Exploring new places and travelling abroad doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Most travellers aren’t rich, they’ve just learned how to travel on a budget. So, here are my top budget travel tips every traveller must know so that you too can get to exploring your dream destinations.
Book everything tactically.
When booking flights for your trips, budget travellers should check multiple websites such as a Google Flights, Skyscanner, and STA Travel to compare deals, dates, and airports.
On Google Flights, you can put in multiple destinations at once to compare fares. Also, if you do not put in a destination, Google Flights will show you a map of the world with fares from your selected airport(s), so you can see where in the world you could fly for cheap.
Check for fees.
Check baggage fees before you book! Many budget airlines nowadays don’t even include a carry-on bag, so add those prices in when budgeting. Forget to check-in? You could be hit with a €50 fee.
Travel in the offseason.
Travelling during the offseason has many benefits, but for budget travel is that the prices will typically drop immensely. You can enjoy flights, accommodation, and activities for a lower price than in the high season. Let’s not forget it’ll likely be more peaceful with fewer crowds and shorter queues.
Travel slowly.
I frequently write about the benefits of the slow travel, which you can read all about here. But it’s also a great for budget travelers. Constantly hopping from place to place adds up. Get to know a particular destination and you’re doing your bank account and your mentality a favor.
Bonus: Many places do weekly and monthly discounts. Check out Airbnb or get in contact with local hotels or hostels to see you options. That’ll definitely cut down your costs.
Use public transport.
Instead of taking the taxi into the city from the airport, research public transportation routes. You’ll get a better feel for the city this way and you’ll save a lot of money, too.
For example, if you were to take a taxi from the airport to the city centre of Barcelona, it would cost around €30. If you take public transportation, it’s only €5.90 for a single.
Once in the city, buses, trains, and metros are not only more eco-friendly but also much cheaper. Also in Barcelona, you can get a bus/metro card called a T-10. It costs €10 and you get 10 journeys. €10, 10 journeys, €1 each. Thank you, Barcelona!
Better yet, just walk.
Walking is the absolute best way to get to know a new place and it’s free, of course!
Typically, if it’s less than 30 minutes to walk to wherever I’m going, I’m walking it! If it’s more than 30, I’ll look into public transport options.
Get off the main tourist streets when dining.
When you’re searching for your perfect budget dinner, you’ll want to stay away from the main tourist streets. The prices are a lot higher and the quality usually isn’t great. Go a few blocks off or do some Googling to find the best place within your budget.
Use ATMs to take out money.
For the exact exchange rate, use your debit card at an ATM to take out money instead of exchanging cash at the airport. You’ll get the best rate this way. If you need to exchange cash though, visit a local bank.
Stay in hostels or try out Couchsurfing.
You can afford to stay in pricey cities! Just look into hostels. Many have options for both private and shared rooms, so even if you’re a couple or a group of friends travelling together, you can share a hostel room for a lower price than you’d pay in a hotel.
I’ve stayed in amazing hostels for almost nothing. In Marrakech, I stayed in a beautiful riad which included a delicious Moroccan breakfast every morning and it only cost me €3.50 a night. In Budapest, I stayed centrally in a cozy hostel and paid only €9 a night. It can be done, my friends.
If you’re on the tightest budget or looking to easily mingle with locals, Couchsurfing is a way to stay somewhere for free. People open up their home to travellers and offer you a free bed or sofa.
I couch-surfed in Italy and it was an amazing experience. I got to know a lot about Italian culture and my host prepared delicious pasta every evening as we sipped red wine and chatted about life and travel.
What are your go-to budget travel hacks?
3 Responses
Good tips! I would add that I have a US checking account that reimburses ATM fees, even when I’m traveling outside the U.S. The exchange rate at the ATM is better than exchange and then with no fees as well, I know I’ve gotten the best deal possible on foreign currency.