Dreaming of exploring the world but worried about the hefty price tag? You’re not alone. Many people believe that travel is an expensive luxury, often showcased in envy-inducing social media posts. While it’s true that travel can be costly, it doesn’t have to be. The truth is, with a little know-how and smart planning, you can experience incredible adventures without breaking the bank. You might be surprised to learn that your friends’ extravagant trips often cost two or three times more than what savvy travelers actually spend on similar experiences. The secret? Knowing How To Travel For Cheap.
This guide isn’t about roughing it or sacrificing comfort entirely. It’s about being budget-conscious and making informed choices to reduce your travel expenses significantly. For years, I’ve traveled comfortably and affordably, and I’m excited to share my top strategies with you. Let’s dive into the world of smart travel and uncover the secrets to seeing the world without emptying your wallet.
1. Master the Art of Finding Cheap Flights
Flights often constitute a significant portion of your travel budget, but they don’t have to be a budget buster. The fantastic thing about saving money on flights is that it’s pure savings – you still get to your destination, just for less. Here are my go-to methods for securing affordable airfare:
Leverage Skyscanner’s Powerful Search
Skyscanner remains my absolute favorite flight search engine, and for good reason. I discovered it before a study abroad semester and haven’t looked back. Two features make Skyscanner stand out:
First, Skyscanner includes budget airlines that many mainstream search engines often overlook. This is invaluable, especially when exploring new regions where you’re unfamiliar with local budget carriers. Skyscanner does the work of finding them for you.
Second, their “Everywhere” destination option is a game-changer for spontaneous trips or when you’re flexible about your destination. Simply enter your departure city, select “Everywhere” as your destination, and choose your dates (or even “Whole month” for maximum flexibility). Skyscanner then displays destinations sorted by price, starting with the cheapest. This feature has led me to some incredible, unexpected adventures!
how to travel cheaper with skyscanner
Utilize the Versatility of Google Flights
While Skyscanner holds a special place in my travel toolkit, Google Flights is rapidly becoming my go-to, especially as I’ve learned to harness its full potential.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is the ability to search for flights from and to multiple cities simultaneously, rather than being limited to “nearby airports” from a single selection. This is incredibly helpful for finding the best deals across a wider geographical area. Furthermore, the extensive filtering options, including the ability to include or exclude specific connecting airports, provide granular control over your search.
Another feature I love is the Date Grid. This visually intuitive tool allows you to quickly see price variations across different dates, making it easy to adjust your travel dates slightly to snag a cheaper flight. And perhaps my favorite feature of all: the Price Tracking option. After setting your filters, simply click “Track Prices” to receive email notifications whenever the price of your desired flight changes. This proactive approach ensures you never miss out on a price drop.
Google flights price grid
Monitor Prices with the Hopper Mobile App
Hopper is a free mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) that I’ve recently started using and am already impressed with. Hopper allows you to track specific flight routes and receive notifications when prices drop. It also proactively alerts you to price drops on flights to nearby destinations, expanding your options for savings. You can monitor multiple routes simultaneously, and while I haven’t yet used their hotel price prediction feature, it’s another potentially valuable tool within the app.
Hopper mobile app welcome page
how to travel cheaper with hopper mobile app
how to travel cheaper with hopper mobile app
how to travel cheaper with hopper mobile app
Subscribe to Scott’s Cheap Flights Email List
If you’re serious about finding incredible flight deals, you need to know about Scott’s Cheap Flights. This email list is a favorite among budget travelers for good reason. Scott, the founder, diligently searches for significant flight price drops and mistake fares, sending email alerts to subscribers. These deals are often time-sensitive, sometimes lasting only a day or two, so you need to be ready to act quickly if you spot a flight you like. The advantage of Scott’s Cheap Flights is that the deals typically involve major airlines, ensuring a comfortable flying experience even at a discounted price. They offer both free and paid subscription options, but the free version is surprisingly effective, delivering deal alerts every day or two.
