how to travel cheap

How to travel on a budget: Here are our 22 top tips

Editor's Note

"How can I travel on a budget?" is one of the top questions we receive at TPG.

There's no question that travel is expensive right now as millions satisfy the itch to travel more. Demand has been through the roof. Inflation and correspondingly high hotel, rental car and airline ticket costs have many would-be travelers throwing up their hands in frustration.

However, there are still many ways to save. In addition to using reserves of points and miles to book hotels and airfare, TPGers have many budget travel tips to help stretch your dollars when traveling.

Here are 22 ways to travel on a budget.

Use membership codes to save on car rentals

If you're a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, pull all of these levers. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn't even know about. A few examples from AARP include 30% off a car rental at Budget or Avis.

Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car

Look beyond traditional car rental companies and locations

Most people search for rentals at the airport with standard companies like Hertz and Avis. If you don't find good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte , Turo and Silvercar.

Related: Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on 1st rental

Check credit card merchant offers

Before booking your trip, review your credit cards' special merchant offers. Multiple issuers offer this option (although American Express is a leader in the category).

Every program works similarly: Log in to your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card for which the offer is registered.

There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout or coupons to print to take to the register. There are likely offers you can activate that will provide discounts on dining, gas and entertainment.

Related: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year

Take advantage of free days at national parks

Every year the U.S. National Park Service sets aside several days when entry is completely free ; options include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.

Visiting a national park on one of the NPS' free-entry days can save you up to $35 per vehicle at some of the most popular national parks, such as Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon .

Stay outside the national parks

You might dream of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly — especially if you can't pay for it with points.

However, just beyond the park, there's probably a hotel you can book with points. For example, you could stay at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone with IHG One Rewards points; the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.

Related: The best campgrounds, hotels and lodges near Yellowstone National Park

Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app

If you're a T-Mobile user, you're in luck: This app is a major perk that will put money in your pocket just for checking your phone on Tuesdays.

To participate, download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app , check the app on Tuesday and claim your discount code. We've seen weekly discounts on everything from rental cars to gas, hotels and theme park tickets.

Related: T-Mobile expands travel-focused 'Coverage Beyond' benefits

Get discounted gas at Shell through the Fuel Rewards app

At TPG, we love to stack savings. The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a good one to pile on the discounts.

You can link it to other loyalty programs — including American Airlines AAdvantage, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and more — to receive extra discounts. Also, if you purchase through Fuel Rewards, link to partner retailers such as Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax and many others to save even more.

Don't forget to use a credit card that gives bonus points or discounts at gas stations for even more savings. TPG likes the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , which gives 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).

Related: These are the best credit cards for gas purchases

Save on theater tickets in New York and London

Check TodayTix for cheap Broadway and West End tickets if traveling to New York City or London.

The TodayTix app has discounted tickets to various shows available. Prices vary, but most of the top shows currently playing are available on the site and the app.

While not all shows are hugely discounted, TodayTix often runs no-fee promotions. Keep in mind that for some shows, you won't be able to choose your precise ticket location. Instead, you will pick a section you'd like to sit in.

Related: On with the show! How to get a great deal on Broadway tickets

Save on entrance fees with Bank of America

Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of U.S. cities on the first weekend of every month just by showing their cards. It's through the Museums on Us program that's been going on for 25 years. It's open to Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card holders.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Use your library card for museum entry

Another way to get free museum admission is with a library "lending ticket" — a program where libraries will lend museum passes for a set amount of time.

Also, check if your local museum's membership comes with ROAM (a reciprocity program across North America). It's an easy way to get maximum value from a regional (and usually less expensive) membership.

Take a free walking tour

Sign up for a free walking tour on your first day in a new city. It's an inexpensive way to learn about the city and orient yourself.

Look online for options before traveling and sign up in advance if necessary. Then, all you need to do is show up with comfortable shoes and enjoy your free tour.

Although tipping is suggested, you'll spend much less, even after generously tipping your guide, than you would with a standard tour option. You will likely also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you're traveling alone or looking to make new friends.

If you're interested in seeing what's available on your next trip, Google the city you'll visit and the phrase "free walking tour" to see what comes up.

Dine on the cheap with Seated

Here's a fun one: The Seated app allows you to dine out and get paid for it.

The app rewards diners who sign up and eat at designated restaurants with cash they can redeem through gift cards. All you have to do is let the app know you'll be dining at a location before you take a seat. You can also get gift cards for Uber, Amazon and Starbucks.

Fly on weekdays

Flexibility on which days you fly is one of the keys to getting the best airfare prices. Leisure travelers most commonly book weekend flights, while many business travelers fly on Monday. So, the midweek days — Tuesday and Wednesday — have lower demand and are often the best days to travel for lower prices.

Related: When is the best time to book airfare?

Book vacation packages

Airlines that bundle airfare and hotels as vacation packages can offer better deals thanks to their vast buying power and inventory. These bundles can offer savings of up to 40% off. Savings on business-class plane tickets and high-end hotels can offer some of the best deals.

Also, purchasing directly from the airline gives you a one-stop shopping experience. You can even add a car and activities to your trip at the same time. Plus, you'll often be able to take advantage of special sales and bonus points and miles offers.

Related: Everything you need to know about saving money with vacation packages

Use a price monitoring tool

Airline fare monitoring sites such as Hopper and Google Flights ensure you get notifications when your trip's best and lowest prices become available. Set up as many combinations as you're considering, including different departure and return dates, so that you can get alerts for all possible fare reductions.

Be flexible on destination

If you're not locked into a fall or winter vacation location (like you would be for a destination wedding or family reunion that you can't change), try an alternative to find better prices. For example, consider subbing Quebec City in for Paris if you want Old World charm. For scuba diving enthusiasts, skip the expensive long-haul flight to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and instead head to the second-largest barrier reef in the world in easy-to-access Belize.

Related: 5 key tools and tips for cheap airfare

Hold your deal

If you see a great deal but are not yet ready to book, hold it . For example, Hopper's Price Freeze allows you to lock in the price of a flight for up to seven days to take more time to finalize plans before you book. Some airlines will also let you hold flights for a small fee. (Remember that all U.S. airlines, by law, allow you to hold and cancel a flight booking within 24 hours without penalty as long as you book more than seven days in advance.)

Re-price your flights and hotels

As long as you've booked a hotel, car or flight that can be canceled without penalty, you should make it part of your weekly routine to check for price drops. If you find a lower price, rebook. You can use these same rebooking strategies with points to make dynamic pricing work in your favor for hotel stays so you can save on award nights.

Related: How I saved 33,500 points on upcoming hotel stays

Consider alternative airports

With prices high, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports. For example, Houston and Chicago have two airports, while the New York City area has three, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey . In Southern Florida, you could easily fly to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It works internationally too: Try Gatwick Airport (LGW) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR) when flying to London.

It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another city and then taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey. For instance, you could fly into Philadelphia and catch a train to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a flight with better pricing or award availability.

Use positioning flights

Positioning flights are unrealistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport. Can you reach your destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport save you money or miles? Just ensure you leave enough time between flights to avoid unnecessary travel headaches.

Related: Use positioning flights to get amazing deals

Use points and miles when appropriate

Since you are reading TPG, you may also want to earn points or miles through your everyday spending that you can use to pay for part of your trip. Some credit cards — like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — can help you earn airline miles or hotel points that you can redeem directly with the airline or hotel. Cards such as the American Express® Gold Card earn transferable points you can redeem for travel or transfer to various travel partners.

If you have a stash of points and cash fares are high, it makes a lot of sense to use those points instead. For example, I recently priced a trip to San Francisco and found a flight over the Fourth of July weekend; it should normally cost about $400, but for this particular weekend, it was going to cost me at least $621. I used 46,000 Delta SkyMiles instead. While it wasn't the best redemption in the world, it was better than shelling out all that cash. Most of those SkyMiles came from credit card spending on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Related: Why I'm keeping my Delta Reserve card even when I'm flying less

There are many strategies for getting the most out of your credit card . You'll generally get the most value when redeeming for premium-cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. However, you may prefer to book economy award flights or lower-category hotel stays using your points to stretch your points further.

You can join AARP for discounts even if you are not retired. The advocacy group for older adults offers all kinds of cool discounts, including $60 to $200 off British Airways flights and 10% off Hilton hotels.

Related: How to use AARP discounts on travel

Bottom line

Spending a small amount of time researching the best ways to travel on a budget could easily make a dream trip, like a Paris vacation, more attainable.

It's possible to take an excellent vacation on a budget. You just need to put in the time to plan your trip, budget your expenses, download a virtual wallet of money-saving apps and consider using points and miles to decrease your out-of-pocket costs.

Some of our top budget travel tips include shopping around, signing up for deal alerts through websites like TPG and using points and miles. Opening a credit card or two for the sign-up bonus once or twice every few years could make your trips even cheaper. Don't forget to sign up for our daily newsletter , where we teach you how to travel better for less. At TPG, we make traveling on a budget easy.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Additional reporting by Melissa Klurman.

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Wondering how to travel on a budget? While it may seem like traveling is exclusive to those with cash to spare, you don’t have to overspend in order to get out of town. There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget — including using reward points or miles and traveling during ideal times— that can end up saving you a lot of money. Here's travel guide for beginners on a budget.

Start planning early

If this is your first big trip, odds are you’ve already started planning. That’s good — the sooner you start, the more time you have to save money . Travel prices rise and fall with demand, and the cycle fluctuates as your travel dates get closer.

Beginning your planning early gives you the best chance of finding discounted hotel rooms, cheaper flights and other less-expensive activities. Although you won’t find the cheapest prices far out in advance (as we mentioned, it’s a cycle) keeping an eye on rates will allow you to jump on them and book when they drop.

» Learn more: How to account for inflation in your travel budget

Book at the right time

This bears repeating. Why? Because when you book and when you travel can make a huge difference in the price of your vacation. This applies to flights and hotels.

Confused about when the "right time" to book will be? There are multiple free tools available online to help you.

One of the easiest to use is the price tracking tool available via Google Flights. This service lets you know how the fare you’re looking at purchasing compares with past pricing. It also lets you know if rates are high or low compared with average costs.

If the flight you’re considering does appear to be expensive, Google Flights also features a price tracker alert system that will email you when fares drop. You can toggle this feature on within the search bar.

According to Expedia, the best day of the week to buy your airline ticket is on Sunday.

Skip overpriced tours

There’s nothing like getting out into a new city to explore. But how much of that exploring can you do on your own? With the information available online, it’s simple and easy to conduct your own tour for free rather than paying for a guide.

If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, consider instead one of the many free tours that many major cities offer. These walking tours will give you tons of information about the area completely free of charge, though gratuities are welcomed.

Otherwise, apps such as Spotted By Locals , Tripadvisor and Rick Steves offer comprehensive information for many large cities. Often this is free, but sometimes you’ll need to pay a nominal fee.

Use reward points

One of our favorite ways to save money includes redeeming reward points for travel. Some of your biggest expenses, such as hotels and flights, can be wiped away by using reward points during your trip.

This type of travel takes planning; you’ll need to accrue enough points to make a travel redemption. Much of the time, this is accomplished through welcome bonuses earned when you open a travel credit card .

For example, a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Paris costs $1,255 at the beginning of November 2022.

This same flight can be booked using 45,000 American Airlines miles .

While 45,000 miles may seem like a lot, you can earn this amount of miles with ease. For example, you can earn more than enough miles needed for this flight with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. The first purchase could be a stick of gum or a cup of coffee — it doesn’t matter.

Many co-branded airline credit cards also offer perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, saving you time and money.

The same can be said of hotel credit cards . Most major hotel chains have co-branded credit cards, including Hilton , Marriott , IHG , Hyatt , Choice and Wyndham . These credit cards — and their sign-up bonuses — can go a long way toward cutting costs on your vacation.

Even better, many of these credit cards offer complimentary elite status . Elite status can grant you perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, free WiFi and late checkout.

It’s a good idea to consider booking hotel rooms using points, especially for budget family travel. Sometimes hotels charge more for additional people in your room, but these costs won’t translate to reward redemptions. You’ll generally pay the same standard price as long as you can all safely occupy the room.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Travel in the off-season

Along with using reward points, taking your trip during the offseason is another excellent way to save money. Each destination has a peak period of demand during which prices will be inflated.

This will include flights, hotels, tours and even dining, making traveling on a budget difficult. In Europe, the high season is in the summer, when most people come to visit.

During this time, flights will be at their most expensive. Remember the above example featuring that flight to Paris for $1,255? A similar flight during peak season will cost $2,070 round trip.

As you can see, even if you’re paying cash for your flights you’ll be saving over $800 by taking your trip when demand is lower.

» Learn more: Why "shoulder season" is the best time to travel

If you want to travel on a budget

Vacations don’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re a vacation veteran or a travel newbie, it’s easy to save on trips by starting planning early and keeping an eye on prices.

More importantly, taking advantage of reward points can significantly cut down on flight and hotel costs. Otherwise, traveling during the offseason can help drop expenses and allow you to travel on a budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.

How to Travel on a Budget – The 30 Best Cheap Travel Tips

Home | Travel | How to Travel on a Budget – The 30 Best Cheap Travel Tips

Are you looking for cheap ways to travel ? Have you been dreaming of a cheap trip around the world for ages? Planning a cheap vacation might seem overwhelming because it can be difficult to know exactly where to start and where to find the best discounts for travel . Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the best tips and tricks to help you save on your next trip.

In this guide to planning a cheap trip, we’ll be talking about how to save on all the different parts of your trip: flights, accommodation, transport, and more. That way, the next time you’re planning a trip, you can figure out exactly where you’re spending the most money and then use our tips to help you save in that area; that’s the best way to get the cheap trip you’ve always wanted.

How to travel on a budget

We’ve picked up plenty of tricks for cheap travel over the years, so we’ve written several specific guides to help you save on trips:

HOW TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

HOW TO GET CHEAP HOTELS

HOW TO GET CHEAP RENTAL CARS

CHEAP TRAVEL INSURANCE

However, if you don’t know where to start, we have you covered! This ultimate guide sums up the 30 most important travel for cheap tips grouped in the following topics:

• Planning phase
• Accommodation
• Tours and Activities

Are you ready to plan the cheapest trip of your life ? Then let’s get started !

Learn the 3 key tips for planning a cheap trip

Before you look at any destinations or book hotels or flights, there are three key things that you absolutely need to do if you want to know how to travel on a budget . Not all cheap travel tips are complicated. In fact, these ones are very simple, but you need to make sure that you use them from the moment you start planning or even thinking about your cheap trip. Using these tips from the beginning can really make a difference in the price of your trip.

1. Set a realistic budget and track all your expenses to travel cheap

The first and most important thing you need to do is to calculate your travel budget. After all, how can you travel on a budget if you don’t even know what your budget is?

Start off by designing a budget for your trip. Calculate the total amount of money you’re willing to spend on the trip, and then decide which things are worth spending that money on. It’s your trip, so you can plan it any way you want to. Prioritize the things you want to see and do, so you don’t spend much or any money on things that aren’t as important to you.

Then, get the big costs, like flights and accommodation, out of the way, and plan a realistic idea of what you’d spend per day on things like food, tours, and transport. Write down these numbers and keep them in mind. If you don’t know when or where you’re traveling yet, don’t worry. Just set a maximum amount you’re willing to spend on your trip, and then, after you choose your destination, you can get into specifics.

This is one of the best ways to travel for cheap because you’re going to need to track your travel expenses anyway, even if you’re still just planning. There are actually many useful ways to track your travel expenses. I love the Travel Spend app because you can add expenses very quickly, even when you’re on the go; it works offline; and foreign currencies are automatically converted into your home currency. Plus, it helps you stick to your budget, and you can even split travel expenses with your travel buddies.

2. Research prices beforehand – The best way to travel for cheap

If you really want to travel inexpensively , make sure you research prices before you purchase anything. This will help you avoid scams and paying any more than you actually need to.

You might get gouged on anything from street food and cabs to hotels and shopping, even with the currency exchange, so check travel for cheap blogs to figure out how much things cost in other countries. If you are traveling to a country where they use a different currency, write down the most common exchanges so that you know them off the top of your head (i.e., how much 1, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200 USD is in the local currency). That way, you’ll always have a rough idea of how much things cost abroad.

3. Get comfortable with discomfort

Traveling abroad for cheap doesn’t often equate to traveling in comfort or style. If you really want to travel cheaply, you’re going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable because you’ll be doing things like going on low-cost flights, sharing bathrooms in hotels, and traveling by bus.

Get used to taking super early or late flights and sitting in smaller seats. What you save in money may be “spent” on discomfort, so try to mentally prepare yourself ahead of time!

Be flexible to travel on a budget

Now that you’ve made your budget, it’s important to stick to it. One way you can do that is by being flexible with the dates and destination of your trip whenever you possibly can. Opening your mind up to new forms of accommodation, transportation, and even food can also be very helpful when you’re planning a cheap trip, but if you want to save as much money as possible, focus on being flexible with dates and destinations.

4. Find the cheapest destinations to travel to

If you have a really small budget but you still want to travel the world, try being flexible with your destination.

Websites such as Kiwi or Skyscanner can help you look for cheap flights. Just set “everywhere” as your destination, and the website will show you the cheapest destinations you can travel to from your nearest airport.

However, don’t just look for the destination with the cheapest flights. Traveling involves a lot of other expenses besides flights (food, hotels, tourist attractions, etc.), so you’ll also want to check how much each destination will cost in terms of accommodation, meals, tours, etc. A flight to Southeast Asia or South America might be more expensive than a flight to a neighboring country, but keep the cost per day of visiting that country in mind, too.

When you’re doing your cheap trip planning , remember that the most popular places for tourists also tend to be the most expensive. Try looking for cheaper alternatives that aren’t as popular yet so they’re still cheap.

5. Book your trip at the cheapest time to travel

One of the best ways to travel for cheap is to be flexible with the dates of your trip so you can travel at off-peak times of the year. This flexibility is key for getting cheap travel, since travel will always be more expensive during peak tourist season. Of course, you can’t always be flexible with travel dates, but if you can, try to allow flexible dates in websites such as Kiwi or Skyscanner to find out if there are any specific date when the flights are usually cheaper.

Off-peak times of year don’t just mean the off-season. Try to also avoid traveling on weekends, holidays, and any other dates when lots of people will be traveling. You may even want to take very early morning flights, as these flights will usually be the cheapest. We’ll get into some more specific tips for getting cheap flights below .

Find a great flight deal to travel the world cheaply

Flights are generally one of the biggest expenses for a trip, but it is totally possible to find cheap flights for your next cheap trip around the world . I recommend doing a lot of research on flights and not simply buying the first one that you see. If you want to find great flight deals, be sure to check out our article on how to find cheap flights and use the tips we’ve shared below.

But before you go, do you know that AirHelp can help you get compensated for flight delays and cancellations ?

6. Flight search sites are the best way to travel for cheap

One of the first things to do when you’re planning a cheap vacation is to find your flights. I always recommend using search engines rather than airlines’ official websites because search engines can do a much wider and more varied search for you, which will save you a lot of time and help you find the best deals. Prices on airlines’ official websites can often be more expensive, too.

Two great flight search engines are Kiwi or Skyscanner . Skyscanner is awesome because it shows you the cheapest days to fly during the month(s) you want to travel and even allows you to set up price alerts for price drops.

Kiwi can also help you find some great discount flights. Their best feature is their ability to create multi-airline routes, which are cheaper than booking a flight with a single airline. Not a lot of other search engines will combine different airlines’ flights to get you the cheapest route, so Kiwi is pretty unique in that respect and the website I’m using to plan cheap trips most of the time.

7. Buy your plane tickets at the right time to travel cheap

Although there can sometimes be last-minute deals on flights, my advice is not to wait until the last minute to find the best deal. It may seem tempting, but it’s much better to organize your trip ahead of time and start looking for flights a few months before you leave. The longer you have to look for deals, the more time you have to research and find the best one.

You can use the Hopper  app to help you find exactly the right time to book your tickets. The app creates a graph of flight prices and analyzes it to tell you if you should book your flight now or wait for prices to drop. If the app tells you to buy your tickets now, book your flight right away because if you wait, prices will probably go up.

8. Set airfare alerts and catch error rates to travel on a budget

Cheap travel planning gets much easier when you set alerts that tell you when flight prices drop. Websites like Skyscanner and Kayak allow you to set these kinds of alerts, so you’ll always know if a flight’s price has dropped so you can buy your airline tickets at a cheaper price. I always advise using price alerts to find the best prices for flights.

Another tip for traveling on a budget is to try to catch an error rate. An error rate is a flight price that an airline mistakenly enters that is much cheaper than normal.  Because the price is an error, it usually isn’t up for very long, since airlines will correct the mistake as soon as they notice it.  However, if you act quickly, you can snag the flight for the error rate while it’s still live and get yourself a sweet deal.

The best websites to find flight error rates are Scott’s Cheap Flights , Airfare Watchdog , Secret Flying , The Flight Deal , and Holiday Pirates .

Get inexpensive accommodation and take a cheap trip around the world

Accommodation is another of the biggest expenses for a trip, especially if you’re traveling somewhere and staying for a long time.  However, as with flights, it’s still possible to travel cheap and save on accommodation, especially if you give up some luxuries.

Although you might be very comfortable staying in a nice hotel, it’s not always necessary to do so. Are you really going to take advantage of a hot tub and gym, or will you be too busy sightseeing? If you don’t think you’ll use the amenities that a nice hotel offers, don’t bother shelling out for them. Choose an accommodation that only gives you what you need. The tips below will help you find affordable accommodation, but if you want to learn more, check out our guide on how to get cheap hotels .

9. Use the best hotel booking sites for cheap trip planning

One of the best ways to travel for cheap is to use the best websites for finding hotel deals. That way, if you want lots of amenities, you can get all the amenities you need and stay in a nice hotel while still paying a good price.

For hotels, I always recommend Booking.com , a website where you can find hotels anywhere in the world and that tends to have the best prices. Their website is very easy to use, and if you book with them enough, you can attain “Genius” status, which will allow you access to even better hotel deals.

Of course, the most affordable accommodations are always the first to get booked up, so try to book quickly.

Agoda.com and Hotels.com  are two other great websites for hotel deals. With Agoda, you can search for more than just hotels. You can also search for apartments, private villas, and more.

On Hotels.com, you get free cancellation on most rooms, and their rewards program gives you one reward night after you’ve stayed 10 nights with them.

Whichever website you use to help you find hotel deals, make sure you do your research and check prices on various websites so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.

10. Get a $50 coupon for your first booking on Airbnb

Airbnb is a great way to save on accommodation and travel the world cheaply.  If you’ve never used it before, you can get a discount of up to $50 on your first reservation just for being a Capture The Atlas reader!

On Airbnb, you can find everything from rooms to entire houses, making it an excellent option if you’re looking for other forms of accommodation besides hotels. If you want to learn more about Airbnb and, most importantly, get your coupon code, check out our guide to Airbnb .

11. Give couchsurfing a try and travel the world for cheap

If you’re looking for alternatives to Airbnb and hotels, there are plenty of options to get accommodation and still travel inexpensively .

Trustedhousesitters.com  is a website where you can arrange to take care of someone’s pets in exchange for accommodation, which is perfect if you love animals.

You could also try Homeexchange.com , which allows you to stay in another person’s apartment or home while they stay in yours. You do have to match your travel dates in order to be able to do this, but you can also use points that you have accumulated from previously exchanging your home and travel on any date you want.

However, the cheapest way to travel is couchsurfing . Couchsurfing can be a great way to travel cheaply, but it isn’t always perfect or reliable. Some pros of couchsurfing are:

• You get free accommodation! You’ll probably be staying on someone’s spare couch or in a spare room. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, hosts will even make you a meal as well.
• You get to meet new people! People often host couchsurfers because they’re interested in meeting other people from around the world and hearing about their travels.
• You can do it through a trustworthy and organized website! Couchsurfing.com will help you find hosts in the city where you want to stay. You can view their profiles and decide which ones you’re interested in staying with.

However, there are also some cons to couchsurfing:

• You can’t always find accommodation. Once you’ve found hosts that you want to stay with, you can send them requests via the Couchsurfing website, but they have to accept your request before you can stay with them. If no one accepts your request, you have nowhere to stay! Additionally, we’ve found it difficult to use as a couple, since hosts generally don’t want two guests staying with them.
• You don’t get much privacy. If you value your privacy, couchsurfing probably isn’t for you. You will have to share a space with at least one other person, and you most likely won’t have a room to yourself.

Some people love couchsurfing, while others have had bad experiences with it. If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, it’s definitely worth trying, but if it’s something you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing, don’t push yourself.

12. Camping is a great way to save money on your trip

This is one of our favorite options for a low budget trip . It’s not just a chance for you to get in touch with nature; it’s also one of the cheapest possible options for accommodation.

If you like camping, I recommend using a tent as accommodation on your next trip. Of course, you’ll need all the necessary equipment to camp, such as a tent, sleeping bags, flashlight, and more. We have a list of all the equipment you’ll need to camp in our article on backpacking .

However, going camping does not always mean going backpacking, since there are plenty of well-equipped campsites. You can also find free campsites here .

Choose the right transport when planning a cheap vacation

Yet another important expense for a trip is local transportation. You need to be able to get around, no matter where you’re traveling. Nevertheless, it’s totally possible to save on transportation, as I will explain below.

Sometimes, however, renting a car is the only useful option. We’ve written an article on how to get cheap rental cars , which you should check out if renting a car is the best option for you, but make sure to check out our cheap travel tips below first.

13. Use public transport or walk to take a low-cost trip

Want to know how to travel on a budget? Take public transport, like buses and trains, and walk whenever you can.

As soon as you get to your destination, you’ll probably be spending a lot on transportation. Going from the airport to your hotel and getting around the city can add up quickly, so find the cheapest option you can use to get around.

Use local buses, and try to avoid taxis and private transportation (i.e., Uber) whenever possible. Try to get places the same way the locals do. Take public transport only when you’re going to a place that’s too far to walk to, and walk most of the time. Walking is the best way to get to know a city; you’ll notice all kinds of local shops, cafes, and corners that you’d never see on a bus or train.

14. Rent a bicycle and travel inexpensively

Low cost traveling doesn’t always have to mean walking everywhere. If you’d rather travel on two wheels instead of two legs, renting a bike is a fantastic option. That way, you can avoid spending money on public transport, which adds up quickly, and get around more quickly and less strenuously than walking. Plus, like walking, biking everywhere is a chance to get to know the city you’re visiting very well.

