This guide will go through 15+ tips and tricks for how to travel on a budget, from start to finish (planning, packing, accommodation & more) without limiting the adventure!

I hear it all the time, “I’d love to travel, but it’s just too expensive!” and I’m here to tell you that it’s STILL possible to travel on a budget & have the adventure of a lifetime!

  But for any of these tips to really sink in, you’ve got to have the right mindset first.

If you see travel as this impossibly expensive thing, but you’re out buying $7 coffees every day, going out to eat multiple times a week, or find yourself surfing amazon a little too often buying things you don’t really need, than yeah, you’re not going to have the funds to go on a trip. 

If traveling is something you want to do, then you have to make it a priority. I love going out and getting a warm coffee on a cold day more than anyone. However, I’m very careful to not spend any extra money and to live ‘beneath my means’ so that I can afford going on trips.

There are so many ways to make travel more budget-friendly, and these are all tried and true methods that I use all the time. In fact I just put all these tips to use on my most recent trip to Puerto Rico!

Travel on a budget – Planning

#1 Set a budget 

Before you start picking your destination and activities, decide how much money you are willing to spend on a vacation. International flights will typically cost more, but other countries besides the US tend to have more hostels & public transportation options that can make it cheaper than a lot of domestic places.

#2 Seek out an affordable destination

Sometimes these are the most underrated places and you can find real gems there. Look for places with low costs of living or places where foods and other goods are easily accessible. Ex: an island may have a low cost of living, but if they can’t grow what they need or make it on the island, then it has to be imported which can significantly raise the prices. 

#3 Be flexible with your timing

If you’re able to choose when you travel, try not to go to a destination during its peak travel season when prices skyrocket. That means you may need to plan for off-season weather, but the flights, accommodations and activities are often so much more affordable. And as a bonus, you don’t have to deal with crowds!

#4 Purchase travel insurance

You should purchase this for any trip, as emergencies, illnesses, and theft of your valuables can happen any time of the year. However, you should especially purchase this if you plan on traveling in the off or shoulder season, when weather can be more unpredictable. It’s incredibly worth the peace of mind. I use Travel Guard for trip insurance and Lemonade renters insurance just to cover my camera (it’s like 15$ a month & you can cancel after the trip).

Travel on a budget – Packing

#1 Thrift for any new travel clothes or gear 

Look for secondhand, consignment and thrift stores in your area. You’d be surprised what you can find out there. I’ve found some of my favorite cute fits thrifting! You can totally get outdoor specific clothing and gear too. If you live in a very outdoorsy place you may even have second hand stores specifically for that kind of stuff.

#2 Pack carry-on only 

All US airlines now charge extra for checked bags, so you can save a considerable amount by packing less. Plus, you don’t have to stress about lost baggage, which happens all too often nowadays. This is still a challenge for me too, but I’m slowly learning new tips and getting better at it! If you need help packing light here are some of the tips I use to pack light for Colorado trips. You can also check out the Community Tips & Tricks page to see if anyone has added their fav tip for packing light!

Travel on a budget – Flights / Getting to your destination

#1 Book in advance 

The sweet spot for domestic flights is 1- 4 months ahead of time, and at least 5 months out for international flights to get better prices. Spontaneity is super fun when traveling, but it’s often a lot more expensive. Luckily it’s not the only way to have an amazing vacation. Save your spontaneity for fun day to day things on your trip, rather than big purchases like flights/ accommodation/ rental cars.

#2 Let cheap flights lead the way

It’s no secret that airfare, like gas prices, have seen a rise in recent years, so instead of saying, ‘I have to go to X place this summer,’ let the flights be your guide. Plan the trip backwards and let the airfare determine where you go. Not only will you save money, but you will open up your world to travel experiences you may have never anticipated!

#3 Travel for free with points 

Try to fly only one or two airlines and make an account to earn points. It takes time to build up but it’s worth it. Booking.com lets you earn points on accommodation and rental cars too! 