Embrace Budget Airlines (With Caution)
Budget airlines can be polarizing – some travelers swear by them, while others avoid them at all costs. Personally, I see them as a fantastic tool for affordable travel. If you’ve traveled extensively in Europe, you’re likely familiar with carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, and Eurowings. Asia and Latin America also have their own budget airlines, and even international budget carriers like Norwegian (and formerly WOW Air) exist. The crucial element when booking with budget airlines is to meticulously read the fine print. Hidden fees and strict baggage policies can quickly negate the initial savings if you’re not prepared. Take the time to understand the terms and conditions to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
Pack Light and Travel Carry-On Only
Traveling with only a carry-on bag is often a necessity when flying budget airlines or domestically, but even major airlines are increasingly adopting “basic economy” fares that restrict checked baggage on international routes. These basic economy fares are cheaper but often exclude checked baggage, seat selection, and sometimes even meals. Thinking that international or extended travel with just a carry-on is impossible? Think again. Packing light is a skill that saves money and simplifies your travel experience.
2. Discover Budget-Friendly Accommodation Options
After flights, accommodation is usually the next largest expense when traveling. Overpaying for accommodation can sting, especially when you plan to spend most of your time exploring your destination. For me, a good place to stay needs to be safe, clean, and conveniently located – and I refuse to compromise on these qualities for the sake of price. Fortunately, numerous ways exist to save on accommodation without sacrificing comfort or safety.
Book Smart with Airbnb
If you haven’t heard of Airbnb yet, it’s time to get acquainted! Airbnb is a platform that connects travelers with local hosts renting out apartments, houses, villas, and unique accommodations like treehouses – the options are vast. Beyond just lodging, Airbnb has expanded into offering “experiences” as well. However, their core offering remains vacation rentals, and they can be a fantastic way to save money, especially when traveling in a group. Renting an entire apartment or house through Airbnb often works out cheaper per person than booking multiple hotel rooms. Additionally, Airbnbs are frequently located in central, residential neighborhoods, offering a more authentic local experience. If you’re new to Airbnb, you can often find a discount on your first booking by using a referral link when signing up.
airbnb travel booking website
Embrace the Hostel Experience
Hostels sometimes get a bad rap, often fueled by scary movie tropes, but the reality is that modern hostels are a far cry from those stereotypes. I admit, I was initially hesitant before my first hostel stay. I meticulously read reviews and scrutinized traveler photos on TripAdvisor before making a booking. In the end, my experience was overwhelmingly positive.
Hostels offer several advantages:
First and foremost, hostels save you significant money. In Europe, I’ve averaged around $20 per night in hostels in Germany, Scotland, and Austria during winter, and about $34 per night in Italy during summer. Venture to Latin America or Southeast Asia, and you can expect to pay even less, often under $10 per night. Two reliable websites for finding and booking hostels are Booking.com (which also includes hotels and guesthouses) and Hostelworld (specifically focused on hostels).
Secondly, hostels are a great way to combat solo travel loneliness. They provide built-in social opportunities to meet other travelers. Hostels frequently organize nightly events, city walking tours, and game nights, fostering a communal atmosphere.
Thirdly, hostels often have shared kitchens, which is another significant money-saving perk. You can purchase groceries at local markets (often much cheaper than in many Western countries) and prepare your own meals, further reducing your travel expenses.
For travelers concerned about privacy, many hostels offer single-sex dorm rooms (all-female or all-male) in addition to mixed dorms.
Consider Couchsurfing or Housesitting
While I haven’t personally utilized these options yet, Couchsurfing and housesitting are worth mentioning for the truly budget-conscious traveler. Couchsurfing involves staying with locals for free, often literally sleeping on their couch. Hosts on Couchsurfing typically enjoy meeting new people and sharing their local knowledge with travelers. Housesitting is another emerging trend where you stay in someone’s home for free in exchange for looking after their property while they are away. Housesitting gigs can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, and may involve pet-sitting responsibilities.
Book Accommodation in Advance
Unlike flights, last-minute deals on hotels and other accommodations are rare. To secure the best selection and prices, especially for budget-friendly options, book your accommodation as far in advance as possible. The cheapest and highest-value places, whether hotels, BnBs, or hostels, tend to get booked up quickly. Procrastinating on accommodation bookings often leads to fewer choices and higher prices.
