It’s no secret that we love to travel, but it’s also no secret that money doesn’t grow on trees! We’ve found an easy way to make budget travel work for us – but there are multiple ways you can save. Learn how to travel on a budget with these tips.
Public Transportation > Taxis
Whenever possible, we recommend exploring a new city on foot or by using their public transportation system. Taxis in major cities (such as London or Paris for example) can be extremely expensive. There is also typically a lot of traffic in those places, which could slow you down getting to your next destination. Public transportation will probably only cost $2-3 per ride, where a taxi could be $20-$30! Whenever possible, we avoid taking taxis and try to walk or take a bus or subway to save some extra money.
Use Credit Card Points
We’ve used credit card points to help us fund trips to Switzerland, Peru & Ireland. We only recommend this option if you’re good with financing, as credit cards like these have very high interest rates. However – if you’re spending money on things like groceries & gas anyways, you might as well make that money work for you. This tip goes beyond how to travel on a budget, and falls into the world of – how to travel for free! Check out our previous post reviewing our first ever travel credit card: Capital One Venture Card Review to learn more.
Travel in the off or shoulder season
Peak season depends on the destination, but for example in Europe this is typically the Summer when everyone is off from school or work and the weather is the warmest. While sometimes it’s impossible to avoid peak season depending on your personal schedule, we recommend traveling during the off season (Winter) or shoulder season (Spring / Fall) when you can. During peak season, airlines & hotels will increase their prices significantly because the demand is higher. You can get much better rates if you travel during a different time of year. The upside to this is that you also avoid crowds and get more of an authentic experience. My favorite memory of this is visiting London in February with my Mom. While we did get caught up in some snow, we never really had to wait in lines and felt like we had some places all to ourselves! Traveling in the off season is key for budget travel.
Buy food at Grocery Stores
I don’t think there has been a single trip where we haven’t visited a grocery store. We love buying local snacks to try and often purchase breakfast foods or lunches to go. It’s far less expensive to grab food from a grocery store, than a cafe or restaurant. They often offer pre-made salads, sandwiches, etc. that you can buy and save for later. It’s also nice to be able to find an outdoor space, maybe in a park or with a great view, to enjoy the food you bought. It saves you time as well since dining in other countries can be a few hours long. We typically plan for one nice meal at dinner, where we can relax after a busy day of sightseeing!
Stay in Hostels or Airbnbs instead of Hotels
Hostels and Airbnbs are typically less expensive than staying in a hotel. You can often find them in the same great locations for half the price! Hostels are great if you are traveling with a group so you can all stay in one room together. You can also get private rooms at hostels if you are uncomfortable sharing a room. (Hostels get a bad rep sometimes but they really are a blast!) Above all though, we love Airbnb the best. The prices are often similar to hostels but you have more of a private space. Check out our post on Why we love Airbnb to learn more. If you don’t have an Airbnb account, use our referral link to earn a discount on your first trip!
Avoid Souvenir Shopping
Souvenirs can be a huge drain on your budget. We always prefer spending our money on experiences or a nice meal, rather than things we may not use in the future. We’ve always been selective with our souvenirs, typically only buying a Christmas Ornament and postcards in each place we visit. Souvenirs take up a lot of space in your suitcase and often get forgotten or tossed aside once home. If you feel like you want to bring your family or friends something, send them a postcard from your destination! Getting mail is always a fun experience, especially from a different country. You could also grab some local chocolates from the grocery store to bring them as well. Souvenir shops are good to avoid if you’re trying to travel on a budget. Trust us when we say – you don’t need the T-Shirt and hats for you and your family. Spend that money on museum tickets or a delicious meal that you can remember forever!
Travel Light
We rarely check a bag when traveling. Most times, we simply bring a carry-on. This allows us to get better rates on flights, as well as peace of mind that our luggage won’t get lost. I know this is not an easy thing to do for some people, but if you are trying to travel on a budget – this could save you ~$100 per person! Our favorite carry-on is Away since we’re able to fit so much. You’d be surprised how much you can fit if you roll your clothes and pack versatile layers.
Buy tickets in advance
Whether for a train or a museum, you can often get the best rates by planning ahead. Often times, historical sites will offer discounts for reserving your spot online too – so you can save a little extra. This also allows you to skip lines and ensure you get to see everything you want to. (Keep in mind larger attractions DO sell out of tickets). Check out our previous post for more tips before you depart on your next adventure: Travel Tips: Before you go.
Skip the Phone Plan
Using your phone plan from home while abroad can be expensive, and add an extra cost to your trip that you might not have originally planned for. For most of our international vacations, we skipped out on using a phone plan and simply utilized free Wifi at our Airbnb, restaurants, cafes, etc. Often in larger cities, there are even parks or public spaces that offer free Wifi as well, which is helpful while on the go. We typically download Google Maps offline to help us navigate a city without cell service. If the thought of being without cell service is too stressful, you can always check into getting a local SIM card while abroad to ensure better rates & service.
We hope you found these tips on how to travel on a budget helpful!
Cheers, Amanda
