How to Save Money While Traveling

You don’t have to be rich to travel, but you do need to know how to make your money last so you can travel smarter, longer and more often. After saving money and planning your travel budget (see How to Save Money For Travel and How to Plan Your Travel Budget), use these tips for how to save money while traveling and to help stick to your budget.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHILE TRAVELING

BEFORE YOU GO

The purpose of this article is to tell you how to save money while traveling, but there are a few things you can do before you leave that will help you save money while you’re traveling.

AVOID TRAVELING DURING HIGH SEASON AND HOLIDAYS

Traveling during high season will always be more expensive and crowded. Christmas and New Years is always very expensive. The shoulder season can be a great time to travel.

Research the holidays and festivals in the countries you’re traveling because many countries have a lot of holidays you’ve never heard of and they take their holidays seriously. I’ve experienced Tet in Vietnam, Holi in India, Yom Kippur in Israel, Eid al Adha in Morocco (the second biggest holiday in Islam, after Ramadan), and Sant Joan and National Day in Spain. I was only aware of the first 3 holidays and I didn’t realize how much of a headache they’d be to travel. So learn from my mistakes. Not only do prices of accommodation and transportation soar, but sights are extra crowded and many places are closed (sometimes for weeks).

Ninh Bin Vietnam — Ninh Binh in Vietnam during Tet

CHOOSE WHERE YOU TRAVEL WISELY

Some countries are easy to travel on $20US per day, while some countries are difficult to travel on $50US+ per day. Want to travel to Croatia? Consider Albania instead because it’s a fraction of the price and it’s exponentially less touristy (and it’s one of my favorite places in the world). Want to go to Costa Rica? Go to Nicaragua instead and pay a fraction of the price. I personally did not like Croatia or Costa Rica because they’ve been ruined by tourism and they’re extremely expensive, so I left after a few days in each country.

How to save money while traveling- travel to cheap places like Albania — Albania

BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR DATES AND FLIGHTS

Some days can be hundreds of dollars cheaper to fly than other days, so this is a very easy way to save money.

YOU DON’T NEED TO FLY IN AND OUT OF THE SAME CITY

For example, if you’re starting your trip in Buenos Aires and ending in Rio de Janeiro, look into flying into Buenos Aires and out of Rio, instead of a roundtrip ticket to Buenos Aires. The cost and time to fly back to the city you started in may not be worth your time and money. To do this, choose the “multi-city” option when searching for flights. I do this just about every time I travel.

TRAVEL WITH A CARRY-ON TO AVOID PAYING EXTRA FOR CHECKED BAGGAGE

Most airlines don’t have baggage included anymore and it’s super lame. Checked baggage fees can cost anywhere from $10-25US+ depending on the airline and the weight, so this can add up quickly if you need to fly a lot on your trip.

SKIP THE SEAT SELECTION

It’s not mandatory, so save your money instead.

BRING YOUR STUDENT CARD

Student discounts are offered at sights all over the world.

UNLOCK YOUR PHONE SO YOU CAN GET A CHEAP, LOCAL SIM CARD

Instead of buying an expensive international phone plan through your country’s carrier, you can get a cheap SIM card in the country you’re visiting instead. Or don’t get a SIM card at all and just use wi-fi.

PACK A TOWEL IF YOU’RE STAYING IN HOSTELS

Most hostels don’t include a towel, so if you need a rent a towel at every hostel, that can cost a few dollars each time.

TRANSPORTATION

THE SLOWER THE TRAVEL, THE CHEAPER THE TRANSPORTATION

Most of the time, unless you find a really good deal flight deal. Otherwise, buses, and sometimes boats, will be the cheapest form of travel. However, longer and slower travel is more do-able if you have a lot of time.

LAST MINUTE DEALS ARE A MYTH, SO BOOK FLIGHTS SOMEWHAT IN ADVANCE

Flights are always more expensive when booked last minute and you may be stuck splurging out of desperation if they’re booked up. This has happened to me many times when I book a flight a day or two before I leave. This happens when I’m already traveling and I want to move to another city or country (I hate planning too far in advance).

BOOK FLIGHTS IN A PRIVATE BROWSER

Websites have a sneaky way of tracking flights and prices you’ve been quoted, so they use this to their advantage and raise the prices.

IF YOUR CHEAP FLIGHT LEAVES/ARRIVES AT 6AM, MAKE SURE THERE’S 24 HOUR TRANSIT TO/FROM THE AIRPORT

Otherwise, if you’re in an expensive country, you could be stuck taking a $30-50US taxi to or from the airport, which may not make your cheap flight so cheap anymore. If your flight leaves at 6am, you will likely need to be at the airport at 4am, which means you have to leave for the airport in the middle of the night, so taxis can sometimes charge a surplus for this.

