39 Useful Tips for Traveling Cheap

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Writing this as a broke, graduate student, I can vouch that traveling on a budget can be tricky. It’s one thing to save money for travel, but it’s a whole other ballgame to plan a trip on a budget. What are you even supposed to look out for? How do you find cheap flights? How do you make sure you don’t spend any more money than necessary?

I’ll be sharing 39 useful tips for traveling cheap so you can plan an awesome budget-friendly trip, and stretch your travel budget to the max!

Budget Tips for the Travel Planning Phase

1. Be flexible with your destination

One of the ways digital nomads stretch their budget, is by being extremely flexible in their destination. They let the cheap destination be their guide…they don’t hyperfocus on somewhere they want to go regardless of the cost.

If you’re browsing flights, leave the destination option open and let the search engine recommend cheapest locations.

Google Flights is great for this if you click on the map because it opens your search to everywhere you can see on the map. From there you can easily see where the cheapest flights are.

You may be surprised what destinations are inexpensive to visit. For example, cheap tropical vacations may be on the table when you’re flexible with your destination!

2. Avoid peak travel times

I’m not talking about the myth that traveling on Tuesday is cheaper than the other days of the week (or whatever it is). I’m talking about visiting your destination in the cheaper off-season and shoulder seasons.

The off season is the opposite season as the peak season, and the shoulder seasons are those in between.

So as an example, let’s say the peak season to visit Los Angeles is summer, the off season is winter (the opposite of summer), and the shoulder seasons are fall and spring because they fall in between summer and winter.

Because off season and shoulder seasons are not as crowded, you’ll see cheaper prices for accommodation, activities, and even flights!

We visited New Zealand during a shoulder season and not only was it cheaper, but it was also super easy to book everything because we weren’t competing with crowds. We even walked into a hot spring spa in Rotorua that the town is known for.

3. Choose alternative budget-friendly destinations

For every popular travel destination, there’s a more budget-friendly option.

Want to go to Europe? Try Greece instead of Italy.

Maldives? Try the Caribbean or South American islands.

It helps if you figure out what is drawing you to a destination then you can search for destinations with similar themes.

For example, if the over-water bungalows are calling to you from the Maldives, you can also find those in Panama for less than $300 a night!

4. Choose your accommodation wisely

One way to save money while traveling is to make sure that your accommodation has amenities included in the base price.

Some amenities to look out for are:

• complementary breakfast
• access to a private beach
• free water bottles
• access to beach or snow gear (towels, chairs, etc.)

This was huge for our trip to South Beach because we didn’t need to buy any gear when we got there or worry about packing compact towels. It was so much easier and saved a ton of money!

5. Stay in hostels

Ahhh yes, every budget-traveler’s best friend. And for good reason. Hostels are cheaper. It’s just a fact.

HostelWorld is the main, legit search engine for hostels around the world so don’t forget to include it when you’re planning your trip.

As a note on hostels, you may have some pre-conceived notion in your head as to what hostels are like. Let me be the one to tear those thoughts down. Hostels have really upped their game.

While they used to be drab and sketchy, hostels are so nice now! They have really learned to cater to their clientele with community kitchens, games, social events, and exclusive tours, activities, and discounts for hostel go-ers.

I stayed in a hostel in Dublin and they had a nightly pub crawl where for only 15 euros, you got a wristband good for a drink at each location AND it was good from the moment you purchased it until the end of time. So we could come back every night and do the same pub crawl with the included drinks and not pay any more!

6. Asia on your mind? Check out Mad Monkey Golden Tickets

Mad Monkey Hostels is a group of hostel stays in a number of countries in Asia including Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and more. The awesome thing is that if you want to take a longer trip, you can buy a Mad Monkey Golden Ticket, which is a 30, 60, or 90 day pass that allows you to stay in their hostels.

Golden Tickets cost $109, $199, or $239 for 30, 60, or 90 days, respectively. It’s an incredible deal if you’re planning a longer trip.

7. Get the 10th night free at Hotels.com

Every 10^th night you stay at accommodation booked through Hotels.com is free. That’s can be a huge savings!

Just make sure you make an account with them and keep your rewards nights racking up on the same account to get to your free 10^th night faster.

However, because this is a third party site, if you have rewards with a Hotel loyalty program, they likely will not count your booking towards their own rewards. You’ll have to pick and choose which reward is more valuable.

