How to travel on a budget

Cynthia Cee
Jun 15, 2022
6 min read

Introduction

There's a common misconception that you need deep pockets to travel the world. However, thanks to a variety of money-saving tips and tricks, I've been able to experience some of the most amazing destinations on earth without breaking the bank. In fact, some of my favorite vacations have cost very little at all. After years of traveling and saving money along the way, here are my top tips for experiencing more for less:

Book flights on Tuesdays.

Tuesday is the best day to book flights. This is because airlines release their new sales on Tuesdays, so not many people have time off work to book flights. Furthermore, this is even more true for international flights, as they tend to be released on Wednesday or Thursday.

If you are planning a trip, consider booking your tickets during this time!

Travel off-season.

Heading to a city in the middle of winter? The weather will be cold and there will be fewer people around, but you'll also find hotels and restaurants with lower prices. Traveling during the summer? Expect to pay more for hotel rooms and flights, but crowds will be thinning out and it'll still be warm enough to explore the area without freezing your butt off!

Come up with an itinerary before you leave.

If you have the time and resources to plan your trip in advance, then do so. Plan out your itinerary and make sure it's realistic. Decide on a certain number of days you want to spend at each location, as well as how much time off you'll need between destinations. Book your accommodation in advance, if possible—this can save money since hotels typically raise their rates during peak seasons or holidays.

Planning your trip ahead of time is also useful because it gives you more freedom to explore when things don't go according to plan (which they inevitably won't). You may find that one city wasn't as great as expected or that there was an unexpected delay in transportation; having an itinerary will give confidence that things will still work out even when plans change.

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SnapTravel

Book hotels wisely.

Book hotels wisely.
Don't be afraid to book a hostel, B&B or guesthouse if you're traveling solo, as these can be great value for money. If you're traveling with friends or family, however, it might just be worth splurging on a hotel room with all the mod cons.

Eat where the locals eat.

Eating where the locals eat is a great way to save money on travel. You get to enjoy the food of locals, who are much less likely to be tourists and more likely to know about local deals or have friends with special access. You can find good local food in many ways:

Local restaurants (especially if you’re staying in an Airbnb)
Local markets (typically open-air, as far as I know)
Street food stalls (in cities around the world)
Street food trucks/carts (usually found near tourist attractions)

Carry snacks for your flight or train ride.

One way to save money while traveling is by carrying snacks. Snacks are an easy, cheap way to avoid eating at restaurants. If you’re on a tight budget, it may not seem like it makes sense to take food with you when you can just eat at that one restaurant nearby. But carrying snacks is good for your health and also helps prevent hunger pangs that lead people into unhealthy eating habits—like buying a $7 bag of chips when all they really wanted was some carrots and hummus from the vending machine in the airport.

It's easy to keep snacks on hand and put together a few days' worth before heading out on your trip! All it takes is some fruit or veggies (we love apples), nuts, seeds, some granola bars—and even better: homemade ones if you have time (which we do not). A little bit of planning goes a long way towards saving money while traveling!

Skip tourist attractions and go for local sightseeing instead.

While many people enjoy visiting tourist attractions, it’s important to remember that these places are often more expensive than the local sightseeing options. By spending your time exploring the unique sights and sounds of a city you can learn more about its culture without breaking your budget.

If you don’t have time for this, or if you are on a tight budget, there are ways to get around such as using public transportation or walking (which is recommended anyway as an active way of seeing a city). In some cities like New York City and London, public transport is very well-organized so it shouldn’t be difficult to navigate around with just one ticket. If you live in an area with lots of buses (especially those that run later at night) or trains then those should also be good options because they usually cost less than taxis do which means less money spent during transportation alone!

Take a walking tour.

Imagine this: you’re in a foreign land and ready to explore. You want to see the sights, taste the food, and learn about the history of your new home. But it costs money to go on that tour bus or book those tickets through an online service. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on travel guides and tours, try taking yourself on a walking tour!

The best part about going on a walking tour is that you can do it any time of day—morning or afternoon; winter or summer; holiday season or not. It doesn't matter what season you're visiting in because you won't have to worry about buying expensive tickets and having limited availability due to high demand during peak travel times like Christmas break when everyone wants their own personal guide for two days straight.

Buy a local SIM card to avoid roaming charges.

If you plan to travel in a country for more than a week, it's best to buy a local SIM card so that you can avoid roaming charges (which can get expensive). The most convenient way to do this is by going to an electronics store and buying a prepaid SIM card with data. Then, when you get back home, you can use it again!

This is also helpful if there are no outlets available at the airport or train station where you're traveling from—you can just ask an employee at the front desk of your hotel if they'll let you charge your phone in their office while they work.

Ask around for advice.

There are many different ways to ask for advice on how to travel on a budget.

Ask Around

Ask friends and family members who have recently traveled. They may be able to offer some insight into where they stayed and what sites were worth seeing.
Ask your coworkers if anyone is planning a vacation sometime in the near future, and if so, ask them about their plans! You might discover that there's someone with whom you could share costs of accommodations or other expenses.
Check with local businesses in your area—the chamber of commerce, tourist office, etc.—to see if they have information on cheap lodging options nearby or discounts on local activities that would make for an excellent trip (and keep in mind that these types of organizations often have employees who can get deals!).

Even a budget traveler can have a great trip! Hi

You can have a great trip!
Traveling on a budget is possible, but you may have to plan ahead and make sacrifices.
You can find great deals on flights, hotels, and travel packages by booking at the right time and in the right place.
Monday is the best day to buy airfare—that's when airlines release their new deals for Tuesday travel (so book it then). If you're flexible with your dates of travel, you'll save even more money by flying off-season or going during "shoulder" times (like spring break or winter holidays). Also look for low price specials from airlines (or other travel providers) such as Orbitz HHonors Room Key Points:

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there is no one way to travel. Whether you’re going for an extended vacation or just flying out for a weekend getaway, every trip can be unique, fun and memorable. So take our advice, but challenge yourself to go beyond it. Try new things, see new places and don’t forget to make new friends along the way!