3. Choose a Budget-Friendly Destination
One of the most effective ways to travel for cheap is to simply choose a destination where your money stretches further. This impacts not just accommodation costs but also meals, local transportation, activities, and souvenirs.
Opt for Destinations with Lower Costs
Consider destinations with weaker currencies compared to your home currency. For example, non-Eurozone countries in Europe, or entire regions like Southeast Asia or South America, offer significantly lower costs of living and travel expenses. Even within a region, choosing a less touristy country can make a difference. For instance, Portugal often provides a more affordable travel experience compared to its neighbor, Spain. Selecting a budget destination is particularly beneficial for longer trips, as the lower daily expenses can offset the initial cost of flights, resulting in a lower overall trip cost.
Travel in the Off-Season or Shoulder Season
If your heart is set on a popular, high-currency destination, consider traveling during the off-season or shoulder season. Off-season travel to destinations like Europe can yield substantial savings. When I traveled to Iceland in winter, my campervan rental was literally $100 per day cheaper than in peak season, resulting in massive savings over a week-long trip. Flights are also typically cheaper during the off-season. For destinations where off-season weather is less appealing (like a Mediterranean island in winter), the shoulder season – the periods just before and after peak season – offers a sweet spot. You can enjoy pleasant weather with fewer crowds and lower prices. When I visited Croatia in May (shoulder season), entrance fees to attractions were sometimes half the price compared to July and August (peak season).
4. Ditch Foreign Transaction Fees
It still surprises me how many people travel without fee-free credit and debit cards. Avoiding foreign transaction fees is a simple yet impactful way to travel cheaper. Most credit cards impose a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside your home country, and many debit cards charge a similar 3% fee plus a flat ATM fee (around $5) every time you withdraw cash from a foreign ATM. These fees might seem small individually, but they accumulate rapidly, especially over longer trips.
If you travel even semi-regularly, consider opening a travel rewards credit card before your next trip, specifically one that waives foreign transaction fees. I’ve had such a card since my study abroad days, and the savings over the years have been significant.
Recently, I also opened a checking account with Charles Schwab, which offers a debit card with no foreign transaction fees and ATM fee rebates worldwide. While I haven’t personally used it extensively yet, I’ve heard rave reviews from fellow travelers.
5. Save Gradually and Strategically
Traveling for cheap doesn’t equate to traveling for free. Regardless of how effectively you implement these cost-saving strategies, travel still requires funds. However, here are some painless ways to save up for your dream trip:
Skip the Daily Coffee Shop Run
Let’s assume you frequent Starbucks or a similar coffee shop three times a week, spending around $5 per drink. That adds up to $60 per month. While that might not seem like a huge sum, consider this: $60 could be the price of a round-trip flight within Europe on Ryanair, ten nights in a hostel in Ecuador or Thailand, or the entrance fee and train ticket to Machu Picchu. Brewing your own coffee at home, at least until you’ve saved enough for your trip, is a simple yet effective saving strategy.
Reduce Eating Out Frequency
Resisting a brunch invitation from friends can be tough, but at around $20 per brunch, even a weekly brunch adds up quickly. Prepare your own meals at home more often (or opt for healthier frozen meal options). Suggest budget-friendly hangouts with friends that don’t revolve around expensive meals. Meal prepping on Sundays ensures you have convenient and affordable meals ready after work, reducing the temptation to order takeout. Eating out expenses accumulate quickly, so put it on pause while you’re in saving mode for your travels.
Start Saving Well in Advance
The most sustainable way to save for travel is to start early and save gradually over time. Small, consistent savings become almost imperceptible to your daily budget. Saving $60 per month on coffee and $150 per month on eating out accumulates to $1,260 over six months. That’s roughly what I spent backpacking across Europe for 3.5 weeks! As the saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” The same principle applies to saving for travel.
Ready to Travel Cheaper?
Do you still believe that travel is beyond your financial reach? Hopefully, this guide has shown you that affordable travel is absolutely achievable. What are your own favorite tips for traveling on a budget? I’m always eager to learn new strategies! Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below.
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Traveling on a budget? I go into detail on specific ways I travel cheap, without giving up much.
Traveling on a budget? I go into detail on specific ways I travel cheap, without giving up much.
