LAST UPDATE 3.30.2018
Since I started this blog, I’ve already had several questions about how to save money in order to travel, and how to cut down spending costs WHILE traveling. It inspired me to jot down these tips for you on how to travel cheaper! Why should you listen to me? I spent a total of $4,000 on my 6 week solo expedition to 7 different countries in Europe. That includes ALL of my airfare and extras. I spent $3,000 on my 6 week solo expedition trekking around Australia. I could definitely travel for EVEN CHEAPER these days if I had known back then what I know now.
1. CUT COSTS ON FOOD!
When I traveled around Europe I don’t even want to tell you how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I ate, but it was a lot! I remember one long bus ride where I had at least 7 in a row. All is well.. it’s just booty fertilizer right? While I’m normally concerned with nutrition, a few weeks of eating bad shouldn’t be that detrimental to your health. The fact is, you have to sacrifice on SOMETHING if you want to be a on a budget, and for me that preference is food. It’s also easy to gather up a couple of friends at a hostel and make something together like spaghetti, which is always the go to poor man’s staple.
2. STAY IN HOSTELS
Ok, I know that hostels aren’t for everyone, but lodging is something that can easily reduce your budget instantly. And honestly, I kind of prefer them. There is no better way to learn about another country’s culture, and thereby learn about yourself, than by doing so. If you feel like being alone, you can always splurge on a hotel a few nights here and there. And yes, although I would say they are generally for people 35 or younger, I’ve seen my fair share of older people there and they don’t stick out like a sore thumb unless they choose to. Yes, I’ve seen people vomit on the floors, but I’ve also met older people who have taught me valuable life lessons. Hostels are what you make of them, just as in life! As far as I know,hostels.com or hostelworld.com are still the best sites to find hostels.
Probably the most accurate picture of hostels I’ve stayed in around Europe and Australia. Some are better. Some are worse. You get what you pay for! Photo Credit: Foter / CC BY-SA
3. HAGGLE
The thing I’ve come to learn about other countries (at least in Australia, Europe, and Mexico), versus America, is that you can strike up a deal much easier there than in the states. As an example, whenever you go into a business to purchase a travel package, tell them you got quoted a price much cheaper at another business. When I was roaming around in Australia, searching for the best place to find a scuba diving package, I quickly learned that there were many competitors in this same field vying for my money. If I felt like their price was too high for the adventure package, I’d either convince them to throw in an added bonus or tell them Joe Schmoe down the street has cheaper prices. Travel and tourism is a much hotter market there than it is here, so they generally oblige. The only thing you probably won’t have as much luck with on that aspect is purchasing airline or bus tickets (obviously).
4. SAVE ON AIRFARE
There are many tips out there on the best ways to save on airfare. You can become a points nerd, and rack up credit cards with free air mileage. This is something I haven’t quite dove into yet, but would like to, as I know it works well. If you are reading this and know how, feel free to contact me! You can always purchase your flights on Tuesday or Wednesdays, which are supposedly the best days for cheap travel. And the biggest tip I’ll give you, that most people don’t know about, is that there are travel search engines out there that are even better than Kayak! Have you heard of Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Google’s ITA software (www.itasoftware.com)? They are the best search engines for travel when you have an open schedule. I’ll do another blog post later specifically for saving on airfare, but for now, rest your beady eyes on that top secret information! Don’t you feel special!
Photo credit: Kuster & Wildhaber Photography / Foter / CC BY-ND
5. UTILIZE COUCHSURFING.COM
Couchsurfing.com is a hospitality exchange and social networking website. The website provides a platform for members to “surf” on couches by staying as a guest at a host’s home, host travelers, or join an event. This website wasn’t popular when I was traveling around, or if it was, I had’t heard of it yet. I have heard many great things about it though, so be sure to check it out!
6. WOOFING
These words probably sounds so strange coming from someone who has never traveled! Www.wwoof.net is an exchange – in return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help. Generally the work is gardening or farming duties. I had never even heard of this concept until I traveled extensively so I have yet to do it. However, I have some friends who did it and it worked out well for them. Alternatively www.staydu.com is a work exchange program where you can do something different, such as work at a hostel.
