Top Budget Travel Tips: Explore More for Less!

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Everyone knows it: Travel is expensive.  

Even for the most budget-savvy adventurer, the cost of travel can be a big chunk of your annual expenses. And combined with ever-increasing housing costs, sky-high prices of groceries, gas, and more, how is someone who would love to explore the world supposed to afford it? 

And beyond that, how is it possible that some people are going on multiple trips per year?!

Though possible, budget travel will take planning, research, and flexibility on your part. Here’s how to save money on your flights, accommodations, and activities. 

How To Save Money on Flights

Finding ways to reduce the cost of your flight will have the biggest impact on your travel budget.  

Flights are often the most expensive part of a trip, and the more flexibility you have, the better for the budget.

Use flight comparison websites/tools

You can find many airline search engines that compare costs across multiple carriers or track prices for certain flights and/or destinations. 

For example, Skyscanner has filters like “cheapest month,” Hopper has a price prediction feature that tells you whether it’s better to book now or wait, and Going.com will send you a notification if discounted tickets have been found. 

If you’re super flexible, Google Flights’ “Explore” tool shows you the cheapest airfares to any destination.

These services are especially helpful if you can be somewhat spontaneous, as some will be last-minute deals. 

Fly budget

Depending on your destination, flying with a budget airline could save you hundreds, if not thousands! 

If you are traveling within the U.S., there are options such as Southwest, Spirit, or Frontier.  If traveling in Europe, Ryanair and easyJet are some of the most popular budget airlines.  

However, there are usually some trade-offs with budget airlines that you will need to keep in mind. They may charge for carry-on, there may not be any refreshments served on the flight, and airplane seating could be first-come, first-served.  

Budget airlines may also only run to certain airports or cities, meaning you’d have to find alternate transportation to your final destination. 

Be flexible and/or travel during the off-season

Last-minute flights can often cost a fraction of the retail price due to supply and demand, so it may pay to keep your travel dates flexible. Try to avoid flying during peak season or holidays.   

When booking, you will also often see that flights can be more expensive on weekends when more people travel, so traveling midweek might be an easy way to save some funds.

Traveling off-peak can be a huge cost savings beyond flights as well. Hotels and attractions may be discounted during your destination’s seasonality. Check when the tourist season begins/ends and any upcoming local holidays that might influence travel prices.

READ MORE: Want Cheap Flights? Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

Redeem credit card reward points

If you have a travel rewards credit card, you can redeem credit card points for free or discounted flights. You can either do this through your credit card’s travel portal or transfer to partner airlines for even more value. 

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card allows you to redeem your points for 25% more through Chase Travel^SM and can be used toward airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and even dining.

Or, you could transfer your points to one of Chase’s partners, which include Air France-KLM, Emirates, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.

Depending on the credit card, using your points toward travel can have a higher redemption value than taking the rewards as cashback.

While most travel cards have an annual fee, it could still be worth it depending on your travel frequency and lifestyle. There are often other travel perks included, such as fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck®, airport lounge access, baggage insurance, and more! 

Don’t forget credit card sign-up bonuses

If you’re planning a big trip and also have some upcoming big expenses, you could apply for a new credit card and get a lucrative welcome offer that you could put toward flights.

Many popular travel cards will cycle through offers of 50,000-100,000+ points after signing up and spending above a certain threshold during a specific amount of time.  While there are some minor hoops to jump through, this is a great way to turbocharge your points.

However, the key is being mindful of your credit card spending and only using it for purchases you’d make anyway. Don’t rack up credit card charges just for a sign-up bonus, as that would negate any potential rewards you might receive. 

COMPARE: Best Travel Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign up for airline frequent-flyer loyalty programs

This may not be a quick way to get a free flight, but something you can do while you travel to earn rewards for future trips.  

Many airlines have their own loyalty/frequent flyer programs. Once you have an account, you will be given a frequent flyer number that you can put down for every flight on that airline, essentially giving you credit or “miles” for flying with them.  

If you travel frequently, this is another great tool to add to your arsenal as you can put this toward future trips or combine with other rewards.

How To Save Money on Accommodations

Traditional accommodations such as hotels can be costly, even in the most budget-friendly destinations.  

Simply having a bed to sleep in can make up a big chunk of the travel budget, so finding alternative options for living arrangements can be helpful.  

Stay at a hostel

If you don’t mind being in close proximity to other travelers, staying at a hostel can be a great way to save money and meet other like-minded adventurers.  

Typically, it is similar to college housing, where you share a room and/or bathroom with others, although that’s not always the case.  

Hostels usually offer shared amenities such as laundry, a kitchen or dining area, wifi, etc. This option can be great for solo travelers as hostels will often host social events and local tours where you can get to know the area and meet others from all over the world.

However, hostels can vary greatly in terms of offerings, so do your research and read reviews.     

Couchsurfing

Another popular option, if you don’t mind shared spaces, is couchsurfing. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but with couchsurfing, you stay on a stranger’s couch (or in their guest bed) for free.  

This is generally short-term, but can also lead to making great friendships with others who prioritize meeting other travelers.  

