14 tips on how to travel on a budget  

You can travel on a budget and still have a great time

Whilst we may be envious of those 5-star luxury travel posts we see on Insta, most of us need to keep to some kind of a budget when travelling.

Many people think yolo when it comes to travelling and that’s fine, but many also have long-term financial goals which means not blowing the budget every time you’re on the road. 

And, if you’re a digital nomad and travelling full-time, whilst you can live pay check to pay check and burn through what you make (we see plenty of digital nomads do this) it’s more sensible to save for a rainy day and have some kind of budget you stick to. 

And it can be just as fun and rewarding if you have the right mindset. So here are 14 of our best tips. 

1. Travel apps for the best deals  

When it comes to how to travel cheap, the first step is to do your research and compare sites like TripAdvisor, Skyscanner and Expedia for the best flight and hotel deals. 

But other apps can also help you save. Use Skiplagged to book a cheaper flight by getting off at the layover. HotelTonight gives you great rates on hotels if you’re booking on the same day. BlaBlaCar is a ride-sharing app where you can reserve a seat in someone’s car if they’re going to the same place as you. 

Elsewhere, travel blogs like The Points Guy have great tips and info for travelling on a budget. 

2. Don’t check in bags  

Fees for checking in extra baggage add up fast, and do you really need all of that stuff? It’s up to you, but packing light not only saves money but is so much easier, especially if you’re going to be on the road for a long time and moving from place to place. 

Check out our essential packing list.  

3. Don’t buy food on flights

You’re on a two-hour flight and food isn’t included. Do you really need that burnt $4 coffee and dry $8 sandwich? Take snacks on board or wait till you land.  

4. Take a bus from the airport 

Taxi prices at the airport are hugely inflated, even if they’re Ubers. And yes, of course, it’s easier to grab a cab, but there’s almost always a local bus that transfers you into the city for a fraction of the price. 

Look it up beforehand or ask at the information desk at the airport when you get there. We were quoted 35 euros for a taxi when we landed at Athens airport, where the local bus was 2 euros each! No-brainer.    

5. Use buses everywhere  

And on the topic of buses, use them as much as possible for day trips or transfers. Yes, it’s more effort, but taxis even in cheap places will add up if you’re using them every day. 

If you’re travelling in Europe, bus companies like Flixbus have a huge network of local bus routes which can take you to some great places for much less than a taxi or train. Consider even taking an overnight bus and waking up at your destination the next morning. 

They’re more comfortable than you think and you also save on that night’s accommodation while you’re snoozing on the bus.      

6. Go to less obvious places  

If you must be in the capital, consider staying just a few streets back from the most iconic landmarks where you’ll get more bang for your buck. But do you ever really need to stay in the centre of Rome or Paris? Sure, that would be fine if money is no object. But staying in the suburbs or a neighbouring town or village and rubbing shoulders with the locals can be a much cheaper and even more authentic travelling experience (in our opinion). 

For instance, when travelling to the Amalfi coast, glamorous Positano may price out many budget travellers so consider staying in the mountain village of Montepertuso instead. You’ll be tucked away from the busy streets and near some superb affordable local restaurants, with regular buses taking you down to central Positano for a few euros. It’s a win-win. 

7. Travel off-season 

When it comes to how to travel cheap and on a budget, if you can, travel outside of peak travel months and pick shoulder seasons, when you still get good weather with half the costs and crowds. 

8. Negotiate with Airbnb hosts for better rates  

Did you know you can do this? When browsing accommodation, you can send a message to the host before booking to enquire about the property. At that point, you can ask for a discount on your stay. We’ve had great success with this and especially when travelling off-season when hosts may be more willing to make a deal. 

However, Airbnb’s have been getting more expensive in recent years, and with more people travelling prices have gone up and the discounts are not as generous as they used to be. But it’s definitely still worth enquiring before you book. 

9. Cook at home 

We love this one. It’s great eating out and you should have an allowance to enjoy the local restaurants. It wouldn’t be a holiday without sampling some great local cuisine!

However, if you have cooking facilities in your accommodation, use them! We love exploring the local fresh food markets and browsing the supermarkets to sample the food we don’t have at home.  

10. The best things in life are…  

Free, it’s true. Or as close to it as possible. Enjoy long walks into town, go to the beach, pack a picnic and check out free museums.  

In our opinion, nothing in the world is as satisfying as an early morning sea dip or watching the sunset with a cold beer.   

11. Speak to the locals 

Speak to your Airbnb host, front desk or the local bartender to get insider knowledge on where the locals go. They always know best, and they don’t waste their money at the flashy places geared up for tourists. 

When it comes to how to travel on a budget, this is a no-brainer. We’ve had some of our best experiences by skipping the harbourfront restaurant and sampling local home cooking at that kerbside diner that we would have never found by ourselves.     

12. Avoid tourist traps 

Sounds obvious but lots of people get caught out. Is a restaurant with menus translated into ten different languages going to be that authentic? Is a package boat tour with 100 other tourists and a cheese sandwich for lunch going to be worth it? 

Sometimes, sure, it can be! And of course, it depends on the circumstances, but it can be easy to get bamboozled by pushy salespersons, so do your research before parting with your cash. 

13. Pay less for withdrawing money abroad 

No ‘how to travel on a budget’ list would be without this one.

Avoid, avoid, avoid high fees for withdrawing money abroad. Your checking account debit card may not be the most cost effective way of withdrawing money from ATMs. Do your research and find the right card that minimizes your transaction costs.  

14. I’m lovin’ it. Check out the local Mcdonald’s

Ok, if you’re going to judge us, stop right there! You’re going travelling for new experiences, culture and food, right? But who doesn’t like a Mcdonald’s now and then? And it’s fun to try the different menu items in new countries. It’s also a cheap, quick and easy meal wherever you are, so why not. 

These are just a few of our tips on how to travel cheap and on a budget. Sign up to our email to get more tips and tricks like these ones!

The information on this page is not professional, business or lifestyle advice and is for entertainment purposes only.