As a budget traveler, I personally find the 10th free night more valuable because it has a faster and more substantial payout than trying to rack up points with a specific hotel. Not to mention that at Hotels.com, you can stay at any property, not limited to one brand.

8. Cut on accommodation costs

The Internet has really changed the game on how we travel. One huge change is the ability to find cheap or free accommodation in a reliable and trustworthy way.

Now travelers on a budget have options beyond cheap hotels, hostels, or even camping.

Try these alternatives:

• Couchsurfing – These are secure and often free places to stay around the world. Often the host is looking to meet and socialize with travelers so be open to spending time with your host.
• BeWelcome – Similar to Couchsurfing, they have stays in over 220 countries!
• Warm Showers – This is a cool option for bicyclist travelers to find places to stay around the world.
• House swaps – It’s in the name. Home Exchange is the major player. They have over 450,000 homes in 150+ countries around the world. This is a great option for families!
• WWOOF – This stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The premise is a work exchange. Farms around the world host travelers to help out on their farm (usually for only part of the day) in exchange for free accommodation and sometimes meals.

9. Look into local experiences

Again, travel planning has only gotten easier with the Internet. Now, we have services and search engines for everything!

For travelers, one of the coolest things is being able to connect with locals online to experience their home (aka your destination).

We now have Airbnb Experiences where you can support locals and see the destination from their eyes through exclusive tours, classes, and socials. Not to mention that these experiences can be cheaper and more authentic than official tours.

Another great option for foodie experiences is Eat With, where you’ll meet up with locals to cook a meal and dine together!

10. Combine your activites in a CityPASS

If you’re visiting a big city with lots of museums and big ticket activities, a CityPASS can save you serious money.

You can buy one CityPASS and get access to multiple activities over some fixed timeline. It often comes with a hop on hop off bus to get around easier and often has skip the line access.

In order for it to truly be useful though, check the list of included activities first and make sure that you plan to use to the maximum. If not, it may be cheaper to purchase separate tickets for each thing you plan to do.

For example, the Atlanta CityPASS ($85) gives admission to the Georgia Aquarium ($37), World of Coca-Cola ($18), Zoo Atlanta ($30), and 2 out of the following 3 choices (National Center for Civil and Human Rights ($16), Fernbank Museum of Natural History ($25), College Football Hall of Fame ($21)).

Some quick math tells me that the main 3 attractions would cost the price of the CityPASS ($85) so if you couldn’t make it to the others, you may want to consider booking directly through the attractions.

11. Don’t skimp on traveler’s insurance

I know this whole post covers my tips for saving money when traveling, but this is the one area where skimping isn’t recommended.

You absolutely always need traveler’s insurance when traveling abroad. I even recommend it when traveling domestically if you’re health insurance doesn’t cross state lines and your credit card doesn’t include travel insurance.

I prefer SafetyWing as they have health insurance and traveler’s insurance combined. This covers typical travel issues like lost luggage and flight cancellations, but also covers you if you get ill or injured.

It’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Plus, it’ll save you money in the long run if you need it.

12. Utilize free admission days

If you’re still in the planning stage, don’t forget to check if the attractions you want to visit have a free day of the month. Then plan your trip around those days. This could save you a ton especially if you’re a family traveling or a larger group because every penny adds up.

For example, there are a ton of museums in Los Angeles and a number of them have free museum days on Tuesdays. The Autry Museum of the West and Natural History Museum are free on the first Tuesday each month.

Another great example are the National Parks that have free days during National Park Week (April 16-24, 2022) among other free days throughout the year.

13. Book using cash back programs

Rakuten and Honey are two top cash back programs that will give you a percentage of your purchase back in the form of gift cards or a check.

Honey also automatically tries discount codes when you checkout so that’s a bonus!

There are two ways to use these programs.

You can download the browser extension for each one and sign up (referral for Honey here and referral for Rakuten here). Then when you shop, each will prompt you to activate them, which initiates the cash back rewards.

You can also go to their respective websites, search the online shop you’ll be using, then click their link to go through to the shop. This will also activate the rewards.

Rakuten pairs with travel sites such as TripAdvisor, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and RentalCars.com. Honey is better for retail shopping, but can still help you save for a trip or reduce costs of travel essentials.

14. Anticipate extra costs

It can be really easy to spend more than you’d like when you travel. Your eyes are bigger than your wallet.

But one way to keep that in check is to anticipate extra costs.