We love biking. We biked around La Graciosa in the Canary Islands, and it was an absolutely perfect experience. We’d also recommend renting a bike if you ever visit La Habana, Cuba .  And exploring Syracuse, Italy by bike.

15. Hitchhiking, the cheapest way to travel abroad

One of the cheap ways to travel that people often forget about is hitchhiking. It’s an option that’s worth mentioning, although I don’t think I’d hitchhike if I were traveling alone.

As with most things, hitchhiking has its pros and cons. Its pros include:

• You get free transportation . Hitchhiking is absolutely free, and it can be a great way to travel long distances cheaply.
• You can meet new people . Chances are that if someone picks up a hitchhiker, they’re probably looking to have a chat. You can meet all kinds of interesting people through hitchhiking.

Its cons include:

• It’s illegal in some places. If you do want to hitchhike, make sure to double check that it’s legal to do so where you are.
• It can take a long time for someone to pick you up. It might be hours before someone picks you up, but it also might be minutes; it all depends on the day, the location, the time, the weather, etc.
• You might be dropped off in the middle of nowhere. A driver might only be going so far toward your destination and have to leave you somewhere that’s quite rural or abandoned.

If you do decide to hitchhike, be sensible and careful. Here are a few tips if you decide to try it:

• Try not to hitchhike alone. It’s always safer to hitchhike with someone else.
• Wait somewhere where cars can pick you up safely.
• Use a cardboard sign with your destination on it to attract attention.
• Try to look presentable and friendly so drivers will be more inclined to pick you up.
• Always be prepared. Have some food, water, warm clothes, a charger, etc. on hand.

16. Take an overnight train for a low-budget trip

If you are going to visit different cities, overnight trains and buses are an excellent option because you can save on accommodation while you travel. Your accommodation and transport will be one and the same because you’ll be traveling at night while you’re asleep.

Overnight trains are equipped with beds, which are actually quite comfortable, so you can get a good night’s sleep while you travel. I’ve taken overnight trains before, and I’ve always had pleasant experiences. Not only you do save money on accommodation, but you also use your time efficiently, since travel and sleep happen at the same time.

17. Rent a campervan and travel cheap around the world

Of all the ways to save on transportation, renting a campervan is probably the best because you can combine the price of transportation with the price of accommodation, meaning that you only pay a single price for both. You will have the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want, without schedules and limits.

Some countries are more RV-friendly than others, so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re choosing your destination and transportation. The US, for instance, is an RV paradise. There are many free RV campsites , so if you are planning to rent an RV in the US , check out our guide.

If you want to rent a campervan for a cheap trip , use Outdoorsy , the best website for renting campervans. Outdoorsy is a platform that connects RV owners with users who want to rent a caravan for a few days. It’s a peer-to-peer rental, so it’s basically like an Airbnb for motor homes .

Ways to sightsee on a budget

Traveling on a budget doesn’t just apply to transportation, accommodation, and flights. It can also involve sightseeing.

Tours and activities are definitely an important part of any trip. You can’t just travel to the Arctic in winter and not see the northern lights, or go to Egypt and not visit the pyramids. However, there are ways to sightsee cheaply and save money on this part of your trip.

18. Don’t visit every tourist attraction just because it’s popular

Traveling is not a competition. You don’t have to see absolutely every single thing in the city or place that you’re traveling to. In fact, you’ll probably have a calmer and more relaxing trip if you don’t try to cram too much sightseeing into every day of your trip.

Instead, focus on making the most of the places you do visit. Really experience and enjoy them. Most importantly, only choose to visit places that really excite and interest you. You’ll enjoy your trip so much more when you’re not dragging yourself to a museum you don’t care about or forcing yourself to see a monument that doesn’t interest you. Plus, you’ll save money on your trip. With monuments or buildings, you can even save money by just seeing them from the outside instead of going inside them.

If you’re really invested in taking a specific tour, such as a whale watching tour in Iceland or a canal cruise in Amsterdam, you can book a tour cheaply on Getyourguide.com .

Besides, there are always great free things to do in every city. Just do your research, learn how the locals like to have fun, and then write down the free tourist spots you want to visit. See? Low-cost traveling can be fun!

19. Take advantage of free tourist days

There are plenty of museums and monuments that offer free entry once a week or month.

One of our best and easiest travel for cheap tips is to figure out when/if the places you want to visit have free entry, so you can plan your visit for a free entry day. Yes, the place you’re visiting might be more crowded that day, but you’ll save yourself a good chunk of money (museums and monuments can be expensive!).

20. Free tours are a great resource for travelers on a budget

Want to tour cities with a knowledgeable tour guide for free? In many cities, you can find free tours through Civitatis .

I’ve done several tours through them on many of my trips, and I’ve always been delighted with the experience since it’s a very interesting way of getting to know a city for free (or for a small tip). Even with a tip, it’s still much cheaper than booking a paid tour, and your guide will do the utmost to earn their tip.

Besides the main attractions of the city, s/he will show you the best places to eat and go out, and you’ll also learn about the history of the city. This is definitely a worthwhile way to learn more about a city you’re visiting.

21. Tourist passes are very handy when planning a cheap trip

If you’re really invested in seeing a city’s main sights, get a tourist pass so you can see all of them cheaply.

Tourist cards or passes can get you pretty significant discounts on the main attractions of a city, so they’re a huge help when you’re planning a low budget trip . Many cities have these cards, so it is worth looking into getting one if you’re going to be visiting lots of monuments and museums.

There are generally two types of cards: day passes, which offer unlimited attractions over a certain number of days (1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days, for example), and flexi cards, which allow you to visit a certain number of attractions over a longer period of time (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12 attractions in 30/60 days, for instance).

The most popular tourist passes are Sightseeing Pass and CityPass . What’s great about these passes is that they don’t just get you discounts on monuments. They also often include tour bus rides, so you can get both sightseeing and transportation for the price of one .

Eat for cheap and save on your trip

Trying new food and sampling the local cuisine is one of the most exciting parts of any trip. However, eating out at loads of restaurants, cafes, and diners adds up quickly.

Eating out can be a big expense, but if you want to travel cheap , there are definitely ways to save on food.

22. Avoid touristy restaurants and eat where locals eat

A way to travel cheaply around the world is to eat like the locals do. They won’t be shelling out for a fancy restaurant, so you don’t have to either.

In fact, fancy restaurants are not always the best places to find the best and most authentic food. Local places often have food that’s just as good, if not better. Avoid eating in touristy restaurants and tourist areas to help you save money, and try to eat in places that aren’t as close to the city center. You’ll not only get to taste authentic local cuisine, but you’ll also pay a lot less.

If you travel to a country where street food is popular, that is definitely the cheapest way to eat.

23. Shop in local grocery stores, the best alternative for saving on meals

One of the easiest ways to eat when you’re traveling on a budget is to buy food from markets and local grocery stores, and then have a picnic.

Much of the food you can buy in grocery stores is ready to eat anyway, so it’s easy to buy some and find a nice park to sit in and eat. Sometimes, we even buy things from the supermarket so we can have dinner in our hotel room.

If you’re going on a tour, whether by bus or on foot, buy a sandwich and some snacks ahead of time so you’re prepared. You will save a lot compared to buying your lunch on the tour.

24. Pick a hotel with meals included and travel around the world on a budget

Consider the option of accommodation that includes breakfast/dinner, since it could be cheaper than buying your own breakfast.

A great tip for cheap travel is to take extra food from the breakfast buffet, if your hotel has one, and save it to eat for lunch. This trick can save you a lot of money. Keep this in mind when you’re booking a hotel because you may be able to get a room with breakfast included for the same price as a regular room.

All-inclusive hotels may be expensive, but they might actually help you save money on your overall trip. Of course, whether you book one depends on what type of traveler you are. You’d probably like an all-inclusive hotel if you want a relaxing, leisurely vacation, but you’d be better off booking another type of accommodation if you want to do long days of sightseeing around the city every day.

Booking.com  allows you to filter hotels by meal plans (free breakfast/dinner/all-inclusive), so it’s a great tool for finding accommodation that includes meals.

25. Cook for yourself. One of the most useful travel for cheap tips

One of the best cheap ways to travel is to be your own chef. Book a hotel or accommodation with a kitchen, and whip up your own delicious meals.

For instance, many hostels have shared kitchens, and sometimes you can even get free ingredients, since departing guests often leave leftover ingredients for anyone to use. This is a great option if you’re traveling on a budget.

You can also prepare meals before you go sightseeing, and they don’t necessarily have to be quick, lazy meals. You’re the chef, so get as elaborate or as simple with your food as you want.

Every once in a while, you can even make yourself a really nice meal as a treat, which is something I recommend if you’re taking a long-term cheap trip .

Use these other ways to plan a cheap trip

In addition to all the tips above, there are still plenty of other ways to save money on your trip. Below, I’ve shared my last few tips for ways to travel cheap .

26. At least buy cheap travel insurance, even if you’re traveling on a budget

Planning a cheap trip should not mean traveling unprotected. It might seem expensive or unnecessary to spend money on travel insurance, but in fact, travel insurance can actually save you money in the long run.

If you have an accident, travel insurance can help you save money on or even cover your medical bills. Plus, if anything else goes wrong, like a missed flight or lost luggage, you’ll be compensated for it.

I advise you to have a look at our article on the cheapest travel insurance . It will help you choose the travel insurance that’s best for you. Actually, I’m using the annual travel insurance provided by Heymondo.

5% OFF your travel insurance

27. Buy a travel SIM card to avoid roaming charges and travel for cheap

If you want to have Internet when traveling , I recommend buying a SIM card for travelers . That way, you’ll always have Internet, and you won’t rack up an insanely high phone bill from roaming charges.

We recommend using the Holafly eSIMs . They have SIMs for any country from them. Just choose how many days and how many gigabytes of data you want. You can even enjoy a 5% discount on Holafly . 

5% OFF your international eSIM card

If your phone does not support eSIM cards, you can also opt for a physical SIM from SimOptions , which is another very good option.

28. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Travel credit cards can save you a lot of money. Foreign transaction fees may not seem like much, but they really add up over time, so a credit card with no foreign transaction fees is pretty much a must for a frequent traveler.

Even better, with travel credit cards , you accumulate points for every purchase you make. You can then use the points you’ve accumulated to buy flights, pay for hotels, and rent vehicles. The more you spend, the more travel expenses you can get for cheap or for free. We explain everything in our guide on how to calculate the points value .

28. Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

I recommend two travel credit cards: the Capital One Venture Rewards card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

29. Find “travel for cheap” blogs and avoid travel agencies

If you want to take a cheap trip around the world , don’t go to a travel agency. Travel agencies charge commission, since they take a percentage of the reservation, so I always recommend organizing a trip on your own.

There are many travel blogs that can help you save on your trip. They can also recommend which tourist attractions are worth visiting and which aren’t, as well as tell you about their experience, so you know exactly what to expect.

Travel agencies are going to try to sell you every possible tour, even if they’re expensive and not worth it. That’s why I always recommend planning your trip with travel for cheap blogs instead.

30. Take photos. They are the cheapest souvenirs

It’s tempting to fill up your suitcase with souvenirs for all of your friends and family, but every postcard and keychain adds up.

If you really want to travel for cheap , avoid buying souvenirs. Take photos instead. They’re cheaper and will be a great way to remember your trip. Plus, you can do a slideshow for your friends and family when you get back from your trip!

With that, those are all of our top tips for cheap ways to travel . I hope I’ve shown that it’s still possible to have a lovely trip, even when you’re traveling on a budget.

We hope you use our tips when you’re planning your next trip and that you’re able to get some great deals. If you have any questions about cheap travel planning, feel free to leave us a question in the comments and we’ll be sure to answer it!

Happy traveling!

Ascen Aynat

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14 Easy Tips to Always Find Cheap Flights

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

For most trips, airfare is the most expensive part of the trip. While prices for transatlantic flights have gone down in recent years, they can still put a sizeable dent in any travel budget. Whether you’re a budget solo traveler or a family looking to vacation abroad, finding a cheap flight deal can be what makes or breaks your trip.

After all, if your flight is too expensive, you’re likely going to keep putting the trip off. I’ve seen it happen time and time again.

And yet every day, airlines have thousands of amazing deals — from mistakenly published fares to special promotions to slashing prices to compete with another airline. Cheap fares are out there and they can make your dream trip a reality — if you know where to look (I start all my flight searches with Skyscanner ).

Today, I am going to help you master the art of finding a cheap flight. These are the exact steps I’ve been following for a decade to get the cheapest airfare possible every time I fly. If you follow them too, you’ll never be the person on a flight who paid the most for their ticket!

Here’s how to find a cheap flight no matter where you want to go in the world:

Table of Contents

1. Ignore the Myths

2. be flexible with your travel dates and times, 3. be flexible with your destinations, 4. keep an eye for special deals, 5. fly budget carriers, 6. don’t always fly direct, 7. remember not all search engines are equal, 8. take advantage of student discounts, 9. mix and match airlines, 10. use points and miles, 11. search ticket prices for individual travelers, 12. look for tickets in other currencies, 13. book early (but not too early), 14. book hidden city fares, find your cheap flights today.

The first thing to know about finding a cheap flight is that there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick to doing so. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights. In fact, you’ve probably come across a ton of them on your search to find the best flight deal!

They are all lies. They will lead you astray.

Most websites hire terrible reporters who recycle common and outdated myths. Here are the most common that are 100% not true:

• It is NOT cheaper to buy airfare on a Tuesday (or any other specific day for that matter).
• There is NO evidence that searching incognito leads to cheaper deals.
• There is NO exact date or specific time period in which to book your airfare.
• You can’t predict airline prices and websites that do are basically taking an educated (but probably wrong) guess.

Airlines use advanced computer and pricing algorithms to determine prices and run sales based on the time of the year, passenger demand, weather, major events/festivals, time of day, competitor prices, fuel prices, and much more. Those so-called “tricks” don’t work anymore. The system is too smart. Throw them out. Let them die.

Don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Anyone who is telling you doesn’t know what they are talking about.  

Airline ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and upcoming holidays, such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July. August is a big month for traveling around Europe , and everyone wants to go somewhere warm in the winter or travel when the kids are out of school.

In a nutshell, if you are going to fly when everyone is flying, then your ticket is going to cost more.

The solution is to fly off-season. Search alternative dates so that you can capitalize on the best day. The more rigid your plans, the less likely it will be that you find a deal.

Try to be flexible with your dates. If you are dead-set on visiting Paris , go in the spring or fall when fewer people visit and airfares are cheaper.

But if you want to go in the middle of August? You’re out of luck. Hawaii over Christmas? Good luck! Prices will be at their highest.

Moreover, it’s almost always cheaper to fly during the middle of the week than on a weekend because most people travel on the weekends and airlines hike their prices then. Prices are cheaper if you fly after or on a major holiday. Early-morning or late-night flights are also cheaper because fewer people want to travel then (who wants to wake up early?!). Fridays and Mondays are expensive because that’s when most business travelers fly.

When searching on Skyscanner , simply click on the date field to expand the calendar view and you’ll immediately see the cheapest months to fly. On this search from NYC to Paris, you can see that traveling during September, November, or December would be half as much as traveling during June or July:

Airlines are not dumb. They know when a festival, holiday, major sports event, or school break is coming up — and they raise prices accordingly.

Be flexible with your dates and times and you’ll save yourself some major money.  

If you can’t be flexible with when you fly, at least be flexible with where you fly. It’s best to be flexible with both, but if you really want to save the most money and get a cheap flight for your trip, you at least need to be flexible with one or the other.

Airline search engines have made it really easy to search the entire world to find the cheapest ticket. You no longer have to search manually, city by city, day by day. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights offer explore tools that allow you to put in your home airport and see a map of the world with all the flights on it. This allows you to easily compare multiple destinations without having to brainstorm every possible option. You’ll likely even find some interesting destinations you hadn’t even thought of either!

If you are flexible with where you want to go (i.e., anywhere but home), all you need to do is type “Everywhere” into the search box on Skyscanner or “Anywhere” if you’re using Google Flights.

The truth about airfare is that there’s always a deal to some destination — it might just not be your first choice. However, if you’re flexible about where you want to go, you’ll always get a deal and save a ton of money in the process.

When you are locked into one place at one time, you are stuck with whatever price shows up. Nothing can change that. But when you become flexible, suddenly the entire world opens up to you and you’ll find amazing cheap airfares!  

Before you start looking for specific lights, make sure you’ve signed up for some newsletters. Joining the mailing list for airlines and last-minute deal websites will give you access to the absolute best deals out there. Sure, 99% of them might not fit your itinerary but keeping your eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss an amazing opportunity.

More often than not, cheap flights are only available for a limited window (usually 24 hours). If you aren’t always scouring the web for sales, you’ll likely miss out on the best deals.

I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) as well as a $500 flight to South Africa if I wasn’t signed up to flight deal websites.

Additionally, airline newsletters often offer frequent flier bonuses. Those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades.

Aside from joining airline newsletters, the best website for finding travel deals is Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) . It’s the BEST for upcoming US flight deals and new users can get 20% off a Premium membership with the code NOMADICMATT20.

Other sites worth checking out are:

• The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals.
• Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals.
• Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world.

Years ago, if you wanted to fly between continents, you were mostly stuck with traditional expensive airlines. That’s no longer true. These days, you can fly most of the way around the world on a budget airline. Sure, they might not be as comfortable and you may need to pay for premium upgrades like checked bags and meals, but they bring the world to your doorstep without breaking the bank.

Budget airlines mainly service short and medium-haul routes. While many budget carriers (notably Norwegian Air) scrapped their long-haul routes during COVID, new ones (like PLAY, Norse Atlantic Airways, and French Bee) have now arisen to take their place.

For now, budget airlines mainly operate regionally so it’s really easy to find a cheap flight, even during this age of higher prices.

• Flair Airlines
• Air Canada Rouge
• Air Transat

United States

• Allegiant Air
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• Hong Kong Express
• Spring Airlines
• T’Way Airlines
• Cebu Pacific
• VietJet Air
• Norwegian Air

Australia/New Zealand

Middle East

Flying budget airlines is a good alternative to flying “the majors” whenever possible. You get fewer perks, but you can save a bundle in price.

Just be sure to watch out for fees. That’s how they make money! Budget airlines often charge fees for checked bags, carry-ons, printing your boarding pass, using a credit card, and anything else they can get away with. Be sure to add up the cost of the ticket AND the fees to make sure that the price is lower than a larger carrier.

You’ll also want to double-check the location of the budget airline’s airport at your intended destination. These airlines often fly in and out of airports that are quite far from the actual city, with limited and expensive transportation options.

For example, the shuttle to Beauvais, the budget airport for Paris , costs 17 EUR one-way. If you’re flying roundtrip, this means that you should add about 34 EUR to the price of your plane ticket to see if you’re even saving much by flying a budget airline.  

Not only does it help to be flexible with dates and destinations but being flexible with the route you take is another way to get a cheap flight. For example, sometimes it’s cheaper to fly to London and take a budget airline to Amsterdam than to fly direct to Amsterdam from your departure city.

I did precisely this when I was going to Paris. The flight from the US was $900 USD, but I could fly to Dublin for $600 and get a $60 flight to Paris. It meant more flying time, but the $240 USD I saved was worth it to me.

To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, open Google Flights and type in that destination’s continent to look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination (either by budget flight or train, if it’s not too far). You can use Rome2Rio to help search for the best ways to get between a nearby airport and your primary destination.

You can also do this for leaving too. It might be cheaper to fly out from a nearby airport. I often search other airports to see if it’s cheaper to fly/drive/train there and then fly to my final destination. For long international flights, it can be worth the added time!

If you do book separate segments, be sure to have at least three hours between connections. This will give you space in case there is a delay as your second flight won’t wait for you (you booked with a separate airline, so they won’t care if you’re late or not).

Leaving a three-hour buffer will also cover you for an insurance claim since most insurance companies require you to have at least a 3-hour delay before you can make a claim.

This method is more work since you have to figure out lots of different routes and check different airlines. But it can lower the price of your flight, which is worth the extra effort if you end up saving a few hundred bucks.

Note : If you ever have a delayed flight to or from Europe, you might be owed additional compensation (upwards of 600 EUR). Here’s how to find out if you’re entitled to compensation!  

In order to find the best deal, you need to search multiple websites. Many major search sites don’t list budget carriers or obscure foreign carriers because those airlines don’t want to pay a booking commission. Others don’t list booking sites that aren’t in English. And others still only display prices retrieved directly from airlines.

In short, not all flight search websites are created equal and all have their pros and cons.

Since there is no perfect airline search engine, you’ll want to search a few to compare. Even the best have their faults. That said, I have a few favorites I always start with as they tend to consistently show the best results. To me, the best websites to find a cheap flight are the following:

• Skyscanner – The best booking site out there. They have a great user interface (and a great app for mobile )
• Google Flights – Great search engine that lets you see prices for multiple destinations.

Typically, I start all my searches with Skyscanner because it searches all major AND budget airlines, non-English websites, English websites, and everything in between. They vet all the sites they link to as they have strict criteria on who they operate with. It’s one of the most comprehensive booking sites out there and they have the lowest price 99% of the time. I’ve been using them since 2008, and it’s the search engine all the other travel experts I know use too.  

If you are a student (or under 26), there are many discounts available to you. You can usually find prices 10-20% off the standard fare. Travel agencies like Flight Centre and Student Universe can help find you a cheap ticket. Don’t overlook them!

Additionally, keep in mind that most student discounts transfer over to airline partners. For example, Lufthansa offers a student discount, which means you can use that discount on partner airlines such as Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines. This will allow you to go much further afield while still saving a ton of money.

If you’re not sure which airlines offer discounts (they don’t make this information easy to find), visit their website or call them. Doing a little digging to save 20% (or more) will be worth it!  

When you book directly with an airline, you’ll only be able to fly that airline and any partner airlines it has. That means your options will be limited when it comes to finding the perfect itinerary or saving the most money.

Usually, that will suffice. However, if you’re chasing greater savings, try booking your tickets on separate airlines. For example, if you’re flying from New York to Paris, you might have a stop in London. Booking both legs as one ticket will be simple, but it likely won’t save you money.

Instead, book your New York to London flight as one ticket and then your London to Paris ticket with another airline. That will allow you to shop around for the best bargain. It’s more work, but the savings (and flexibility) can be worth it.

This is what most third-party booking websites like Kiwi.com do. They piece together trips using whatever flights they can find to ensure you get the cheapest price.

If you’re hunting for the lowest possible price and aren’t happy with what you’re finding on the airline’s website, try booking separate segments. You might just stumble onto a great deal!  

As soon as you know you want to travel somewhere you should sign up for a travel credit card. Using points and miles is the #1 way avid travelers like me earn free flights, travel perks, and free hotel stays. Travel credit cards offer huge welcome bonuses, credit toward rideshares like Uber or Lyft, access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and much more.

You don’t need to do any extra spending either. I earn over a million miles a year — without flying or spending extra money. That translates into dozens of free flights (often in business class) for myself and my family.

If you are smart with your money and collect points and miles, you can travel around the world for very little (and often free). Here are some articles that can help you get started:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• Is Collecting Points and Miles Really a Scam?
• The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
• The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card
• The Best Travel Credit Cards for Travelers

If you already have some points and miles collected, consider joining a platform like point.me . It’s a search and booking engine that helps you find the best ways to use your points and miles. It searches 30+ loyalty and 100+ airline programs to find the best value possible so you never waste your miles! Get your first month for just $1 with the code NOMADICMATT .  

If you’re traveling with friends or family, don’t search for or buy multiple tickets in a single purchase. Airlines always show the highest ticket price in a group of tickets which means you’ll end up paying more money.

Airlines have tons of different price points for tickets (these are based on a variety of factors). They want to sell tickets in the highest fare bucket possible and, when they group tickets together, always list prices in the highest fare bucket.

For example, if you are a family of four and you’re searching for four seats, the airline will find four seats together and show your fare based on the highest ticket price. So if seat A is $200, seats B and C are $300, and seat D is $400, it will price those tickets as $400 each instead of adding up the individual ticket prices. If the price difference is large, that translates into a sizeable extra expense.

For that reason, always search for tickets as a single person. Afterward, in the checkout process, you can pick your seats so you and your family are sitting together. And even if you end up not beside one another, that’s a fair trade for saving a few hundred dollars.  

If your country’s currency is currently strong compared to others around the world, search for airfare in a country where the currency is weaker.

For example, when the US dollar was strong and the New Zealand currency weak, I found a one-way flight from Australia to NYC for $1,000 USD. However, when I searched on the New Zealand version of the airline, I found the same ticket for $600 USD.

It was the same airline, same flight, and same booking class — it was just booked in a different currency. This tip does not always work, but it works often enough that it’s something worth trying if your currency is currently doing well.

( Tip : Always use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card to avoid paying a surcharge .)  

Airline fares keep rising the closer you get to departure, but there is a sweet spot when the airlines begin to either lower or increase fares based on demand. Don’t wait until the last second but don’t book far, far in advance either. The best time to book your flight is around 2-3months before your departure, or around five months before if you are going to your destination during their peak season.

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, though, so use it as a guide. I could go on forever about airline pricing models but airlines raise prices closer to departure because the people who book last minute tend to be price insensitive business travelers so they will pay whatever. So don’t book last minute!  

This is a more advanced (and riskier) way of finding cheap flights, but if you’re adamant about spending as little money as possible, it’s worth looking for hidden city fares. This is when you book a flight that has a layover in your desired destination. You then get off the plane and exit the airport at the layover city instead of continuing onto the final destination that you booked the ticket for.

For example, say you want to fly from Austin to Atlanta. A flight from Austin to New Orleans with a stop in Atlanta might be cheaper than booking Austin to Atlanta directly.

As you can imagine, this practice can get complicated and tricky. There are a few crucial elements to keep in mind, namely that once you skip a leg, the airline cancels the rest of your trip. That means that you cannot buy round-trip flights and do this practice on your departure flight, because your return flight will be cancelled. Also, you cannot check bags, as they will end up in the final destination on your ticket, not where you get off.

Additionally, airlines strongly frown upon this practice, so you don’t want to advertise that this is what you’re doing, and you don’t want to do it often, otherwise you might get flagged.