Travel on a budget – Accommodation and Food

#1 Stay in hostels

Hostels are an excellent way to travel on a budget. And while I myself am a college-age student, trust me when I say that hostels are NOT just for college-age folks. Growing up, when my parents took us traveling, we always stayed in hostels. Nowadays, I come across plenty of families and older solo travelers using hostels as their choice in accommodation too. Most hostels are good about keeping quiet hours & enforcing cleanliness, so there’s no need to worry about that with younger-crowds either. Make sure to check reviews first, and always bring  a lock for the lockers to store your bags and your birdie personal alarm just in case! 

Occasionally it will be cheaper to do a shared space Airbnb. This is where you stay in your own private room within someone’s home, and share common spaces with your host. Again make sure you check reviews and still bring a lock for your stuff just in case.

 Make sure you feel comfortable with the host before booking. It’s better to spend a little more on a nice hostel or hotel than to put yourself in an uncomfortable, potentially unsafe situation. Generally though, Europe and Asia have excellent hostels almost everywhere that are likely to be cheaper than a shared airbnb.

#2 Use sites like World-packer and WOOF 

These sites allow travelers to trade volunteer work for a place to stay (and occasionally for meals as well). Once again, read all the reviews, make sure you feel comfortable with your hosts, and know exactly what will be expected of you before you commit.

 If you stay with a host that has a large stay/takes in lots of volunteers at a time, this can be a great way to meet other people. These options are especially good for those new to traveling solo, as you have a home-base to explore from and guidance from your hosts on places to go or even help getting there.

#3 Call hotels/motels to book directly. 

Often you can call a hotel or motel to ask about the price for a room, and they will offer a lower price than you see available online. This is more likely to be true at the last minute, as they want to fill up empty rooms. (This won’t always be the case, but hey, it’s worth the effort to try right?)

#4 Cook your own food 

If you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, try to cook your own meals as often as you can. When you do eat out, eat like the locals, opt for street food, food halls or local markets. There are some exceptions in certain countries where most restaurants are really cheap, or where grocery stores are really pricey, but most places will be cheaper to cook your own meals.

*Important –  Triple check that your hostels and airbnbs have an actual full kitchen. They are allowed to call it a kitchen even if there’s just a microwave and some dishes! This doesn’t happen often, especially in hostels, but I did learn the hard way recently when I came across it for the first time in Puerto Rico*

Travel on a budget – Transportation

#1 Driving vs Flying

If your destination is close enough to drive to, price out driving vs flying to see which option is actually cheaper. Don’t just think about gas money and tolls, but also how you’ll get around once you get to your destination. If you’re driving to a place that doesn’t have good public transport, the price of renting a car may make driving cheaper than flying. Especially if you are under 25 or going alone, which makes renting a car really expensive.

#2 Use public transport

Most places outside the US have great public transport available that can get you almost anywhere for a fraction of the price. If you’ve got a specific place/hike in mind that public transport doesn’t reach, just rent a car for the day. Or socialize at the hostel and mooch off someone else’s rental car. Speaking as a solo traveler whose given rides to others, most solo travelers won’t mind & may even love the company!

*Using public transport is also a great way to travel more responsibly and sustainably. If public transport is available where you’re heading, definitely opt for this option!

#3 Get Triple A

If you book a car through triple A (and have a membership) you don’t get charged the underaged driver fee! This is huge! A triple A membership costs about $70 a year. Some rental car young driver fees can be up to $50 dollars a day! Two days of renting a car and you’ve already made that membership worth it! Plus Triple A offers lots of other benefits too. Additionally, you can call triple A on your trip if get a flat or get locked out of your vehicle!

Travel on a budget – Activities

#1 Figure out your must dos or must sees first

Once you’ve landed on your final destination, figure out what the can’t miss attraction, restaurant or town that you would pay a little extra to see is. Then work your budget around this (to an extent). Ex: If there’s a pricey restaurant you’re dying to go to, cook the rest of your meals yourself.

#2 Find all the free activities 

Research all the free activities available in your destination. This often means embracing the outdoors and museums. It’s a great way to engage with the local history, culture and natural environment. I spend the majority of my time traveling out in nature or exploring the history behind a location. This is one of those travel on a budget tips that applies literally anywhere. Even if you’re in a city, go walk around and enjoy the sites of the city for free!

I’d love to hear what places or adventures are on your bucket list, and if you decide to put these tips to use to make that dream a reality! It is entirely possible to travel on a budget, friends!