This can mean saving extra ahead of your trip for any additional costs that come up. For example, when you arrive you talk to a local and discover there’s a museum you want to visit that you didn’t even know about. If you have a pool of savings for this type of thing, it makes the decision to do it easier on your wallet.

Another example would be anticipating and research extra costs or fees. On a cruise ship, for instance, the base price might be super cheap.

But, does that include all your food? Are excursions included? If you forget to check ahead of time, your cheap cruise could end up being more expensive than you were ready for.

15. Ask for travel as gifts

If you’re having a birthday coming up or celebrating a gift-giving holiday like Christmas or Hanukkah, ask for travel gift cards.

Nothing helps you book a trip like free designated money toward traveling. You can get gift cards to Airbnb, cruise lines, booking.com, etc.

Another option that I love is Tinggly, a travel gift service where the gift-giver selects a travel package to send and the gift-receiver can cash it in for travel experiences around the world.

For example, their Happy Birthday box worth $89 is good for an experience for 1-2 people around the world including options like Disney on Broadway Behind the Magic Experience in NYC, a walking tour in Lyon (one of the best things to do in Lyon, France), guided Acropolis experience in Greece, or Maeklong River experience in Thailand!

It’s a unique gift and will save you money so can’t hurt to ask!

Related read >> Full Tinggly review (I gifted my mom a Barcelona food tour)

Tips to Save Money During Your Trip

16. Come prepared to your flight

It’s no secret that not all flights are created equal. Some don’t have free access to drinks, food, and/or entertainment. Regardless of your airline, come prepared to your flight so you don’t end up forking over money for the basics.

That means pack your headphones with a Bluetooth adapter if you need. Fill up your reusable bottle after TSA and pack your own snacks so you can avoid purchasing in flight drinks and food.

Lastly, download TV shows, movies, and books offline so you don’t need to pay for in flight entertainment.

17. Make your personal item a backpack

Typically, airlines will allow you to bring one carry-on and one personal item. But it turns out that a backpack can count as your personal item. It just needs to be able to fit under your seat in front of you.

I’ve been doing this for years to have an extra bag worth of belongings without paying an additional baggage fee.

Just make sure that you aren’t also carrying a purse or other smaller bag. Otherwise that will be counted as your personal item by default.

And as a tip, often times airlines hound passengers so much about the overhead bins being packed that they end up having more than enough space for your backpack.

18. Price check your baggage

When you’re deciding which bag to pack, before making a choice, double check your airline’s baggage fees because not all bags or airlines price them the same.

For some airlines, carry-on bags are actually more expensive than checked bags. This is the case with Spirit and Frontier.

19. Follow the baggage rules

Whether you’re bringing a carry-on bag or checked luggage, make sure you’re following the weight and size restrictions. If not, you can end up paying the price.

Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier have even lowered their maximum weight limit from the standard 50lb to 40lb. So now if you have over 40lb, you’re paying for it.

Still on standard airlines, you’ll pay extra for odd shaped “bags” like car seats, snowboards, instruments, etc. and if you’re over 50lb, it’ll cost you.

20. Use that reusable water bottle you packed

I try so hard not to pack things I don’t use. So when I haul my giant 50/50 insulated water bottle across the world, you can bet I’ll be using that thing constantly.

But guess what, it also saves me a ton of money that I would be spending on water bottles or drinks from restaurants. Let’s say a water bottle is $2 and you’d need 4 a day for a weekend trip. Refilling your own bottle instead would save you $20+ for the weekend per person!

So pack your reusable bottle and actually use it to save money when traveling.

21. Use every discount available

One of my favorite perks of being a student traveler is being able to use my student ID for discounts! Usually it’s a few bucks on admission prices, but sometimes it’s even bigger savings. You can book entire trips using Student Universe, which finds student rates, or student targeted tours like Contiki.

Not a student? Don’t worry! There’s other discounts to be aware of including:

• AAA
• Military
• First responders
• Essential workers
• Teachers

22. Go on free walking tours

I absolutely love a good walking tour to learn about my destination. My favorite free walking tour company is called Free Tours by Foot. It’s a pay-what-you-like tour company where locals guide you on a tour around the city and they have locations all over the world!

I’ve used this company multiple times in New Orleans for a walking ghost tour and each time I had a different tour guide and therefore, different stories.

At the end of the tour, you can tip the guide if you are able or willing. And if not, no hard feelings!

