Budget — Blog | A Happy Passport

Cost of 2 Weeks in Japan during Cherry Blossom Season | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Japan is notorious for being on the pricey side, especially for a popular time like Cherry Blossom season. While accommodations and food are definitely more expensive than most tourist destinations – we were pleasantly surprised that we were able to keep the total cost of the trip down without sacrificing experiences. To put it in perspective, we spent the same amount on our 13 day trip to Japan as our 9 day trip to Peru. Japan is relatively inexpensive when it comes to occupying your time and even internal transport. Most gardens and shrines are free to visit and cheap convenience stores and vending machines are aplenty. There is still the initial shock of hotel prices and the cost of a rail pass, but Japan doesn’t have to be the ultra-expensive travel destination it is made out to be.

Budget, Asia, Japan, Most PopularAlison MullisApril 22, 2019Budget Comment

71 Gifts Travelers Will Actually Want | Massive Travel Gift Guide

A true traveler values experiences over possessions – making them particularly difficult to shop for. However, there are many gifts that will greatly improve their adventures. Aside from an around-the-world plane ticket, these 71 gifts are ones that travelers will actually want. Below is a massive variety of gifts for all categories of traveler: the backpacker, the luxury-seeker, or the family globetrotters. Prices range from $5 to $500 – so no matter your budget, we got you covered.

Travel Tips, Most PopularAlison MullisSeptember 22, 2018Budget, Gift Guide Comments

Cost for 9 Days In Peru | Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Lima

The cost to travel in Peru can be incredibly difficult to estimate. Even if you are a backpacker trekking around the country, the prices you will encounter can vary widely. Peru is a fairly inexpensive country, but you will likely experience a "tourist tax" – paying more for items than the locals. Visiting the major sights in Peru, like Machu Picchu, is pricey no matter how you get there (Inca Trail vs Train). However, other luxuries may be a lot cheaper in Peru than elsewhere. With some pre-planning and knowledge on fair prices, you can get some great deals on food, accommodations, and ground transportation. In this article, every individual cost during our 9 day travels in Peru is outlined, with tips on saving money.

Budget, Peru, South AmericaAlison MullisSeptember 7, 2018Budget Comment

How to Eat Cheap in Iceland | Less than $8 a Day

Iceland is expensive. It is the 4th most expensive country in the world based on consumer price indexes. High food costs are a large part of it. There are certainly ways to keep your costs down if you strategize. During our 11-day trip around Iceland, we spent less than $8 a day per person on food. You go to Iceland for the beautiful landscapes and thrilling experiences, save your money for accommodations and activities rather than food. Here are practical tips for eating cheap in Iceland.

IcelandAlison MullisAugust 14, 2018Ring Road, Road Trip, Budget Comments

The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals for Travelers | 2018

The day is here! Amazon Prime Day is Amazon's biggest day for deals, rivaling Black Friday. It runs from 3:00 pm EST on Monday, July 16th to midnight on Tuesday, July 17th. You can get big discounts on thousands of products, including many of our travel essentials!

Travel TipsAlison MullisJuly 15, 2018BudgetComment

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Iceland?

If you haven't already heard it from everyone else, let me be the first to tell you: Iceland is expensive. Super expensive. Iceland is currently ranked as the 3rd most expensive country in the world. During our visit, we tried to limit expenses where we could without limiting experiences. We did everything we wanted (within reason... unfortunately, no helicopter rides over the gorgeous landscape), but for the lowest price we could swing. In this guide, I break down everything we spent money on and how to reduce your expenses while in Iceland.

Europe, Iceland, Budget, Most PopularAlison MullisJune 24, 2018Budget Comments

How to Use Credit Card Rewards for a Free Two Week European Vacation

Imagine going on your dream European Honeyoon without the crazy four to five-figure bill? Maximizing credit rewards and points, you can cover all your airfare, accomodations, and all the additional expenses you accrue on vacation. I get it, credit cards are scary. They weren't applauded by any means in my family growing up. Being the frugal, risk-adverse, deal seeking weirdo I was, I got a cashback credit card as soon as I turned 18. It was not until a couple years ago, the more I got into travel, that I learned about the ample ways to use or "hack" credit cards to get pretty much free travel. In this guide, I will break down how to get two weeks worth of travel for free just by applying and meeting minimum spends on a few credit cards.

Travel TipsAlison MullisMay 17, 2018Budget, Honeymoon Comments