7. BE A WOMAN!
Beyond gender reversal or drag, there won’t be much you can do about this as a man, but hey, why not get out there and try! Obviously there are things in life that us, as women, get for free because of our ..assets. I’m not saying you should always take advantage of this, because I highly support being a strong independent self-serving woman. BUT, if you’re a woman who is going to tell me you’ve never received a free drink in your life because of who you are, either your nose just grew about 10 inches, you’re not a very good opportunist, or you grew up in a box. I received many free dinners while in Italy just sitting there planning out my next venture! Word to the wise: Be careful with this! Traveling solo as a woman can also be scary, and obviously this reason is a little tongue-in-cheek. Check out my post on solo female travel HERE!
Photo credit: vramak / Foter / CC BY
BONUS BUDGET TRAVEL TIP: Rent an RV and take a ROADTRIP with it! Confused? Me too. I didn’t even know renting an RV was a thing you can do until recently. Even better? RV rental prices are much lower than you might expect. You can rent a travel trailer for as low as $50 per night and trek all over North America seeing things you might not normally be able to see such as the astonishing Antelope Canyon in Arizona.
Those are great tips! Surely travel can only be expensive if one chooses it to be so. There are sooo many things that one can do to save a lot greatly while traveling.
Aileen recently posted…The Stunning Walled City of Le Mont Saint Michel, A Must-See in France!
EXACTLY!!! I hate when people make the excuse the can’t yet they have BRAND name ridiculously expensive clothes or purses!
Funny, this is the second post I’ve come across on budget travel today! I guess we all want to know how to travel affordably. Confession: do not like hostels – I stayed in two or three when I was first travelling, but I really value my privacy. Some of them offer single and double rooms I think though, and I would definitely do that. I’d never thought of getting free drinks as a budget travel tip but, er, … interesting idea.
Wandering Carol recently posted…Why visit Aix-les-Bains, France, and Lake Bourget?
Who knows. As I grow older I may not like them as much. It was different between the time I stayed at age 24 and age 29! That reason was so silly… I rarely am serious:)
Thanks for the tips! Skyscanner and Google Flights are great tools for finding cheap airfare. Also, take a look at the Hopper app for cheap airfare. BTW, I’m a so-called points “nerd”…lol. Earning and burning miles is the ultimate way to save money on flights! I have posts on blog about getting started with miles and points or feel free to email me. I can help you get started!
Jackie recently posted…Getting a Thai Massage by Ex-Prisoners
I will definitely hit you up for that!! I am super interested in learning more about it!
Great list, I use all of them, and I just discovered the ITA matrix! Been using Skyscanner for years now – it’s one of the best websites I’ve ever used!
Francesca @onegrloneworld recently posted…Hiking in El Yunque, Puerto Rico
Great advice. Also hanging around the hostel kitchen is a great way to get leftover food from someone who made to much and check out the free food bin at the hostel before making food. It’s usually good for pasta and rice.
Jennifer @ Made all the Difference Travel Blog recently posted…Paddling the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail
So true!! I never thought about just hanging in the hostel kitchen!
I love using Skyscanner for flights! There are lots of great ways to save money without compromising on the fun! I like staying at apartments so I can cook my own meals part of the time. Plus living in a real neighborhood outside of the touristy areas can be a good thing.
Lauren @ Justin Plus Lauren recently posted…Toronto Street Art in Graffiti Alley
Agree with all of these 100%! Love the last one- so funny! Just did a very similar post on this! Wish people would stop asking me how I afford my travels and read posts like these! 🙂
Jessica recently posted…Lands End: An Unexpected San Francisco “Urban” Hike
Great tips! ITA matrix is one of my favorite resources! A lot of my friends and coworkers think my husband and I are crazy for staying in hostels (private rooms) but I love the atmosphere and the prices are often so much better!
Valerie recently posted…Exploring the Phi Phi Islands
Great tips! I’ll be staying in hostels for the first time during my next trip and I’m so excited. I definitely won’t be able to afford my trip if I were to stay in hotels.
Jeh-C recently posted…Experience the Magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Nicely said – that we, girls get free stuff for out assets:))))) I think if there is some problem, people are generally more likely to help girl than a boy:) Lucky us!!! At least something in life gets easier!
Veronika recently posted…TOP 5 ADVENTURES TO DO IN TAIWAN
Loved this post. I would also include airbnb! I’ve used them a few times now and it really works!
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Great list, I use all of them, and I just discovered the ITA matrix! Been using Skyscanner for years now – it’s one of the best websites I’ve ever used!
