First of all – CONGRATS on starting out on budget travelling. No matter if you have already traveled on a budget before, if you’re going to for the first time or are just considering it.
A lot goes into planning and saving for a trip, so you’ve come to the right place, if you’re looking for the BEST advice on easy ways to save money when traveling on a budget.
I’m sure you have already scoured Google BUT let me tell you what you ACTUALLY need
But let’s settle something before we dive into all the ways to save money:
FIRST: There’s no pre-defined way to budget travel or a specific amount you’re “allowed” to spend.
If someone makes you feel bad because you spend x amount on money on your travels – give them hell.
SECOND: We budget travel differently based on our goals.
I don’t mind wearing the same clothes for days and eat leftovers if it means I can spend that extra money on something I really want to do. Others would rather the opposite – and that’s fine!
THIRD: Budget travel is not a competition or a race – it’s a way to make your dreams come true with whatever means you have. We don’t come from the same place and as unfairly as it is, we just have to make do with what we have.
NOW – here’s all the things you need to consider when trying to save money when travelling.
1. FLEXIBILITY IS KEY WHEN BUDGET TRAVELLING
Being flexible with your travel dates can save you big bucks. Avoid peak seasons and weekends when prices skyrocket. Instead, opt for off-peak times or mid-week flights, which are often significantly cheaper.
2. COOK YOUR OWN MEALS
Eating out every meal can quickly drain your travel budget. You pay more for food and drinks at restaurants and take-away places (you might even be charged a table service fee).
So save money by cooking your own meals whenever possible. Remember to look for accommodation with kitchen facilities and visit local markets.
Another reason to cook your own meals when budget travelling is to have control over the ingredients – this is particularly important for travellers with specific dietary needs or allergies – but is also a good way to ensure you get enough protein and other nutritions when travelling. This way you can go longer between meals as you’re more full and you may even get less sick.
3. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
This is one of the KILLERS when it comes to travelling on a budget.
Skip the taxis and expensive tours and opt for public transportation when budget travelling instead. Most cities have efficient and affordable public transportation systems that allow you to explore without spending a fortune. Plus, you’ll get a chance to see how the locals do it and experience your destination like a true insider.
To that many bigger cities have City Cards which includes or has the possibility to give you free public transportation so you don’t have to worry about buying single tickets all the time.
Otherwise I typically use Rome2Rio or Omio – to get timetables and figure out how to get from A to B in the cheapest possible way.
Omio is the best transportation provider offering timetables & tickets for trains, buses and flights, as well as car rentals and airport transfers.
The best part is that Omio stores your tickets and can even add them to your Apple or Google wallet for smooth transitions.
4. EMBRACE HOSTELS AND SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS
Skip the fancy hotels and explore budget-friendly accommodation options like hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals.
Hostels are the best way to get cheap accommodation and meet other like minded travellers. A hostel is a dormitory-style rooms and communal facilities aimed to travellers known for their social atmosphere. Because of this it is often an affordable accommodation option.
Making a booking through Hostelworld is easy!
With over 16,500 hostels in 180 countries, there’s always room for a new adventure!
Once you have selected your destination, number of nights and guests you'll get a list with property including pictures and reviews.
Other ways to save money on accommodation when budget travelling
- Sign up to Worldpackers
WorldPackers is an online platform that helps travelers find volunteering opportunities around the world with 140 destinations for you to explore.
It’s simple – you offer your help in exchange for accommodation and other benefits. Worldpackers offers 6 different types of memberships going from $49-$149 (psst if you use my Promo code: WORLDOFSOFIA you get a $10 USD discount on your membership)
- Sign up to Trusted House Sitters
With Trusted House Sitters you can take care of someone’s house and/or pets in exchange for accommodation in a local house at no additional cost to you! Trusted House Sitters is available in multiple countries and you can sign up to get notifications when a new sit is available.
Use the code SOFIAB25 to get 25% off!
5. LOOK OUT FOR FREE ATTRACTIONS
Who says the best things in life aren’t free? Many destinations offer a wealth of free activities and attractions, from museums and parks to hiking trails and street markets. Do some research beforehand and you will for sure find many free things to do wherever you go!
Personally I love doing free walking tours. Every bigger city has them and it’s such a good way to see and understand more about a city – as well as meet new people – that won’t cost you anything (though it’s considered a custom to tip the guide). Find a free walking tour in your next destination here
6. PACK LIGHT
For the love of God – STOP overpacking and STOP paying for unnecessary luggage. The best way to avoid checked baggage fees is by packing light or sticking to carry-on luggage. Not only will you save money on baggage, but you’ll also have the convenience of traveling lighter. And no, don’t pack extra “just in case” – you know you will not need an extra pair of jeans or shampoo…
7. NOT GETTING TRAVEL INSURANCE (even for budget travel)
Yes – technically you have to SPEND money on a travel insurance but if – god forbid – you’re injured on your trip, your things get stolen or there’s any other problems on your travels. Not being insured can cost A LOT of money in Medical Fees, transportation to Hospital (especially if you’re in a remote area) as well as transport home – hence why travel insurance can save you BIG time.
Read more about travel insurance here
The global safety that Safetywing are building is for anyone that wants to be location independent and insured.
With SafetyWing you can freely travel insured to 180+ countries including:
- Coverage for travel delay
- Lost checked luggage*
- Emergency response
And more!
8. STOP EXCHANGING CURRENCY AT THE AIRPORT
This is a silent money-sucker. Currency exchange rates at airports are HORRIBLE. The airport knows tourists need local currency, so they push up the prices and give you unfair rates. If you can – wait until you find an ATM (or even better – a Bank) in the city you’re visiting. You will save yourself a lot of unnecessary fees!
To that I use my Wise Card when travelling as I can pay in local currency to avoid fees as well as convert money as I go to the lowest market rate possible.
Pay your way around the world with a universal card. Wise offers money transfer in 160 countries with 40 currencies.
Wise can convert, send and receive money at the cheapest rate in the market.
9. STOP OVER-PAYING FOR FLIGHTS!
If you don’t know your way around booking flights you could end up paying way more than you should for a plane ticket. Let’s break it down. Finding cheap flights requires a combination of flexibility, research, and a bit of savvy booking strategies.
First of all – when searching for flights on Google, Safari, Yahoo or any other search engine – make sure to use incognito-mode and agree to block third-party cookies, so booking sites can’t use cookies that track you across the web. Often what happens when you search for flights in your normal search engine, the machine learns what you are searching for and will increase prices based on your search history. When you don’t allow tracking – you will ultimately avoid these hidden price pushes.
Secondly, make sure to use fare comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to explore different destinations and prices. Most booking sites have an option to not search for a specific destination but an “explore everywhere” button. By using this you can see where flying to and from is cheapest.
Thirdly, Set Up Price Alerts. Many flight comparison websites and apps allow you to set up price alerts for specific routes and dates. You’ll receive notifications when prices drop, helping you snag the best deals before they’re gone.
