How to Travel on a Budget
Let me guess, you want to whisk yourself across the world but don’t have the money and/or time it requires? Welcome to the club, my friend. The current population in this pickle includes you, me and most everyone else.
But no need to despair because like all good things in life, you can accomplish anything with the right attitude. Perseverance and patience also help. That means that you - yes you! - can travel on a tight budget. This comprehensive post gets straight to business, so in in lieu of pretty pictures you will find many helpful budgeting tidbits.
Table of Contents
Step 2: Sacrifice (making and saving money)
Step Four: Go!
Simple answer: I hustle.
I don’t have money hiding in the crevices of my couch, in fact, I don’t even own a couch. I decided I didn’t need it anymore and sold it to make extra money for my Central America trip 5 years ago. There are many blogs and articles out there that say you don’t need to be rich to travel, but from one couch selling penny-pincher to another I will tell you that this is not entirely true. To be fair, it’s not really a lie either because you don’t need to be rich per se, but you do need something to get you from Point A to Point B and all the way to Point Z and back.
So how do I do that? Personally, I enjoy staying busy and reaping what I sow. I almost always have 2-3 jobs; sometimes that’s full-time job plus dog walking or working at a bar or freelance writing. I understand that’s not feasible for everyone, so read on for more ways to earn, save and travel smart.
Passion gets you places, people! To save for travel, it will be a requirement.
Travel is a choice that I actively prioritize. I choose it for the freedom of movement and its ability to satiate my curiosities. I choose it to wander down unique streets in search of a cappuccino and to find myself in unknown mountains to watch the sunrise. I even enjoy my many misadventures as they push me out of my comfort zone and challenge my thinking. I choose to travel for the personal development it provides and the connection it creates with others.
Remembering the why behind my desire to travel helps to keep me in check when, say, I want that random coat that I certainly don’t need.
Reflect on WHY you want to travel and let that fuel the means to do it.
Earning money typically requires some sort of sacrifice, both of your time and your energy. Below are recommendations for how to save and fund your travels.
make money
I opt to work in bars and restaurants because between tips and Washington’s minimum wage it can be a lucrative side hustle. Even with a full-time job , I still work on the weekends at a local restaurant to quickly earn extra cash. To make it tolerable, I take off Sundays. Sure, I’m sacrificing my time, but for me it’s worth it.
Restaurants not your thing? No problem. Consider odd jobs and temporary work that offers a flexible schedule. If you want to travel long-term, consider something more sustainable that is aligned with that goal.
Short-Term
Rover for dog walking (I did this and earned about $300 for watching a dog for a week)
Uber (I tried this for a very brief time and it wasn’t my thing - but maybe it’s yours!)
Monetize on your skill set through Airbnb Experiences
Sell unneeded things on OfferUp or Craigslist
Clean out your closet and sell to used clothing stores
long-term
Flight attendant
Peace Corp volunteer
Teach aboard (South Korea is notorious for their generous salaries)
Au pair/nanny
Travel consulting (I got generous time off and free reconnaissance trips)
save money
Do I want a coffee everyday? Absolutely. Do I need a medium soy latte made for me each morning? Absolutely… not. I try to limit my coffee-buying to 2x a week and make it at home for the others days. To make it easier, I try to visualize that hot latte I’ll have in the next city I whisk myself to. Small changes can make a big difference. Especially when you drink a bougie $6 soy latte…
pre-travel: Make adjustments
You don’t need to throw all your vices out the window, but maybe there is a little room to tweak them. For example, I still go to the gym, have 2-day Amazon delivery and listen to Spotify, however, I made small changes that make it more manageable.
Gym membership. I have a “couples” membership with my roommate to a small local gym ($15/month)
Music. I rallied 5 friends for a family plan so instead of $20/month, it’s closer to $3/month
Amazon Prime. Share your account with a friend you are comfortable with to cut the cost in half.
Loyalty Cards. Frequent a coffee stand or sandwich shop? Get a punch card for a free one after so many purchases!
Plants: I have a tendency to buy plants on a whim. Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at propagating them (separating roots from grown plants and making new ones)
Identify areas where you can make small adjustments that fit your lifestyle and keep that well-earned money in your wallet!
While traveling
Workaway: This is not for money but more of an exchange of sorts. For example, I worked at a hostel bar in Peru in exchange for free accommodations. Opting for a Workaway can be a great way to not spend money and really immerse yourself in the local culture.
Housesitting: If you plan on being somewhere for awhile, check out housesitting opportunities to cut the cost of accommodations and even earn money while doing so@
Passion and sacrifice are all good and dandy, but now it’s time to get to the nitty-gritty!
My travel style is budget-friendly but also comfortable. To reach this happy medium I try to make everything affordable and, like everyone else with two legs, I enjoy a good deal and will hunt down a discount like a lion stalks its prey. Through my experiences abroad I have learned a few saving tricks to make life a little easier.