TAKE NIGHT BUSES AND TRAINS

I hate myself for saying this because I hate overnight buses and trains, but they are great time and money savers because you don’t waste any precious sightseeing time AND you save on a night of accommodation. However, if taking an overnight bus means you’re completely wrecked for the next day, it may not be worth it. I highly recommend taking a sleep aid, if possible. These made the many overnight buses in India tolerable.

how to save money while traveling- take public transport — A train station in Mumbai, India

Even a short 1-2 hour flight can be a half day ordeal with getting to and from the airport and going through all the airport procedures.

WALK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND TAKE TRANSIT

Walking is free, you see more of the city and you get some exercise too.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation can be extremely cheap or very expensive, depending on where you’re traveling and your standards of comfort. Keep in mind you’re traveling to explore the world, not stay in your fancy hotel room. You likely won’t spend much time at your accommodation, so this is an easy area to save money while traveling.

STAY IN DORM ROOMS IN HOSTELS OR PRIVATE ROOMS IN BASIC GUESTHOUSES

There are often 4, 6, 8, 10+ bed dorm room options, as well as mixed or female only. A smaller dorm room will cost a few dollars more, but they’re easier to get a better sleep. A dorm room can cost anywhere from a few dollars to $30US+, depending on where you are in the world. And some hostels are really nice.

My hostel’s rooftop in Udaipur, India (Zostel)

And hostels are the best for meeting people, especially as a solo traveler like me. And they often offer free activities and breakfast. See How To Find a Great Hostel and Hostel Etiquette.

If you have someone to share a private room with, it’s often the same price or a little cheaper than staying in a dorm.

Cococha Hoi An Vietnam — Cococha hostel in Hoi An in Vietnam, which costs less than $10US/night for a dorm room

TRY COUCHSURFING, PETSITTING AND HOUSESITTING SO YOU CAN STAY FOR FREE

I know a few travelers who only use Couchsurfing because it’s a great opportunity to connect with the locals. For pet and housesitting, use Trusted Housesitters.

VOLUNTEER IN HOSTELS

For a free bed, food and other perks.

BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN ADVANCE… SOMETIMES

To avoid splurging for a room out of your price range at the last minute because everything is booked up, due to a holiday, festival or high season. But, as a very last minute traveler, this has only happened to me a few times.

DON’T BOOK ACCOMMODATION AT ALL… SOMETIMES

In many places, you can show up at a hostel or guesthouse and get a cheaper rate than online because you avoid the booking fee.

FOOD AND DRINKS

AVOID EATING IN SUPER TOURISTY AREAS

Like Las Ramblas in Barcelona. These areas are always overpriced and the food is crap because they don’t have to try.

EAT THE STREET FOOD

Especially in Asia. It’s cheap, fast, authentic and delicious. Choose a busy stall. You’ll be fine.

MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD AT YOUR HOSTEL OR AIRBNB

If you are traveling an expensive country, eating out for every single meal will add up VERY quickly.

BRING SNACKS TO THE AIRPORT

Airport food is always grossly overpriced.

HOSTELS OFTEN OFFER FREE FOOD

Breakfast, coffee and tea is often included, but some hostels also a free or discounted dinner and drinks. Like free sangria and paella/tapas in Barcelona in Spain, free wine every night in Mendoza in Argentina, and free rum and coke in El Nido in the Philippines. This is also a great way to make friends at your hostel.

How to save money while traveling- stay in hostels with free food — Free tapas and sangria night at 360 Hostel in Barcelona

PARTY SMARTER- ALCOHOL ADDS UP QUICKLY

Drinking and partying are major budget killers. If you drink/party every night, your travel budget is going to look A LOT different from someone who doesn’t drink often. This is a key area where you can save money while traveling if you’re smart about it.

I drink, but I don’t drink every day or in large quantities. And when I party, I buy alcohol in advance to pre-drink if I’m in an expensive country. Both of these factors save me a huge amount of money. It’s understandable if you want to party often because nightlife can be a big part of a country’s culture. I partied a lot while traveling in my early 20s and there are still some countries where I party a lot now in my 30s. Just make sure you party and drink smarter. I guarantee you don’t need to drink as much as you often drink in one night at a party. And you’ll feel slightly less like a carcass the next day, so you can still sightsee.

DRINK THE LOCAL BEER AND SPIRITS

It’s far cheaper than the well-known international brands.

MONEY

LEARN HOW TO BARGAIN

The majority of non-western countries operate on bargaining, which includes things like souvenirs, taxis and tours.

Chefchaouen, Morocco – where you can buy a beautiful rug for $20-30US

GET AN ATM CARD WITH LITTLE TO NO FEES

If possible. Revolut is a great fee-free bank card, but at this time it only works for Europeans and Americans (I’m still waiting here in Canada, but it’s coming). If a card like this isn’t available in your country, then withdraw as much money as possible each time, in order to minimize the transaction fees. And keep your money safe.

ACTIVITIES

EXPLORE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Tourist traps are expensive. Off the beaten path places are usually far cheaper (or free) and significantly less crowded. Check out Atlas Obscura for inspiration.

RESEARCH FREE ACTIVITIES, MUSEUMS, STREET ART AND ART GALLERIES

Museums often offer one free or discounted day every week.