How To Travel On A Budget: 15 Money-Saving Tips

Traveling is no longer a luxury experience since you can travel the world on a budget. With the proper budget and the right mindset, you can make your travel dreams come true!

If you are wondering how to travel on a budget, check out some tips below.

1. Make specific plans and schedules

Before traveling, you should have a clear plan and schedule. From there, you can estimate how much you need to spend as appropriately and economically as possible.

Create a bank account to save money on travel. Not touch that account.

Also, remember to list a few additional backup options if the plan goes wrong.

2. Travel off-season

During the peak tourist season, all expenses from train tickets and air tickets to hotels increase.

On the other hand, all of the above factors will not be a problem in the low season. The travel cost will be significantly decreased in the off-season. 

3. Book hotels and flight tickets as soon as possible

Booking hotels and tickets for transport 1 or 2 months earlier than the departure day will help you save a ton by avoiding increased prices.

It’s even more important if you plan to travel to places that only organize seasonal tourism, such as flower season, snow season, or festive season.

Budget travel tips for flights

You should book at least two weeks in advance (off-season) or 1-2 months (high-season).

Usually, these bookings save you about 30-75% compared to booking close to the date. If you want to buy affordable tickets (both domestic and international), you may need to book half a year in advance.

4. Use Airbnb

If you intend to stay in a city for a few days, consider renting a cheap short-term apartment. 

These apartments often have kitchens and washing machines, so you can cook and do your laundry without spending extra money on services.

We love using Airbnb and highly recommend it. 

5. Try Couchsurfing

A great way to save money when traveling is using Couchsurfing. You can stay with the locals for free and understand more about their lifestyles. 

By having a local friend, you can also know affordable food spots to eat like a local. Thus, you can save a great amount of money and bring back valuable memories after the trip.

6. Compare prices of transportation

If you can reach the travel destination by different vehicles such as buses, trains, or airplanes, you should compare their prices to choose the most suitable one.

7. Use public transportation

You can save a lot of money if you use public transport instead of renting a private car. It’s because parking fees in crowded cities may become a burden for you.

Alternatively, you can consider renting a bicycle and exploring the town on a budget. 

8. Check the discounted dates

Some famous tourist attractions offer free or reduced-price on certain days.

Therefore, check the information on their websites before visiting. For example, the Colosseum is free every Sunday, or the Prado Museum in Madrid is free from 18 to 20h Monday to Saturday.

Also, you should book the tickets in advance to receive discounts and avoid waiting in a long queue. Some sites, such as Klook, offer good deals on admission tickets.

9. Use incognito mode when booking flights 

A good tip when booking a flight is using incognito or private browsing.

Many websites use cookies to determine your search history, so you can avoid seeing price increases by using incognito mode.

10. Choose transit flights

Some transit routes will have lower prices for flights than the direct ones, so keep that in mind.

For example, you’d like to travel to Bali. Instead of flying there directly, you can fly to Singapore and travel to Bali by another flight.

In addition, the flights that depart in the early morning or late at night often have lower prices. If you don’t mind the inconvenience, take them to save money.

11. Select flexible dates

Another tip for traveling on a budget is to have a flexible travel date.

When booking flights or rooms, you should not choose a specific date from the beginning. Instead of selecting a particular date, you should refer to a time range to find the cheapest option.

12. Stay outside of the center

Central hotels will often be more expensive than neighboring areas.

If you don’t mind taking public transport or walking for 15 minutes, you should book rooms outside the center for a lower price. 

13. Check the weather carefully before you go

Checking the weather forecast will help you schedule your travels easily and save you money.

For example, some places may have a long winter; so if you don’t bring warm clothes, you will have to spend money to buy new ones. 

14. Pack light

You’ll have to pay extra fees for your luggage, so bringing less will save you more. Also, traveling without the hassle of carrying a large suitcase is great!

15. Check the prices before shopping

Don’t rush to buy something when you see it. Visit different shops to see the prices, or you can bargain to get a discount. 

Also, you should ask the shop if they offer a tax refund. Validate your tax-free forms when leaving the country.