This tends to be the biggest cost when it comes to travel so it is good to be a savvy flight buyer. Become a pro by using the tips and recommended sites below to keep costs down. For more details and tricks, check out Booking Airfare & Flight Deals.
General Tips
Saturday and Wednesday tend to be the cheapest day to fly.
Check which cities are cheapest to fly out of for certain airlines, i.e. KLM/Amsterdam, Frontier/Denver, Colorado. Adding a layover can secure cheaper flights and give a chance to explore a new place.
Consider alternate cities to fly into. For example, buying a flight from Seattle to Slovenia may cost around $1000 since its a less popular destination. Instead, fly first to a larger hub like London ($500), then getting a smaller flight to Slovenia ($80). This saves me the most money and allows me to check out more places!
Pack light and try to avoid checking your bag. Even if it’s a little over the dimensions, you can usually slip through and if you start to board and they deny your bag they just throw it in a pile to be put in cargo later, and boom, no check-in fee!
Where to book Flights
Skyscanner: User-friendly and finds low prices. It usually will lead you to some obscure third-party flight sellers, so just double check their reviews first.
Google Flights: This is my go-to since I can adjust the dates easily in a graph to find the best combination of departure and arrival days in terms of cost.
Hopper: This is an easy-to-use platform but is only available via a phone app.
Finding Flight Deals
Scott’s Cheap Flights: His team scours the internet for the best deals. There is a free and paid version.
Secret Flying: My secret sauce to cheap flights! They find flight errors and last minute deals. This is best if you are open to location and ready to book. It’s how I ended up in Slovenia when I knew nothing about the country!
Read More: Booking Airfare & Flight Deals
If traveling solo, hostels tend to be the best option. For those in a group or traveling as a couple, hotels are ideal. Here is my general list of recommendations:
Read More: Booking Accommodations
The way you get around heavily depends on where you are and what is offered but there are easy ways to save in this category. In addition to the specific modes of transportation below, here are a few general tips:
Plan a loose itinerary. Avoid bee-bopping back and forth across a city and organize it so that you are in one area at a time, limiting the amount of transportation needed.
Check if a city has a tourist card, such as the iAmsterdam pass, which offers museums and local transportation.
Bus
Buses can be confusing in unfamiliar cities but is easily the cheapest way to get around. Locals are often willing to help out and drivers are all-knowing gurus. I Google routes first to make sure I’m going in the right direction.
Local transportation
This varies based on where you are. For example, tuk tuks in Thailand, bemo buses and motorbikes in Indonesia, and taxis in Cusco. I like to Google price averages for taxis beforehand to avoid getting ripped off.
Uber
If you have service while traveling, Uber is often cheaper and more convenient than taxis. It is in most cities and often can pick up and drop off at the airport. Some places use a local app, like GoJek in Indonesia.
Walk
This is my favorite way to explore a new city and my tried-and-true method to save. Not only can you see more details of a new place but you can stop as much as you want and go at your own pace. And work off all the pastries and beers…
Camper Van
If you are doing a road trip, then a van can save a lot of money and time. Essentially, it is your hotel and rental car rolled into one. Drive where you’d like, park to sleep and keep going the next day!
Car rental
While not the most budget-friendly option, it is often the biggest time and energy saver. Personally, I like the freedom and flexibility of cars and have rented all over the world. It is especially great if trying to explore outside of main cities.
Happy Hour
A beautiful gift to humanity. Nothing more to add here.
complimentary breakfast
Save on a meal and book places that offer breakfast. Take a banana to go for a snack later, too.
Hostels
If there is a kitchen, you can cook your own meals. For those with bars or restaurants, they offer discounts to those staying at the property. Some smaller ones offer “family dinners” at a low rate.
Grocery stores
Going on a road trip? Stock up and fill a cooler. Does your hostel have a kitchen? Go wild and make dinner. Get to know fellow travelers and make it together!
Airbnb Experiences: A great way to meet locals and learn something new. The options are truly endless! I used this to sail at sunset in Puerto Rico with a knowledgable sailing racer.
Free walking tours: Often touted as lame, these are typically very informative and give you the layout of the city.
Momondo: More than just flights, Momondo may offer a deal for a fun activity for where your heading.
Travel-specific cards allow you to Earn points on your everyday spending and take advantage of travel perks.
Chase Sapphire Preferred. My tried and true travel companion. This gives 2x points on travel (hotel, car rentals, flights) and food, and 1x point on everything else. I’ve bought many plane tickets with my rewards, plus there are many perks, such as car rental insurance if you use the card to purchase it.
American Express. This is a pricier one, but if you are frequently in airports, it’s worth it. You get free access to lounges, plys Global Entry.
Chase Sapphire Reserve. Basically the same as above. ($450 annual fee)
Alaska Airlines. If you happen to fly Alaska often, this offers a complimentary checked bag and yearly companion fare. Other airlines offer similar programs.