House sitting/swapping

House sitting is also pretty self-explanatory, but what many travelers don’t realize is that there are websites for house sitters or people who will swap homes with you for a designated period.  

Many travelers would gladly host another traveler or two at their home for free in exchange for some basic services that would otherwise cost them money. Think: pet sitting, lawn care, taking care of the mail or bills, watering plants, etc.  

House swapping is similar, but instead of just staying at someone’s house in return for taking care of their home, you allow them to stay in your home as well. 

This entails a little more risk for you since you will be opening your home to a stranger, so it may not be for everyone. If you do decide to pursue this option, make sure your lease allows for it (if you’re renting) and also make sure you have the right insurance coverage in case the guest were to run into any trouble during their stay.

Rent out your place while you travel

You could also rent out your current place (partially or in whole) while you are traveling and make some extra money. 

However, this depends on your specific situation and might be easier to do if you own your home versus rent.  

Again, make sure you have the right insurance coverage (and clearance from your landlord or condo board) if you decide to go this route! 

Redeem credit card rewards

If you have a hotel-branded credit card or a general travel credit card that transfers points to hotels, you can redeem those rewards for free or discounted hotel stays and bonus perks or upgrades.  

For example, with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you’ll earn points on all your purchases (with boosted earning rates on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining) that you can then redeem for Marriott stays. Plus, you get perks like Elite Night Credits, automatic Silver Elite Status, and a free award night every account anniversary.

Or if you prefer transferable rewards, points from an Amex card like The Platinum Card® from American Express can be used for stays at Marriott, Hilton, and Choice hotels.

COMPARE: Best Hotel Credit Cards

How To Save Money In Your Destination

You’ve made it! You’ve arrived at your destination on a cheap (or free!) flight through credit card points and smart searching, and you’re saving money by going for a cozy homestay instead of a hotel.

How can you make sure you keep saving money while seeing all the sites?

Watch out for common travel fees

Small travel fees can go unnoticed since it’s usually just a few dollars here and there, but they can also add up if you’re not careful.  

The most common fees when traveling internationally are foreign transaction fees charged by your credit card. These are often a small percentage (usually around 2% or 3% of your purchase), but they can definitely rack up.  

Many travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, so getting one before you leave for your trip is a good idea. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a popular rewards card that comes with a ton of travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees. 

Another common fee is charged by currency exchanges, especially ones located at the airport or in busy tourist areas. Avoid these! If you like having cash on hand, you can usually order it from your bank ahead of time. They will probably still charge a fee, but less than what a currency exchange would charge!

Pay in local currency

When you charge purchases to a credit card, the merchant will ask whether you’d like to pay in the local currency or in U.S. dollars. 

For the best rate, always pay in the local currency! The credit card companies will usually give you a better exchange rate, while merchants may offer a worse rate and add additional conversion fees.  

Don’t be afraid to haggle

Street markets are very common in other countries, and you may be able to negotiate with the vendors. (Research ahead of time on the proper haggling etiquette for your destination.)

If it’s a haggle-friendly destination, carry a small amount of the local currency in cash and don’t be scared to walk away if the price just isn’t budging!    

RELATED: How To Avoid Tourist Traps (and Save Money)

Pack light

Airlines love to nickel and dime travelers, so make sure to read all the guidelines of your selected airline.  

For example, baggage fees can add up, especially if you’re paying an overweight fee as well. Ideally, traveling with just a carry-on and personal bag is the way to go, which means packing light. 

You can be strategic by bringing a large backpack as your personal item and putting smaller things in it, such as handbags, shoes, and accessories. And wear your bulkiest clothing to save space in your bags.  

However, there are size restrictions for carry-on and personal items, so you do have some limitations. Keep in mind that you can almost always purchase anything you might need at your destination, so no sweat if you leave something at home! 

Also, check with your accommodations on what amenities are provided. Many places offer courtesy hair dryers, shampoo/conditioner, linens, shaving kits, makeup remover wipes, etc., so there’s no need to bring your own.  

If you’re traveling with a friend or a group, check in with each other to decide who is bringing what and if they’d be willing to share. This especially goes for bulkier, heavier items.

Take advantage of travel perks

If you’re a student, there are a ton of perks to take advantage of — anything from hostel to transport to sightseeing discounts are available to you with a valid student ID. 

And we all know that student ID expiration dates are often years after your graduation date, so pack your student ID regardless! 

Even if you’re no longer a student, you may already have access to many other perks, such as Costco or other wholesale club memberships, AAA member discounts, or even travel offers from your employer if you work for a large corporation.

Don’t forget to also look into deals on excursions and off-peak schedules for sites like museums. They may offer discounts on certain days/hours when it’s not as busy, freebies, or group discounts if you’re traveling with friends.  

FAQs About Budget Travel

TL;DR: Save More By Traveling Smarter

Traveling can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. By planning ahead and being strategic, it’s possible to travel well on a budget.  

There are many travel credit cards and loyalty programs out there to help you build up travel rewards — you can start now, even if you don’t have any travel plans in the books yet.  

And other strategies like packing light, opting for low-cost accommodations, or going to a less-traveled destination are great ways to get more bang for your buck.  

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.