Cheap Travel Tips
I love to travel and over the years, I’ve found ways to do it without overspending, especially since I’ve done the majority of my travels solo. being on a budget or having limited funds should never keep you away from traveling and having new experiences, and there are ways to do it without feeling constricted or limited.
how to travel on a budget
Prioritize. This is especially important if you’re traveling with others. Foodies will want to spend more of their budget on restaurants; you might not want to take a red-eye flight. Map out what you want out of the experience and where you’re able to cut corners so you have a better idea of where to spend or save.
Be flexible. Moving your trip from a Friday to a Tuesday can save you a lot, or staying just outside of the city could open up really cute small-town experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Travel in the off-season. You’ll avoid the crowds, get better deals, and typically can have a more “localized” experience. The downsides are that sometimes the hours of museums/ restaurants are limited, the weather can be unpredictable, and there are less daylight hours depending on where you go. Ultimately, I think it’s worth it and have the best travel experience when I book late September through mid-November (before the Thanksgiving rush). If you want to go to a theme park like Disney World, I highly recommend traveling the week after Thanksgiving; they’re setting up for Christmas but everyone is back to school/ work before holiday breaks so it’s basically empty.
Plan your itinerary ahead. Especially when it comes to activities and things to do, make a big list of everything that sounds good. When I’m traveling with a group, we usually do a shared note on our phones or Google Doc. Then see if you can book tours/ combo deals ahead of time, find weekday rates, or coordinate with your hotel for packages.
Ask opinions and make a friend. Getting on the phone to book a hotel has gotten me special/ under the radar discounts (or free add-ons), and we’ve had family friends get us into certain museums for free. Even posting on social media can lead to a referral code or great recommendation.
how to find cheap flights
Use SkyScanner. The best website is Skyscanner, but I’ll also just Google the cities (SAN to BOS) to see the month at a glance and how rates change based on the different airlines/ dates.
Switch to private browsing/ Incognito Mode. Companies and search engines save your previous searches and will increase prices when you return to them.
Check third-party booking sites. Use your best judgement and read reviews if you want to book from a third-party site; I’ve done it without an issue but always trust your gut.
Be open to different dates. I like to look at an entire month when I’m planning a trip, rather than set dates. Traveling on a Tuesday is cheaper than a Friday, and there may be a local event going on that raises the prices for a particular week. If you’re extra flexible, check last minute flights; they’re trying to fill the plane so you might find some discounted rates.
Timing-wise, I like to book flights that arrive in the evening/ late afternoon since everyone is usually pretty tired from traveling and that makes for an easier time going to bed and synching up with the local time zone.
Book one-ways. I like to make the most of a trip, especially if I’m going across the country (or out of it). I can typically save more money booking a one way to Philly and then taking the train to over nearby cities, and then get another cheaper one-way flight out of Boston. This also works well in Europe.
Look at bigger airports that typically host layovers. Check the larger cities near you that typically host layovers (think Denver, Vegas, Newark, Boston, etc.). You can sometimes save money by driving 1-2 hours to a larger airport (and find a non-stop flight) than trying to fly out of the airport closest to you. Similarly, if I’m open to different locations, I’ll check a few different cities and ultimately pick the cheaper option. Cabo can be cheaper than Tulum and you still get the beachy vacation you’re looking for.
Know if you’re checking a bag or not. Some budget airlines charge separate fees for checked bags or larger carry-ons, and you can end up paying more when all is said and done than if you had booked with a different airline.
Check delay rates. Always look and see how often certain flights get delayed. If there’s a bad delay rate, I will always skip it.
Be cautious of budget airlines. Some airlines are just not worth saving the $50 to me because of repeated bad experiences, so there are some I avoid altogether. When I can, I’ll spend a little more to book with an airline I have a loyalty account with, since the miles to add up.
how To find affordable hotels + lodging
Factor in local events. A lot of hotels will show the month and varying rates so you can try to compare that with your flight/ travel costs. Whenever I’m driving and have that flexibility, I’ll book the cheapest hotel dates, usually the middle of the week.
Stay just outside the city/ main destination. If you’re looking to book in a city like New York, look at the neighboring boroughs because you’ll save a lot by staying in Astoria and it’s a short (and cheap) subway ride to Manhattan. For more outdoorsy trips, check local guides because they’ll usually know of a few sites just a few miles from the main attraction that have discounted/ cheaper rates.
how to save on food, drinks, and snacks while traveling
Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle. I always pack my Hydro Flask, protein bars, chips, and cookies. Depending on the season, I’ll also bring bags of tea.
Stop at a grocery store. Once you get to your destination, stock up on more snacks, fresh fruit/ vegetables, and juice/ flavored drinks.
Check for farmers markets and street vendors. Some of my friends have saved a ton of money and spent like $5 a day by eating exclusively at street vendors and local farmers markets. You get a taste of the local fare and can learn a lot about where you’re visiting, too.
Book a place with a kitchen. Whenever possible, I’ll find a hotel with a kitchen because I don’t like eating out for every meal.
Look into all-inclusive options. Sometimes you’ll end up saving more by booking an all-inclusive. Hotels might have options for day rates (not the whole trip) in case you still want to experience local culture and cuisine.