Traveling can be a costly hobby, but one of the easiest way to offset the cost is to replace the traditional hotel room with a tent. While a modest hotel can cost anywhere from 60 to 200 dollars per night for a standard room, you can rent a campsite for a meager 25 dollars. There are definitely pros and cons to going the camping route.
PROS
Other than direct cost-savings, camping allows you to get some fresh air, enjoy picnics, practice your outdoor cooking skills, gather around a campfire and sing some songs (well the singing is optional). Since most campsites are generally further from the downtown core of a city, it provides you with the opportunity to explore smaller towns and quieter parts of the place you are visiting. Many campsites also provide outdoor activities for free to keep you busy during the day and not bust your budget.
Camping in Gros Morne, Newfoundland
CONS
The biggest objection to camping is likely equipment. If you’ve never gone on a camping trip of any kind you are missing some basic essentials. With that said, camping can be very budget friendly. If you are savvy with online shopping you can find camping packages that include a tent, 2 sleeping bags, and 2 foldable camping chairs for 200 dollars. All you would need to add is a sleeping pad, a headlamp, and some kind of cooking stove in the event that a campfire is not possible. Voila you are all set! It is an investment upfront, but it will save you money in the not so long-term. For even more savings check-out end-of-season sales and online classifieds. Another potential con is how to transport camping equipment if you are planning on flying to your destination. On my trip to Newfoundland, I managed to pack the following items in two checked luggage (I traveled with a partner so we did not pay any additional baggage fees): 2 sleeping bags and pads, tent, screened tent, 2 burner Coleman stove, Coleman gas lantern, collapsible cooler, and a variety of dishes, pots, cutlery. It was insane how much stuff I managed to take, you would never guess I had flown over. It is definitely feasible to fly and camp, so don’t let it be your excuse not to!
[…] Coleman I am a huge fan of camping as a way of keeping travel costs low (see my travel tip here) and as a general leisure activity with family and friends. If you have never gone camping before […]