be the biggest deterrent to traveling in a group, especially when availability is limited and prices at high. Many airlines now offer low-cost deals that can be booked in advance, and are well worth taking advantage of. Tickets on low-cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet can sometimes set you back around €40 at most! However, it is best to book in advance and remember that these airlines need to make their money elsewhere if their ticket prices are so low, which is why it is important to be mindful of other potential charges while traveling. Here's a few to be extra careful of:

• Check-in beforehand! Checking-in at the airport for airlines like Ryanair can carry a fee of over €75! That's a rough way to blow your budget before even getting on the plane
• Don't pack the kitchen sink! These types of airlines have strict baggage policies. Adhere to them and you will be just fine
• Stay away from the extras; Many of the ultra-low cost airlines offer handfuls of extras to go along with your ticket. They add up before you know it!
• Remember everything costs extra on these types airlines! Bring your own food and water or buy before boarding

3) Swap Hotels for Hostels

Everyone loves a nice hotel now and then with great rooms and service, but is it really necessary for a young group of friends? No! Instead, have a look at some of the centrally located hostels in the city. My friends and I chose Danhostel, located about 10 minutes away from one of the city’s main attractions, Tivoli Gardens. We booked two private rooms for our group of 8, each person got their own bed, and there was plenty of space for all of us. The hostel staff were friendly, and besides mornings and evenings, we were barely at the hostel, justifying not needing an expensive hotel room. Our hostel even included a little DIY as we were given our sheets upon check-in. Overall is a was a great decision and the total cost for two nights came out to the cost of a hotel for one!

4) Keep Track of Who Owes Who

One of the pains of traveling in larger groups comes with the bill. It is often not as easy to split payments abroad as it is back in the United States, which can lead to some frustration when it comes time to pay. To avoid this, take turns paying for the group when necessary and keep track to make sure it is evened out at the end. I recommend using an app called Splitwise, which my friends and I used, to keep track of who owes what. It is incredibly easy to use and you can even make a group for your trip to keep all the information in one place and update throughout the trip.

5) Plan in Advance!

The spontaneity of travel can be amazing; that wild unplanned night out in Barcelona or the best meal you've ever had in the back alleys of Rome can create memories that last a lifetime. In groups, however, spontaneity can be more frustrating than fun, especially when patience is running low. Therefore, do some planning in advance. Everyone in the group can decide on one or two things beforehand and put together a rough itinerary to accommodate for everyone's wishes. Tickets can often be more expensive at the door in tourist sites. Planning a few meals in advance can go a long way as well. Knowing where you want to eat can eliminate wandering on an empty stomach and settling for something outside your price range because you and your friends are hangry. We had that issue a few times this past weekend and settled for places that we should not have eaten at just because we were hungry and tired. It only takes a little time to plan beforehand and can be well worth it!