All that being said, you can save hundreds of dollars with hidden city flights, and it’s perfectly legal. It’s easy to search for hidden city flights on the website Skiplagged . Just do so at your own risk!

Finding a cheap flight is all about being flexible and getting creative. It may take some effort, but the deals are out there if you’re willing to look. Follow the tips above to get started, but don’t waste hours and hours hunting for a cheap flight. If you’re spending more than an hour booking a flight, you’re spending too much time.

Once you find a flight deal that you’re happy with, book right away, as airfares change by the minute. Remember that you have a 24-hour window to cancel in case you need to.

Use the tips above on how to get a cheap flight to get the ball rolling. Do that, and you’ll always get a great deal!  

I start all my searches with Skyscanner because they search all major AND budget airlines, non-English websites, English websites, and everything in between. Even if you aren’t sure of your plans, it’s best to start searching for flights today. People who wait to book are people who end up spending the most.

Use this widget to plan your next trip:

READ NEXT —-> How to Put This Into Practice: 5 Step-by-Step Instructions for Booking a Flight

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. If you have any questions about the companies or my status as an affiliate, please don’t hesitate to email me.

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22 Budget Travel Tips: Wise Advice on How to Travel Cheap

Last Updated: August 25, 2024

Seeing the world doesn’t have to be expensive.

In fact, if you stick to our time-tested budget travel tips, you can take longer trips while minimizing damage to your savings account.

From using VPNs to find the cheapest flights to seeking out the lowest ATM fees, there’s a lot you can do to bring your travel costs down to a minimum.

Best of all, you can do all this without compromising on the quality of your trip.

It’s tempting to throw caution to the wind now and again, but my advice is to look at a budget vacation as an investment in your future.

The smarter you spend, the more places you’ll get to visit down the line.

Isn’t that what we’re all after here?

Budget Travel Tips

• Research Affordable Destinations

Travel in the Non-Peak Seasons

Travel closer to home, house sit in exchange for free accommodation, book your plane tickets far in advance, use a vpn when searching for flights, get a travel credit card & book with rewards points, consider staying in hostels, stay in accommodations that offer free meals.

• Travel With a Partner or Friend
• Pack Camping Gear
• Perfect the Art of One-Bag Travel

Consider Van Life

Pay in local currency on credit card transactions.

• Withdrawal Local Currency for Trusted ATMs

Use Public Transportation Instead of Taxis & Ubers

Walk as often as possible, focus on free activities, go on a free walking tour, indulge in street food & other cheap eats, consult with locals for budget-friendly recommendations.

• Take Advantage of Grocery Stores and Local Markets
• Final Thoughts: Budget Travel Tips

Preparing for Your Trip

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail (or so I’ve heard).

Before packing your bags and setting out, you can save a small fortune by following a few logical pieces of advice.

Carefully planning and savvy trip-booking will save you heaps of money in the long run.

Research Affordable Destinations that Fit Your Budget

While this might seem like a no-brainer, it’s arguably the number one rule for planning an affordable vacation.

You need to set reasonable expectations for a budget trip, which might mean going off the beaten path and trying something different.

Destinations like Paris and Bora Bora will always be in vogue, and by all means, cross them off your bucket list if you have the money.

That said, visiting budget-friendly destinations like Mexico, Portugal , Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia can be equally rewarding.

Traveling to a popular hub during peak tourist season is a big part of the appeal, but it is also the most expensive time to visit.

Visiting during an unconventional season is a great way to see all the sights while saving significant money.

Not to mention, If you’re the type of person who prefers a little peace and quiet, vacationing out of season is a great way to avoid noisy flocks of tourists.

Many destinations shine their brightest without the background noise, which could be true for yours too.

Everyone wants to see the world outside of their little bubble, but that might not be possible without a proper budget.

The good news is that you can cut down on expenses and discover some hidden gems if you stay closer to home.

Remember, traveling farther away doesn’t always mean having a better time.

Traveling closer to home will inevitably be more streamlined if you have a car or camper van of your own.

As we discuss later on, a reliable vehicle is more than just a means of transport when you’re out on a road trip, which is excellent news for you and your precious budget.

Chances are, the price of lodging makes up the bulk of your travel expenditures, but there are ways to put a roof over your head without spending a penny.

By offering to house-sit for a local and watch their pets, you can score a bed, a warm meal, and maybe even some extra cash.

If this reminds you too much of all the housework waiting back home, there are plenty of alternatives.

Workaway offers lodging in exchange for a wider variety of services, while Couchsurfing lets you find strangers who’ll let you crash with no strings attached.

I’m all for being spontaneous and adventurous, but if you’re traveling by plane, waiting until the last minute to book tickets is usually a bad idea.

Plane prices can vary wildly from day to day, and they almost always peak a few days before takeoff.

Booking a few weeks or even months in advance can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

The downside is having to commit to a game plan far in advance, but that’s part and parcel of traveling on a tight budget.

If you use VPNs to watch Netflix shows that aren’t available in your region, you’re not alone.

But did you know that you can use the same trick to land an even better deal on your flights?

Needless to say, the less money you spend on tickets, the more cash you’re left with at the end of the day.

Switching your location to another country (like Mexico, Malaysia, or Myanmar) will often result in a reduced ticket price.

The process is relatively straightforward , and it only takes a few extra minutes of prep work for potentially significant savings.

Why not give it a try?

Airline companies and hotels often partner with a specific credit card provider to offer special deals for users.

If you play your credit card game right and do some research, you could snag a nifty welcome bonus and accumulate points that can lead to free or heavily-discounted travel.

One of the best ways to track these offers is through DailyDrop’s best travel credit cards roundup .

This post has come in handy for thousands of travelers, and it’s probably the best way to keep track of which cards are best for your travel style.

While a swanky hotel room is a welcome luxury for any traveler, it’s far from essential if you want to save money.

If you don’t mind sharing a room with a handful of strangers, staying in a dorm room or a hostel is a great option to stretch your budget further.

There are a few important strategies to master if you opt for a hostel over a hotel . Still, if you prepare accordingly, hostel life should be a more rewarding and money-saving experience.

Whatever you do, always bring a pair of quality earplugs for the inevitable snorers or sleeptalkers.

Eating out on the town is a great way to get a feel for how the locals live, but it can also get a bit pricey.

An excellent way to get around that reality is to find accommodation that includes at least one free meal daily to keep things cheaper.

You can find these kinds of deals all over the world, and if you’re staying for an extended period, the savings really start to add up.

For example, this hostel in Krakow lets you enjoy a whopping two meals a day for free while offering a super-comfortable bed to lay your head down.

Travel With a Friend or Partner to Split Expenses

When traveling, countless little expenses are constantly nibbling away at your bottom line.

Heading out with your friend or partner can help stop the bleeding since you can split hotel rooms, gas money, grocery bills, and other essential costs.

Besides, it can get a little lonesome out there without anybody to share your experiences with.

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of me-time if that’s what you’re after, but the longer your trip, the more you might wish you had somebody to share it with.

Pack Camping Gear & Sleep Under the Stars

We’ve reviewed several cheap lodging options, but if you enjoy the outdoors, you might not need to pay anything at all.

Camping is a great way to connect with nature without investing much beyond a simple tent and inflatable mattress.

This might not always be an option since you’ll need good weather and a nice campsite to set up shop.

That said, if the name of the game is saving money, it doesn’t get much more affordable than camping out for free in the cozy confines of your tent.

Perfect the Art of One Bag Travel & Avoid Baggage Fees

There are plenty of reasons to consider traveling light – mainly the privilege of mobility.

Beyond that, though, it also helps on the spending front – chances are you need far fewer supplies for the average trip than you might think.

Baggage fees have been known to take large bites out of travel budgets, but with a bit of personal item carry-on magic, you can save significant money that would be better spent elsewhere.

Just be sure you buy a properly-sized bag that’ll fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Buying a camper van is a significant investment, but it will pay off in the long run if you travel a lot and even make it your primary residence.

Why overspend on “affordable” NYC hotels when you have something like the Brooklyn Van Alley to fall back on?

If you have zero experience with mobile homes, there will be a bit of a learning curve .

Besides the vehicle, you’ll also need to set some money aside for essential supplies .

Still, if you can survive that initial investment, a camper van might just pay for itself in due time.

After You Arrive at Your Destination

Planning the trip is just the beginning – there’s arguably even more clever maneuvering once you reach your destination.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind after you’ve arrived:

Poor currency conversion rates might not seem like the biggest deal, but they add up over time.

A few cocktails and into your trip, you may fall into the bad habit of pressing the button to be charged in your home currency on the credit card reader rather than the local one.

Hate to break it to you, but the conversion rate is never in your favor.

To avoid the conversion fees imposed by most credit cards, paying in the local currency is always a good idea.

These fees apply whether you’re at a restaurant or a retail store, so be mindful before reaching for your wallet.

Use Well-Reviewed Money Exchange Businesses & Withdrawal Currency from Trusted ATMs

When you arrive, you might feel too tired to stress over where you withdraw local currency, but you mustn’t jump the gun.

Not all exchange desks will give you the best deal, so always check Google reviews before blindly handing your money to the first money changer you see.

The same goes for ATMs, too – depending on the bank or the machine itself, you may get charged an unreasonable fee, even if you withdraw the local currency.

Dynamic Currency Conversion isn’t as helpful as it sounds, so use your best judgment.

Taxis and Ubers can be very convenient in a time crunch but are also quite expensive.

Often, a taxi driver will pick you up knowing that you’re a tourist (even if you speak the local language) and charge you a higher price than what’s fair.

The safer bet is usually to rely on public transportation whenever possible.

On top of it being cheaper (and often free), it’s easy to keep track of where buses, trains, and trams take you if you use Google Maps to plan your route.

Even if you aren’t on a budget, walking is almost always preferable to driving when visiting a new location.

Besides being free, it’s also great for your health and lets you see more of what the region has to offer at your own pace.

Also, a vacation is the perfect time to pick up the habit of walking or hiking back home.

The physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of walking large distances daily can be life-changing, so lace up your walking shoes and give it a shot.

The only thing better than “cheap” is “free,” and in the digital era, all it takes to find a free activity is to look it up online.

From annual events at parks to free museum days and other meetups , there are almost always free activities to discover in major cities.

Remember, though – just because something is free of charge, it doesn’t mean you should go out empty-handed.

Your activity of choice may feature some “hidden” fees now and again, or it could lead you to a pricey detour down the line.

Knowing nothing about your destination is a surefire way to spend more money than you need to.

Thankfully, most major tourist hubs offer walking tours that help you immerse yourself in the local culture and discover some fantastic spots.

You’re likely to meet other like-minded budget travelers on a walking tour, so you might even leave with an extra friend or street food buddy.

Just be sure to tip your guide for their trouble – think of all the money they helped you save by showing you around.

One thing to remember about tourist traps is that they often know they can overcharge curious travelers from faraway lands.

It’s okay to indulge in an expensive meal in the heart of town, but if you’re looking to save money, try out some delicious street food for a fraction of the price.

In some ways, street vendors can give you a better idea of the ins and outs of the local cuisine.

On that note, don’t be afraid to head out to the outskirts, either – this is usually where you’ll find some more affordable eateries unknown to most tourists.

If anyone knows the restaurants and attractions that offer the best value for money, it’s the locals.

Relying on Google reviews is all well and good, but an insider’s advice can be way more helpful and rewarding.

Depending on where you go, it’s not uncommon for a friendly local to invite you into their home for an authentic, home-cooked meal.

Putting the money aspect aside, this is one of the most wholesome vacation experiences you can hope to find.

Chat up a friendly local and see where the conversation might lead you.

Take Advantage of Grocery Stores & Local Markets

If push comes to shove, remember that going to a restaurant is almost always more expensive than whipping up the same meal yourself.

Even if you don’t have a kitchen to work with, you can always grab some affordable food from the grocery store and enjoy a simple picnic.

This is also a great way to connect with the local culture.

There’s no better way to get a feel for how the natives eat than by walking the same grocery store aisles they do.

You might even get hooked on some new flavors you never knew existed.

Budget Travel Keeps You on the Road Longer

And that concludes our list of the best budget travel tips to keep in mind before planning your next trip.

We’ve laid out our best advice based on many years of affordable travel, and we hope it’ll serve you well on your adventures.

The devil is in the details regarding saving money, so if you take advantage of a handful of clever travel hacks, you can rest assured that you’ll maximize your budget.

Whenever I check my bank statements after a long trip, I’m always amazed at how far a few good decisions were able to stretch my money.

There’s a dollar to be saved around every corner, and if you’ve been around as many corners as we have, you know how important that can be.

Learning to appreciate the simple pleasures of travel really goes a long way.

The bottom line is this: while the best things in life might not be free exactly, they can cost less than you might think.

The sooner you learn how to travel cheaply, the more the world will open itself up to you.

Noel Krasomil

Affiliate Disclosure : Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support this website and keep it 100% ad-free.

5 thoughts on “22 Budget Travel Tips: Wise Advice on How to Travel Cheap”

A must-read for wanderlusters looking to maximize their travel experiences without compromising on fun and quality. Happy travels on a budget!

I agree! Thanks for the kind words.

also this app is a life saver : ATM Fee Saver. i used it in mexico and colombia and it saved me a lot of money. it shows atms around with no or low fees for withdrawing money. super helpful 🙂

Thanks for the tip, Charlie! Will definitely check out the app for my next trip.

hi there, what a great article, amazing tips. can i also suggest on your point of using trusted ATMs – completely agree, those non-bank independent ATMs are so ridiculous in charging fees. I land up using the ATM Fee Saver mobile app – it gives a list of bank ATMs with ATM fees and withdrawal limits, what a life saviour. ive been able to find so many zero fee atms like this!

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How to Travel Cheap (31 Easy Proven Ways)

Is your budget holding you back from traveling? We traveled the world for years without income or big savings. You just need to know how to travel cheap!

But don’t worry we will share all our top tips on how to travel cheap on a budget in this blog post. They are divided into 4 key areas that you can focus on to keep costs down:

• Transport 🚐
• Accommodation 🏠
• Activities 🥾

If you have nailed those down you will be able to travel the world for as long as you want! Sounds good? Let’s dive straight in!

TRANSPORT 🚐

1. travel slowly (easiest way to travel cheap).

It may seem counteractive but the easiest way to travel cheap is to travel longer and slowly. Because if you aren’t moving then you are not spending money on expensive flights, trains, and buses. Makes sense, right?

Most travelers including us come to the conclusion that it is better and cheaper to travel slowly for multiple reasons once they travel for longer:

• It saves money
• You really get to know the place
• You will make friends with locals

A good way to travel cheap and slow is to find a low-budget travel country like Mexico that has a lot to see and do. Then spend as much time as possible there.

We spent 2 years working and moving around Mexico and found that we liked to spend 1 month in each destination. That way we cut down costs on transport and accommodation big times. Plus, Mexico offers a 6-month tourist visa!

Quite often you get weekly and monthly discounts on Airbnb, sometimes you get an entire week for free when booking for 4 instead of 3 weeks!

When you stay longer in a location you also get to know the language and culture better, where the cheapest food is, and how locals live. Traveling slowly is therefore one of the key tips you can do to get more bang for your buck.

Read also: 🇲🇽 13 Reasons to visit Mexico City for First-Timers 💃 18 Awesome Free Things to do in Mexico City 🧑‍💻 13 Best Cities in Mexico for Digital Nomads

2. Use Ride Sharing Apps

Depending on where you are in the world ride-sharing apps such as BlaBlaCar can be a great way to travel cheap without a car. It’s also the cheapest way to travel by car.

How it works? If someone is driving somewhere and they have a spare seat in the car they put an ad up. The ad will show the price for the ride, the departure time, and the pick-up point. You can pay via the app or at the pick-up point.

Ride-sharing can often be faster and cheaper than public transport plus you will spend time with locals or other travelers on board.

BlaBlaCar is a great option to travel cheap in Europe and Latin America . We used it many times in Mexico and it was usually faster and more comfortable than the bus. You just have to make sure your driver is trustworthy (check the reviews) and shows up.

Another ride-sharing app you can try is Indrive which works more like Uber 👇

3. Book in Advance

This is no secret but can’t be missed on a list of how to travel cheap. If you book in advance you follow the most cost-effective way to travel. Whether it’s booking flights, buses, or trains it is usually a lot cheaper if you book ahead of time.

By booking our flights to New Zealand 8 months in advance we saved at least 500 USD per person one-way! You just have to commit and stick to it.

Our favorite transport booking sites: ✈️ K iwi.com 🚊 Trainline 🚌 Busbud 🚗 Rentalcars.com 🚐 Paulcamper 🚲 Bikesbooking.com 📲 Omio (Transport Search Engine)

4. Be Flexible with your Dates

This is one of the biggest mistakes that I have seen people make when booking flights. If you want to get cheap flight tickets then being flexible with your date is one of the biggest money-saving hacks there is!

A lot of people will decide that they are going to fly out on a certain date and only check flights for this day. But especially on long-distance flights you can save hundreds if you are flexible and also look up flights a few days before or after your desired travel date.

That’s why whenever I am searching for flights I use the flight search engines Kiwi.com or Skyscanner as they allow me to search by month. You will be shown a calendar with the price for each date. Then I choose the date that works the best for me with the best price!

How to search per month? ✈️ 1. Go to Kiwi.com or Skyscanner 2. Choose One-way or Return 3. Fill in From and To 4. Click on Departure 5. Click on the gray button above the calendar that states the month 6. Click on Set Dates and Explore and voilà you will get shown the cheapest flight days in the selected month for your destination!

👉 Try it yourself 👈

5. Be Flexible with your Destination

Being flexible with your destination is one of the best ways to travel cheap. This tip will allow you to save money by being adventurous and spontaneous.

On Kiwi.com and Skyscanner you can select “Anywhere” as your destination. If you do this for a particular date or month it will show you the cheapest places to go traveling leaving your departure city.

This way you may find some extremely cheap travel options you may not have considered. The first time I tried this I was in Copenhagen and the cheapest buses or trains to interesting destinations close by were around 80 USD.

But then I found a flight to Belgrade, Serbia for 15 USD! So I went to Belgrade and had a great time. If it wasn’t for the super cheap flight I never would have gone there. So being flexible and adventurous can be super fun and saving money at the same time.

How to search Anywhere? ✈️ 1. Go to Kiwi.com or Skyscanner 2. Choose One-way or Return 3. Fill in From 4. Type “Anywhere” in the To field 5. Select departure (you can use the monthly hack as described above!) 6. Hit Explore and voilà you will see the cheapest flight destinations for your departure city

6. Avoid Peak Season

The prices for flights and accommodation in the peak travel season of any destination often increase dramatically. So travel smart and off-seasonal!

Most travelers avoid the off-season because that’s often the “bad weather season” . But we have spent months in rainy seasons and it was way sunnier than people would expect.

Going to beach destinations outside the high season is not only cheaper but the experience is much better. There are usually far fewer people and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Particularly if you are a digital nomad there is no reason to be somewhere in peak season as you can move where and when you want. So do your research and try to travel as much as possible in low or mid seasons.

Read here: Best off-the-beaten-path destinations 🤫

7. Pack Light

Many people bring way too much luggage on their trip. But even a 2-month trip can be done with carry-on if you get creative and pack smart. Our tip is: Pack as if you would go on a 7-day trip. Just because you travel longer doesn’t mean you need more stuff or clothes.

After years of full-time traveling, we found that we don’t need much more on a 1-year trip than on a long weekend trip. Assuming you don’t go to super cold countries. Everything you haven’t used in 7 days on your trip can be removed from your luggage. Try it out!

Why? Airlines charge as much as 50 USD one-way for 1 piece of check-in luggage. We have even seen trains and buses charging for luggage. So if you take multiple trips a year saving that money per trip will help you cut down costs.

Traveling light will also free you up when moving around and put less strain on your body. Plus, without check-in luggage, you save time at the airport before and after departure.

Afraid of losing your luggage or want to insure your electronics? Check out SafetyWing travel insurance. It’s cheap! Read about our experience plus other options  here  🎒 Or calculate your fee easily here 👇

8. Change Home Country on Skyscanner

This is a tip that I discovered by accident while using Skyscanner . While in Mexico the home country of my account was set to the UK. I randomly decided to change it to Germany to see what happened and the prices all became cheaper!

You will have to play around and try different countries . But it can quite often lead to saving a bit of money which adds up and allows you to travel cheap like a pro.

How to change the country on Skyscanner? ✈️ 1. Go to Skyscanner 2. Click on the Earth symbol in the right-upper corner (next to Login) 3. Change the Country/Region and search for flights 4. Do this multiple times to compare prices 5. Optional: Play around with the Language and Currency Settings e.g. select “Spanish” and “Pesos” when looking for Mexican destinations 6. And voilà you may find the same flight 50 USD cheaper!

9. Use Incognito Mode when Booking Flights

You may have noticed that when you return to flight search engines such as Kiwi.com or Skyscanner a short time after you looked up flights there the prices have gone up!

This is because websites keep cookies when you visit the site and if you return they raise the prices on your browser. This is to make you worry that the prices will go up even further and you will buy the tickets straight away.

But if you switch to Incognito mode on Google Chrome you will find that the prices stay the same. Even better would be to use a VPN but Incognito mode helps on a basic level.

How to switch to Incognito? 🕵️‍♀️ 1. Click on the 3 vertical dots on the upper right-hand side of Google Chrome (next to your profile pic) 2. Click on “New Incognito Window” and voilá you can now go to Kiwi.com or Skyscanner and start comparing prices incognito – works on the phone too!

10. Take Cheap Public Transport

When you are in a new city it can be daunting to figure out the public transport system. Especially if you can’t speak the language. But taking taxis and Uber everywhere will get expensive very quickly in most countries.

I challenge you to take public transport at least once if it is safe. It’s the cheapest way to travel long distance and you get a better idea of what local life is like. In Latin America and Asia, a public transport ride in a city often costs less than 50 cents!

But in some areas such as Cape Town , Uber is so cheap it is by far the best and safest option, plus their public transport is terrible! So you will have to learn as you go but give public transport a go (especially to and from the airport!) whenever possible.

Read also: Best digital nomad destinations 🧑‍💻

11. Check Taxi Prices ahead of Time

If you are in a new country and you can’t book an Uber it is always good to know how much a taxi should cost before stepping into one. Taxis at airports are one of the most likely places for you to be ripped off.

Ask a local or at the hostel reception how much a ride should be or google ahead of time. This will save you money but also a lot of stress, especially after a long-distance flight.

🚕 Another ride-sharing app you can try instead of a taxi is Indrive which works like Uber but you set the price 👇

ACCOMMODATION 🏠

12. stay in hostels.

My number one tip to save money particularly if you are traveling solo is to stay in a hostel. Not only are dorm beds way cheaper but you have the chance to meet fellow travelers and make friends along the way.

Some people do not like to share a room with strangers and I won’t lie you will have to sacrifice some comforts. It is also highly likely you will have someone snoring next to you. But some of my greatest travel memories came from staying in hostels!

Also if you are traveling with someone else, a lot of hostels have private rooms that are often cheaper than hotels. Sometimes they are even cheaper than two bunk beds in a dorm. So depending on the hostel they can be a cheap way to travel as a couple.

We book most our hostel stays on Hostelworld 👇

13. Check Multiple Booking Sites

I have always found that when booking accommodation prices can vary quite drastically between booking sites. So when trying to book a cheap hotel or a guest room, always check multiple sites including their own website!

For booking hostels I recommend Hostelworld and Booking.com . Sometimes it is cheaper on one or the other. Sometimes Booking.com will also have private rooms to rent in people’s homes, similar to Airbnb but cheaper.

Our favorite accommodation booking sites: 😴 Booking.com (Hotels) 🛌 Hostelworld (Hostels) 🏠 Airbnb (Private rooms) 🌎 Expedia (Search Engine) 🌎 Agoda (Search Engine) 🌎 Trip.com (Search Engine) 🌎 Tripadvisor (Search Engine)

14. Use Airbnb right

Airbnb is one of the most used booking sites for finding a room or a whole place to stay. But if you don’t use it right it can quickly burn a hole in your wallet. We have 2 hacks we always use to find the cheapest price:

Always check and compare how much your stay would be if you booked for 1, 2 or 4 weeks instead of 5 or 10 nights for example. That way we got once 92% off! No kidding. In Antigua, Guatemala our Airbnb would have cost about 45 USD a night but since we booked for a month we got it for 120 USD in total!

That’s an incredible example and doesn’t happen often but almost every time we booked 1, 2 or 4 weeks instead of less we got up to 1 week stay for free! That’s because most hosts give weekly and monthly discounts . Off-season that can easily be up to 50%! Stays under 1 week are mostly the most expensive stays, so always try to round up.

When looking for the cheapest options use the Airbnb integrated map. But make sure you filter for the price , for example, max 30 USD a night. That will drastically reduce the search results and show only the cheapest accommodations.

You can play around with the price depending on the destination. Go for the lowest possible price per night and work your way up. We found that if you look on the map without this filter the cheapest places are often hidden by the more expensive ones and don’t even show up!

Extra Tip: Make sure you book an Airbnb with kitchen access so you can cook your own food and make a coffee – that will reduce your spending big times!

Read also: Cheap & healthy food hacks for travelers 🥑🤫

15. Do Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a great option to get free accommodation if you are interested in meeting locals and don’t mind sharing a space with another person.

On the Couchsurfing website hosts will offer to sleep at their place for free . This will often be a couch, a mattress, or a spare bed. No strings attached!

But it is considered good manners to do something nice in return to the host like cook them some food or cover a drink but this is totally optional.

I used Couchsurfing in Norway as all accommodation prices were super expensive and it ended up being a great experience . So I can highly recommend it!

Read also: 5 Ways to get free accommodation 🏠

16. Volunteer on Workaway

Workaway is an online platform where you can get free accommodation in exchange for volunteer work. That can be farm work, animal care, hostel work, gardening, etc.

The accommodation can vary from a bed in a dorm room to your own studio with its own kitchen. But you will find all the details in the host’s ad.

We used this platform to travel around Mexico for several months and not pay for accommodation once. We would spend a minimum of 1 month with each host doing babysitting, artwork, and helping with rental properties and tours.

Workaway enables you to travel for free and get paid occasionally! Its main intention is to work without payment in exchange for a place to sleep but we earned some pocket money by doing extra work for our hosts. Try it out!

