Approximately $1,036 billion is spent on travel each year in the US according to the US Travel Association. That doesn’t even begin to include how much money is spent by Americans internationally. The moral of the story is, travel is expensive!
Everyone likes to get away (and everyone should!), but sadly not everyone has the resources to do so. Travel is good for both your soul and your health, so it is crucial to carve out whatever time you can to experience the world around you. Of course, that is easier said than done, but the good news is, there are a few things you can do to make travel easier when you’re living on a budget.
How To Travel On A Budget
1. Make Your Credit Cards Work For You
Rewards credit cards are one of the greatest things ever invented. More likely than not, you are going to be spending money anyways, so you might as well be racking up rewards for it. That is, as long as you can trust yourself not to go into debt. Personally, I’m a fan of the cash rewards cards because you get back a percentage of what you spent and you can use it any way you want. That said, there are a bunch of other great cards with benefits like frequent flyer miles, hotel stays, and much more. By putting your everyday purchases on one of these cards (and paying it off each month!) you can build rewards very quickly and you might even be able to travel for free! Just make sure to keep an eye on interest rates, annual fees, and foreign transaction fees.
Here are some of my favorite cards:
- Bank Americard Cash Rewards
- Capital One Venture Card
- Southwest Airlines Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
2. Be Flexible
Finding the time to travel is never easy. You usually have to get vacation time approved by your boss and then you’re subjected to flight schedules, check -in times, and the like. If you have kids, don’t even get me started on having to work around their schedules as well. But if you find a little room for flexibility in your travel plans, it can pay off big time!
Booking flights with flexible dates is usually a much cheaper option because it helps the airlines fill less popular flights. Less popular flights tend to coincide with a slower time for hotels, as well, and slow means better rates. Traveling on a Tuesday does not cost the same as traveling on a Saturday or Sunday. That said, traveling in September or October is much less expensive than traveling during peak times in February and April. A little flexibility can go a long way when it comes to stretching your wallet.
3. Go Off The Beaten Path
It is no secret that some countries are cheaper than others. Places like Thailand or Peru might not be the most popular travel destinations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have the trip of a lifetime. The beauty of these places is they come with the added benefit of not busting the bank! There are so many inexpensive places to travel, you just have to research to find what you’re looking for.
No matter what destination you choose, you will want to steer clear of tourist traps. When you’re in a foreign place, it’s easy to fall victim to it and end up spending more than you should. Avoiding high traffic tourist areas and opting for different experiences can really pay off. Simply put, taking the road less traveled will save you some moola and give you a more unique experience!
4. Ask For Discounts
This is one of my favorite ways to save! It’s super simple and requires almost zero work. You might be thinking, “this is too good to be true” and honestly, it could be. The truth is you never know until you ask. They might say no, but even better, they might say yes! That’s even more true if they’re trying to fill flights or rooms at the last minute. You will be surprised how far you can get just by asking. Some of my favorite advice that I’ve ever been given is what’s the harm in asking when the worst they can say is no?
5. Seek Cheaper Accommodations
Aside from flights, lodging is probably the biggest expense when it comes to travel. Let’s face it, hotels aren’t cheap, especially if you’re staying for an extended period of time. That doesn’t mean you can’t find good deals on hotels though. There are plenty of discounted travel sites that can help reduce your costs. Renting from a local, staying in a hostel, camping, or couchsurfing are some other great options for saving some dough. A few of my favorites include:
6. Go Grocery Shopping
One of my favorite things about traveling is trying all the different foods. There’s just nothing like enjoying some authentic, local cuisine. But eating out all of time gets expensive, especially when you’re traveling and need to buy three meals a day. While I don’t think you should completely give up going out to eat and experiencing amazing restaurants, one simple way you can save money is to go grocery shopping and make some of your own meals as well. As a general rule of thumb, I try to stick to going out for one meal a day when traveling. This way I can enjoy the local cuisine, but also save some money by relying on groceries or free hotel food (depending on where I’m staying) for the rest of my meals.
7. Save On Transportation
There are so many different ways to get around today that it makes no sense to pay more than you need to. Taxis are expensive and they add up quickly. Public transportation is a great way to get around if you can figure out how it works and where you need to get on and off. It’s also a great way to meet the locals and see what they recommend doing while you’re in town.
I come from a rather rural area with no public transportation and I’m terrible with directions, so I usually have no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going to end up. If you’re anything like me, you might want to look into ridesharing options like Uber or Lyft. It is super easy to get a ride and they tend to be less expensive than getting a cab. You can even save money if you sign up with my links!
Renting a bike or choosing alternative transportation like a rickshaw can also be a great way to get around.
8. Know How To Pack
Packing can make or break your trip. Over-packing leads to extra baggage fees, while under-packing can mean you have to buy clothes or supplies during your travels. Neither of these are ideal. Packing light, but making sure you have all of the necessities to get you through your trip, is essential. I try to get away with only using a carry-on or travel backpack [affiliate link], but sometimes I have to bring a large purse along for extra storage. Packing light usually means you have less room to bring souvenirs or other mementos back. Instead of purchasing little knick-knacks that will ultimately end up collecting dust, you can save money and usually have a much better experience if you focus on making lasting memories over buying things. If you need some tips on how to pack light, Becoming Minimalist has some great advice!
While the amount you pack matters, so does what you pack. You need to make sure you have the appropriate clothing and footwear for the climate you are going to. Nothing stinks more than being under-dressed for the weather. You will want to make sure you are strapped with everything you need so you don’t come across any surprise expenses while you’re traveling. It’s tough, I know. I’m from Western New York, so often I find myself traveling from a winter wonderland to a much warmer climate, and I need to have clothing for both. It certainly makes packing, especially packing light, a bit more challenging, but trust me, you and your wallet will be glad you came prepared from the start.
9. Make Money While You Travel
Perhaps the best way to travel while you’re on a budget is to actually make money in the process. I always advocate starting your own business or having a side hustle, and this is just one of the reasons why. Setting up your own income is great, but it is a lot of work and can take a while to pay off. If you don’t have that kind of time, there are plenty of other options for you. You can actually work while you are traveling, even if you are overseas. Here are just a few options:
- House sit
- Seasonal work (beach or ski resorts)
- Farm work
- Au pair
- Teach English
- Work remotely
- Tend bar or serve
10. Embrace Local & Free Experiences
Experience is everything when it comes to travel. Instead of relying on paid excursions, you should embrace the free and local experiences around you. Free walking tours are a great way to see the city and usually you stumble upon things you would never would have thought of. There is just nothing like experiencing a city the way the locals do.
You don’t want to take your destination for granted. It’s filled with hidden (and not so hidden) gems. Head to the beach, go for hike, see a local landmark, or even swing by a park. There are so many things you can do without spending a dime. Who knows, they might even be some of the best adventures you’ve ever had.
Your time is incredibly valuable. It’s the one thing you can never get more of, so when you decide to step back and take time for yourself it becomes all the more priceless. That doesn’t mean you need to break the bank though. It’s pretty simple to travel on a budget.
Using rewards credit cards, being flexible with your dates, traveling to cheaper destinations, asking for discounts, staying at less expensive accommodations, cooking instead of eating out, saving on transportation, packing light and packing right, earning money, and opting for free experiences are just some ways that you can travel on a budget.
Try them out on your next trip and let me know what your favorite travel tips are!
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