Summary
- Choose affordable destinations like Portugal or Mexico to save money while traveling. Avoid expensive places like Paris or New York.
- Travel during the off-season to save money on hotels, car rentals, and activities. It also increases the chances of interacting with locals.
- Carry on luggage instead of checking it to save money. Learn how to pack a capsule wardrobe efficiently to save space.
One common misconception about budget travel is that it’s all about luck. Whether a tourist can get the right deals, find the right locations, and sniff out the cheapest hotels can seem like a game of being in the right place at the right time.
However, there are plenty of tips and tricks that tourists can use to save money while traveling, whether on a national trip to the peaceful towns of the Poconos Mountains or on an international trip to Japan. These tips and tricks are truly timeless! Find out about the best ways to budget travel without missing out on experiences.
10
Destination Matters
Chichen Itza, Mexico
The destination that a tourist chooses can really impact the amount of money that they spend. Some destinations are notoriously expensive, like Paris or New York, so those vacations are best saved for later while planning a budget trip.
However, there are plenty of other places that are equally amazing where tourists can go. For instance, internationally, some destinations that are cheap all year round include Portugal, Mexico, Ecuador, and Croatia.
For those not interested in leaving the United States, there are plenty of cheap US places to travel to, like Glacier National Park or Yellowstone.
Tourists should pick destinations that are known for their affordability, like Portugal or Mexico.
9
Traveling On the Off-Season Always Saves $
Flowers and blue doors in Greece
Once a tourist determines where they’ll be headed on their budget adventure, they should then research when the off-season is for that area. For instance, the off-season in Florida is during the summer when it’s hottest, so tourists interested in visiting Key West or Miami should book for June or July. Similarly, many of the Greek islands have their off-season in January.
Although some may not want to go to Florida at the hottest time of year or Greece when it’s a bit cold out, off-season travel has many benefits. For instance, crowds are usually not as thick at tourist destinations.
Meal prices, car rentals, and hotels may also be cheaper, too! Some activities even offer free admission or reduced admission during these times.
Another lesser-known benefit of visiting a place in the off-season is that it increases the chances of interacting with local people in the area. What a great way to make life-long friends!
Traveling during the off-season lets tourists find great deals on hotels, car rentals, restaurants, and activities.
8
Tourists Can Save TONS Of Money By Carrying On Luggage
Luggage with personal items, ready for travel
Checking a suitcase on an airplane can rack up dollars quickly, so one of the best ways that tourists can save money on their trip is by carrying on their luggage. However, this doesn’t afford much space, so learning how to pack a bag efficiently is crucial.
One of the best and most fun ways to do that is to learn how to pack a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing, shoes, and accessories that are few in number, but can all be mixed and matched to create a wide array of individual looks.
The key to creating a capsule wardrobe is to stick to a specific color palette, use variety to one’s advantage, and spend time trying on different combinations before traveling. It may seem like a small change to make, but this can save tourists hundreds of dollars!
Save money in style by creating a capsule wardrobe and then carrying luggage on the plane instead of checking it.
7
Pick The Right Accommodation
Traveler with a blue backpack looks outwards towards a misty forest
While traveling, finding the right accommodation is vitally important. To find the best deals, tourists can choose their booking time based on prices, can stay at hostels, or can stay in cities where accommodation is cheaper.
- Kayak is a great place where tourists can find deals on hostels, hotels, and bed and breakfasts.
Surprisingly, a great way to save money on accommodation and have fun is to choose a camping destination over a hotel. This experience may seem daunting, but many explorers find it invaluable in the richness that they can get from staying in the natural environment.
Staying at a hostel or choosing to stay at a campsite are great ways to save money on the go.
6
Utilize Public Transportation
Metro in the UK
An important part of traveling is seeing how people in other places and cultures live their lives. One great way to immerse oneself in the local environment while saving money is to hop on public transportation to get to the location’s best museums or attractions.