It’s a great option for budget travelers.

Alternatively, seek out a self-guided tour online or actually read the signs along trails because they act as a tour guide.

23. Buckle up for public transportation

Taking public transportation is a great way to maximize your travel budget.

While it’s not always the easiest thing to figure out, it always pays off.

Look into local buses, trolleys, subways, and trains. See if they have multi-day passes that are cheaper.

For example, in New Orleans it’s about $18 per Uber/Lyft ride around town. That adds up SO FAST. But, accessing the trolley and bus system for the entire day is only $3!

Make sure you download local public transportation apps, read their route updates, and download Google Maps offline so you’re not blind to your location.

24. Opt for a bike

So many bigger cities have free bikes that you can use. Sometimes you can only use them for 30-60 minutes at a time, but if you drop them off at a station and pick up a new one, you can work the system so you can use the bike for longer.

Many cities with free bikes also have apps to pair with them so you can see in real time which stations have bikes and maps and distances to other stations.

Recently, I’ve seen free bikes in New Orleans, South Beach Miami, and Chattanooga.

25. Don’t underestimate local ride sharing

In the US, ride sharing can be extremely expensive and is often not the most cost-effective way to travel. However, in other countries, ride sharing is more affordable.

One option is BlaBlaCar which is big in Europe and other countries like India, Turkey, and Mexico. This app/website allows you to pair with vetted local drivers for a cheaper (and more interesting) ride.

As a note, make sure you match the license plate of the car with the one on the app. If the company says a sticker or sign must be present in the car, look for one. Instead of asking the driver if they’re looking for you (by stating your name), ask them who they’re looking for then confirm. You’ll avoid a scam or dangerous situation that way.

One final tip is to check that your backseat doesn’t have the child lock engaged when you open the door.

Most other countries are much safer than the US so these tips may not always be necessary to heed, but in the US definitely watch your back and keep an eye on the map within the app.

26. Choose a taxi instead

Believe it or not, sometimes taxis are cheaper and more available, even in the US…and I’m not just talking about New York.

As one example, arriving at the airport can be a tricky time to navigate a new destination. So finding a ride share or public transportation might be the last thing you want to figure out. Luckily, taxis often have their own line at the airport making them an reliable option, especially in the US.

When we recently landed in Atlanta at 2 am, there were literally no ride shares around because it was so late. We got a taxi and it ended up being a bit cheaper anyway!

Some things to note on taxi rides, similar to ride shares, take note of the license plate, make sure the child locks are not engaged, follow your route on a map on your phone, and note the taxi’s company and car/driver number just in case.

International taxi options include:

• Taxi EU in Europe
• FREE NOW in Europe
• GoTaxi in Asia
• Gett in the UK and Israel
• DiDi

27. Travel like a local

There’s no better way to travel for cheap than traveling like a local. They know what’s up!

They know the best off beat attractions, hidden gems, cheap restaurants, and more.

I highly recommend talking (I hear you fellow introverts screaming) to your hotel/hostel front desk staff, waiters/waitresses, local tour guides, supermarket cashiers, museum staff, and anyone else you come across.

Not only will they have great, authentic recommendations, but often they’ll naturally guide you to local spots, which are cheaper because they aren’t specifically catering to tourists.

Plus, local recommended restaurants are a game changer if you want to travel for cheap.

28. Protect yourself from pickpocketing

Pickpocketing sucks. Having your stuff stolen sucks…especially when you’re already trying to travel cheap because now you have to spend money you didn’t want to in order to replace things. Or even worse, you have your actual money or important documents stolen.

I recommend getting a PacSafe anti-pickpocketing bag or RFID blocking money belts to keep under your clothes so you can keep your valuables close to your chest literally.

29. Protect yourself from theft

While pickpocketing and theft go hand in hand, theft is more likely to occur with the big stuff. Get some TSA approved travel locks to lock the zippers on your luggage or backpack together. This will prevent thieves from being able to quickly unzip your bag and grab something.

I also recommend you get a combination lock for lockers in a hostel, gym, or spa. It’s a handy thing to keep in your luggage so that if you need it, you can easily protect your stuff.

There’s no way, I’d be able to sleep soundly in a hostel knowing my belongings were out for the taking. Lock them up and stay on the safe side.

30. Use the right card

When you travel, your typical debit cards likely have international fees and charges to use ATMs that are outside your local bank. Don’t rack up these fees!

