Last updated on May 6th, 2023
Need some tips on how to save money while traveling? Here are the best travel hacks to save money while on vacation.
We all look forward to going on vacation, but sometimes it can be expensive. But with a few key strategies to save some extra coins, you can travel without breaking the bank.
As someone who knows what it’s like to travel on a tight budget, I have the 11 best ways to save money while traveling.
You’ll learn about the best travel hacks to save money on travel categories like lodging, transportation, and food.
After reading this post, you can travel wherever you want & ball on a budget!
This post is all about the best ways to save money while traveling.
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Best Ways to Save Money While Traveling
Travel During Off-Season
One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to travel during the off-season. Flights, hotel rates, and even some attractions are cheaper during the off-season simply because the demand is so low.
Now, of course, this means you might not get the warmest weather, or you might experience some rain showers. However, you can still enjoy your destination if you don’t mind dealing with a bit of rain or colder weather. And at a bargain price!
So, if you have a particular destination, research beforehand to determine the off-season.
Use an Airline Credit Card to Book Flight
The next tip on creative ways to save money for travel is to use an airline credit card to book your flight. Often, booking your flight with an airline credit card allows you to check your first bag for free! And with some cards, you can even get your companions’ first checked bag free as well.
You can save on baggage fees and get additional perks like lounge access with certain airline credit cards. With some cards, you can get free food while you wait in the lounge, another great way to save money while traveling.
Also, booking with a travel credit card means you can build up points with every purchase. These points can later be used to purchase other travel expenses like car rentals, flights, hotels, or even vacation packages.
Stay in a Hostel
Another hot travel hack for saving money is to stay in a hostel instead of a hotel. While they aren’t the most glamorous places to stay, hostels are much more affordable than hotels. Plus, they’re a great way to meet people if you’re traveling solo.
An alternative to staying in a hostel is using Airbnb. However, some locations can be just as much as hotel rates.
Book Hotel with Points
If you’re not interested in hostels or an Airbnb property, you can still find a way to save some extra bucks on hotels. And that’s by booking your hotel with travel points you’ve earned with your travel credit card.
If you have enough points or credit, you can book your entire stay free of charge. That’s a HUGE money saver!
Pick Free or Low-Cost Attractions
This travel hack is perfect for those wanting to know how to save money for travel as a student. It also applies to all other travelers as well.
Picking free or low-cost attractions is the best way to have fun and save money. And while this sounds impossible, you’d be surprised how many free activities cities offer.
So, research any free or cheap attractions you can participate in during your trip beforehand.
Walk or Use Public Transportation
This next tip is also great for student travelers – walk or use public transportation. If you can (and don’t mind the extra steps), walk as much as possible. This not only allows you to save money, but you get to see more of the city you’re visiting.
An affordable alternative to walking is using public transportation. Many cities have buses or rail services like the subway that you can take advantage of. I highly recommend using buses over underground rails because you can see much more of the city.
Don’t Eat Every Meal at Restaurants
Need tips on how to save money on food while traveling? Well, don’t eat out every meal at restaurants. This will save you MAJOR money.
If you’re anything like me, you love having a good me at a restaurant, especially in a new city. However, if you can cut back to only eating out for dinner, you’ll have lots of extra cash to spend on something else.
Skip the Drinks
This next tip may be a bummer to some, but you’d be surprised how much acholic drinks cost.
A single cocktail can range anywhere from $10-16 at most establishments. With wine costing anywhere from $12-18 a glass. And beer is typically much cheaper than cocktails or wine.
But you get the gist; this adds up quite quickly. So, do yourself a favor & skip the drinks.
If you’re not a drinker, you can save money by bringing a reusable water bottle and simply drinking tap water (if it’s drinkable, of course!).
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Shop at Local Markets
In my earlier travel hack to save money, I suggested only eating out for dinner. But what are you going to do for the other meals? So that you keep on budget, it’s best to shop for food at local markets.
For breakfasts and lunches, I recommend getting fruits, items for sandwiches, and snack food. You can grab items for a hot meal if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen.
Avoid Traveling to Expensive Places
One sure way to save money while traveling is to avoid going to expensive places. Yes, Paris is nice; California is nice, but spots like these are naturally costly.
And if you’re not careful, you’ll quickly go over budget. Or even worse, worry about how much you spend that you don’t have a good time. Been there and done that – 10 out of 10 would not recommend it.
So, just set yourself up for success by choosing a destination that is easy on your pockets.
Travel with a Group
And lastly, traveling with a group of people is an excellent way to save money. When you travel with others, the costs of lodging & transportation instantly go down because it’s split between multiple people. Which leaves you more money in your wallet.
So, for your next vacation, go with a group of friends or family & watch how much money you save.
As you have read, there are several ways to save money while traveling, like staying in hostels or traveling during the off-season. I hope I’ve proved that you can travel on a smaller budget and still have fun.
If you have other awesome travel hacks for saving money, let me know in the comments below!
Wishing you safe & happy travels.
This post is all about the best ways to save money while traveling.
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