Read also: How to secure a gig on Workaway 💪

17. Do Pet sitting (Our Favorite Way to Travel Cheap!)

If you love pets then pet sitting is a great way to get free accommodation . In return for looking after the owner’s pets, you will get to stay at their house while they are away.

Of course, you should only do this if you love pets! The hosts are putting their trust in you so you should only apply if you truly like spending time with animals. Plus it can be quite a lot of work depending on the sit. But is also fun and rewarding, we love it.

There are several sites where homeowners look for pet sitters including Facebook. But after trying a few we found TrustedHouseSitters to be the best! No matter if you are traveling solo, as a couple or family, or with your own pet you will find a sit.

We find pet sitting is perfect for digital nomads who are looking for how to travel cheap on a budget. Through TrustedHouseSitters, we have had the chance to stay in amazing homes around the world for free: Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, London – just to name a few!

Sign up to Trusted House Sitters via this link for free + use code HAPPYHEALTHYNOMADS at checkout for a 25% discount on your yearly membership! 🐶 Read about our experiences here.

18. Use Facebook Marketplace

In any countries around the world like Latin America looking into Facebook groups can be a good place to find cheap accommodation, particularly for long-term rentals.

While in Mexico we saw that many people listed their properties for rent on Facebook marketplace. They were much cheaper than Airbnb as long as you want to stay long-term.

Facebook groups are also a great place to look for tips and advice when moving to a new city. If you are a digital nomad looking up the local Facebook page of a city is a helpful place to find the best areas to live, food tips, doctors and connect with other newbies.

Overall Facebook can be a great way to enrich your travel experience and allow you to travel cheap if you use it in the right way.

Want to share a meal with locals? Check out Eatwith where locals host a traditional meal in their home 🍽️ Not as cheap as cooking yourself but an experience 👇

19. Cook on the Road

Enjoying the local cuisines is one of the best parts of traveling. But in most countries, you are going to save a lot of money by cooking your meals at home rather than eating out.

When we are looking for accommodation even if it is just for a few days we always make sure there is a kitchen to use. Then once we arrive we ask around and find out where the cheapest supermarket or local market is and load up on groceries.

Not only does this save you money but it ensures that you can cook fresh & healthy. Whereas if you are eating out it can be a lot harder to find healthy meals for a good price.

Tip: Master a few dishes, for example, a simple lentil pot with ingredients that are found everywhere in the world and don’t take too long. We always travel with a small bag of curry powder so we can cook a tasty meal no matter where we are.

Read also: 10 Easy Hacks to Eat Healthy & Cheap while Traveling 🥑

20. Make Coffee at Home

When I first started traveling I would always go out and grab a couple of coffees a day. But soon I realized that the cost of buying them daily quickly adds up . Plus, the coffee often wasn’t even that good and takeaway isn’t sustainable.

Now I always make coffee in the morning wherever I am staying. I only head out to a cafe on special occasions or if I need a place to work. This way I enjoy it much more and save a bunch of money.

Also if you want to travel cheap stay away from Starbucks! Their coffees are expensive and not that great. If you are going out for coffee while traveling head to a local cafe , try some locally grown beans, and enjoy every sip.

We learned all about coffee in Latin America : 🧑‍🌾 From Tree to Cup: This is how Coffee is made! ☕️ 12 Best Cafes in Laureles, Medellin ☕️ 14 Best Cafes in Antigua, Guatemala 💛 Do you like our tips? Say thanks with a coffee here!

21. Travel with a Reusable Water Bottle (Sustainable Way to Travel Cheap)

This tip is both a sustainability tip and a money-saving tip. So often when I am traveling I see people buying multiple bottles of plastic water daily. Not only is this adding insane amounts of plastic waste into landfills but the cost adds up over time.

We always travel with reusable bottles that we fill up at our accommodation and carry with us. This is a cost-effective way to travel and you are being eco-friendly at the same time.

Tip: Get a 1l-water bottle from Nalgene . We always travel with one. They are cheap, durable, lightweight, and easy to carry on hikes 👌

22. Stay Away from Touristy Restaurants

The areas with the most tourists have generally the most expensive restaurants. The food is often also not that good and other tourists will surround you.

You will find that food prices drop dramatically by walking a couple of blocks away from the main tourist area. Look for places that are full of locals as they generally know where the best food is.

Also, don’t be afraid of street food! When people first go traveling they often stay away from it because they are afraid of getting sick. But street food is super cheap and delicious! Also in my experience, you are more likely to get sick in restaurants than from street food.

At street food stalls you can at least have a close look at the food storage and preparation method. Often you can watch them cook! Plus it’s the most authentic local experience you can get for a really cheap price.

Read also: Best cheap foodie destinations 🌮

23. Look for Free Breakfasts

When booking hostels it can often work out cheaper to book a hostel that is slightly more expensive if it comes with a free breakfast and coffee. It’s a cheap way to vacation.

Another bonus is that you save time by not having to make breakfast or end up spending a lot of money on it. Plus you get the opportunity to meet other travelers and may end up spending the whole day with them.

The only downside is that free breakfasts are usually made of super cheap unhealthy ingredients so make sure to fuel yourself the rest of the day with healthy food!

How to find free breakfasts? 🍳 1. Go to your booking site of preference e.g. Hostelworld 2. Choose your destination, dates and hit Search 3. Click on Filter and “Free Breakfast” 4. Voilá you will see all places with free breakfast

Try it yourself 👇

24. Bring Fruit & Nuts as Snacks

One of the hardest things to do on a long bus trip or while waiting at the airport is to resist buying snacks . Not only are they unhealthy but also expensive.

So avoid this money trap by planning ahead . We always bring local fruits, nuts and protein bars on our trip. And never ever buy food or drinks on airplanes!

It is a cheap way to travel and is far better for your health. Eating healthy while traveling can be a struggle but adding healthy snacks will make a big difference.

Read here: Tips for cheap healthy snacks 🍎

ACTIVITIES 🥾

25. google free things to do.

When I visit a new city I will always google free things to do there. Someone will have written a blog post (like us! ;)) about free things to do in nearly every touristy place around the world. They can have some awesome ideas that are totally free.

Another good idea is to google free events in the city you are in. There can often be festivals or cultural events that are free to visit and will make you feel like a local.

See here: All Free-Things-to-do articles we have written ✌️

26. Visit Museums Cheap or for Free

In a lot of countries, museums will have certain days when they are free to visit, often on Sundays. Just look up their website and go for free where possible. This way we have saved quite some money without missing out on cultural highlights.

If you are a student, always make sure to bring your student pass with you. Many museums offer university discounts making it a great way to travel cheap as a student.

In big cities, like Chicago , London, or New York it can often be worth it to get city passes that give you discounts on many attractions and save you time queuing. Sometimes you may get as much as 50% off admission!

Our favorite ticket websites : 🎟️ GetYourGuide (entries) 🎟️ Tiqets (attractions) 🎟️ GoCity (passes) 🎟️ Ticketmaster (events)

27. Join Free Walking Tours

Free walking tours are available in most major cities around the world. They are often hosted by a local guide who can give a brief history of the place and interesting facts.

I have done an uncountable number of free walking tours worldwide and besides one or two I found them to be a great and cheap way of getting to know a new place.

While they are not really free as the guides work for tips it is up to you how much you tip. So those on a bigger budget can choose to tip more, and if you are strapped for cash, you can tip less.

Our favorite tour guide sites: 🤠 Google “Free Walking Tour + City you are in” 🤠 GetYourGuide 🤠 Viator

28. Go on Self-Guided Walking Tours

One of my favorite things to do when I arrive in a new place is to just go for a walk without any destination in mind. A good idea is to google a few nice areas and download them on Google Maps offline before starting to walk.

That way you will discover interesting parts of the city you would never have seen if you had just stuck to the main tourist attractions. Plus it’s completely free!

Our favorite self-guided sites: 🗺️ Google Maps (works offline) 🗺️ Maps.me (works offline) 🎧 WeGoTrip (Audio Tours)

29. Avoid Pricey Tours

Try to avoid organized tours when going to major tourist attractions . Frequently I see overpriced tours offered that don’t include little more than transport.

So often it is so much cheaper to take public transport to the attraction yourself. Plus you can take your time at the sites and not have to rush or stick to the schedule of the tour.

Of course in some situations, tours can work out to be cheaper or better, especially as a solo traveler. But it always pays to compare the price of a tour vs doing it on your own.

Our favorite tour websites: 🤠 Viator 🤠 GetYourGuide 🤠 Tripadvisor

30. Go Hiking (Healthy Way to Travel Cheap)

Going for a hike is an activity that is mostly free and has the added benefit of staying in shape and getting into nature. It is easy to get stuck in big cities while traveling.

Especially as a digital nomad you may be living in exotic locations but glued to your laptop all day. Hiking is a good way to escape the city and your laptop and see more of the natural beauty of a country.

There are plenty of free hiking sites out there that will show you hundreds of cool hikes for all fitness levels nearby. Often with trails away from tourist crowds.

Tip: In countries where safety is an issue, always make sure to check the hike reviews on the sites or on Google Maps (filter by lowest) to see if incidents on the trail have happened in the last few months. That way we stayed away from some doggy hikes in Colombia.

Our favorite free hiking sites: 🥾 AllTrails 🥾 WikiLoc See also: All hikes we have blogged about 🌎

31. Work Out for Free

While traveling it is very easy to slip out of your workout routine and become unfit. Also in many countries day passes to gyms can be very expensive.

That’s why the best idea is to learn workout routines that require no equipment and can be done anywhere. There are thousands of videos on YouTube with routines that you can follow anywhere simply with your body weight.

My favorite way to workout is to go for a run or do calisthenics as there are free calisthenics parks in almost any city in the world. It can also be a great idea to buy some cheap workout equipment you can travel with.

For example, we travel with a lightweight yoga mat , resistance bands, and a skipping rope that you can get a great workout with and easily fit inside your luggage.

Read here: Best Free Workout Tips for Travelers 💪

Now you know how to travel cheap, yeah!

Everyone has different wants and needs, especially when it comes to traveling. Someone might not want to sacrifice certain things. But even if you only incorporate a few of the tips on this list you should be able to get more bang for your buck.

So much of travel is learning by doing and finding out what works for you! I hope this list helps you save money and enables you to extend your travels so you can spend more time doing what you love 🙌

If you have any more tips on how to travel cheap let us know in the comments below! We would love to hear them.

• Guide to Free Accommodation
• How to Eat Cheap & Healthy
• How to Stay Fit on the Road
• How to Become a Petsitter

Hey there! Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us to generate income and keep creating content for you. So we greatly appreciate your support! Thanks!

Hi, I am Allan, a travel, health and fitness fanatic from New Zealand. I'm a former lawyer who turned into a full-time nomad in 2020. For the last 4+ years I've been traveling the world. I'm always on a hunt for good food, activities on a budget and workouts on the go. I hope you find my tips helpful and get inspired to travel more!

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25 top tips for travelling on a budget

Updated On 28th February, 2024

If you’re looking for tips for travelling on a budget, top tips for budget travel or how to save money when you’re travelling, then you’re in the right place. I  love  a good bargain, especially when it comes to saving money when travelling!

Travelling is such a wonderful opportunity, and being able to travel on a budget makes it more accessible to people. Also, if you spend less on one adventure, you have money to spend on another. Budget travel doesn’t have to be any less fun either. There are  cheap places to travel to all over the world , including plenty of  places to travel on a budget in Europe . There are lots of ways to save money when you’re travelling, from planning your travel budget carefully before you leave, considering backpacking and car-sharing, through to the choices you make (e.g. food) when you are on your trip.

And even if you’re travelling somewhere that is considered to be expensive, there are top tips for travelling on a budget. From  things to do in Vienna on a budget  to  free things to do in London , as well as  cheap things to do in Copenhagen , there are definitely plenty of ways to go  backpacking in Europe on a budget.  There are even  ways to save money when travelling in Australia , and  budget travel tips for New Zealand !

In this post I’ve shared all my top tips for travelling on a budget. From what you need to do before you go, to advice for when you’re already abroad, this post has it all: travel tips, money saving tips, budget travel tips, free things to do, cheap places to visit and more!

Budget travel blog posts you might like…

• 30 places to travel on a budget
• The cheapest places to visit in Europe
• Top tips for travelling in Europe
• How to save money in Australia
• How to save money in New Zealand
• Free things to do in London
• Budget-friendly things to do in Copenhagen
• Cheap things to do in Vienna

CHECK OUT BUDGET TRAVEL ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE

Here are my 25 top tips for travelling on a budget…

1. Choose your destination carefully.

Some places are naturally more expensive or cheaper than where you call home. My first tip for travelling on a budget is to research  places that are good for travelling on a budget.  Maybe it’s somewhere that’s cheap and easy to get to, somewhere where the currency gets you good value because of the exchange rate, or somewhere that has a lower cost of living than home!

If you’re looking for cheap destinations,  here are 30 places to travel on a budget.

2. Avoid tourist traps.

Big cities and tourist hotspots are often a lot more expensive than straying off the beaten track! Try and choose less well-known destinations, if you can.  Check out  these hidden gems in Europe you must visit.

Even within your destination, avoid restaurants on the main strip and try something down a sidewalk. The food will probably be better as well as cheaper!

EXPLORE BALI ON MY BLOG HERE

3. Get travel insurance.

Perhaps the most important tip for travelling on a budget! Sure, it’s initially an extra expense, but you’ll thank yourself for sorting it out if your trip gets cancelled, or God forbid you get ill abroad.  Click here for the travel insurance I use.

Looking to travel in Europe? Here are  21 cheap places to visit in Europe!

4. Travel off-season.

Sure, you might not be able to guarantee the weather, but your chosen destination will be a lot less busy and crowded. Not only will you save a lot of money, but you’ll have it all to yourself!

Check out the best time to visit Bali here.

EXPLORE PORTUGAL ON MY BLOG HERE

5. Book in advance.

Last minute deals can be a godsend if you’re travelling on a budget , but it’s often cheaper (and less stressful!) to book transport, accommodation and activities well in advance.

Check out this blog post to see what travel apps you should download on your phone before your trip.

6. Or, in less touristy destinations, be spontaneous.

Accommodation isn’t always advertised online and you may save money when travelling by booking directly with the owner, especially for places in small towns or in homestays. It really depends on where you’re going!

EXPLORE GREECE ON MY BLOG HERE

7. Use  Skyscanner  to find the cheapest flight deals.

Skyscanner.net  is the easiest way to find cheap flights between countries! Simply put in your home airport/country and your destination, and you can see what is available on specific dates, or across a whole month if you’re able to be flexible.

Top tip:  You can save even more money by booking flights in incognito mode, using a VPN, or after deleting your cookies.

8. Fly mid-week.

Flights are more expensive at weekends, because more people are free to travel. Try and fly between Tuesday-Thursday, if you can.

EXPLORE ALBANIA ON MY BLOG HERE

9. Pack well.

Firstly, pack light. You won’t wear half the clothes you want to take, and it’ll only cost you more in baggage to bring more than you need.

However, one of the most important tips for travelling on a budget is that it’s important to check that you take everything you need, not forgetting anything! If you forget something, it could cost a lot of money to buy that essential missing item when you’re abroad.

EXPLORE PACKING TIPS ON MY BLOG HERE

10. Be prepared to share.

You’ll save a lot of money on accommodation when travelling if you’re willing to stay in a dorm in a hostel with a shared bathroom.  See  why I love hostels  here , and  how to choose your hostel  here.

SEE ALL MY YOUTUBE TRAVEL VIDEOS HERE

If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before,  check out my top tips for staying in a hostel and all my hostel packing essentials here.

11. Couchsurfing

Meet locals and stay with them all over the world! Couchsurfing is ideal if you are travelling on a budget, because you can stay at people’s houses for free. Just make sure you stay safe, choosing people with consistently good reviews.  Check out couchsurfing here.

EXPLORE THAILAND ON MY BLOG HERE

12. Travel overnight.

If you have a long journey to complete as part of you trip, one way to save money is to travel overnight. You have to pay to get from A to B no matter what time of day you travel, but travelling overnight saves you the cost of accommodation for that night. Bonus: you don’t ‘waste time’ travelling during the day, so you have more time to explore!

Read this post for all my top tips and advice on planning and researching your next adventure.

13. Look into carpooling services, such as Bla Bla Car.

Bla Bla Car  and other similar services can save you a lot of money if you’re travelling on a budget. People who have cars and are doing the journey anyway say if they have any spaces, and then you can pay for that space. It’s often cheaper than public transport. Similarly, if you’re doing a road trip and you have a space in the car, then you can get a bit of money back towards the petrol.

EXPLORE POLAND HERE

14. Read others’ backpacking experiences.

Google ‘a backpacker’s guide to …’ when you’re planning. This way you’ll be able to see immediately what a low-cost holiday looks like in your destination, and you should be able to get an idea about costs, accommodation and activities.

See our backpacker’s guide to travelling in Europe on a budget here.

SEE ALL MY BACKPACKING GUIDES HERE

16. Search for free things to do in your chosen destination.

A great top tip for travelling on a budget is to look for free things to do wherever you’re heading. It could be that certain museums are free on certain days or that there are local events on. Don’t forget the classic ‘free walking tour’, a great way of seeing the city you are visiting. Just remember that it’s customary to tip at the end.

• Free things to do in Vienna
• Free things to do in Copenhagen

Check out my 22 top tips for travelling in Europe in this blog post.

15. Get a local SIM.

Data roaming or paying for WiFi abroad can be extortionate. One way to save money when you’re travelling is to get a local SIM card with locally priced data packages. You’ll want the data for navigating your way around and keeping in touch with home!  This is something I’ve done in both  the Philippines  and  Albania , and it was really easy to sort! 

EXPLORE THE PHILIPPINES ON MY BLOG HERE

17. DIY excursions.

You can often save a lot of money by skipping out on a planned tour and working it out for yourself! Use public transport to get there, take a picnic, and buy your own entry ticket (if needed).

A great example of this is my self-guided trip to the Blue Mountains in Australia. A group tour will cost at least 100 AUD per person, but my return train ticket was just 12 AUD! The only other expense was the packed lunch I took with me, and a coffee I bought en route.  Check out my self-guided trip to the Blue Mountains here.

EXPLORE AUSTRALIA ON MY BLOG HERE

18. Don’t eat out all the time.

Another tip for travelling on a budget is to shop at the supermarket and cook for yourself. Factor trying some local delicacies into your budget (if you can), but beyond that, prepare your own food. Most hostels have kitchen facilities that are available for everyone to use. There might even be a shelf with leftover food from backpackers that have moved on!

19. Be aware of ATM charges.

ATMs can charge a lot of money to withdraw and exchange your money. However, it is often the case that it’s cheaper to take money out on your travels than it is to get it exchanged before you go. To avoid charges, take as much money as you can afford to lose out at once. The more you take out, the less often you’ll pay the charge, but there’s more to lose/have stolen! If you have lots of cash, put it in different parts of your bag/pockets, and leave some in a locked, secure space at your accommodation.

Top tip:  If you prefer to be cashless, cards such as  Monzo  and  Revolut  allow you to keep and spend in multiple currencies with one card, and with few to no fees!

20. Try and haggle.

Prices are often marked up for tourists, so put your negotiating skills to good use and see if you can get a discount! This is more likely if you are in a group, either travelling together or friends made along the way, and all of you book onto e.g. the same excursion.

Check out this post about how to make friends when travelling solo.

EXPLORE VIETNAM ON MY BLOG HERE

21. Get recommendations from the locals.

The locals definitely don’t want to pay tourist prices for food, drink and activities. Speak to someone from the area (perhaps someone at the hostel reception) and find out their favourite hotspots. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Check out  this post for why it’s better to travel with a local.

EXPLORE ITALY ON MY BLOG HERE

22. Bring your own water bottle and coffee cup.

I never travel without my reusables now! Taking your own water bottle means you can fill up for free from fountains, cafes or mountain springs. Having your own coffee cup often gets you a discount!

Not only does having a reusable water bottle or coffee cup save you money, but it helps the environment!  Here are more ways you can travel sustainably.

23. Walk everywhere.

Walking is the cheapest form of transport and by far the best way to discover a new area. Renting a bike is often cheap if you need to go a little bit further.  Both cycling and walking are great ways to keep fit when you’re on your travels; see some more here.

If you have to take public transport, buses are typically the cheapest. Avoid taxis and Ubers like the plague if you are travelling on a budget; they are by far the most expensive form of transport. With a bit of planning, there’s almost always a much cheaper bus or train alternative.

EXPLORE SPAIN ON MY BLOG HERE

24. Work as you travel.

An obvious way to save money while you’re travelling is to earn money doing it! Many hostels offer free or reduced rate accommodation if you put in a few shifts, and there’s also the option of bartending, teaching abroad, or getting a working holiday visa.

Find out  how to get a  New Zealand working holiday visa  in this guest post !

Find out about getting an  Australian working holiday visa  in this video…

25. Decide on your budget, and stick to it.

There are very few places that can’t be travelled on a low budget. There are free things to do in every destination, so you just need to manage your expectations of how many expensive activities you can do there or how often you can eat out at restaurants, for example. Once you’ve planned your budget, try not to overspend; it’ll only cause you more stress later on your trip or when you get home.

EXPLORE MONEY SAVING TRAVEL TIPS ON MY BLOG HERE

Have you got any more tips for travelling on a budget?

What are your budget travel top tips? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring…

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IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

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Protect Your Trip »

12 Unconventional Ways to Save on Travel

Points and miles are major, but there are other cheap ways to travel too.

Getty Images

Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget.

Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics – such as traveling in off-peak seasons or staying at a hostel or a rental with a kitchen – the costs inevitably add up. If you're looking for ways to save on your next trip, add these unconventional tips provided by travel industry experts to your hat of travel tricks.

Get a set of packing cubes

Traveling with just a carry-on bag is a cost-effective option since it's typically free on most major airlines, but it's often easier said than done. That's why packing cubes are a good investment. They don't cost much – you can get a quality set like this one by Bagail for less than $25 – and they inevitably allow you to save space and fit more in your carry-on (or checked luggage ).

[Read: Guide: Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline .]

Choose the flight, then the destination

Scott Keyes, flight expert and founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , recommends changing the way you search for flights to save on airfare . Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a flight comparison tool like Google Flights , Momondo or Skyscanner to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airport(s). Maybe a trip to Barcelona wasn't what you originally had in mind, but if the price is right, why not head there instead?

Consider alternate airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option, Keyes also suggests comparing fares from other airports, even those that are a few hours away. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.

If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you're more likely to find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers.

[Read: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed .]

Set up airfare alerts

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Hopper and Trip.com . These sites offer deals that usually last a short time, meaning you have to strike while the iron is hot. "I do this every time I book a flight and I usually save at least 10%, but sometimes up to 75%," says Josh Band of A Backpacker's World . "I once got a flight that should have been $200-plus for just over $50 by setting up an alert."

Go to Europe for Thanksgiving

Many Americans opt to head to Grandma's house or another domestic destination for turkey dinner. However, not as many escape to the Caribbean and Mexico, and even less go to Europe – which means you're more likely to find flight deals to Paris , London and other European vacations you've been wanting to cross off your bucket list.

Travel midweek

There's no set day of the week to book the cheapest airfare, but there are less expensive days to travel, says Keyes. He recommends flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays since most business travelers fly on Sundays and Mondays (and consequently drive up the cost of airfare on those days).

Consider a 'bleisure' trip

If you have an upcoming business trip in a unique or new-to-you destination, consider tacking on a few personal days to the journey. This way, you can enjoy a mini-vacation sans airfare (assuming your company will cover that portion).

[Read: The Best Garment Bags for Travel, According to Reviews .]

Buy travel insurance

It may sound counterintuitive, but purchasing travel insurance can save your bank account (and your sanity) in the event that you or a family member falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change your vacation plans before or during the trip. A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will suffice, though there are coverage options for a wide variety of needs – including cancel for any reason travel insurance (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Housesit for free accommodations

Did you know you can enjoy free accommodations in exchange for housesitting? Sites like House Sitters America and Mind My House offer housesitting opportunities for a small annual fee (less than $50). Many of the homeowners have pets who need TLC while they're gone, too, making this a fun and budget-friendly alternative to traditional rentals like Airbnb. No matter where you travel, it doesn't get much better than living like a local and playing with pups.

Similarly, you can try couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services like the site Couchsurfing charge a negligible monthly or annual fee to sign up and get verified for safety purposes, while others such as BeWelcome are free. These services also provide exclusive meetups with other travelers.

Read: The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Sign up for a family loyalty program

Did you know there are loyalty programs that allow family members or groups to pool rewards or freely transfer rewards to others?

"This can be a great option for infrequent travelers who may not rack up enough points or miles for a free flight or hotel room individually – but can reach those rewards when combined," says Nick Ewen, director of content for The Points Guy . "In some cases, it's a single, pooled account that automatically combines points (like JetBlue). In other cases, you can simply transfer points from one account to another (like Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, or Marriott Bonvoy)." He recommends reading the full terms and conditions of these programs, as some impose time limits, maximum transfer amounts and other restrictions.

Use travel rewards on experiences

Don't forget that both airline credit cards and airline rewards programs can be used to cover more than flights and hotels. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards make it easy to redeem points for sporting events, dining (including reservations, exclusive culinary experiences and takeout orders) and more.

You can also use points earned on hotel credit cards as well as hotel rewards programs to pay for fun experiences in hundreds of destinations around the world. Options range from cooking classes and concerts to outdoor activities and spa experiences .

Book a refundable car rental

While some companies offer discounts for prepaid car rentals, many travelers say they've had better luck with booking refundable car rentals , allowing them to secure a reasonable rate while keeping a watchful eye for price drops. If a better price pops up, simply cancel your original reservation and book at the lower rate. Frequent traveler Pamela Howard, who writes about her experiences on Our Adventure Is Everywhere , says she's consistently able to save anywhere from $25 to $100 using this tactic on Costco Travel car rentals. "It's simple and that little bit of time rechecking rates pays substantially in savings."

Ewen says you can do the same when you book a flight or hotel using points since many loyalty programs have flexible cancellation policies. "If you lock in a flight at 35,000 miles and see that your same ticket is 30,000 miles just a week later, you should be able to rebook and get those 5,000 miles back into your account," he explains.

