How to travel on a budget
Traveling on a budget doesn't mean sacrificing quality—it just means getting more creative! Here are the best ways to make your money stretch further on your next vacation.
8 min read
- Budget-friendly travel doesn’t have to mean forgoing quality — you might just need to plan ahead.
- Make thoughtful choices about your vacation destination, non-negotiables, and can-do-withouts. This can help you have the holiday you want at a price you can afford.
- From flying mid-week to avoiding sneaky ATM fees, get tips for how to keep your holiday within budget.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or quality—but it does mean getting more creative with your money. If you want to travel but you don’t have a lot of spare cash, here are some of the best ways to make your vacation money travel further!
Choose your destination carefully
- Instead of starting with a destination in mind, start by comparing different flight or travel prices for a variety of locations. Narrow down the list according to the best deals available.
- Next, consider seasonality. If a destination is currently “off-peak,” that usually means accommodation will be cheaper as fewer tourists are likely to visit. But, bear in mind that different countries have different peak tourist seasons. Be sure to do your research!
- Check out the cost of living for each country. This can often vary wildly between different destinations and greatly impact what you’ll be able to do, i.e. how often you can eat out and how far you can travel once you’re there.
- Then, you may need to balance the cost of a more expensive, long-haul travel ticket next to a reduced cost of living. Sometimes, it can work out cheaper to pay more for up-front travel costs if it means spending less overall on living expenses.
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Secure your accommodation ahead of time
- Hotels: While often more expensive than other types of accommodation, hotels can come with some cost-saving advantages. If you find a hotel that offers breakfast, access to utilities, and discounts on local tourist attractions, you may end up saving money in the long run.
- Airbnbs: When booking an Airbnb, keep an eye on the service and cleaning fees. These are usually one-off expenditures so it often works out cheaper if you’re planning a longer rather than a short stay. Additionally, you can often make sizable savings if you split accommodation costs between more people. This can also allow you to stay in some larger, fancier places!
- Hostels: No longer the mainstay of students, you can find fantastic deals on private rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms, in many hostels around the world. Additionally, while you’re there, you may also meet other guests willing to share transportation and day trip costs with you!
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Tips for smart, budget-friendly travel
- Monitor your spending: Start with a budget, but don’t stop there. Keep tabs on your expenses as you travel and make sure your carefully made financial plans don’t fly out the window. Budgeting apps can help you stay on top of things.
- Choose off-peak times: If your schedule is flexible, travel during shoulder seasons or weekdays. Airfare and accommodations are often less expensive outside of peak times.
- Look out for hidden costs: Factor in additional expenses like travel insurance, visa fees, and baggage charges. And before you travel, research any other expenses you might run into, such as tipping or highway tolls.
- Skip the ticket line: You don’t need to splurge on entrance fees or expensive attractions. Instead, visit parks, museums on free-entry days, and local cultural events. Self-guided walking tours can help you get acquainted with the area’s history and culture — look online or at the local tourist information office for suggestions.
- Pack light: Avoid hefty airline baggage fees by packing light. Try bringing a capsule wardrobe, downsizing your toiletries, and keeping your souvenir shopping to a minimum.
- Learn some local lingo: Not only is it fun to pick up some basic phrases in the local language, but it also shows respect and could even help you negotiate better prices and steer clear of tourist traps.
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FAQs
- When is it cheapest to fly?
- What are the cheapest days to fly?
- How do you save money while traveling?
- How to save money for traveling?
- How do I create a holiday budget?
- How can I manage my finances while traveling abroad?
- How can I find affordable transportation options at my destination?
- Are there any strategies for saving money on travel accommodations beyond traditional hotels?
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