Once you catch the travel bug—as I did 40 years ago—you’ll never want to stop exploring the world. With a few budget travel tips, you can easily make your money go further…and go farther yourself. As I’ve learned over the years, budget-savvy planning also can help you experience a destination more authentically. Here are my favorite money-saving travel tips…
1. Plan Ahead for Savings
Research is key to choosing the right dates and unlocking the best deals, so…
Avoid visiting any destination during major events
Not only will airfare and accommodations command a premium during Paris Fashion Week, the Venice Film Festival, the TCS New York City Marathon or Art Basel Miami Beach, but traffic will be terrible and restaurant tables will be scarce.
Visit museums for free
There’s free admission at Rome’s Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of each month and the Louvre in Paris after 6:00 pm on the first Friday (except in July and August). New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art is free every Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and all day on the second Sunday of each month. Most London museums (including the British Museum and National Portrait Gallery) are always free, as are the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC.
Find free entertainment
Official tourism websites often have event calendars listing free activities. Example: Some cities—including Ashville, North Carolina…Charleston, South Carolina…San Antonio, Texas …and Seattle, Washington —host monthly art gallery walks, often on Friday evenings.
2. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Traveling off-season saves money and means fewer crowds and more temperate weather, so…
In the tropics, opt for shoulder season
May, June and November are ideal for enjoying a relaxing getaway to the Caribbean or Hawaii.
Head to the Med in November or March
A visit to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy or Malta on either side of peak season lets you avoid summer’s intense heat and long lines.
Skip summer trips to National Parks
Not only do lodges and campsites book up almost a year in advance during peak season, but jammed roads and crowded trails create frustration.
3. Find the Best Deals on Flights
Think off-season, mid-week and off-peak to score cheap airfare.
Avoid peak periods
That means summer and Christmas/New Year’s almost everywhere…Spring Break (mid-March) in Florida and Mexico…January to March in the Caribbean…and late September and October in fall foliage regions.
Choose the right day
Use a website like Kayak to compare flight costs on different days. Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday typically is cheaper than flying on Friday, Sunday or Monday.
Fly early or late
That flight at 6:00 in the morning or the midnight red-eye usually costs significantly less than one departing late morning through early evening.
4. Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodations
Finding the right lodging can offer big savings, so be sure to…
Compare options
Beyond traditional hotels, budget-friendly stays can include hostels…bed & breakfasts…rentals via Airbnb and Vrbo…and special hotel rates for group stays during a reunion or gathering.
Take advantage of discounts
Join a hotel’s loyalty program to snag member rates. Also: AAA has lodging deals for members. And some hotel chains offer senior rates—if there’s no deal listed online, call the property directly—and AARP has hotel discounts for members.
Check for extras
Some hotels include breakfast in standard rates (Embassy Suites by Hilton, Fairfield by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express all do) and/or have a complimentary happy hour (Kimpton, Drury Hotels and Embassy Suites by Hilton).
5. Pack Smart and Travel Light
Avoid checked-bag fees and public-transport hassles. My carry-on packing tips…
Think lightweight fabrics and layers
My go-to items are cotton or rayon pants and dresses paired with tank tops/T-shirts, thin cardigans and a rain-repellent jacket. Choose mix-and-match colors, and pack minimal shoes (sneakers, sandals and flats) and accessories.
Wear your bulkiest items on the plane
That means sneakers or boots, jeans and your heaviest sweater or jacket. Place toiletries, electronics and at least one pair of shoes in a shoulder tote or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.
Roll, layer and compress
I fit clothing for a week or more in one side of a carry-on by neatly rolling the thinnest items to create a base layer and then layering folded pants and shirts on top. T-shirts, underwear, pajamas and swimwear are zippered into a medium compression bag on the other side, with accessories (sandals, scarf, belt, hat) tucked around it.
6. Use Public Transportation and Walk
You can save significantly by relying on buses, trains and your own two feet…
Take public transit to and from the airport
This is a true cost-cutter since many major airports offer fast and affordable trains or buses to the city center. Check your arrival airport’s website—for example, Heathrow Airport in London—and look for a “Transport and Directions” tab.
Check for discount fares or multiday passes
If you are spending a few days in a city with a subway or tram system, see if multiday passes or unlimited day tickets are available. Example: Search for “Chicago transit day pass” to see your options in the Windy City.
Create your own walking tour
Ahead of your trip, research walking tours in your destination, note the places visited, and then create your own route using your phone’s map app.
7. Eat Well for Less
Enjoying local cuisine is a must, and it’s easy to save on food while traveling.
Visit a market
Immerse yourself in local culture by exploring a food market, such as Barcelona’s La Boqueria…London’s Borough Market…Seattle’s Pike Place Market…and Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. Try a regional specialty from one of the vendors, or buy foods for a picnic lunch—fresh bread and cheese, sausages, olives, fruit and regional sweets.
Dine and drink like a local
First, find a non-touristy restaurant (avoid places with menus outside in multiple languages). Start with a carafe of the affordable house wine (in Italy, France, Greece and Spain) or locally brewed beer (in Germany, Belgium, England and Ireland).
Cook dinner
If you’re renting a place, dine out for lunch (when menu prices are cheaper), and shop a local market or grocer for dinner ingredients to prepare yourself.
8. Avoid Hidden Fees and Currency Charges
Managing your expenses while abroad requires avoiding bad exchange rates and ATM fees.
Know the exchange rate
Currencies regularly fluctuate against the US dollar, so before your trip, check the currency converter at Xe.com to see the current rate.
Avoid hidden fees
At your destination, look for ATMs operated by major banks (Citibank, HSBC or Deutsche Bank) or financial institutions that display the Cirrus, Mastercard or Visa logos.
Play your cards right
Use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which can add up quickly. Examples: American Express Gold Card, Capital One Venture and Chase Sapphire Preferred.
9. Take Advantage of Travel Rewards and Points
Leverage your credit card points, loyalty programs and other travel rewards by…
Knowing loyalty program perks
Beyond accruing miles or points for redemption, achieving and maintaining airline loyalty program status can earn you complimentary upgrades and priority boarding—with added benefits (preferred seat selection and free checked baggage) if you also have the airline’s credit card.
Watching for points promotions
Roundtrip to Europe in April for just 37,000 points? I spotted a Delta SkyMiles promo, snagged the deal and saved $825. Sign up for alerts or keep updated on current deals at ThePointsGuy.
Using bonus rewards
In addition to accruing points for free flights and hotel stays, some travel credit cards also give members who spend a certain amount within a calendar year a reward voucher for $100 or $200 that can be redeemed when booking using the card.
10. Work and Save While You Travel
Less conventional ways to save while traveling are also available — if you’re willing to…
Look into work-exchange programs
These arrangements, available through a variety of organizations, let you experience local life while working part-time (teaching English or working on a farm, for example) in exchange for free accommodation.
Give lectures on a cruise ship
If you have a field of expertise—from ancient history to digital photography—and can deliver an engaging presentation, apply through a specialized talent agency or directly with a cruise line to be part of an enrichment program at sea. You won’t get paid, but you will see the world.