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Tags: Travel , Budget Travel , Travel Tips

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• Plan Your Trip
• Budget Travel

How To Travel For Cheap: 20 Tips From A Budget Traveler

Published: December 8, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Tierney Burkey

• Travel Tips

Introduction

Traveling is an enriching experience that allows us to explore new cultures, indulge in thrilling adventures, and create unforgettable memories. However, many people often shy away from traveling due to the misconception that it requires a hefty budget. The truth is, with careful planning and a bit of creativity, anyone can embark on exciting journeys without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will delve into the world of budget travel and share 20 tips from a seasoned budget traveler to help you make the most of your trips while keeping your wallet happy. Whether you’re dreaming of strolling through the streets of Paris, trekking through the wild landscapes of South America, or relaxing on the pristine beaches of Southeast Asia, these tips will empower you to travel for cheap and make your dreams a reality.

From finding affordable accommodation and transportation options to maximizing your budget when it comes to food and activities, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and discover how to travel on a budget without compromising on the quality of your experiences.

Plan Ahead and Be Flexible

One of the best ways to travel on a budget is to plan your trip well in advance. By doing so, you can take advantage of early booking discounts, promotional deals, and cheaper flights. Research and compare prices for flights, accommodation, transportation, and activities to find the best possible deals.

Flexibility is also key when it comes to saving money on your travels. Being open to changing your travel dates or destination can often lead to significant savings. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons when prices are lower, and popular tourist destinations are less crowded. Additionally, be flexible with your choice of accommodation and transportation options, as this can make a big difference in your overall expenses.

By planning ahead and maintaining flexibility, you not only have the opportunity to save money but also open yourself up to unexpected adventures and hidden gems that you may not have discovered otherwise.

Travel During Off-Peak Seasons

Choosing to travel during off-peak seasons can be a game-changer when it comes to saving money. During peak travel periods, such as holidays and school vacations, prices for flights, accommodation, and attractions tend to skyrocket. By opting to travel during off-peak seasons, you can take advantage of lower prices and enjoy a more relaxed and authentic experience.

Off-peak travel not only allows you to save money but also gives you the opportunity to explore popular destinations without the crowds. You’ll have more flexibility in choosing accommodation, experiencing local attractions, and immersing yourself in the local culture. Additionally, you’ll often find that airlines and hotels offer special promotions and discounts during these quieter periods in order to attract more visitors.

Before planning your trip, research the peak and off-peak seasons for your desired destination. Consider visiting during the shoulder season, which is just before or after the peak season. Not only will you enjoy pleasant weather and fewer crowds, but you’ll also have a higher chance of scoring great deals on flights, accommodation, and activities.

Remember, traveling during off-peak seasons not only saves you money but also allows you to enjoy a more authentic and relaxed travel experience. Embrace the quieter moments and take advantage of the perks that come with traveling during the slower months.

Be Open to Different Accommodation Options

When it comes to finding affordable accommodation, it’s important to think outside the box and consider alternative options. While luxury hotels may be enticing, they can quickly eat away at your travel budget. By being open to different types of accommodation, you can discover unique and budget-friendly alternatives.

One popular option for budget travelers is staying in hostels. Hostels provide a cost-effective way to meet fellow travelers, share experiences, and save money on accommodation costs. Most hostels offer dormitory-style rooms with shared facilities, but many also provide private rooms for those who prefer more privacy.

If hostels aren’t your cup of tea, consider looking into budget hotels or guesthouses. These establishments often offer comfortable rooms at a fraction of the cost of luxury hotels. You can use online booking platforms to compare prices and read reviews to ensure that you find a budget-friendly option that meets your needs.

Another alternative to traditional accommodation is renting a vacation home or apartment. This can be particularly cost-effective if you’re traveling with a group or planning an extended stay. Platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway offer a wide range of affordable and well-equipped properties that allow you to live like a local and save money on dining out.

Lastly, consider house-sitting or volunteering opportunities. Websites like TrustedHousesitters and Workaway connect travelers with homeowners who need someone to look after their homes or help with various tasks. In exchange for your services, you get free accommodation, allowing you to save on accommodation costs while immersing yourself in a local community.

Remember, being open to different accommodation options can significantly reduce your travel expenses, allowing you to allocate more of your budget towards experiences and activities.

Consider Hostels or Budget Hotels

If you’re looking to save money on accommodation while traveling, hostels and budget hotels are excellent options to consider. They provide affordable lodging without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Hostels are particularly popular among budget travelers, as they offer communal living spaces and dormitory-style rooms. While you may be sharing a room with other travelers, it’s a great way to meet fellow adventurers and exchange tips and stories. Many hostels also provide private rooms for those who prefer more privacy.

When choosing a hostel, pay attention to reviews and ratings to ensure the facilities meet your expectations. Look for hostels that offer free amenities such as Wi-Fi, breakfast, and communal kitchens, as this can help further reduce your expenses. It’s also worth considering hostels that are centrally located, as this can save you money on transportation costs.

Alternatively, budget hotels are a good option if you prefer more privacy and comfort. While they may not have all the amenities of luxury hotels, budget hotels provide clean and comfortable rooms at a more affordable price. Look for hotels with good reviews and ratings, and compare prices to find the best deal.

When booking accommodation, it’s often beneficial to book directly through the hostel or hotel’s website. Many establishments offer special promotions or discounts for direct bookings, saving you even more money.

By considering hostels or budget hotels, you can significantly cut down your accommodation costs, allowing you to allocate more of your budget towards other travel experiences and activities.

Use Alternative Transportation Methods

Transportation expenses can quickly add up when traveling, but there are several alternative methods you can use to save money and have a unique travel experience.

One popular option is to use public transportation. Many cities and countries have efficient and affordable public transportation systems, including buses, trains, and metros. By using public transportation, you can save money on taxi fares or rental cars. Additionally, it allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and see the city from a different perspective.

If you’re traveling within a small area or a compact city, consider walking or cycling as your primary mode of transportation. Not only is this a cost-effective option, but it also allows you to explore at your own pace and discover hidden gems that you may have missed otherwise.

For longer distances, consider taking overnight buses or trains. This way, you can save money on both transportation and accommodation. Opting for overnight travel allows you to maximize your time and wake up in a new destination ready for a day of exploration.

Another alternative transportation method is ridesharing. Platforms like Uber and Lyft often offer lower rates compared to traditional taxis. Additionally, ridesharing apps sometimes provide promotional codes or discounts for new users, further reducing your transportation expenses.

If you’re feeling adventurous, consider hitchhiking in areas where it’s safe and culturally acceptable. This can be a unique and budget-friendly way to travel, allowing you to interact with locals and share stories along the way. However, always prioritize your safety and research the local customs and regulations before hitchhiking.

By embracing alternative transportation methods, you can not only save money but also have a more immersive and memorable travel experience.

Take Advantage of Travel Rewards Programs

Travel rewards programs are a fantastic way to save money and earn perks while exploring the world. Many airlines, hotels, and credit card companies offer travel rewards programs that allow you to accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for free or discounted flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

To make the most of these programs, sign up for loyalty programs with airlines and hotels that you frequently use or plan to use in the future. This way, you can earn points every time you fly or stay at one of their partner hotels. For credit cards, consider obtaining a travel rewards credit card that offers bonus points for travel-related purchases, such as flights or hotel bookings.

It’s important to compare the benefits and conditions of different rewards programs before committing to one. Look for programs that offer flexibility in redeeming points, as well as additional perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, or room upgrades.

In addition to loyalty programs, keep an eye out for special promotions or offers. Sometimes, airlines or hotels run limited-time promotions that allow you to earn bonus points or receive discounts on certain bookings. Staying updated on these promotions can help you maximize your rewards and save even more money.

Finally, don’t forget to utilize your accumulated points or miles. Whether it’s for a free flight, a complimentary hotel stay, or an upgrade to business class, redeeming your rewards can greatly reduce your travel expenses and enhance your travel experience.

By taking advantage of travel rewards programs, you can enjoy the benefits of free or discounted travel, allowing you to stretch your budget further and embark on more adventures.

Pack Light and Avoid Extra Baggage Fees

When it comes to traveling on a budget, packing light is key. Not only does it save you from the hassle of lugging around heavy bags, but it also helps you avoid extra baggage fees imposed by airlines.

Start by making a list of essentials and prioritize items that are versatile and can be easily mixed and matched. Pack clothing that is suitable for the climate of your destination and try to bring items that can be layered for different weather conditions.

Opt for lightweight and compact travel essentials such as travel-sized toiletries and collapsible items. This helps to save valuable space in your luggage. Additionally, consider wearing your heaviest and bulkiest items, such as a jacket or sneakers, during your travel to further lighten your bags.

Check the baggage policy of the airline you’re flying with before packing. Most airlines have weight and size restrictions for both carry-on and checked luggage. By staying within these limits, you can avoid additional charges for overweight or oversized baggage.

If you know that you tend to overpack or anticipate buying souvenirs during your trip, consider leaving some space in your luggage or bringing an extra foldable bag. This way, you’ll have room to bring back your purchases without needing to pay for extra baggage or shipping fees.

By packing light and avoiding extra baggage fees, you not only save money but also have the freedom to move around more easily and comfortably during your trip.

Eat Like a Local

One of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is indulging in the local cuisine. However, eating out at restaurants can quickly become expensive, especially in touristy areas. To save money and experience authentic flavors, consider eating like a local.

Start by exploring local markets and grocery stores. These are excellent places to find fresh produce, local delicacies, and affordable ingredients. Take advantage of self-catering accommodations or communal kitchens in hostels to prepare your own meals. This not only saves you money but also allows you to experiment with local ingredients and flavors.

When dining out, avoid touristy restaurants located near popular attractions. Instead, venture into side streets and neighborhoods where locals eat. Look for small, family-run eateries or street food stalls, as they often offer delicious and inexpensive dishes that are beloved by locals.

Embrace street food as a way to experience the local culture and cuisine. Not only is it usually inexpensive, but it also provides an opportunity to interact with local vendors and taste authentic flavors. Be adventurous and try the local specialties – you might discover a new favorite dish!

Consider having your main meal at lunchtime instead of dinner. Many restaurants offer lunch specials or set menus at a discounted price, allowing you to enjoy a fulfilling meal for less. You can then opt for a lighter meal or snack in the evening.

Lastly, don’t forget to carry a refillable water bottle with you. Purchasing bottled water can quickly add up, especially in touristy areas. By refilling your bottle from tap water or using water refill stations, you can save money and reduce plastic waste.

Eating like a local not only helps you save money but also provides an authentic and immersive culinary experience. So get ready to savor the flavors of your destination while keeping your budget in check.

Avoid Touristy Restaurants

When traveling on a budget, it’s important to avoid touristy restaurants that tend to be overpriced and cater to tourists rather than locals. By venturing off the beaten path and discovering local eateries, you can experience authentic cuisine at a fraction of the cost.

One way to find hidden culinary gems is to ask locals for recommendations. Whether it’s your Airbnb host, a friendly local you meet in a café, or even a taxi driver, they can provide invaluable insights into the best places to eat. Locals know the authentic and affordable eateries that often serve the most delicious food.

Explore neighborhoods away from popular tourist areas. These areas are often filled with local dining establishments that are loved by residents. Look for small family-run restaurants, hole-in-the-wall eateries, and street food vendors. Not only will you have an authentic dining experience, but you’ll also have the opportunity to interact with locals and immerse yourself in their culture.

Keep an eye out for restaurants with menus written in the local language only. This is a good indicator that the establishment caters more to locals than tourists. It’s a sign that you’ll be able to enjoy traditional dishes at reasonable prices.

Another tip is to follow the locals’ lead. If you see a restaurant filled with locals, it’s a good sign that the food is delicious and affordable. Trust the wisdom of the locals and join them in indulging in the flavors of the region.

By avoiding touristy restaurants and opting for local dining establishments, you not only save money but also get to experience the true essence of the destination through its food.

Cook Your Own Meals

Cooking your own meals while traveling may not be the most glamorous option, but it can significantly cut down on your food expenses. It gives you control over what you eat and allows you to save money for other travel experiences.

Firstly, consider booking accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette. This provides you with the convenience of preparing your own meals. Look for accommodations with access to a communal kitchen if you’re staying in a hostel or consider renting an apartment or vacation home with a fully equipped kitchen.

Visit local markets or grocery stores to stock up on fresh produce, snacks, and ingredients. This not only saves money but also gives you the chance to explore local flavors and culinary specialties. Experiment with cooking regional dishes using authentic local ingredients.

Take advantage of simple and easy-to-make meals such as sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, and stir-fries. These options require minimal cooking time and can be customized based on the ingredients available to you. Additionally, pack some reusable containers for leftover meals or snacks that you can enjoy on the go.

Don’t forget to consider picnic options as well. Prepare a packed lunch and head to a scenic park or beach for a memorable dining experience. This allows you to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings while saving money on restaurant bills.

Of course, treating yourself to a meal at a local restaurant is still part of the travel experience. Be strategic about your restaurant visits and choose your splurge meals wisely. This way, you can still savor the local cuisine without breaking the bank.

By cooking your own meals, you not only save money but also have the opportunity to connect with the local food culture, develop new culinary skills, and enjoy the comfort of home-cooked meals while on the road.

Use Public Transportation or Walk

When it comes to getting around in a new destination, using public transportation or walking can be a budget traveler’s best friend. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience the destination from a different perspective.

Public transportation systems, such as buses, trains, and metros, are widely available in many cities around the world. Research the local transportation options before your trip and familiarize yourself with the routes and schedules. Public transportation is often significantly cheaper than taking taxis or rideshares, and it allows you to get around easily and efficiently.

In addition to saving money, using public transportation provides an opportunity to interact with locals and observe their daily lives. You can catch glimpses of the city’s vibrant street scenes, witness authentic local interactions, and gain a deeper understanding of the destination’s culture.

If the distance permits, consider walking as a means of transportation. Not only is walking free, but it also gives you the chance to explore at your own pace and discover hidden gems that may be missed when traveling by other means. Walking allows you to stumble upon charming side streets, stumble upon local markets, and stumble upon lesser-known attractions.

It’s important to prioritize your safety and be mindful of the local customs and regulations regarding pedestrians. Stay in well-lit areas, avoid unsafe neighborhoods, and use pedestrian crossings and sidewalks whenever possible. Consider using navigation apps or maps to help you navigate unfamiliar areas.

By utilizing public transportation or opting to walk, you not only save money but also have the opportunity to truly experience the destination and connect with its people and surroundings. So put on your walking shoes or grab a metro ticket, and set off on an adventure!

Research Free or Low-Cost Attractions

Exploring the attractions and landmarks of your destination is a significant part of the travel experience. However, admission fees for popular tourist sites can quickly add up and strain your budget. To save money while still enjoying unique experiences, take the time to research free or low-cost attractions in the area.

Start by checking if there are any free days or discounted admission rates for museums, galleries, or historical sites. Many institutions offer discounted or even free entry on certain days of the week or specific times of the year. Take advantage of these opportunities to visit popular cultural attractions without breaking the bank.

Additionally, look for parks, gardens, and public spaces that are open to the public for free. These areas often provide a peaceful retreat from the bustling city and showcase the natural beauty of the destination.

Consider exploring local markets and interesting neighborhoods that don’t require an entrance fee. These areas are often rich in culture, street art, and vibrant street life. You can immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, interact with locals, and perhaps even find unique souvenirs or delicious street food.

Look for free walking tours or self-guided walking routes that are available in many cities. These tours allow you to explore the city’s landmarks, learn about its history, and get insider tips from knowledgeable guides or informative apps. You can also find free or low-cost cultural events, concerts, or festivals happening during your stay.

It’s important to plan your itinerary in advance and make a list of the free or low-cost attractions you’d like to visit. This way, you can maximize your time and budget while still enjoying memorable experiences.

By researching and prioritizing free or low-cost attractions, you can save money without compromising on the enriching experiences and cultural immersion that travel offers.

Utilize Travel Apps and Websites

In today’s digital age, there is an abundance of travel apps and websites that can help you navigate, plan, and save money on your travels. By utilizing these resources, you can access valuable information and take advantage of various features and services.

Start by downloading travel apps that offer functionalities such as flight and hotel bookings, itinerary planning, and real-time transportation updates. These apps can help you compare prices, find the best deals, and streamline your travel arrangements. Some popular travel apps include Skyscanner, Airbnb, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps.

Travel websites are also a great resource for finding budget-friendly accommodation, flights, and activities. Use comparison websites to search for the best prices and read reviews from fellow travelers. Additionally, sign up for newsletters or follow social media accounts of airlines, hotels, and travel agencies as they often offer exclusive promotions and discounts.

Make use of budget travel blogs and forums to gather valuable tips and insights from experienced travelers. These platforms often share money-saving hacks, hidden gems, and firsthand experiences that can enhance your travel experience while keeping your budget in mind. Engage with the travel community by asking questions and sharing your own knowledge and experiences.

Consider using travel budgeting apps to track your expenses and maintain a balanced budget throughout your trip. These apps allow you to input your daily expenses, set a travel budget, and receive alerts when you’re approaching your spending limit. This can help you make informed decisions and adjust your spending accordingly.

Lastly, make sure to have offline versions of essential apps or save important information such as hotel addresses, transportation schedules, and emergency contacts. This can come in handy when you don’t have access to the internet or find yourself in areas with limited connectivity.

By utilizing travel apps and websites, you can access valuable information, find the best deals, and make informed decisions that will help you save money and enhance your travel experience.

Stay Connected for Less

Staying connected while traveling is important for many reasons, but it can also be a significant expense. However, there are several ways you can stay connected without breaking the bank.

Firstly, check with your mobile service provider to see if they offer international data plans or special roaming packages. Some providers have affordable options that allow you to use your phone abroad without incurring excessive charges. Another option is to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, which can offer more cost-effective data and calling rates.

Alternatively, take advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots that are available in many public areas, such as cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls. Before your trip, research where you can find free or low-cost Wi-Fi spots in your destination. This way, you can stay connected for essential tasks such as checking emails, navigating with maps, or communicating with loved ones through messaging apps.

If you need constant internet access, consider renting a portable Wi-Fi device. These devices provide a secure internet connection wherever you go, and you can connect multiple devices to it. This option is particularly useful if you’re traveling with a group or need a reliable connection for work or online activities.

Utilize messaging apps that allow you to make voice and video calls over the internet. Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime let you stay in touch with family and friends without incurring expensive international calling charges. Just make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi when using these apps to avoid using your mobile data.

Lastly, be mindful of your data usage. Disable automatic updates and background data usage for apps to avoid unexpected charges. Use offline maps or download maps for your destination before your trip. This way, you can navigate without using data and save on roaming charges.

By exploring these options and being smart about staying connected, you can keep your communication costs low while still staying in touch with the world.

Be Mindful of Currency Exchange Rates

When traveling to a foreign country, being mindful of currency exchange rates can help you stretch your budget further and get the most value for your money. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Before your trip, research the current exchange rate for the currency of your destination. This will give you an idea of how much you’re actually spending when converting your money. Avoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist areas, as they often have high fees and unfavorable rates. Instead, look for local banks or reputable currency exchange offices for the best rates.

Consider using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, as this can save you money on each transaction. Look for cards that offer competitive exchange rates and take note of any additional fees or charges. However, be sure to pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Withdraw local currency from ATMs rather than exchanging large amounts of cash in advance. ATMs often offer competitive exchange rates, and you can withdraw smaller amounts as needed to minimize the risk of carrying large sums of money.

If you’ll be making purchases or paying for services in a foreign currency, use a currency converter app or website to understand the value of the amount you’re spending. This will help you make informed decisions and avoid overpaying for goods or services.

Keep an eye out for local businesses that accept payment in your home currency. While this may seem convenient, it’s essential to compare the conversion rate offered by the business to the current market rate to ensure you’re not being charged an unfavorable rate.

Lastly, keep your leftover currency for future trips or consider exchanging it back to your home currency before leaving the country. This way, you won’t be left with unused currency that may be difficult to exchange back home.

By being mindful of currency exchange rates, you can make smarter financial decisions and ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money while traveling.

Take Advantage of Discounts and Coupons

When traveling on a budget, every little saving counts. Taking advantage of discounts and coupons can help you reduce expenses and make your travel adventures more affordable. Here are some tips to help you find and make the most of these opportunities:

Research online before your trip to find discounts or special promotions for attractions, activities, and transportation. Many websites offer exclusive deals and coupon codes that can significantly reduce the cost of popular tourist activities.

Check if the destination offers a tourist pass or city card. These cards typically provide discounted or free admission to popular attractions, as well as discounted public transportation. Look into the different options available and calculate whether it’s worthwhile based on your itinerary and the attractions you plan to visit.

Sign up for newsletters and follow social media accounts of travel companies, airlines, hotels, and tour operators. They often share exclusive deals and limited-time promotions with their subscribers and followers. This can be a great way to access discounts and special offers before or during your trip.

Consider joining loyalty programs or membership clubs. Many airlines, hotels, and travel companies offer rewards programs that allow you to accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings. Membership clubs sometimes offer discounted rates on accommodations, transportation, or tour packages.

Ask locals for advice on finding coupons or discounts. Locals are often aware of special deals or lesser-known discounts that may not be readily available online. Strike up conversations and don’t be shy about seeking recommendations for affordable dining options or discounted tickets.

Keep an eye out for discount websites or apps that specialize in travel deals. These platforms aggregate discounts from various sources and can offer significant savings on accommodations, activities, and transportation.

Check if your credit card offers any travel-related perks or discounts. Some credit cards provide benefits such as free access to airport lounges, discounts on car rentals, or exclusive hotel rates. Before your trip, review the perks and benefits associated with your credit card to see if there are any potential savings to be had.

Remember to read the terms and conditions of any discount or coupon offer to understand the limitations and expiration dates. Also, be cautious of scams and only use reputable websites and sources when seeking discounts.

By being proactive and taking advantage of discounts and coupons, you can significantly reduce your travel expenses and enjoy more memorable experiences without straining your budget.

Travel Slow and Stay Longer in Each Destination

One of the best ways to save money on travel is by adopting a slow travel mindset and staying longer in each destination. Instead of rushing from one place to another, take the time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the hidden gems of each location.

When you stay in a destination for a longer period, you have more time to research and discover budget-friendly activities and attractions. You can explore the lesser-known neighborhoods, visit local markets, and participate in free or low-cost cultural events.

Staying longer also allows you to take advantage of discounted rates for accommodations. Many hotels and vacation rentals offer lower rates for extended stays, making it more affordable to settle in one place for an extended period.

A slower pace of travel also means you can take advantage of cheaper transportation options. Instead of rushing between cities via expensive flights, consider taking buses or trains, which are often more economical. You can also opt for slower routes that offer scenic landscapes and a chance to interact with locals along the way.

By staying in one place for an extended period, you can also save on dining expenses. Rather than eating out for every meal, you have the opportunity to shop in local markets and prepare your own meals, whether it’s in a rented apartment or a hostel with communal kitchens. This not only saves money but also allows you to experiment with local ingredients and flavors.

Additionally, traveling slowly allows you to form deeper connections with the locals and gain a more authentic understanding of the culture. You can engage in conversations, learn from the locals, and possibly even find opportunities for volunteer work or cultural exchange programs.

When planning your itinerary, prioritize quality over quantity. Consider staying in a fewer number of destinations and dedicating more time to truly experience and appreciate each place. This way, you can make the most of your travel budget and create lasting memories.

Embracing slow travel not only helps you save money, but it also allows for a more meaningful and immersive travel experience. Take your time, explore at a leisurely pace, and fully embrace the destination you’re in.

Travel With a Group or Share Costs

Traveling with a group or finding travel companions can be a great way to save money and share costs. By splitting expenses, you can significantly reduce your individual travel expenses and stretch your budget further. Here’s how you can take advantage of group travel:

Consider traveling with friends, family, or like-minded travelers who are looking to explore the same destinations. By pooling resources, you can share accommodation costs, car rentals, and even group tour expenses. Splitting the bill for meals and transportation can make a significant difference in your overall travel budget.

Look for group travel deals and packages that offer discounted rates for larger groups. Many travel agencies or tour operators provide exclusive discounts for group bookings, saving you money on accommodations, transportation, and activities.

If you don’t have a ready-made travel group, use online platforms and forums to find fellow travelers interested in sharing costs. Websites like Meetup, Travel Buddies, or Couchsurfing often have discussion groups or message boards where you can connect with other travelers looking to split costs and share experiences. This can also be an opportunity to make new friends and create memorable travel memories.

When traveling with a group, consider booking accommodations that cater to larger groups, such as rental apartments or vacation homes. These often come with multiple bedrooms, a shared living space, and a kitchen, allowing you to save on individual room costs and to prepare your own meals together.

Another cost-saving option is hiring a shared guide or tour operator for certain activities or day trips. By sharing the guide’s fee among the group, you can access the same experiences at a lower cost compared to hiring a private guide.

Of course, when traveling with a group, it’s important to have open communication and discuss shared expenses and budgets in advance. Ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding cost-sharing and be respectful of each other’s individual preferences and travel styles.

By traveling with a group or finding travel companions, you can enjoy the benefits of cost sharing, reduced expenses, and shared memorable experiences. It not only helps you save money but also allows for a more connected and social travel experience.

Stay Flexible With Your Itinerary

When traveling on a budget, it’s important to stay flexible with your itinerary. Being open to changes and opportunities can help you save money and make the most of your travel experience. Here are some ways to embrace flexibility:

Keep an eye out for last-minute travel deals or discounted flights. Sometimes, airlines or travel agencies offer significant discounts on unsold seats closer to the departure date. By remaining flexible with your travel dates and destinations, you can take advantage of these unexpected deals and save money.

Consider traveling during the shoulder season or off-peak periods when tourist crowds are smaller. Accommodations, flights, and attractions often have lower rates during these times, allowing you to enjoy discounted prices and a more relaxed travel experience.

Instead of rigidly following a fixed travel plan, remain open to spontaneous detours and side trips. This can lead to exciting discoveries and unexpected adventures. Speak with locals, fellow travelers, and hostel staff to gather recommendations and insider tips for off-the-beaten-path destinations or hidden gems.

Be open to alternative transportation options. This could mean taking a longer scenic route by bus or train, opting for budget airlines, or even considering ridesharing options. Staying flexible with your travel plans allows you to choose the most cost-effective transportation method based on your budget and availability.