Tour 3 Đảo Nha Trang recently posted https://letsflytravel.vn/tour/tour-4-dao-nha-trang/
I am all about getting cheap flights, being a woman and cutting costs in food. I am not sure about hostels and couchsurfing though.
Great tips! Some of them I knew, but definitely going to try all of these. Thank you!
There’s a new airline called WOW Airlines that has terrific flight prices!
I’m not much of a peanut butter sandwich fan. I like to eat fresh bread and local cheese and fruit. You don’t need refrigeration and can pack left-overs in your suitcase!
I’m too chicken to couch-surf or stay in hostels. I’d much rather look for studio vacation rentals or pensions.
Happy travels!
Teena from beautiful NH
Loved this post. I would also include airbnb! I’ve used them a few times now and it really works!
We can read very cool tips for sure. Yes, Hostels are usually cheaper as you know, but fortunately we can find also some good hotels at good prices in today’s competitive world.
Nice post!
I agree with the suggestions of the blog, i completely agree with the suggestions like airfare, hotel expenses or food cost but sometime if get the good trip manager for the your trip you can reduce the cost effectively. recently i went to Pawna lake it is nearby to the Pune lonavala, Team Pawna Camp shows best hospitality and finally they reduced our trip expenses effectively. you can details about Pawna Lake Camping on http://www.pawnacamp.com
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I love Travel life, This article gives some idea about the traveling budget. If you want any best deals on flight booking you may visit https://www.cheapskyfares.com/. I got some offers from this site.
You can optimize costs even on using buses, trains and taxi services. If you ever come into Austria, more precisely into Vienna, feel free to find FlyTaxi. We offer the best prices and you can enjoy your visit to our beautiful town. Cheers!
I must say these tips are awesome to save enough. Besides these tips, one can contact a travel agency and ask them for offers and deals if there is any. This can also help to save much.
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My biggest tip has to do with alcohol. Drink if you want to, of course — but do it at home instead of a bar. The crowd has its drawbacks, and then there’s the matter of getting home…
Also, look for what the country makes vs. what it imports. A place like Georgia (the country, not the state) is fairly well-known for its wine, while the beers are mostly imported. Give you one guess what I enjoy more.
Chris Backe recently posted…The Absolute Beginners Guide to SIM Cards While Traveling
Good!!!
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thanks for sharing nice information…
I went to America last month and I got a lot of fun by going there, and this time I am thinking that I go to see new seven wonders . If you have any suggestions on this topic, definitely tell me.
These all are the great tips for budget travelling.
Thanks for the wonderful article,this is very helpful.
Please continue posting more articles like this.
This was by far the most accurate and best wedding advice I have ever read. I got married this past September and as I was reading your list I was just thinking to myself “YEP, SHE’S SO RIGHT!” or “That is so true!” (especially the part about how EXPENSIVE everything gets, even for the small things that you don’t realize when you start planning). I just found your website while looking for waffle recipes and I have flagged quite a few of your recipes to try. Then I saw mention of a wedding in one of your posts and since I love weddings (I’m obsessed, I’ll admit, and possibly nosy too, lol) so I was ex cited to read about yours. You looked stunning and it looked like it was an absolutely beautiful day. Congratulations and best wishes!
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Great article, Very useful information has been shared. Thanks for the valuable tips.
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This was by far the most accurate and best wedding advice I have ever read. I got married this past September and as I was reading your list I was just thinking to myself “YEP, SHE’S SO RIGHT!” or “That is so true!” (especially the part about how EXPENSIVE everything gets, even for the small things that you don’t realize when you start planning). I just found your website while looking for waffle recipes and I have flagged quite a few of your recipes to try. Then I saw mention of a wedding in one of your posts and since I love weddings (I’m obsessed, I’ll admit, and possibly nosy too, lol) so I was ex cited to read about yours. You looked stunning and it looked like it was an absolutely beautiful day. Congratulations and best wishes!Book Taxi
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I would also add that you can cut on your transportation expenses by hitchhiking, though I know this is not an option in every country.
Oh my goodness – I love everything about this! I will absolutely be trying this out asap – the only problem is that 95% of my instragram feed is of my little one, which may be a little weird to put his own face on a onesie for him – haha! Thanks so much for sharing – can’t wait to try!