Before starting with the location-specific blog posts, I thought I’d write a general blog post about how to travel on a budget. This post provides some general tips about traveling on a budget, whether traveling within the United States or overseas.
Choose your destination carefully.
Some places cost more or less than where you call home. When I travel to the mountains, we pay a lot more up there for things than we do at home, partly because the area is more touristy and a lot more expensive to live up there. You’re in the mountains, after all.
If you want to travel somewhere cheap, do your research. That’s part of what I’ll do for the blogs I’ll be writing for this website – I’ll do some research and write some from my own experience.
Avoid tourist traps
Big cities and tourist hot spots often cost more than if you stray off the beaten path. Choose less popular destinations, if you can. Don’t go to restaurants on the main strip even within your location. Try something on a sidewalk, or get recommendations from the locals. The food will probably be better and cheaper there.
Buy travel insurance.
One of the most important things you can do when traveling on a budget is buy travel insurance. Yes, it’s an extra expense, but you’ll thank yourself later if your trip gets canceled or if you get sick while you’re away.
Travel off-season.
Sure, the weather at the beach might not be as lovely if you go in the fall rather than in the peak of summer, but the rates will be cheaper, and it will be less busy and crowded.
I’ve had some of my best beach vacations when I went in the fall or winter – who cares if I had to wear a hoodie and jeans because it was cold? I still got to listen to the waves and watch them roll in. Since I have family living at the beach, I have extra incentive to get down there once in a while.
Book in advance.
If you have to go to a touristy destination during the tourist season, book as far in advance. It’s cheaper and less stressful to book transportation, accommodations, and activities well in advance.
Be spontaneous in less touristy destinations.
Not all accommodations advertise online, and you might save money when traveling if you book with the owner directly, especially for small-town stays and homestays. It depends on where you’re going.
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights.
You can find the cheapest flights between countries using Skyscanner.net. Just put in your home airport or country and your destination, or put in “everywhere,” and you can see what’s available for specific dates or a whole month if you want to be flexible. Skyscanner is a great way to determine where you want to travel and when.
Fly in the middle of the week.
Flights are more expensive on weekends because more people can travel then. You can get cheaper fares if you fly between Tuesday and Thursday.
Pack well.
First of all, pack light. Bringing more than you need will only increase your luggage costs, as you won’t wear half of the clothes you bring.
However, one of the most important tips for traveling on a budget is to take everything you need; don’t forget any essentials. If you forget something, buying that important missing item could cost more while you’re traveling.
Be prepared to share.
If you’re traveling, you can save a lot of money if you stay in a dorm or hostel with a shared bedroom. You can find out how to choose a hostel here.
Go Couchsurfing.
No, you’re not going surfing with a couch. Couchsurfing means staying at other people’s houses, often on their couches. Couchsurfing is great for traveling on a budget because you can visit people’s homes for free. Just make sure you stay safe – choose people with consistently good reviews. Check out Couchsurfing here.
Travel overnight.
If you have to complete a long journey as part of your trip, one way to save money is to travel overnight. You have to pay to get from one point to another no matter what time you travel, but traveling overnight saves you money on hotels for that night. As a bonus, you don’t waste time traveling during the day, so you have more time to explore.
If you choose to do this and have a hard time staying awake at night, consider napping during the day and having someone drive you to the airport, bus terminal, or train station, then sleep on the plane, bus or train.
Check out carpooling services, such as Bla Bla Car in the UK.
Services like Bla Bla Car can save you a lot of money traveling on a budget. People who have cars and take the trip anyway say that you can pay for that space if they have openings. It’s often cheaper than public transportation. Likewise, if you’re taking a road trip and have room, you can get some money back for gas.
Read others’ backpacking experiences.
Do a Google search for “A backpacker’s guide to (insert destination here)” when planning. This way, you can see immediately what a low-cost holiday looks like in your destination, and you can get an idea of costs, accommodation, and activities.
Look for free things to do in your chosen destination.
Budget travelers should look for free things to do wherever they’re heading. It could be a museum that’s free on certain days or local events going on. A free walking tour is a great way to see the city you’re visiting. Just remember to leave a tip at the end.
Get a local SIM card.
It can be expensive to pay for data roaming or WiFi abroad. One way to save money is to get a local SIM card with a locally priced data package. You’ll want the data to navigate your way around and keep in touch.
Do a DIY excursion.
It is often cheaper to skip the planned tours and work it out for yourself. Do some research online, or get some guidebooks for the place you’re visiting. Use public transportation, take a picnic, and buy your entry ticket if you need to.
Don’t eat out constantly.
While traveling, you can also save money if you shop at the supermarket and cook for yourself. Try some local delicacies and factor those into your budget if you can, but beyond that, make your food. Your hostel probably has a kitchen that you can use. A shelf with leftover food from backpackers might even be available.
Watch out for ATM fees.
Withdrawing and exchanging money at an ATM can cost a lot. The cost of taking money out while traveling is often cheaper than exchanging it before you leave. Don’t take more money than you can lose at once to avoid charges.
The more you take out at once, the less often you’ll pay the charge, but there’s more to lose or have stolen. Put some of your cash in a locked, secure area of your accommodation and leave some in different pockets or parts of your bag.
Try to barter.
Vendors usually mark up prices for tourists, so put your negotiating skills to good use and see if you can get one. You’re more likely to get one if you’re in a group, traveling together or with friends you make along the way, and you all book on the same excursion.
Get recommendations from the locals.
The locals don’t pay touristy prices for food, drink, and activities. Talk to someone from the area, perhaps someone from the hostel reception, and find their favorite hotspots.
Bring your water bottle and coffee cup.
Take reusable water bottles and coffee cups with you when you travel. If you bring your own, you can fill up at fountains, cafes, or mountain springs for free. Having your coffee cup often gets you a discount. Reusable water bottles and coffee cups save you money and help the environment.
Walk everywhere you can.
Walking is the cheapest form of transportation and the best way to discover a new area. Renting a bike is affordable if you need to get a little further.
If you have to take public transportation, buses are the cheapest. Avoid taxis and Ubers if you’re traveling on a budget – they’re the most expensive form of transportation. There’s always a more affordable bus or train alternative if you plan.
Work as you travel.
An obvious way to save money while traveling is to earn money doing it. Many hostels offer free or reduced rate accommodations if you work a few shifts, and you can also bartend, teach abroad, or get a working holiday visa.
Set a budget and stick to it.
Low-budget travelers are able to visit most places. Every destination has free things to do; you need to manage your expectations of how many expensive activities you can do there or how often you can eat out at restaurants.
Try not to overspend once you’ve planned your budget, it will only cause you more stress later in your trip or when you get home.
Those are the tips you need to know about how to travel on a budget; many of these refer to traveling abroad, but some of them could also apply to traveling within the United States. I’d love to hear any other tips you have on traveling on a budget, feel free to share them in the comments.