Flexibility also extends to accommodation choices. Consider alternative options such as hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals. By being flexible with your lodging preferences, you can often find more affordable and unique accommodations that fit your budget.

Additionally, staying flexible with your daily activities and eating options can help you save money. Research and take advantage of happy hours, lunch specials, or local food markets for affordable meals. Be open to trying local street food or sampling regional delicacies instead of dining in expensive tourist-oriented restaurants.

Ultimately, staying flexible with your itinerary allows you to adapt to changing circumstances, seize unexpected opportunities, and be more resourceful with your travel budget. Embrace the spontaneity of travel and allow yourself to be surprised and delighted by the many possibilities that may arise along the way.

Embrace the Spirit of Adventure

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on the quality of your experiences. In fact, embracing the spirit of adventure can lead to incredible and memorable moments while keeping your expenses in check. Here’s how:

Step out of your comfort zone and seek out authentic and immersive experiences. This could mean exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, interacting with locals, or participating in cultural activities. Embracing the unknown can often lead to the most enriching and budget-friendly adventures.

Be open to new and different ways of experiencing your destination. Instead of relying solely on guided tours, consider self-guided explorations, hiking trails, or free walking tours. Take the time to research and plan your own itineraries based on your interests, allowing for a more personalized and cost-effective experience.

Try alternative modes of transport, such as hitchhiking, biking, or taking local buses. These options provide a unique perspective of the destination and can save you money on transportation costs. However, always prioritize safety and research local customs and regulations before attempting these modes of travel.

Engage with locals and fellow travelers. They can provide valuable insights, recommendations for budget-friendly activities, and even opportunities for shared adventures. Strike up conversations, join a group hike, or participate in community activities to connect with like-minded individuals and discover affordable or even free experiences.

Embrace the elements of nature and take advantage of free outdoor activities. Hiking, swimming in natural pools, or enjoying a picnic in a park are all budget-friendly options that allow you to connect with the environment and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.

Take part in volunteer opportunities or cultural exchange programs. Many organizations offer free or low-cost volunteering opportunities where you can contribute your skills and time in exchange for accommodations and meals. Not only does this provide a unique way to experience a destination, but it also allows you to give back and make a positive impact.

Remember, the spirit of adventure is about embracing the unexpected, being open to new experiences, and creating memories that money can’t buy. By stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing the unknown, you can have incredible adventures while staying within your budget.

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Budget Travel With Gabby

Travel tips, budget travel guides, volunteering stories, more!

50 Budget Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Cheaply

Wondering how to travel on a budget? Here are 50 budget travel tips to help you explore the world for less.

Surprise! Another article about budget travel! If you can’t tell, this is the topic I am most passionate about.

So many people are hesitant to travel because they think it’s too expensive. With this article and this blog, I hope to refute that notion.

It’s very possible to travel the world with little money.

You just have to be willing to trade a luxury vacation for a more open-minded, humble, and sometimes challenging experience abroad. 

But challenges help you learn and grow, so budget travel may actually be more valuable than an expensive holiday.

Here are 50 budget friendly tips to help you see the world for less. I hope you find them helpful!

This article provides a brief summary of all my most useful budget travel tips. I’ll link to other articles I’ve written if you want to explore a topic more in-depth.

After reading this you should be a savvy budget traveler!

I’ve organized this article into categories: flights, transportation, accommodation, food/drink, packing, banking/money, and exploring/attractions. 

Read next: How To Afford Traveling The World In Your 20s

Budget Travel Tips: Flights

Here are some ways to help you find cheap flights for your travels around the world.

1. Visit Affordable Countries

This is probably the biggest and most important of all these budget travel tips, and it’s quite obvious. 

Visit cheap destinations! Everything is affordable in a cheap country as opposed to an expensive country. 

$100 could last you over a week in a country like Cambodia or Bulgaria . But $100 might not even last one day in Australia or Sweden . 

If you’re open-minded about your destination, and money-saving is truly your goal, visit an affordable country. Generally, the cheapest countries can be found in Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

But if you follow these 49 other budget travel tips, you can easily afford a trip to an expensive country as well.

2. Fly Off Season

Flights are always cheaper during the off season as opposed to peak tourist season. 

Peak tourist season usually has the best weather, but everything is more crowded and expensive. 

Though off season may have worse weather, flights can cost a mere fraction of what they normally do.

A good compromise is finding flight deals during the shoulder season , when tourism starts to drop and the seasons are changing.

3. Check Multiple Airports

Many major cities around the world have multiple airports. Check flight prices for all the airports and pick the most affordable. 

Also, consider airports outside the city. You may get a better deal if you fly to a nearby location and then catch a bus or a train to your destination. 

4. Be Flexible With Travel Dates

When booking flights abroad, don’t have your heart set on specific dates of travel. 

Flying during the week is generally cheaper than flying on the weekend. But regardless of what day you want to fly, I recommend looking at an entire month’s worth of flights and picking the cheapest days . 

Websites like Skyscanner make it really easy to do this. You can view flights for the whole month in a calendar and plan your flights around the cheapest days.

Read How To Find The Cheapest Flights Abroad for more details!

5. Sign Up For Airline Memberships

It’s always worth signing up for travel rewards as a member when you book a flight with any airline. It’s usually free and you can earn points on your purchases to use for future flights. 

Usually those travel points are worth very little, but it can’t hurt to try and get some savings in case you ever fly that airline again. 

If there are certain airlines that you fly often, definitely sign up! And if you often fly long distances (like me flying from Sydney to Boston at least once a year), you can get huge amounts of points.

Budget Travel Tips: Other Transportation

6. take public transport.

If you want to travel the world on a budget, always choose public transport over taxis . 

Even if you’re in a really cheap country where a taxi ride only costs a couple of dollars, chances are public transport will only cost a couple of cents. 

7. Compare Transport Prices

One of my favorite budget travel tips is comparing all types of public transport using the following websites:

These sites compare transport methods between two points, including plane, train, bus, car, bicycle, ferry, etc. 

So you can see all the prices and choose the best way to travel cheap. Sometimes getting a rental car may even be cheaper than public transport, depending on your travel plans!

8. Walk Whenever Possible

Walking is free, it’s good exercise, and it’s the best way to absorb your surroundings while traveling. 

Just be smart and evaluate the safety of the area before you set out on foot by yourself. 

9. Get A Local Transport Card

If you’re staying in one country for a longer period of time, invest in a local transport card. 

Public transport passes or train cards offer discounted prices and better deals for traveling often. 

Sometimes you can’t get the card without a local address, so this is only worth doing if you’re staying somewhere for a few months or more. 

10. Make Friends To Share Transport With

Sometimes public transport doesn’t go to the spot you want to visit, especially if you’re out in remote areas or exploring nature. 

If you have to catch a taxi or minibus, sharing with others will decrease the price for everyone. 

Chat with others around you and see where they’re going. Hostels are a great place to find other travelers to share transport with.

11. Try Hitchhiking 

If you want to spend no money at all on transport, try some good old fashioned hitchhiking. 

Honestly, I normally don’t hitchhike. I NEVER hitchhike if I’m traveling alone, just to be safe. However, I have hitchhiked a few times when I’m hanging out with a local who knows their way around. 

If you’re with someone you trust who knows the area, hitchhiking is great for saving money. Always use your judgment and only do it if you feel safe. 

12. Consider Overnight Travel

Overnight travel is handy for saving money on the road. It’s definitely not the most comfortable option for spending the night, but it’s convenient and cheap. 

For a journey that takes 7+ hours, an overnight plane, bus, or train allows you to sleep while traveling and save money on a night of accommodation . 

Budget Travel Tips: Accommodation

13. stay in hostels.

Hostels are a budget traveler’s best friend. Every hostel is different, but most are cozy, clean, social, and cheap. 

Renting a bed in a hostel dorm room can cost as little as 5 USD per night . 

Average prices are more like 10-20 USD per night . 

In expensive cities, the cost can be around 20-40 USD per night . Still, that is much cheaper than a hotel room!

And some hostels out there are actually incredible. Many have nice amenities, free breakfast, and a super cool vibe. Some of the most fun experiences I’ve had abroad have happened in hostels with my fellow dorm mates. 

Read traveler reviews on Hostelworld to find the best hostels around the world. 

14. Try Work Exchanges

Working in exchange for your accommodation is one of the budget travel tips that will save you the most money. 

It is also such an enriching and affordable way to travel. You can live with locals , immerse yourself in their culture, and either learn new skills or further your own work experience. And, you get free accommodation!

Popular types of work that international hosts look for include housekeeping, waitressing, bartending, reception work, gardening, painting, graphic design, website design, blogging, photography, videography, animal care, childcare, and more. 

Worldpackers and Workaway are my two favorite companies for finding work exchanges abroad. 

Check out my Ultimate Guide To Work Exchange for more details on this topic.

15. Try WWOOFing

WWOOFing refers to “World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms”.

It’s basically the same as a work exchange, but it focuses on farms only.

You generally don’t need any prior experience in farming as your host family will teach you everything. 

16. Consider Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a website that connects travelers with locals who are willing to let people stay in their homes for free, either on a couch or in a spare room. 

I’ve personally never done this. As a female, I feel more secure booking a hostel or work exchange. 

But I’ve spoken to other travelers who have couch surfed and had a good experience. So if you want a free place to sleep in a foreign country, consider Couchsurfing. 

17. Teach A Language

Aside from work exchanges and couch surfing, you can save money traveling by working a paid job abroad. You can even start making money abroad as well!

Teaching a language is a popular way to work abroad, especially if you’re a native English speaker. 

To become an English teacher abroad , you would have to commit to living and working in one place for a few months. But you can explore on your days off and save money for travels when your job is finished. 

You may or may not get free accommodation, as every program is different.

Some of the best companies for teaching abroad include:

18. Try Housesitting or Petsitting

Another way to save money on accommodation abroad is house sitting or pet sitting. 

Using the following websites, you can find verified people who need someone to watch their home or pets while they’re away. 

This is an easy way to relax in one spot and start saving money.

• Trusted Housesitters
• Home Exchange

19. Stay In Touch With Friends Around The World

If you have friends from different countries, stay in touch with them! 

Not only will you maintain a special friendship, you’ll also have a place to stay when you travel. You never know when you’ll end up visiting their country, and it’s always nice to have a local show you around. 

We are lucky to live in the age of social media. It’s never been easier to stay in touch with friends from around the world. I truly cherish every random meet-up I’ve have with friends and even acquaintances that I cross paths with in any country!

Budget Travel Tips: Food and Drink

20. cook most of your own meals.

Dining out is always more expensive than cooking your own food, whether you’re living at home or traveling the world. 

If you can cook most of your meals, you’ll save lots of money. Many hostels and work exchanges have a shared kitchen you can use.

Definitely splurge at some good restaurants while traveling, but don’t do it every night or you’ll spend your travel budget too quickly. 

21. Shop At Local Markets

When shopping for food, local markets are the best places to go. You can find all the best, in-season produce and stock up on lots of food for cheap prices. 

The local market is also the perfect place to meet and chat with locals , or practice your language skills.

22. Eat Street Food

Street food markets are my favorite places to eat while traveling. You can find quick snacks and cheap, small meals.

Sampling lots of different small dishes at a market is one of the best ways to dabble in the local cuisine as well. It’s also a great way to eat out without spending money in a restaurant. 

23. Have Picnics For Lunch

If you’re out exploring all day and don’t have time to cook lunch, picnics are a fun alternative to eating out in a restaurant. 

Buy some cheap snacks like bread, fruit, cheese, and deli meats from the market or the grocery store and enjoy a casual meal outside in nature. 

24. Forego Fancy Restaurants

If home-cooked meals, cheap picnics, and street food make up most of your meals, you can definitely afford to eat out a few times. 

Dining at foreign restaurants is absolutely worth it, and you should treat yourself while traveling. 

However, I find humble, authentic local restaurants to be just as good if not better than fancy restaurants. 

Unless you’re a huge foodie or a big fan of fine dining, skip the pricey white-tablecloth spots and seek out the hidden family-run restaurants that the locals rave about. You’ll save money and probably have an amazing homecooked meal.

25. Pack Snacks for Long Journeys

If you’re prepping for a long flight, train, bus journey, or even a day trip, pack snacks!

Having some cheap snacks is a good alternative to buying overpriced food at rest stops or on planes/trains.

26. Drink Local Alcohol

When drinking in any country, the local stuff is always cheaper than the imported stuff. 

Drink what the locals drink and you’ll save money. Also, why order drinks that you can just get at home? Broaden your horizons and try something new!

27. Buy Alcohol From A Liquor Store or Supermarket

Again, this budget travel tip applies even when you’re at home. Buying drinks in a bar or restaurant is way more expensive than buying liquor in bulk from a liquor store. 

Buy a bottle of wine or liquor and enjoy some drinks with friends at home before going out. It’s much cheaper that way. 

28. Cut Down On Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is one of those things that is fun and enjoyable, but it’s not essential. If you can cut down on drinking abroad, you’ll have more money to spend on adventures. 

However, the cost of alcohol varies in different countries. 

For example, drinking wine in Italy or Portugal is extremely cheap. The same goes for beer in Germany or the Czech Republic . You can have a drink every day and barely spend money.

But in Australia , alcohol is so expensive, so drinking often makes it hard to travel on a budget. 

29. Invest In A Good Quality Water Bottle

Having your own water bottle is another tip that budget travelers should use all the time , not just when traveling. 

Buying bottled water is a waste of money and plastic!

Be mindful of the environment, and spending money, and get a good-quality reusable water bottle. Always have it with you and refill it from a water fountain or filling station whenever possible. 

However, if you’re visiting a country that doesn’t have clean tap water, you often have no choice but to buy water.

You can buy a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter if you wish. But always check the water safety before drinking from the tap abroad. 

Budget Travel Tips: Packing

30. travel light.

This is one of the most important budget travel tips, but it’s also one of the hardest to do. 

If you pack light and only have carry-on luggage, you’ll save money on checked baggage fees .

Having less luggage also makes traveling much easier, especially if you’re backpacking and moving around a lot. The more you travel, the easier it gets to only pack the essentials!

31. Only Pack Carry-On Liquids

If you’re flying with carry-on bags only, you’ll have to keep your liquids under the limit (100mL or 3 oz) . 

Invest in some refillable travel-sized bottles so you can bring whatever liquids you need in small quantities. 

If you’re traveling for a while and you’ll need more stuff, just buy it when you arrive at your destination. 

32. Value Comfort Over Fashion

It is so easy to overpack clothes. In my experience, all the nice outfits I plan usually sit neglected as I pick the same comfy t-shirts and shorts every single day while traveling. 

When you’re in a foreign land and exploring all the time, versatile comfy clothes will always feel better than fancy clothes. 

Pack a couple of nice things for special occasions, but I promise that the people you meet abroad are more interested in your personality than your fashion.

33. Hand-Wash Clothes

If you’re traveling for longer periods of time, you’ll have to do some laundry. 

Some countries have really cheap laundromats, and many hostels have a laundry service as well. 

But to save the most money, just hand-wash your own clothes in a sink, bath, or shower. Using hand soap, shampoo, or body wash does the job, but you can buy laundry detergent if you want. 

I sometimes take my dirty clothes into the shower with me at the end of the day. I wash them during the shower, hang them up overnight, and my outfit is dry and clean the next day!

34. Buy A Universal Travel Adaptor

Electrical outlets vary around the world, so you’ll have to get an adaptor for charging your devices. 

To save money and make your life easier, just buy a universal travel adaptor. This one small box has adjustable prongs so it can fit any country in the world. 

That way you don’t have to buy a new adaptor every time you travel somewhere new. I’ve used the same one for about 6 years now and it never fails.

Read next: 15 Travel Essentials To Always Add To Your Packin g List

35. Always Bring Luggage Locks

After many years of traveling and backpacking, I’ve never been robbed (knock on wood). 

But I know that theft does happen to travelers sometimes. I can only imagine how much that would suck. 

To prevent theft and having to pay to replace your belongings, buy luggage locks. They are small and cheap, and allow you to lock up your backpacks and suitcases just in case.

Budget Travel Tips: Banking and Money

36. avoid paying foreign transaction fees.

Every budget traveler should definitely get a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees. 

Otherwise, you’ll get charged a fee every single time you withdraw money or buy something with a card. 

The fees may be small, but they add up over time. 

Chase Bank, Capital One , Discover Bank , and Charles Schwab offer some really good international bank accounts without fees.

37. Get A Travel Credit Card

If you’re a credit card user who loves to travel, it’s definitely worth signing up for a travel credit card. 

You can charge your everyday purchases to the card and rack up miles to use on flights or hotels. 

And it’s worth taking advantage of welcome bonuses if you can, especially on airline credit cards. If you know you need to make a big purchase soon anyway, you can often get amazing bonuses to use for travel.

But I recommend doing your own research on this topic, as I’m not an expert. Always ask a financial advisor for advice on matters like this!

Read next: How To Save Money For Travel

38. Don’t Exchange Money At The Airport

Airport currency exchanges almost always rip you off. The rates aren’t as good and they tend to charge commission. 

Instead, withdraw foreign cash from an ATM . Or visit a local bank to exchange cash once you’re settled in.

Again, having a card with no foreign transaction fees means you can withdraw the local currency with no extra charge . 

39. Research Visa Costs

Most tourist visas aren’t that expensive and won’t cut into your travel budget too much. But you should always research the visas you may need before traveling. 

Many countries don’t require tourist visas for a stay up to 90 days . 

But some do, especially if you want to volunteer or work. A Working Holiday Visa is common, and it’s better to apply and pay for your visa in advance. 

For example, Australia and the USA all require you to apply for a visa online before arriving. 

Indonesia allows you to get a visa on arrival, but it’s really easy to apply for one online in advance and save yourself hours of waiting at the airport. So do your research about visas to have a more seamless trip.

iVisa is a really helpful website for checking visa requirements around the world. 

40. Consider Travel Insurance

I wrote a very detailed article that weighs the pros and cons of travel insurance if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Many people would tell you to always buy travel insurance just in case of an emergency. 

Personally, I think it depends on your trip. 

If your trip will be pretty tame and the local health fees are relatively low, you can save money by skipping insurance. 

But if you’re a more adventurous budget traveler and there’s a high risk of getting sick or injured, travel insurance is worth it and can save you lots of money. 

So it’s really up to you, and I highly recommend reading my article if you’re unsure. 

If you are getting travel insurance, Squaremouth Insurance is my favorite website for finding an affordable plan.

Read my Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance  for a detailed breakdown of this topic!

Budget Travel Tips: Exploring and Attractions

41. do your research.

The internet is incredible because it allows people to share all their thoughts and experiences with others.

You can learn a lot about a place through travel blogs, youtube videos, news articles, and social media. 

I always read other budget travel blogs before visiting somewhere. I find more valuable, inside information from these writers than I do from a generic travel guide. 

Take advantage of all the content out there and do some research to prepare for a trip. 

42. Find Free Attractions

An amazing way to travel on a budget is sticking with free activities most of the time, and saving your money for really cool experiences. 

Most beaches, national parks, historic neighborhoods, and monuments are free around the world. 

When doing your pre-trip research, you may also find other free activities that you didn’t expect. 

For example, London is an expensive city but all the museums are completely free .

And in many Italian cities , famous museums, palaces, and art galleries are free on the first Sunday of every month . 

43. Look Up Free Walking Tours

Lots of cities around the world offer free walking tours. This is an amazing way to explore the city, learn the history, and hear about all the famous monuments and sights from a local. 

Just do a quick Google Search to see if the city you’re in offers free walking tours. 

44. Bring A Student ID Card

From museums to national parks to sacred sights, many attractions have a discounted entry fee for students . 

If you have a Student ID Card, always have it in your wallet while you travel on a budget.

45. Try To Limit Data Usage 

There is no doubt that a smartphone makes traveling easier. However, it is possible to travel on a budget without spending a ton of money on data. 

It’s even possible to travel without buying data . I almost never buy data when I travel! 

Most hostels, airports, museums, and cafes have free Wifi , making it easy to use your phone in these spots.

But when you’re out walking around or in nature, just enjoy being off the grid and absorb your surroundings without needing your phone to guide you. 

46. Go Old-School And Use Paper Maps

I think the most logical reason to buy a local sim card with data while traveling is to have a GPS . And yes, having a phone makes it super easy to navigate your way through a foreign country. 

But why not challenge yourself a little? Try to limit your dependence on technology and just use a paper map. They still exist, you know!

Most hostels will have free city maps that you can have.

If you’re still skeptical about using a real map, you can download a free offline navigation app like Maps.Me . This allows you to download a map of an area when you have Wifi, and then use the map offline. 

47. Limit Souvenirs 

Be mindful when buying souvenirs. It’s all too easy to buy something for the novelty, but then let it collect dust in your closet for years. 

If you see something unique that you truly love, by all means go for it. 

But when you travel on a budget, experiences are more valuable than material things.

48. Try Bargaining (Respectfully)

In many countries, bargaining is an accepted part of the tourist scene. 

Most vendors charge a “tourist price” for their goods, and sometimes it’s worth just paying it. Chances are, they need the money more than you do. And it’s honorable to support the local economy and give back to the community you’re visiting. 

However, at many street markets, bargaining for a discounted price is common so don’t be afraid to try! 

Just always be respectful of the locals . Bargain politely and with a smile. 

I recommend keeping your asking prices relatively close to the original. Don’t insult the vendors by offering a minuscule price for something they may have spent hours making.

But if you ask politely and they are happy to knock off a bit of money, everyone wins. 

49. Talk To Other Travelers 

One of the best budget travel tips out there is just talking to other travelers. 

Everyone has a different experience when they travel, so you can learn a lot from the stories and recommendations of others. 

A huge perk of staying in a hostel or joining a group tour is the social atmosphere it creates. So it’s an easy place to meet people and chat about your travels.

50. Get To Know Locals

Fellow travelers often have great tips, but locals have the best tips. At any chance you get, make friends with locals! 

They can help point you in the direction of the best authentic restaurants and the lovely local spots that most tourists don’t see. This will help you see the local culture and avoid the tourist traps that are almost always overpriced. 

There is something so special about learning from a local. It is truly a privilege to travel and see other lifestyles with your own eyes. 

Thanks for reading about how to travel on a budget!

I hope these tips are helpful, and I hope they inspire you to travel on a budget more.

Feel free to drop me a message in the comments if you have any further questions or comments.

In case you missed any of my other articles throughout this post, here are my top articles for traveling on a budget.

How To Afford Traveling The World In Your 20s

Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance

How To Find The Cheapest Flights Abroad

15 Travel Essentials

Guide To Work Exchange: The Cheapest Way To Travel

How To Save Money For Travel

Don’t let money hold you back from seeing the world!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in my About Me page!

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11 thoughts on “ 50 Budget Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Cheaply ”

These are all great tips for traveling on a budget!

I love traveling on a budget, partly because it forces me to simplify my life and live more simply, but also because it’s a great way to explore new places and meet new people. Exploring a new city or country on a tight budget feels more like a real adventure than traipsing around on a luxury resort.

I agree 100%! Well said!

How do you have the money to even do this period? You must have to have a great savings to be able to have some type of income

Because worldPackers is voluntary

Of course, I worked multiple restaurant jobs and tried to save as much of my income as possible so I could buy plane tickets and hostels! Worldpackers helped me spend less money on accommodation once I arrived in a new country.

Hi, great tips! If I may add one more related to banking and money – things like how to avoid ATM and bank fees… I use this app – it gives you a list of ATMs with the ATM Fees in US and 30-40 foreign countries along with withdrawal limits for foreign card holders so you can choose the ones which do not charge any fee to foreign card holders.

That’s an awesome idea!

your blog enlightened me which i was needing came know about lots of new things now felt like travelling is too much i was just unaware

So helpful, thanks!

Glad to hear it!

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10 tips to take a vacation for less than $500

Key takeaways

• Despite high prices for airfare, hotels, and car rentals, it's possible to get away for under $500 a person.
• You don't need to sacrifice fun or good food. You just need to be more creative about where you find it.

Who couldn't use a vacation? But with inflation driving up the cost of food, housing, and other essentials, it's hard to know how to travel for cheap. Luckily, a nice break doesn't have to bust your budget. We talked to 7 people who all skipped town for at least 4 days in 2022—for under $500 a person. Here are their travel tips for having a lot of fun for not a lot of money.

Feed your brain. Fund your future.

1. Make a swap for a free stay

Lauren Serpico didn't spend a dime on lodging on a 6-night trip to Denver. She belongs to TrustedHousesitters, a pet-sitting service. For a $199 annual membership fee, Serpico, 31, can stay at pet owners' homes for free in exchange for caring for their critters. Besides feeding a cat twice a day, "I had to change her litter box and give her some snuggles, but that's about it." Serpico even gets unlimited pet-sits for her cockapoo, Napoleon, when she's away from her hometown of San Diego.

Not into animals? Meg Knutson, 38, swaps her home instead through HomeExchange. For $220 a year, she and her family earn points for lending out their Crozet, Virginia, house that they can apply toward stays at nearly half a million other homes. She recently spent 4 days in a 4-bedroom house in Blowing Rock, North Carolina—for free. And it had everything her family of 4 was looking for, including a large kitchen and beautiful mountain view.

2. Head to the great outdoors

"We knew focusing on outdoor activities, like hiking, would be a great way to save money on travel ," says Catherine Oliva, 34, a Houstonian who visited Sedona, Arizona, with her husband.

One of the highlights of Knutson's North Carolina trip was mountain biking, which cost them nothing because they brought their own bikes. And then there was the 5 a.m. lunar eclipse. "It was amazing," she says. "We had a perfect view of it from the house." On Joe Dello Russo's trip to the White Mountains, New Hampshire, the 25-year-old and his girlfriend climbed Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States, paying only a $20 fee to park their car. They spent most of the rest of their time on another low-cost activity: fishing. Even their outdoor lodging didn't cost a thing. They found it on a national database of free camping spots.

3. Don't settle for high rental-car costs

Car rentals jumped in price by more than 51% between April 2019 and April 2023, a bigger spike than airfare and hotel rates. 1 Still, you can borrow a set of wheels for a deal. After airfare, the rental car was the biggest expense of Michelle Jubinville's Orlando, Florida, vacation, and yet it was only $100 for 4 days. "We have access to corporate codes for car rentals through our jobs," says Jubinville, 35, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

No perk, no problem. To keep their rental car costs down in pricey Sedona, Oliva rented through a peer-to-peer car-sharing company: $250 for 4 days. "We spent a lot less than we would have if we had rented from a large car-rental company," she says.