Many cities around the world have robust public transportation options. For instance, Japan’s metro system is considered one of the best in the world. Many European countries also have excellent public transportation. Israel is also very accessible through trains and buses.
Taking the train or metro can seem mundane, but they can be very fun and exciting experiences and can give tourists a sense of independence and confidence as they travel. So rather than renting a car, budget travelers should head to their destinations’ bust stops or metro stations!
Taking the bus or the train can be an adventure on its own, and it can save tourists lots of money.
5
Souvenirs: Be Choosy
Souvenirs are a vital part of traveling, especially abroad. However, they can fill up a suitcase or bag quickly. While traveling, a great way to save money is to be choosy about the souvenirs one brings home. This is not to say that souvenirs shouldn’t be purchased; rather, only the best and most important souvenirs should.
If tourists don’t want to spend lots of money on souvenirs, they can instead make mementos from their trip in other ways.
Taking photos is, of course, the most obvious way, but creating a scrapbook, journaling, or sketching moments from the trip are all ways that tourists can take their memories home with them without spending too much money on items.
Only buy souvenirs that are really important to save money while traveling.
4
Don’t Eat Out For Every Meal
A local marketplace in Venice with fruit and vegetables
If tourists want to save money on food while still getting a great gastronomic experience, stopping at a local grocery store and sampling fresh produce is the way to go. Many accommodations can also include some sort of cooking facility, so tourists may even have the opportunity to try cooking some local food for themselves.
Again, this is not to say that tourists who are on a budget shouldn’t eat out at all. Rather, eating a store-bought sandwich or fruit for lunch instead of going out can help tourists save money. This can also be an excellent opportunity to explore local farmers’ markets.
Many accommodations offer a complimentary breakfast, so try to capitalize on that!
Eating a simple breakfast or lunch bought from a local store can really help to cut costs while traveling. One hidden expense that many tourists don’t realize is water bottles! Instead of purchasing water, travelers can bring their own empty water bottles to fill. This not only saves money but can help save the environment, too!
3
Buy A Local SIM Card
Phone with a SIM Card
There are few things more annoying than returning home from an international trip and finding a massive cell phone bill from texting, data usage, and phone calls.
One of the best ways to mitigate this expense is to purchase a local SIM card. SIM cards are commonly sold in airports, or if not, in local convenience stores (especially in cities).
Save on phone bills by getting a local SIM card at the airport or at a convenience store.
2
Walk When You Can
Cobbled street in the eternal city of Rome
One of the best ways to see the local environment or cityscape while traveling is to walk to destinations instead of getting a train or a taxi. If navigating the metro system is too stressful or if the day is too nice to be underground, tourists should hit the streets and walk to their museum, historical site, or activity of choice.
Some cities are enhanced by walking around in them, with many cities actually being intended for walking use. Walking is also a great way to experience local culture, scout out possible restaurants, and discover previously unknown fun activities. It’s also excellent exercise!
Walking is not only fun and a great source of exercise; it can help tourists save money while traveling!
1
Buy Chargers And Adapters At The Destination
UK charger beside an EU charger, showing the stark difference between the two
A surprising cost of traveling, especially for first-time travelers to a particular country or destination, is purchasing a phone adapter for the region of choice. Since there are many different adapter styles, tourists often have to purchase an expensive universal adapter or one specific to the country they’re visiting.
However, one trick that works particularly well with iPhones and Androids is to purchase an adapter at a local convenience store. Since iPhone and Android cords are near-universal, and all connect to a USB drive in the adapter, this is a great way to save money.
While there is a range of prices, and this tip may vary depending on where a tourist goes, wall adapters tend to be cheaper when purchased from a local store.
Although this trick is good for iPhones and Androids, tourists will find that this does not apply to other electronics, like laptops or hair straighteners.
Wherever a tourist’s budget destination takes them, learning how to budget travel can really make a difference. When all done together, these can make the difference between an affordable trip and a truly cheap trip seem astronomical!
