So many people don’t travel because they think they can’t afford it. In reality, travel does not need to be expensive. Here are 32 Cheap Travel Hacks to help you travel more for less! Use these travel hacks to save money on all aspects of your trip. You will learn how to travel on a budget, and some savvy ways to save money on the road!
Keep reading if you are a beginner budget traveler or an expert traveler looking for some fresh ideas. The budget travel topics covered in this post include:
- Travel Hacks for Cheap Flights
- Cheap Travel Hacks for Accommodations
- Tips for Cheap Transportation While Traveling
- Cheap Travel Hacks to Save Money During Trips
- Cheap Travel Hacks to Implement Before the Trip
Travel Hacks for Cheap Flights
1. Use an Incognito or Private Browser to Find Cheap Flights
Have you ever noticed airline prices raise the second time you look? They are tracking you, baby. Use a private browser whenever you search for flights. This will help you find the best airline deals, and keep those travel prices low!
2. Use a Virtual Privat Network (VPN) to Get Cheap Flights
Using a VPN is one of the great air travel hacks to help you save money. If you are in a richer country, airfare will typically be higher. Using a VPN to trick the internet into thinking you are in a different country can save you lots of money on flight prices!
3. Travel Light: Do Not Pay for Luggage
Checked and carry-on bags are a luxury, not a necessity. Luggage sometimes cost more than the plane tickets themselves. You probably do not need most of the things you are bringing, anyway. So skip the spendy baggage fees and opt for more experiences instead!
4. Best Websites for Cheap Flights
To find cheap flights, reference a shit-ton of sources like the ones listed below. Sites like Skiplagged will save you money on air travel by finding you the “connecting” flight price. You may have some crazy layovers, which could be a great chance to explore a new city.
Make sure to check the prices on multiple sites before booking. Some of these sources exclude certain airlines, which may have the best deal for your particular destination.
Once you decide on a flight, do a quick search for a coupon code! Although usually unsuccessful, it is worth a quick 5-minute search to save you some money on airfare!
Sites for Cheap Airline Tickets
For Last Minute or Mistakenly Published Cheap Flights
Many people also suggest booking your flights 6-8 weeks in advance for the best airline prices. Apps like Hopper and Skyscanner will track flight prices for you, and alert you if they think the prices will rise!
5. Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards to Save Money on Airfare
Many credit cards reward you with airline miles for everyday purchases. In addition, certain credit cards include travel insurance and other benefits when you use the card to book your trip. Do some research and see which card would be the best for you!
Cheap Travel Hacks for Accommodations
Must I remind you, that you are traveling to experience a new place, not to sit in your luxurious hotel and meet fellow snooty rich people? If you are safe and comfortable, you are in the right spot! For cheap accommodations, think a little outside the box and be flexible! Accommodations can either be really cheap or extremely expensive, and those costs may determine what else you can do while traveling.
6. Avoid Hotels to Save Money Traveling
Hotels are often the priciest form of accommodation, and they usually do not provide any type of cooking equipment. If the hotel does not serve breakfast, then stay the hell away.
7. Stay in Airbnb, Hostels, Camp, Rent a Camper Van, Sleep in Your Car & Be Flexible
Airbnbs usually have more amenities than hotels, and they are way cheaper! You can have an entire house, apartment, or even just a private room to yourself! They are usually equipped with a kitchen, plus some toiletries and other essentials you may have forgotten!
Hostels offer a cheap stay, and the opportunity to meet other travelers. I stayed at The Bivvi in Telluride Colorado, a hostel that made the otherwise expensive location accessible for my budget!
Most cities and universities have places to rent camping equipment. With a tent and a kitchen set, nothing can stop you! Renting a camper van is also a great way to save money, plus allows you the freedom to explore a massive area. It is the price of a car rental + accommodation all in one! Read: How to Rent a Camper Van.
Once again, always search for a coupon code before booking!
8. Offer to Clean Airbnb to Save on the Cleaning Fee
9. Rent your Residence on Airbnb While You are Gone
Become an Airbnb Host to make money while you travel.
Tips for Cheap Transportation While Traveling
10. If it is less than 40 minutes, 3 miles/ 5 kilometers, WALK!
11. Use Bike Rentals or Bike Share to Save Money Traveling
Biking is a great way to visit a lot of attractions and see a lot of the city for a fraction of the cost of rideshares or taxis. To save money on bike rentals, chose a rental location away from tourist hot spots. The locals working at the bike shops can probably give you some great recommendations!
12. Ride the Bus, Train, Subways, and Public Transit to Save Money on Vacation
This is the best way to save money on travel transportation. For just a few dollars you can ride all day, see so much of a new place, and get an idea of what it’s like being a local!
13. How to Save Money on Uber and Lyft
I have found that if Uber or Lyft prices are very high, waiting 20-ish minutes can save you a lot of money! It may just be a busy time, and prices might go WAY DOWN in just a few minutes. You can use this time to start walking to your destination. Keep checking both the apps and when the price is satisfactory, book it! Don’t settle for expensive rideshares!
More Travel Hacks to Save on Uber and Lyft
- If you know you are going to be utilizing these rideshares a lot on your trip, you could consider signing up for their monthly plan/club. This could save you money on each ride, which will eventually cancel out the cost to join!