4. Use flight and gas trackers

Even budget airlines can seem out of budget these days. Jubinville relied on a free flight tracker to find the lowest fares possible. The winning ticket: $210 roundtrip between Massachusetts and Florida.

Dello Russo also knew how to travel for cheap and used a free tracker to find the best prices on gas to get him from Portland, Maine, to 2 hours away in New Hampshire, then to several hiking and fishing spots in the mountains, and back home. At a time when a gallon of gas neared record highs, Dello Russo spent about $150 getting around over 4 days.

5. Pack light

With many airlines charging $30 or more for your first checked bag, and some charging carry-on fees, 2 Jubinville and her family of 4 "traveled light and didn't check any bags." One way to keep what you carry to a minimum: Consider ordering what you may use and finish while you're away (such as snacks and drinks) from a site that offers free shipping straight to where you're staying. If you'll be at a hotel, confirm they don't charge extra for receiving packages.

6. Consider hotels that offer more than just a room

"Hotels can be expensive in Sedona, so we intentionally chose one that included breakfast," Oliva says. The Jubinvilles always stay at the same hotel chain, and their high loyalty status scored them free breakfast at their hotel too. Other hotels may offer free shuttles to popular spots around town, so you can skip the rental car or ride-shares. And some may have plenty of fun on the property. Think: movie nights, live entertainment, and supervised kid activities, saving you from having to shell out extra elsewhere. For instance, the Jubinvilles could have dropped big bucks at a theme park, but instead had fun at the hotel pool for no additional charge.

7. Stay near the action

Serpico saved money by taking a train from the airport to a station in downtown Denver before she hailed a quick ride-share to where she was staying. "Ride-shares can run up travel costs pretty quickly, so I stay at homes that are either centrally located or are near public transportation," Serpico says. She spent $80 on ground transportation altogether.

While hotels and homes in prime locations tend to cost more than those far from the sites, what you'd spend on gas or ride-shares might cost more than the accommodations' upcharge. "Because our hotel was close to a lot of hiking trails, we didn't have to drive far each day," says Oliva, who spent $75 on gas for the entire 4-day Sedona trip.

8. Time your trip right

The month of the year, week of the month, and day of the week can make flight and hotel prices jump or drop. Learn how to travel for cheap in your destination before you book, and avoid peak periods if possible. Dani Heinrich, a 40-year-old New Yorker, strategically timed her El Salvador trip, traveling Tuesday to Friday. "The beach towns are popular with Salvadorans who come down to the coast from the capital on weekends, so it's definitely cheaper to visit on weekdays," she says. Staying at the ecolodge she chose cost just $40 a night—and included breakfast.

9. Eat outside of restaurants

Besides hotel breakfasts, Heinrich ate a lot of cheap (and delicious) street food instead of dining at restaurants. "Pupusas, a thick, hand-pressed corn tortilla typically filled with cheese and meat, beans, or seafood, only cost $1. A couple of them will fill you up," she says. Her total food expenses: $80.

To cut his food costs, Dello Russo bought about $70 worth of groceries and cooked meals at their campsite. Jenna Singer, 32, of San Francisco, grocery shopped for lunches and snacks during a Utah hiking vacation.

10. Opt for credit cards that offer travel rewards

If traveling for cheap is your priority, look into charging expenses (if you can pay them off right away) with a credit card with travel benefits. Singer racked up enough points to cover a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Las Vegas. She and her friend then stayed in a Las Vegas hotel for a free night—an annual perk from her hotel-chain rewards credit card. Likewise, the Jubinvilles paid for their hotel stay entirely with points, which they had accrued through their hotel-chain credit card.

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How To Travel The World Cheap: 57 Epic Budget Travel Hacks for 2024!

There are lots of practices you can adopt in order to travel the world cheap . The most effective ways are to take advantage of Airmiles, exchange work for free food and accommodation, have a well researched travel plan and to be savvy with bank cards and money exchanges.

Since 2008 I’ve travelled all over the world on a fairly tight budget, often working as I go. In this guide I want to share 57 cheap travel hacks that I’ve picked up which will have you exploring the globe for less.

So, let’s get straight into it!

Transportation Travel Tips & Hacks

1. Flight booking hacks. One of the biggest initial costs when travelling is your flight ticket. So in order to travel cheap, use flight comparisons sites such as Kiwi . You may find booking directly through the airline is cheaper but always use a price comparison engine to check before you book.

Pro Tip : Make sure to clear your cookies and browsing history to avoid price increases. By searching for flights you are signalling to the world that you are looking to buy, so prices will then increase daily in order to get you to panic buy. Delete cookies or browse in incognito mode to avoid this. @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter&family=Inter:wght@500&family=Noto+Serif&family=Noto+Serif:wght@500&display=swap'); .tp_wrapper { font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif; /* the font, can be replaced with 'Noto Serif' */ max-width: 1024px; } .tp_content { background-color: #DEE9F0; /* main block background color */ padding: 24px 32px 32px; } .tp_subtitle { margin: 0 0 16px; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 500; } .tp_text { font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 145%; margin: 0; } .tp_button { display: inline-block; background: #2A243B; border-radius: 6px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; color: #fff; font-size: 20px; margin-top: 24px; padding: 12px 32px; text-decoration: none; }

2. Try changing the home location of flight booking websites to see if purchasing in another currency is cheaper.

3. One of the cheapest ways to travel is through offering to get bumped off a flight in exchange for a flight voucher. These can be seriously rewarding! Companies will regularly overbook flights on the assumption that people will cancel or not show up. On those times when this doesn’t happen the airlines need to free up seats quick, and that’s where you step in!

4. For short trips choose carry on only or if you need to check baggage, pay for it online before you travel. Airlines will often charge more at the airport.

5. Save on rail travel costs by using railcards. I saved a ton through using the Japan Rail Pass during one visit, however they only save money if you use them to the full so do the research first.  Also consider using overnight trains to save on accommodation costs. This works great in some countries such as India and is an awesome local experience too.

6. If you feel comfortable, consider hitchhiking. Alternatively, connect with other travellers at your hostel to carpool.

7. If you have a flexible plan, investigate relocating vehicles to get free or discounted car hire.

Consider renting a car with Rentalcars , an international car rental booking service that is present all over the world. With Rentalcars you will definitely find a perfect car for your perfect trip wherever you are.

8. When travelling for long periods save money through walking or using buses, instead of using expensive taxis. Use ride sharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, Cabify and Grab. Uber opened the door for cheap car journeys but now there are lots of different companies operating all over the world. Research which ones are best for the areas you’re traveling too and download the app before you go.

9. One of the biggest ways to traveling on the cheap by far, is to use an Airmiles credit card. Every time you spend money with that credit card you will be earning Airmile points which can be exchanged for flights. Just remember to always pay off your credit card every month to avoid high interest fees.

10. Create frequent flyer accounts with every airline you travel with then sit back and enjoy the rewards.

11. A top sneaky travel hack is to jump on airline price errors. Sometimes airfares can pop up at crazy low prices, often caused by a glitch in the Matrix (or something!). If you manage to purchase one of these flights the airline will often honour the incorrect price. Act fast and take advantage of these opportunities by following these ninja websites:

• Secret flying.com
• Jacks Flight Club (UK) or Scott’s Cheap Flights (US)
• The Flight Deal

12. Pack light and smart to avoid excess baggage fees. Roll your clothes or use packing cubes to save on space.

13. Take advantage of layovers to enjoy a quick city visit without any extra flight costs.

14. Try booking two one-way trips rather than a return. I’ve had success with this on flights and rail trips.

15. Keep receipts for gift purchases and claim back the tax at the airport before you leave the country.

16. Travel by campervan. If you’re looking to explore your own country (or continent), consider buying a campervan to combine your method of transportation with your accommodation. My campervan has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made and I can highly recommend it. For all the latest info on converting your own campervan check out my van life section .

Accommodation Travel Hacks

17. Get cheap or free accommodation through housesitting . With housesitting you will generally look after the persons house whilst they are away. Many housesitting jobs often include pet sitting.

18. Get free accommodation and learn all about life from a local through couch surfing .

19. Pick accommodation with free breakfast to save on food costs.

20. Choose private hostel rooms instead of more expensive hotels.

🏨 Where can I find the cheapest hostels?

You will definitely find the hostel you need with Hostelworld , the global hostel-focused online booking platform, inspires passionate travelers to see the world, meet new people, and come back with extraordinary stories to tell.

21. Use booking.com ‘s price matching promise to get the best price on hotels.

22. Travelling on a special occasion? Be sure to let your hotel know and they might offer you a free upgrade.

Work Abroad

23. Exchange work for accommodation and/or food with companies such as Workaway or World packers. Or, if you want to learn about organic growing, check out WWOOF .

24. Earn a passive income to support yourself whilst travelling. There are so many ways to get a side hustle going these days but some examples include;

• Selling your photos on stock photography websites such as Dreamstime or Shutterstock.
• Starting a website. Make sure you use a fast and reliable host. For my websites I use Siteground .
• Selling your photos directly with a website that does it all for you. I use Smugmug .
• Teaching English online.

25. Join a voluntary programme abroad for example VSO. Many volunteer programmes charge a fee and in return they will provide accommodation, food and training. There are volunteer programmes all over the world in all sorts of different professions. For example, I joined the American Conservation Experience as I was interested in conservation and wanted to explore the South West . Here are some other ideas to explore .

26. Work in a travel job, for example as a tour guide with Contiki, Exodus or Backroads. For adventure travel consider life as an Overland Leader. I’ve worked as an overland leader for severn years and have travelled extensively through Asia, Africa and the Americas. Read more about this job here . If you have a particular trade you can also work on cruise ships or private yachts.

27. Work abroad with a work visa. Below the age of 30 work visas for many countries are quite straight forward to get. Whilst in that country you can then pick up temporary work which is usually unskilled, such as fruit picking, retail or a bar work.

After a certain age, usually 30, some countries will still allow you to work but will require work visas for specific professions, for example as a ski instructor or scuba dive instructor.

Alternatively you could get your TEFL certificate and teach English abroad. This can also be done remotely, online.

28. Do your job online. Can your work be done remotely? Post Covid it seems like more companies are exploring this as a full time option so this could open new avenues for many. If you have a service that can be provided online you could also offer your services on Craigslist or Fivrr. 

Destination Tips For Budget Travel

29. A cheap way to travel is to visit destinations where your home currency is strong. You’ll benefit from a strong exchange rate and from cheaper costs of living.

30. Whilst you’re on a tight budget, skip destinations with expensive visas.

31. Stick to one region at a time to avoid air travel costs. When I first went travelling I booked a round the world air ticket thinking I could see the world in 6 months. Boy did I have a lot to learn! Pick one region to fully explore first before moving onto the next. Don’t do what I did and be in a hurry to see everything all at once.

32. Travel during the shoulder season to benefit from lower costs and avoid the crowds at the same time – double win!

Food Travel Hacks To Save Money

33. Cook your own food. One of the best ways to travel around the world for cheap is to limit the amount you spend of food. Now don’t get me wrong I am a complete foodie and believe one of the best things about travelling is experiencing new types of cuisine. However, eating new types of food doesn’t mean going to the most expensive restaurants, in fact it’s often the opposite. But travelling on a limited budget does mean it’s not possible to eat out everyday since the cheapest way to eat often involves cooking your own food. Therefore choose accommodation with kitchens included such as hostels or rent an apartment.

34. Jump on happy hours and all you can eat deals.

35. Eat out at delicious and cheap street food stalls with the locals.

36. Avoid restaurants near popular tourist spots as these will often be overpriced.

37. Limit your alcohol if you have a limited budget.  Alcohol is often expensive and isn’t a necessity.

38. Use a filtered water bottle and never buy water again. Check out this guide to discover which filtered water bottle I recommend for travel .

39. Stealth budget travel hack: Use chewing gum or tic tac containers to transport your favourite spices. Cheap food doesn’t have to be bland!

Planning Tips For How To Travel On The Cheap

40. Set a budget and stick to it. But be sure to include a generous contingency to allow for times when things don’t go to plan or to cover a once in a lifetime opportunity if it arrises. 

41. If you are travelling on a tight budget you need to make a plan before you leave. List your priorities before you set off and refer to the list once you’re on the road. That way you won’t get sucked into doing expensive tours that you weren’t interested in anyway. Check out Google Maps Trip Planner for a great free trip planning tool.

42. Research whether activities you want to enjoy are cheaper to book in advance or are best left open and flexible. Last minute trips can sometimes work out cheaper.

43. If you don’t want the hassle of planning a trip use a travel agent. They know what they’re doing and can often find you the best deals.

44. Get smart and savvy with city tourist cards which provide entrance fees for multiple sites. If you know you’re going to visit all the top sites these will definitely save you money overall. 

45. Enjoy free city walking tours. I’ve enjoyed great free city tours in Galway and Yerevan to name just two. But of course they’re not completely free – don’t forget to tip!

46. Research entrance prices beforehand to avoid getting scammed. However, just be aware of what the local currency is doing as prices can jump up if a currency weakens.

47. Follow your favourite travel companies on social media to learn about special promotions or giveaways.

Money Top Tips For Traveling Cheap

48. Get smart on money Exchange. Never change money at the airport or at busy tourist spots as these will have the worst rates. Hotels or hostels may also offer exchanges which again typically aren’t the best rates but they are safe and convenient so way up the risks/benefits of both.

49. An easy but important cheap way to travel is to use a travel card or join a bank with no overseas fees. This way you can hit the ATM without getting hit with overseas withdrawal fees. I use Starling Bank which is an online bank. All of my transactions are managed online via an app. Also, if purchasing online, they don’t charge for overseas transactions and have decent exchange rates.

50. Haggle but don’t be a d**k! Some cultures embrace bartering, expect it even, but these local people also have to support themselves so don’t be the person that walks away from a purchase for the sake of a dollar! 

51. Use donatefull.com or groupon.com to find best coupons or use wikibuy to apply coupon codes at checkout.

52. A top life hack for travelling is to purchase a Scrubba bag and save on laundry bills. This nifty little bag packs down really small so doesn’t take up any room in your luggage and with just a 3 minute shake, can wash your clothes as good as any washing machine!

53. Keep rechargeable batteries in the fridge or at least in shady places. Rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge if they’re kept cold. Not freezer cold though as this will have the opposite effect.

Phone and Internet

54. Get a local sim card and avoid hefty roaming fees. In some countries these can be a rather involved process but for most it’s quite straight forward. You often need your passport to register the sim card.

55. Use offline maps to save data. I use maps.me for most places when I’m travelling.

56. Consider investing in your own wifi router if you require a good connection. In our campervan we use this super fast Huawei wifi travel hotspot which allows us to connect multiple devices in areas where signal is typically poor.

Travel Insurance

57. Last but by no means least, get yourself some good travel insurance. Travel insurance can be expensive for long trips but you just never know when you might need it. The world of insurance can be a minefield but the guys at SafetyWing do great deals for long term travel through allowing you pay on a month by month basis. I highly recommend checking them out.

Summary On How To Travel The World Cheaply

Travelling around the world cheaply can do be done in many ways but it often requires a good amount of planning in advance. Be prepared for your trip through investigating the best deals, signing up for Airmile credit cards and joining frequent flyer programmes. Consider exchanging work for accommodation and reduce food costs through cooking your own food. Ensure you have the best bank cards to avoid big transaction fees, choose destinations where your currency is strong and use local Sim cards for the best phone and internet deals.

Through incorporating even just a few of these cheap travel tips you’ll be well on your way to exploring further, for longer 🙂

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Louise is an Adventure Tour Guide, Snowboard Instructor & Mountain Leader from South Wales. Through working as a tour guide and snowboard instructor, she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and currently guides mountain trips in the UK.

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How to Travel Cheap (12 Tips To Save Money While Traveling)

Traveling can feel out of reach and off-limits when your bank balance is dwindling. However, limited funds don’t have to mean that travel’s off the agenda. Learning how to travel cheap is not easy and can take some time to master but it is possible.

With a bit of graft, some slight mindset shifts and possible alterations to your aspirations, traveling on a budget is absolutely possible.

Now, there’s an abundance of tips, tricks and advice out there on this subject. Just Google ‘budget travel’ and you’re bound to come across a million and one blog articles telling you how it’s done.

However, where there’s supply there’s demand! Clearly, a lot of people continue to wonder how to save money while traveling. With this in mind, I thought I’d put together my own top tips to add to the pile and attempt to help.

I hope they will provide you with some novel ideas and food for thought when you’re considering the best way to travel with little money.

How to Travel Cheap: 12 Tips That Will Save You Money

Table of Contents

Like anything that’s new, the little tricks that make traveling easier will take time to pick up.

It’s the same with managing a budget. As a first time traveller, expect to spend more money than you’d like to initially.

Even incredibly experienced travelers struggle with their budget in new places. It’s just part of the learning process!

Anyway, here we go. My top tips for budget travel:

1. Use a Travelers Bank Card

Thankfully, in most places where there’s a city you’ll find an ATM, which is actually a great way of withdrawing money abroad.

It’s relatively cheap (exchange rates are up there with the best you’ll find) and means you don’t have to carry tonnes of cash with you at all times.

This is good practice as it’s safer (less money to attract potential wrong-doers) and slows your spending (the more you have, the more you’ll spend!).

Be careful, though. Certain banks charge more than others for withdrawing foreign currency.

Do some due diligence and find the card with the lowest rates wherever you’re traveling to! Travel guides and Google are your friends here.

You can also get cards (such as Revolut) especially for withdrawing money abroad. This can save a lot of money in the long run as you won’t lose as much money in exchanges rates and withdrawal fees.

2. Be Sensible With Your Stuff

Know where your stuff is so that you don’t get it lost or stolen while traveling. Okay, this one’s obvious, but take care of your money, passport and belongings, etc.

I know, you know. And, I’m not your mother. However, needless to say, when it comes to traveling on a budget, losing your wallet or having money and costly items stolen, isn’t great.

Sadly, it happens more than you would think. Be diligent and be smart.

3. Be Wary of Tricksters

Regardless of where you are in the world, there are going to be people who will try to fleece you.

It’s always going to happen. Whether you get sold a ‘genuine gold bracelet’ at a market stall in Marrakech, or overcharged for a tuk-tuk ride in Thailand, it’s easy to lose money through ignorance.

If it happens, which it will, don’t get angry! Just learn and don’t let it happen again. Spend time learning about the favored tricks of certain countries so that you’re able to avoid them.

4. Make Sacrifices

I haven’t put these budgeting tips in order, but this should probably be number one. Sacrifice is a key way to save money when traveling on a budget. It applies to saving up before your trip as much as spending on it.

It’s simple: do what you can to avoid expenditure.

Buy from supermarkets instead of going out to restaurants; watch a movie on someone’s laptop instead of the cinema; make packed lunches; sleep in cheap accommodation; sleep in your car; camp (in the best waterproof tent possible) instead of the hostel; take the local bus instead of the fancy tourist one.

Whatever it takes, putting up with discomfort can save a lot of money and actually, ironically, enhance the experience too. It’ll put you in all manner of interesting situations.

5. Set A Budget and Follow It

Sounds obvious, right? But I mean, actually budget.

Traveling cheaply is great, but there’s no substitute for planning ahead of time and working out an actual budget for daily expenditure, alongside a record of what you spend and when.

Little things all stack up and there’s nothing like seeing your total expenses at the end of the day (normally far more than you’d expect) to incentivize greater frugality in the future!

Be sure to also check out How to Save Money for Travel: A Step by Step Guide

6. Travel Light

Instead of a huge rucksack with tonnes of extra space, pack an ultralight bag instead.

Take a small bag that you can get nothing else into. If you can’t carry it, you can’t (or really shouldn’t) buy it!

This tip’s a little out of left field, but where there are so many tempting souvenirs to purchase around every corner, your bank balance might thank you for it.

Not sure which backpack to take? Check out my post on the different types of backpacks and their pros and cons.

7. Work, work, work

How do you get rid of money issues? Make more money!

When you’re on the road you might be surprised at how simple it is to get a job. If you’re somewhere for any period of time, look into job adverts in hostels, in the local community, talk to local bars and restaurants, or check out farm work available.

Visa issues may apply here so be sensible, but it seems a logical step if you have the time.

Equally, it’s also worth noting quickly how working hard before you go traveling is hugely beneficial.

Not just financially, but mentally too. Save up money by working hard and not only will you reduce financial burden of travel, but you’ll value the experience more too.  

8. Break the Rules

I always tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to rules. Frankly, I’m a bit of a wuss! However, when you travel there’s undoubtedly room for a ‘slight bending’ of them, if you don’t wish to break them entirely.

For instance, stealing. I hate it. Please don’t do it.

But it’ll definitely save you money if you do. I have friends who stole food here and there (which we all enjoyed eating…) during our travels, but only from huge companies where it felt less personal and wouldn’t have much of an impact.

Again, I wouldn’t recommend and definitely don’t encourage it.

Another example comes from paid walking tours. Interested in learning more about a city, museum, or heritage site?

Just latch onto the back of one that’s already running. It’s unlikely they’ll notice. And, if they do, just apologise and say you thought it was free.

Other things charge for seemingly unreasonable things. For instance, hikes, national parks, and campsites can all charge large sums of cash to use or enter them.

It depends on your values, but sometimes paying to pitch a tent on a piece of grass with no toilets, cooking facilities or running water seems steep to me!

Sometimes, you might be able to get away without handing over any cash. Respect the land and your neighbors, stick a bit of money in an honesty box if there is one and make sure you tidy up behind you.

9. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking has a bad rep thanks to horror stories about unlucky individuals who get picked up by the wrong people.

I can only talk about my own personal experiences of hitchhiking, though, which have all been positive. I’ve met awesome people, experienced incredible hospitality and been driven around the country for free.

If you want to save money on transport costs, don’t mind a little risk and like the thought of meeting strangers, hitchhiking is a good bet.

10. Find Free Accommodation

This is one of the greatest expenses you’ll have while traveling. Seriously, paying for accommodation, especially in more built-up areas, can drain your funds. It’s absolutely possible to find it for free though.

Here are a few ways to do it:

• Couchsurfing is one way of doing so: By signing up you can contact locals online who advertise a couch/ spare room for travelers to sleep in. It’s a great way of meeting people, learning about your destination from locals and obviously saves a pretty penny too.
• Work for accommodation: Essentially, do a little work (generally menial work such as cleaning or gardening) in exchange for a bed and sometimes food. Hostels are often looking for people to do this and it’s a great way of staying somewhere for longer, without paying!
• Wwoofing: WWOOF stands for world-wide opportunities on organic farms and is similar to working for accommodation. It’s often mistakenly called the same thing, but Wwoofing actually means to do farmwork (on organic farms) in exchange for accommodation and food.
• Squat: You can genuinely find incredible places to stay if you’re willing to squat. In lots of places, there’s a squatting culture, where abandoned homes are inhabited (usually illegally) by people looking for a roof over their head.
• Rough it: Again, this comes down to sacrifice. But, sometimes you genuinely don’t need to pay for a room. If the weather and country (in terms of safety and opportunity) allow it, sleeping under the stars is a great alternative. This doesn’t necessarily mean being on a Greek Island or some other beautiful sandy beach- sometimes a city park is absolutely fine.

11. Alter Your Plans

This is a big one as well. If you don’t have much money but can’t wait to travel, alter your plans.

It could be anything!

Change your destination of choice: closer to home generally equals lower price of flights. Change the time of year you want to go: peak season sees prices climb dramatically.

Change how you get there: intercontinental buses are sometimes insanely cheap compared to trains or flights!

Alter how long you plan to travel as well. After all, less time away equals less money spent.

It’s important to remember that many of the incredible benefits of travel are entirely independent of things like location and duration too. Wherever you go and whatever you do, it’s likely to be the best experience of your life.

Want another suggested alteration?

Try earning enough to cover for a few days/weeks of food and accommodation and a one-way flight ticket. And then trust you’ll get a job in the country you’re traveling around!

This’ll depend entirely on the job options for where you want to go, of course, but it’s absolutely do-able.

It also means that, instead of saving thousands, you can save hundreds and be on your trip in a fraction of the time as a result.

12. Alter Your Mindset

Mindset is big when it comes to budget travel. Being flexible, open minded and willing to try new things and ways of life are crucial abilities when it comes to saving money.

Again, a lot of this comes down to sacrifice.

Unfortunately, we can’t have everything and generally speaking, when you only have a little money for travel it means sacrificing either time and/or comfort!

Many of the options I’ve listed above require a slight mindset shift in order to make them work. Successful and cheap travel is just around the corner.

I hope these suggestions help everyone. Drop a comment with any new and novel ways you use or plan to use, in the constant struggle to save money while traveling! Good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danny Newman is currently writing and traveling his way around the world in a bid to figure out exactly what he’s doing with his life. He’d love you to follow along with his journey over at  What’s Danny Doing .

More on Travel Planning:

• 17 Cheap Places to Travel Around the World
• 10 Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
• 13 Stunning Cheap Islands to Visit Around the World
• How to Plan a Travel Budget: Step by Step Guide
• 10 Killer Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights
• 11 Easy Tips on How to Find Cheap Accommodation
• Doing Laundry While Traveling: Essential Step by Step Guide

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6 Expert-Approved Ways to Travel on a Budget

P lanning a vacation is much easier than it used to be, thanks in large part to the internet. After all, finding a hotel, flight or dinner reservation is only a quick Google search away. But traveling is still rarely a bargain.

If you dig a little deeper, you can find everything from cheap flights to low-cost lodging alternatives. Here are six ways to travel on a budget without sacrificing the quality of your vacation, according to experts.

Think about your budget while choosing your destination

There are many hurdles travelers face when planning a vacation, but experts say there’s one important detail people need to be more mindful of: their destination.

Rather than deciding where you’ll go first, then looking for flights within your budget, “take that search process and invert it,” suggests Scott Keyes, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights , a flight deal website. “By making price the third priority, it’s not terribly surprising that the end result is expensive flights.” If you have some flexibility with timing or the places you’d like to visit, Keyes recommends researching which of your potential destinations is the cheapest during the timeframe you are targeting.