It’s so easy to forget that these fees are amounting until you come home and see how much more is missing from your account.

Instead, opt for a credit card (travel or otherwise) that doesn’t have these hidden fees.

I have a few travel credit cards in my wallet and prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture X, so far. Please do your own research before choosing which card is best for you. I recommend consulting The Points Guy, Monkey Miles, and Nerd Wallet.

31. Brush up on local customs for tipping

In America we tip our servers 15-20%. They’re wages depend on tips. However, tipping around the world is not necessarily the same.

You may end up shelling out extra money when you don’t need to. This even happened to us in South Beach, Miami where we ended up double tipping accidentally because they included the tip in the bill, which isn’t custom in America.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all so you’ll have to do a quick search to see what the tipping custom is in your destination.

32. Cook your own meals

Part of the fun of travel for me is tasting my way through a destination. I love food tours and mapping out restaurants to try.

However, I still travel with my budget in mind so I make adjustments to save money on my trips.

One way to do that, is to go grocery shopping locally for snacks and so that I can cook my own meals.

I typically try to pack my lunch if I’m going to a beach or on a hike. I like to bring snacks and drinks with me so I don’t need to purchase them. I also will try to have makeshift breakfasts to avoid spending money for that meal.

Oatmeal packs are easy to make in a hotel or even on a plane if you ask for boiling water.

33. Eat out earlier in the day

Dinner is the most expensive meal of the day. So, if there are restaurants on your list, try visiting them for lunch or breakfast. I guarantee pricing won’t be as expensive overall.

Plus, you can save money with lunch specials.

34. Capitalize on happy hours

Happy hours save so much money! The best is when you can get drinks and food during happy hour for reduced prices. This allows you to taste more for a fraction of the cost.

In the United States, happy hours fall somewhere between 2 and 6 pm, usually on weekdays only.

35. Cash out on Groupon vouchers

I love Groupon! This website provides reduced priced vouchers for activities, vacations, and restaurants.

It’s a phenomenal resource to save money.

I’ve planned an entire itinerary around my Groupon restaurant vouchers in Las Vegas. I’ve used them in South Beach, New Orleans, and even to go hang-gliding!

Plus, you can shop through cash back portals like Rakuten or Honey to save even more!

36. Learn to haggle

This doesn’t work everywhere. But some places around the world, specifically in marketplaces, are made for haggling. It’s in the culture and it’s expected.

For example, in Israel there are huge marketplaces around the country and you’re bound to visit at least one. I visited markets in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem and our tour guide encouraged us to haggle because otherwise we’d be overpaying.

If you ask for a price, usually the offer will be more than it’s worth. Try offering a bit less. Or alternatively, you can offer your own price from the start. It’s worth a google search to see if there are haggling customs to be aware of.

Just a quick note: As an introvert this can be so difficult, but as you travel you get more comfortable looking silly. Do it for the savings!

37. Shop away from the touristy locations

This goes for food, clothes, souvenirs, anything. Touristy parts of town naturally have inflated prices but there’s no need to give into them.

Try taking public transportation to shop where the locals do.

I did this in South Beach where I went to a local Target away from the main road for sunscreen. Near the hotels it cost $15-20 but back at Target it was a much more reasonable $8.

Another example is shopping on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles. It’s a very touristy destination and the price tag follows suit.

If you’re buying anything, keep this in mind.

Tips for Traveling Cheap at Home

38. Travel locally to save

I don’t mean travel like a local, I mean to actually visit somewhere nearby. Plan that local trip you’ve been meaning to hit! I’m sure you haven’t been everywhere that’s within driving distance or even a short plane ride away.

I am a strong believer in exploring your own backyard. I think there is plenty to discover even if you can’t get overseas. Not to mention its WAY cheaper to book a local weekend getaway than a 2 week jaunt around Europe.

When the budget says no to international travel, look closer and don’t be discouraged.

39. Check your local library

My number one favorite hack for local travel is to check your library for resources and I’m not talking about books (although, I’m sure their travel section is great!). I mean to ask if they have passes to local or state-wide attractions you can check out with your library card.

My library in Georgia lets you check out passes to Zoo Atlanta for a few days, Georgia State Park parking passes for a week, and Breman Museum admission passes.

This has saved us lots of money, mostly for parking in state parks, which is normally $5 daily, and in admission to historic sites, which is $8 per person on average.

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Need more help travel planning? Read these:

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

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