- Compare the Uber & Lyft prices for EVERY RIDE
(this is pretty well known, but rideshares are MUCH CHEAPER than taxis 99.99% of the time. )
14. How to Find Cheap Rental Cars
Not going to lie, renting a car is never really cheap… However, there are ways to make renting a car much more affordable. Sites like Turo, are similar to Airbnb in that you rent a car from a person instead of a company. I recommend referencing Turo, as well as any local car-share companies at your destination.
Some other ways to save money on rental cars
- Rent a Scooter or Moped
- Ensure there are no hidden fees
- Utilize a company code for larger rental companies
- Use your own insurance
- Check if your credit card offers rental car insurance
15. Utilize Delivery Services
Using delivery services such as Doordash, Instacart, and more can save you a lot of money while traveling. The delivery fee + tip you pay will probably be cheaper than hiring a ride both ways.
Cheap Travel Hacks to Save Money During Trips
16. Eat at Least 50% of Meals In
The cost of eating out will rack up so fast while traveling. Always eat breakfast in, chose to dine out at lunch for better deals, and eat leftovers or cook an easy + inexpensive meal for dinner.
Some Airbnb or hostel kitchens are absolutely stacked! Other times, they are dry and barren.
Pro Tip: bring along a small packet or bottle of olive oil + a small spice circle. There is no need to buy large quantities of these things just to leave them behind when you go home!
17. Buy Cheap Souvenirs at Thrift Stores, Estate Sales, or Farmer’s Markets
18. Bring Tupperware
Great for storing leftovers, carrying snacks, and better for the environment.
19. Always Have a Snack With You
This will be a lifesaver, and a money saver while traveling. Sometimes things don’t go our way and let’s face it, a snack is never a bad idea. Instead of making the last-minute, hangry decision to eat out, a snack will help you get back to your Airbnb to eat the cheap meal you made :).
20. If you Forget Something, Shop at a Thrift Store
You will get that item cheaper, plus it won’t be a big loss if you can’t fit it in your luggage home.
21. Save Money Traveling by Avoiding Tourist Hot-Spots
Don’t eat or shop in busy, tourist-filled areas. You could probably save $10 per meal by walking a few blocks in any direction.
22. Shop for Produce at Farmer’s Markets or Road-side Stands
The food will generally be cheaper, taste better, and you get to directly support and interact with the locals!
Pro Tip: Cook a meal, utilize your Tupperware, and have a picnic at a local park!
23. Planning is Money Saving
Before doing or seeing something, take into account the entire price of that experience. How much will it cost to get there, enter, tip, eat, and will it tempt you to shop?
There is nothing wrong with doing some spendy things on a trip, but you want to be informed and feel good about what you are spending your money on. Unexpected expenses can set you back and can feel gross. So, know what you are getting yourself into!
24. Don’t Shop on Vacation
You don’t need it. If you really want it, you can get it when you return. I would much rather spend money on an experience in a new place rather than a clothing item I could probably get anywhere.
Beach days are fee, man.
25. You Can’t Do Everything
Live it up, but make sure you are taking your budget and future trips into account. Having the mindset that this is a “once in a lifetime experience” will cause you to spend unnecessarily.
Enjoy the place and the people, as long as you are being a mindful traveler, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and absorbing a different culture, you are doing it right!
Cheap Travel Hacks to Implement Before the Trip
26. Travel With Others to Save Money
Traveling with other people with a similar budget will save you so much money! It will cut the price of rideshares, accommodations, gas and so much more!
27. Don’t Shop for Vacation
You don’t need anything new for a trip: no need to shop, buy special shoes, new bags, etc. I am sure you can make do with what you have, or borrow from others. If you go on a few trips and think you need something, reassess and decide if it will be worth it.
I don’t know why our culture makes us think we have to splurge in preparation for and during a trip. Your pictures will still be cute in the dress you wore last summer.
Why buy something you will only use for 7 days of your life??
28.Bring a Reusable Water Bottle + Filter if Needed
Goodbye, $8 airport plastic water bottles.
29 . Pack your Own Sunscreen
Why pay $15+ for a full bottle just to leave it at the hostel?
30. Chose Cheap Travel Destinations
Pick a place with lots of “free” attractions. A museum-based city will be a lot more expensive than a city on the beach.
Do some research to find the cheap destinations plus the cheapest time of year to visit!
31. Book Cheap Travel Activities on Airbnb Experience
These activities are usually fun, unique, and affordable! An added bonus is you get the chance to interact with and directly support the locals!
32. Know Cheap Travel Meal Recipes
Before you leave, have a loose plan of some of the recipes you could make!
Ideas for Cheap Meals to Make While Travelling:
Simple Stir Fry: Chopped Veggies + Soy Sauce + Rice
Pasta: Noodles + Spinach + Tomatoes + Sauce (or make a simple sauce with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice.)
Overnight Oats: Oats or Chia Seeds, Nut butter, Sweetener of Choice, Berries/Nuts/Plant-based milk, or other toppings of choice.
Veggie Burgers: Frozen veggie burger patties, buns, avocados, chopped onion, tomatoes, spinach, or other toppings of choice, (take ketchup/bbq/ranch from McDonald’s),
Buying canned veggies, soup, frozen veggies, etc. can all be great options too!
As you can see, there are so many ways to save money on travel. I hope this helps you travel more, save some major $$$, and gives you more confidence in your travel abilities!
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