Beyond finding a flight that won’t break the bank, you should also take into account the country’s economic state when planning your trip, says Damon Dominique, co-founder and co-host of Shut Up and Go , a travel blog and YouTube channel for accessible travel. Dominique says you should first determine what the exchange rate will be for your country’s currency. Since the American dollar is often comparable to or stronger than other forms of currency—like the euro or the Israeli shekel, respectively—it’s important to factor the conversion rate into your decision. “Use it to your advantage, while you can,” Dominique says.

The time of year you choose to travel can also affect more than just airfare, according to Jo Franco, co-founder and co-host of Shut Up and Go . If you visit on a weekend or during peak tourism season, the trip will certainly be pricier, she notes—so deliberately visiting during a destination’s off-season can help you save money. And since the most tourist-friendly places are often the most expensive, Franco suggests that visiting a smaller local town “might be better and culturally more enriching than visiting a capital city.”

Know where to look when researching cheap flights

Finding a cheap flight when planning a trip is always half the battle. And for those traveling abroad, there is usually no other option than to fly. “That’s a big part of why airfare is so stressful for travelers,” Keyes says. “Everything else about a trip has a ton more options.”

Keyes says the key to finding a reasonable flight is knowing where to look. “[Booking a flight] is almost like a shooting star that’s going through the sky. If you’re not looking in the right part of the sky at the right time, you’re going to miss it,” he says. Google Flights and Kayak are helpful tools with flexible search parameters, and can send you different price alerts for the destinations you’re interested in.

If you’re looking directly at an airline’s website, you may wind up spending more money than you intended to, according to Keyes. Because an airline’s ultimate goal is, of course, to make money, the sales that airlines widely advertise are usually not the best deals, he notes. “The airlines aren’t necessarily travelers’ allies in that sense—they’re not going to always trumpet from the rooftops when there’s a really good deal popping up,” Keyes says. Instead of booking directly on an airline’s website, Keyes suggests opting for third-party websites like Priceline or Expedia for the best travel deals. These sites will do the legwork for you by scouring the internet to find the cheapest available options.

Know when to jump on a good flight deal

“There’s a lot of pressure to make sure you’re getting the right flight,” Keyes says. And there is no telling how long a flight’s price will last—especially when an airline offers a good deal. Though your instinct may be to wait and make your decision after doing further research, there are some instances when it’s best to take the leap and book that flight immediately, according to Keyes. But as a general rule of thumb, Keyes suggests booking at least one month in advance for domestic flights and two months ahead for international flights (though you should consider planning a couple more months in advance if you’re traveling during a peak period like Christmas).

Comparing flight fare to previous trips on the same route may also help you determine whether it’s a “good” deal, according to Keyes. Still struggling? Here are Keyes’ guidelines for what he considers to be excellent airfare from the U.S., based on his experience traveling to 46 countries and years of running his own flight deal site:

Flights to Africa: $700 or below

Flights to Asia : $550 or below

Flights to Australia: $700 or below

Flights to the Caribbean: $300 or below

Flights to Central America: $300 or below

Flights to Europe: $500 or below

Flights to Hawaii: $400 or below

Flights to South America: $550 or below

And if you jump on a flight deal quickly, you can always take advantage of airlines’ 24-hour cancellation policies. According to the Department of Transportation , all major U.S. airlines must allow a grace period of 24 hours for travelers to make cancellations if needed. That means, if you can’t reach your travel partner quick enough or you find a better deal after the fact, Keyes points out that you could always cancel your flight later that day.

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Stay for cheap—and even for free

The best way to find housing for cheap is by opting for hotel alternatives like Airbnb , Dominique suggests. Safety is a priority when traveling anywhere, but especially when choosing to rent. Airbnb vets their hosts and allows community reviews, as well as awarding premium properties the title of “super host,” so you can make an informed decision about where you choose to stay. The company also offers profile verifications where hosts can show their government-issued ID on their profile. Amy Brueckner, head of client services at CIRE Travel , a travel agency that facilitates corporate and personal trips, recommends only staying at Airbnbs that have lots of reviews, and where you feel comfortable communicating with the host beforehand.

For younger travelers looking for cheaper accommodations—especially in big cities like London, Paris or Rome—staying in a youth hostel is an inexpensive and fun way to travel, particularly because of the opportunities they offer for socializing, according to Dominique. You can find hostels online through sites like Hostels or HostelBookers , or by doing a simple Google search of hostels in your destination city. Pricing of hostels range by city and country, but they can be as cheap as $10 a night. Some hostels offer private rooms, while others have multiple bunks and communal spaces.

And if you’re looking to spend even less on lodging, Dominique and Franco say there are “endless” opportunities to stay for free. One option is through Couchsurfing , a website that connects travelers to locals’ couches (or, in some cases, guest rooms) for free. The company has put various safeguards in place—like identity verification, an on-call safety team and risk detection systems, a representative told TIME over email. Their website also has a safety guide for guests.

Dominique and Franco also suggest options like au pairing in a foreign country, or WWOFF , an international program that allows you to live on a farm (often for free) while assisting in organic farming. Because WWOFF has a small team, the program gives interested volunteers resources for conducting their own background checks and safety precautions for hosts, and a representative told TIME over email that members should use the online comments and rating systems to make decisions on where to volunteer.

Eric Hrubant, the CEO of CIRE Travel, recommends purchasing a travel insurance policy in case something does go wrong while staying at any of these shared spaces.

But if you are looking for a little more luxury and want to stay in a hotel, there are ways to maximize what you are paying for. Value-added amenities are a great way to get the biggest bang for your buck at a hotel, according to Hrubant. Try booking a hotel with perks like free breakfast, cocktail hours or utilities like laundry machines, which will allow you to cut costs elsewhere. And Hrubant says that even if these options aren’t listed online, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

If you’re staying at a smaller hotel as opposed to a chain, you can send an email or give them a call to see what kinds of perks they can include, suggests Brueckner. For honeymoons and other milestones, Hrubant says hotels will be more open to helping you have a better stay. “It’s sort of human nature that you’re going to want to reach out or go a bit overboard for a client,” he says.

You can still eat well on a budget

If eating well is a priority for your trip, there are still tons of ways to save money on meals. “Know what you want out of the vacation,” Brueckner advises. If you want to indulge in fancy dinners, you can offset that by having cheaper breakfasts and lunches. Prioritizing and planning which meals you’ll splurge on will ensure that you stay within your budget, according to Brueckner.

Franco says that staying at a hostel or hotel that includes breakfast is a simple way to save money on food. And for those who want to get a little more creative, she suggests asking locals for their tips and tricks. “The best way to figure out where the cheap eats are is to learn the language, earn the respect of the locals, and ask them where they go,” Franco says. Another easy tactic to find spots off the beaten path is to ask your hotel concierge or the staff at your hostel for suggestions, according to Hrubant.

And if you’re looking to embrace the culture of your destination while also saving money on food, Franco suggests booking an EatWith experience online, where locals give you an authentic dining experience, offering a meal that’s often cheaper than a restaurant frequented by tourists. Some EatWith events are hosted at people’s homes, so each host has to go through an application process to be listed on the site. The company also insures each guest during their event, according to its website.

And for those who are serious about sampling the local cuisine, they can always sign up for a foodie tour online.

Be flexible and make connections

Though it is tempting to plan your itinerary in advance, Franco and Dominique both say that it’s important to be flexible. Franco recommends having a list of five or fewer things that you cannot miss, while leaving the rest of your days open to spontaneity. This way, you can find fun experiences without shelling out the cash for tourist-marketed activities and events.

Connecting with locals will make your trip more memorable and exciting, Hrubant says, because you’ll learn things about the city—and find cheap adventures—that you might not have discovered on your own. “Making those human connections will basically give you a greater experience,” he explains.

And no matter how much or how little money you have to spend, making human connections while traveling has more than just financial perks. “I think it’s key to see that life is happening outside of all our personal bubbles,” Dominique says. “And in observing the cultures and customs of another place, maybe, just maybe we can understand ourselves better.”

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You Can Travel in These 7 Countries for Less Than $30 a Day — Here’s How

And that includes food, hotels, and fun.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Michael Herm/Getty Images

In case you haven’t noticed, everything from groceries to rent is getting more expensive. Since 2021, the inflation rate has remained at or more than three percent, with the high being a seven percent increase in 2021. It’s no wonder people are choosing to move abroad .

When life feels expensive, it’s good to remember there are places where you can get a room for the cost of a movie ticket and a full meal for the price of a cup of coffee. In fact, once you get past the airfare, you can actually save money by traveling to certain countries for extended periods of time.

Here’s a rundown of how to get by in some of the world’s most affordable countries for less than $30 a day, including lodging, food, and activities.

Wilfried Strang/Getty Images

While Vietnam and Thailand get plenty of attention, Laos is often overlooked. Perhaps it’s because the nation is landlocked in an area known for its beautiful coastlines, but those who visit will be rewarded with mountains, Buddhist monasteries, beautiful rivers, and a low cost of living.

When I visited Luang Prabang , I was able to stay in a place like Phai Guesthouse for $13 a night. The city is full of French colonial architecture and bakeries with delicious treats for less than $4. If you really want to save, buy your meals from roadside vendors who sell foods like noodle soup and sticky rice for around $1.

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I visited Nepal when I was traveling through northern India. Kathmandu, its capital, tends to have some of the most affordable lodging (like Thamel Eco Resort , with rooms for $20 a night, for two people), but if you want to see the Himalayas, you’ll want to hop on a bus to Pokhara, a city west of the capital. The journey costs $11 per person via an air-conditioned bus.

One of the most memorable things I ate in Nepal were momos (dumplings), which cost less than $1 for a plate of around seven.

When I visited Indonesia, I stayed on Bali , which is still relatively affordable, but more expensive than many of the country's other islands. Sumatra and Java have some wonderfully low prices, while on Lombok, an island to the east of Bali, you can stay in a three-star hotel like the Hotel Puri Saron Senggigi for around $22 a night.

If you don’t mind simple meals of rice, meat, and eggs, you can grab local dishes like nasi goreng for around $2.

phutthiseth thongtae/Getty Images

Thailand is no longer the affordable darling it once was, but you can still find budget-friendly accommodations and affordable, delicious eats all over the country. For some of the best rates, head north to the cool mountains, rather than south to the islands. For example, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, you can book a private room in a guesthouse for under $20 a night . A nice meal in a restaurant typically costs around $8, while street food is around $2 a meal.

Vithun Khamsong/Getty Images

Vietnam continually ranks high among travelers looking for a deal. But beyond being affordable, the country is beautiful, with more than 2,000 miles of coastline. In the city of Hạ Long, which sits on Hạ Long Bay, visitors have easy access to snorkeling and climbing on the jutting limestone islands.

There are hundreds of hotels, hostels, and homestays in Hạ Long for around $15 a night. After a day of exploring in and along the bay, you can find a banh mi sandwich for around $1 or a bowl of pho for $3.

Philippines

Jacob Marsh/Getty Images

It’s a haul to get to the Philippines, but once you’re there, you’ll enjoy a relatively low cost of living. Even islands like Siargao, known for its surf culture, have rooms for $30 or less .

After a day of riding the waves, you can find a plate loaded with local fare (like chicken adobo) for a few bucks. If you’re craving a Western comfort dish, expect to pay around $10 (a bowl of homemade pasta from La Carinderia , for example).

Anton Aleksenko/Getty Images

I spent more than a month in India and enjoyed the perks of affordable lodging and tasty, cheap eats. A private room in a central hotel in New Delhi will cost you around $15 a night (like in the case of one of my all-time favorite properties, Hotel Hari Piorko ). A meal on the street is around $3, as is a train trip on a lower-tier car.

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Cheap flights for late summer travel? How to use points, miles and more to get away

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is still time to find a cheap getaway for Labor Day or in the warm weeks of late summer and early fall.

Experts advise remembering airline miles and being flexible with destinations to save more money.

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"The key is to be flexible. Instead of picking a destination and then searching for flights to that destination, leave yourself open to the possibility of going somewhere new," said travel expert Julian Kheel who founded Points Path. "That just has a good flight deal, and that way you'll find places that you can get to for a very low price."

Points Path helps consumers compare airline points versus cash options. Kheel said you can quickly find different destinations by searching Google Flights, and also said airline miles and points will get you more than you think because of a new trend in many airline booking systems.

"Instead of blocking seats, having blackout dates, not making seats available. Instead, they'll make more seats available, but the price in miles will fluctuate," Kheel said. "So, on high demand dates. It will cost you more miles to get that seat. But when an airline is trying to get rid of seats on a less popular flight, that's a great time to get a great deal with your miles."

Also remember that some airlines partner with each other, which means points and miles can sometimes be interchangeable.

"Because American and Alaska are partners. They're both part of what's known as the One World Alliance. You can use American miles on Alaska flights and Alaska miles on American flights," said Kheel.

And it's not too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other year-end holiday travel, even if your plans are not set in stone.

"The really great thing is that most us airlines, since the pandemic, have created a main economy ticket that can be changed without any penalty. Now, if there's a change in fare, you'll have to pay the difference in fare, but you won't have to pay a fee to change your ticket, so your best bet is to lock in your holiday plans as early as possible," Kheel said.

One warning: If you think there's a chance you may have to change or cancel your travel plans, do not book a lower-cost basic economy flight.

Another money saving tip: instead of round trip, you can book two one-way flights on separate airlines which can be cheaper.

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Good News for Deal-Seekers This Fall: Travel Demand Has Softened

The post-pandemic rush seems finally to be easing, which has airfares lower and hotels offering more inducements to book.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu Derek M. Norman and Christine Chung

Revenge travel after the darkest days of the pandemic contributed to travel roaring back across the globe, with airlines, hotels and cruises reporting double-digit growth and travelers using their savings, taking on debt or even selling their homes to splurge on bucket list adventures or multiple trips.

Now, at least for some travelers, that furious vacation spending is slowing down. While high-income travelers are still booking luxury experiences and jet-setting abroad, other consumers have been cutting back on travel spending to meet the high cost of living.

Data from Tourism Economics (on behalf of the U.S. Travel Association , a travel group) shows that the meteoric rise in post-pandemic travel spending that began in 2021 has reached a plateau. In earnings calls this month, top hotel chains like Hilton and Hyatt reported less demand by leisure travelers for lower-priced brands, while online travel agencies, like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings , and short-term rental companies like Airbnb also noted slowdowns.

For those still seeking a vacation or two, that softening demand means bargains — in the form of lower airfare and hotel perks.

“The revenge travel effect is finally receding, and so are prices,” said Steve Hafner, chief executive of the Kayak search engine, adding that the fall season will be an ideal time for travelers to “snag up a deal.”

Lodging costs stay steady, but perks abound

The hotel industry in the United States has reported a mostly flat performance this year , according to CoStar Group , a real estate analytics company.

“One thing we see across both sectors — both hotels and short-term rentals — is those listings that are the lowest price, attractive to lower-tier consumers, we’re seeing weakness,” said Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA , a short-term rental data and analytics company.

More incentives to book, like room upgrades, are being offered to travelers, particularly loyalty-group members.

“There are more hotels than ever before offering perks with stays,” said Melanie Fish, the head of global public relations for Expedia Group Brands. “They may not be lowering their prices, but they will offer you a bottle of champagne or free breakfast or a spa discount to stay.”

While looking through last-minute Labor Day options on Hotels.com, one of Expedia’s brands, Ms. Fish noticed properties offering rooms with 20 to 30 percent discounts.

A quick search confirms this: One room at the Moon Palace Cancún resort in Mexico was listed for nearly half of its normal price on Hotels.com for a stay over Labor Day weekend.

It’s not just Expedia brands. On Agoda.com, an online travel agency owned by Booking Holdings, a room at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Orlando was available for nearly 25 percent off for Labor Day weekend dates. And on Booking.com, one could find a weekend at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas in October for nearly 40 percent off, as a limited time deal .

Booking last minute, one trend that arose during the pandemic, persists.

According to research conducted by AirDNA , last-minute reservations for short-term rentals — or bookings typically made the same week of the stay — have almost doubled since 2019.

“It’s not that consumers are not necessarily going to book that trip for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it just appears that they have not booked it yet,” said Ellie Mertz, chief financial officer at Airbnb, during the company’s early August earnings call .

Air travel: Lower prices and more seats

Though demand for air travel has continued to surge in 2024, with international and domestic traffic matching 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association , bookings made in June and July for the months ahead slowed down, especially for domestic travel.

“A likely explanation is a return to prepandemic levels of growth,” the trade group wrote in a recent report.

Looking toward the fall, ticket prices are lower than last year and cabin capacity remains high.

In the United States, carriers have been flying more passenger seats this year compared to last year, according to global travel data provider OAG .

“Now, we’re seeing the scale tipped in the other direction, with more flights scheduled than demand,” said Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokeswoman at Going , a travel company that monitors airfare deals.

Airfare for international flights leaving from the United States this fall is down about 3 percent compared to last year, according to Airlines Reporting Corporation, which processes the sale of tickets between airlines and travel agencies.

Domestic airfare will remain under 2023 levels for the rest of the year, according to the booking platform Hopper . The average price for a round-trip ticket in September is $240, 8 percent below the average in September 2023.

“We expect airfare to remain low through this fall before rising into the holiday season,” said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at Hopper.

Among the fall deals are round-trip flights in early October, operated by Alaska Airlines between Los Angeles to Honolulu for under $300. An international round-trip airfare from New York to Lisbon with Tap Air Portugal costs about $500. Southwest Airlines is running a fall sale , with one-way domestic flights for as low as $39, and American Airlines is advertising discounted fares to South America , including a flight from Chicago to Bogotá for a little over $300.

Get more for your money by booking a cruise?

While travel demand is decreasing for some sectors, it’s not going away.

“People aren’t going to stop traveling,” said Ms. Fish, of Expedia. “They may book closer to when they’re going to travel. They may take a less ambitious trip. They may star down their hotel stays.”

One sector of the travel industry — cruises — has reported record demand this year, in part by drawing in passengers seeking all-inclusive packages more affordable than land-based vacations.

By the end of 2024, 34.7 million passengers are expected to sail on a cruise, almost 2 million more than the 29.7 million passengers who sailed in 2019, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group. Cruise capacity is forecast to increase by 10 percent from 2024 to 2038.

Lisa Trembley, 34, a behavior therapist from North Carolina, recently booked her first cruise for next May, in the Mediterranean with Norwegian Cruise Lines. The itinerary includes stops at European hot spots like Cannes in France, Corfu in Greece and Sicily.

“If I’m going to go all the way to Europe, I want to see as much of it as I can, but booking individual hotels and trains and flights is unaffordable,” Ms. Trembly said. “I never considered a cruise before, because they are kind of corny, but several friends have recommended it. It’s easy and good value for money, so I will try it.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeğinsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

Icon Class Ships: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas has been a hit among cruise goers. The cruise line is adding to its fleet of megaships ,  but they have drawn criticism from environmental groups.

 Cruise Ship Surprises: Here are five unexpected features on ships , some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own.

 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

TikTok’s Favorite New ‘Reality Show’:  People on social media have turned the unwitting passengers of a nine-month world cruise  into  “cast members”  overnight.

Dipping Their Toes: Younger generations of travelers are venturing onto ships for the first time . Many are saving money.

• Best overall
• Best for trip cancellation
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for families
• Best for value
• Best for multiple trips
• Why you should trust us

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of September 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plans of 2024 Summary

• Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for trip cancellation:  Aegis General Travel Insurance
• Best for medical-only coverage:  GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best for families:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

Top Cheap Travel Insurance Company Comparison

The best travel insurance companies should be able to meet your needs at a price you're willing to pay. Sometimes, you're just not willing to pay that much. The following companies offer decent coverage for low prices. To determine which companies made this list, we compared quotes across the travel insurance industry for the same trip, making a note of which companies offered particularly good coverage in certain areas and which companies were well reviewed.

Here are the best affordable travel insurance companies picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance Overall

Hth worldwide travel insurance.

The HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Economy plan offers the most comprehensive coverage across major categories of all the providers in this guide.

You'll have some peace of mind with up to $75,000 of financial protection for eligible medical emergencies, and up to $500,000 per person for medical evacuation costs. For more everyday expenses, you can also relax with baggage loss and delay, trip interruption, cancellation and delay coverage that will help you recoup many, if not all, of your costs.

However, this plan falls short on missed connection benefits and accidental death coverage, both of which are not available under most circumstances (missed connection coverage only applies to cruises, and will only cover up to $500 per person after a three-hour delay).

Read our HTH Worldwide travel insurance review .

Best Cheap Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Aegis general travel insurance.

The Aegis Trip Cancellation Plan is exactly that: a cost-effective plan that offers protection in the event that your trip is canceled for a covered reason. The plan we priced out for our hypothetical trip cost just 1.16% of our total travel expenses — a very small amount of money to pay for the guarantee of our money back in the right circumstances.

The benefit is that this plan can supplement other coverage you already have, or give you a little bit of protection for a trip where you might not otherwise have opted for insurance altogether. On the downside, you won't get any protection for medical emergencies, trip interruption or delays or lost bags from this plan.

Read our Aegis travel insurance review .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Medical Coverage

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance. Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums. A 30-year-old from California would pay as low as $20.55 for a policy that covers a two-week trip.

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs.

Read our GeoBlue travel insurance review .

Best Cheap Travel Insurance for Families

C&f travel insured.

There's a lot to like about C&F Travel Insured. For one, it is one of the only travel insurance companies that offers CFAR coverage for annual travel insurance plans . Additionally, C&F is widely praised for its customer service, offering quick reimbursements for claims. Claims that don't reimburse within 30 days begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

When it comes to affordability, C&F remains on the lower end of travel insurance costs. Policies for younger solo travelers are generally around 4% of total trip costs, which isn't bad considering average costs for travel insurance is around 4-8% of total trip costs. However, C&F excels at insuring families as children are heavily discounted with the Edge plan and completely free with the Protector plan. 

Read our C&F Travel Insured review .

Best Cheap Travel Insurance for Value

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide is a well-rounded alternative to HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Economy. This plan offers solid protection for both travel-related snafus as well as situations that might call for emergency medical and evacuation, making it a good choice for trips where you have cause to worry about potential interruptions or delays. However, it does not offer protection for missed connections or accidental death.

Read our Nationwide travel insurance review .

Best Cheap Annual Travel Insurance

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick offers three ties of coverage for annual multi-trip travel insurance: Basic, Deluxe, and Executive. Its Basic plan offers coverage for multiple trips under 30 days with $2,500 of travel cancellation coverage over the policy term and $10,000 in emergency medical coverage. It costs a flat $163 per person.

Read our Trawick travel insurance review .

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

This type of insurance offers extensive protection, covering everything from medical issues to trip cancellations. While it's more expensive up front, it can save you a lot in the long run.

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on travel medical emergencies , dropping trip cancellation coverage and travel inconvenience coverage. It's a cost-effective option for travelers who are primarily concerned about health-related expenses.

Evacuation and Repatriation

In extreme cases where you need to be evacuated due to a medical emergency or a natural disaster, this coverage ensures that you can return home safely without incurring huge costs.

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

Just because a travel insurance policy is cheap doesn't mean it's lacking. Many affordable policies offer substantial coverage, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank. It'll also leave you with more money to spend during your trip

Cheap travel insurance can significantly reduce your travel expenses, ensuring that you're not overpaying for coverage you might not need. 

Adequate Coverage for Less

Not every trip needs the most comprehensive insurance policy. If you're taking a short, cheaper trip, you simply might not need that much coverage. That's where a cheaper travel insurance company may be able to offer you the coverage you need. 

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

No single travel insurance plan will meet the needs of every single traveler. By nature, we are diverse and evolving meaning travel insurance should be equally so. Travel insurance for a week-long trip to a big city shouldn't be the same as the coverage for a backpacking expedition in the mountains. A splurge to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage may also be worth it for international ventures or other large expenditures.

In most cases, the cost difference between a basic and comprehensive travel insurance plan isn't as significant as you might think. Regardless, it's generally a good idea to choose a trusted travel insurance provider known for exceptional customer service and coverage. (For this roundup, we looked at traveler reviews shared through the travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth .)

• Assessing Your Travel Needs: Consider the nature of your trip, the destination, and your own personal needs when choosing a policy. This ensures that you're not over-insured or underinsured.
• Comparing Different Policies: Don't settle for the first policy you find. Compare different options, looking at their coverage and prices, to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
• Reading the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what's covered, what's not, and the process for making a claim.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Cheap Travel Insurance

To determine the best insurance plan for travelers on a budget, we evaluated dozens of products using a hypothetical trip to Australia for a single traveler, age 26, with a total cost of $2,500 for flight, hotel and other incidentals. We then compiled the plans that covered the essentials at the lowest costs.

Of note: All of these plans include COVID-related medical coverage and 24-hour assistance, and pay at least 100% of your trip cost for eligible trip cancellations. None include rental car coverage.

The four winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the average cost of comprehensive travel insurance , which can range between 4-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or " cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection . So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

Each of the plans in this list include 24-hour assistance worldwide from reputable insurance providers. And despite being on the lower end of insurance plans, each of these options includes refunds for up to 100% of your total trip cost for eligible reasons. Each of these plans also includes medical coverage for COVID-related issues that may arise during your travels, which may come in handy as the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide.

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

The cheapest travel insurance plan will rarely cover every scenario that could go awry on your trip. However, each of these plans can at least help you get your money back in the event that your travel is canceled for an eligible reason, and most of them include travel medical insurance if you incur emergency medical bills while traveling. We also factor in what travelers are most concerned about now. 

You can read more about how Business Insider rates travel insurance .

Best Cheap Travel Insurance FAQs

You can reduce the cost of travel insurance by opting for simpler coverage with lower coverage limits. You may also consider companies that offer medical-only travel insurance policies. You can also consider annual travel insurance, which will save you money in the long run if you take multiple trips over one year.

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs. You can find our guide on the best international travel insurance here.

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the type of trip you're planning. If you're planning leisurely excursions in a big city, you may not need as much emergency medical coverage as you would if you're planning a serious hiking expedition in the mountains. A good plan should include trip cancellation, some emergency medical protection, and 24-hour assistance at a minimum.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4%-8% of your trip's cost. This usually translates into a premium between $89 to $399. That said, many companies offer premiums far below average costs.

Unfortunately, many travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing conditions reserve coverage for its more expensive plans. That said, you'll find some providers that cover pre-existing conditions with their value plan, such as C&F Travel Insured and Berkshire Hathaway .

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