Traveling on a budget is easier than most think. Learn ways to save on your next trip and create a low cost travel itinerary with these 13 tips and tricks!
Many people are under the assumption that travel has to be expensive and there is no such thing as an enjoyable budget vacation. Nothing could be further from the truth!
All it takes is some pre-planning and a little extra effort to have an amazing vacation while traveling on a budget. A memorable trip does not require you to stay at the nicest hotels or dine at the fanciest restaurants. In fact, I strongly believe traveling that way takes away from having an authentic and unforgettable experience.
Some of my best memories include getting lost on the Tube in London, maneuvering around a hotel room the size of a shoe box, and creating DIY picnic meals.
The below 13 tips are how I'm able to save money while traveling. Things I've practiced for years. This is a big reason why I'm able to travel as much as I do. I'm able to stretch what the average person spends on a 7 day trip and stretch it to 2 or 3 weeks!
Now let's get into how to have a great vacation while still traveling on a budget!
1. Travel during shoulder season
This is the highest saving tip for traveling on a budget...and all it involves is rethinking your travel dates!
For those unfamiliar with the term shoulder season, it's basically a time of year that is not peak tourist season but still offers decent sightseeing weather.
Let’s look at Italy for an example. Italy’s tourist season, or busy season, is late May through October. Shoulder season would be March through early May and November. These months avoid high tourist season and still offer nice weather and an all around good experience.
One of the first things I do before booking a trip is to research the best time to visit and overall weather trends. I'll Google "best time to visit X" and read through a few articles. Then I'll cross reference will weatherspark.com and holiday-weather.com.
I ALWAYS cross reference because popular websites (ehem travel.usnews.com) have been WAY off. Like saying August is monsoon season in X city when in fact, August sees ZERO rain. So, cross reference.
There's a reason I've published a number of detailed "best time to visit" posts. It can make or break your trip both experience wise and budget wise. My posts go through each month and season and what time of year typically combines lower costs/crowds with decent weather.
I often save 40-60% on hotels by traveling during less popular times. You may sacrifice the likelihood of “perfect weather”, but in exchange, you're rewarded with fewer crowds, little to no lines, and greater flexibility in your schedule since you aren’t required to book everything in advance.
Choosing to travel during shoulder or low season is one of the best and easiest ways of how to save money while traveling.
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2. Research your hotel
A lot of my research when planning a trip is spent on the hotel. More than I'd like to admit. It’s not because I have to stay in the best of the best or the latest and greatest. Those hotels are easy to find...and expensive.
It takes time and effort to find the sweet spot of a great hotel at a low price. I've found some hidden gems on the 10th+ page of TripAdvisor. New hotels that have only a handful of ratings and therefor go overlooked and undervalued.
Take the time to dig through search results...it usually pays off.
Think about your criteria before you begin your hotel search. Decide what you are willing to pay for and what you aren't. My criteria is a good location, clean, and comfortable. I don't need it to be extra spacious, have laundry service, a gym, a concierge, or in-room dining.
Also remember that a hotel with a 5 star rating doesn't necessarily mean its better than a 3 star. You'd be surprised what earns a hotel 5 stars...things that personally don't matter to me like having slippers and name brand shampoo. The hotels I'm typically booking in Europe are 3 star and they're great!
Think about what your priorities are and then search like crazy. I utilize a lot of booking sites like Tripadvisor, Expedia, Google Maps, etc. Double check prices by going to the hotel directly to see if they offer a “best rate guarantee”.
Spending a few more hours researching hotels and saving an average of $50 a night for a 10-day trip can really add up.
3. Travel with points and take advantage of travel credit cards
I take no shame in playing the travel credit card game to the max. Research what travel rewards card will work best for you and do not, I repeat, DO NOT use a cash back or any card that does not earn travel benefits. The math never adds up to being in favor of cash back...unless your cash back earning rate is 5% or more.
I haven't paid for a flight with cash in over 10 years. Typically your flight is going to be your biggest ticket item. Traveling on a budget becomes a lot easier if you can nix that cost by using points.
Bike tours are a great low-cost way to see and learn about a city
4. Don't go crazy with paid tourist attractions
One very common mistake travelers make is to fill their itinerary with paid attractions. You may think you've become a pro at traveling on a budget by finding a cheap hotel and paying for your flight with points...but then end up spending insane amounts of money on paid attractions every single day of your trip.
Having a memorable trip does not mean you need to hit every single admission required attraction. I rarely will schedule more than 2 paid attractions each day. Is going to the Louvre a must when in Paris? Absolutely! Do you need to hit every major museum in Paris? No (unless you're an art junkie).
Often, the most memorable experiences aren't related to a tour or paid tourist attraction; wandering the canals in Venice, watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, attending a free flamenco show in Seville, having a picnic at London's Regent's Park, enjoying a €7 glass of wine along the waterfront in Mykonos...I could go on and on.
Instead of paying for 5 walking tours on your next big trip, pick 1 or 2 and create your own walking tours for the rest.
I love utilizing Rick Steve’s audio app for free walking tours (available on IOS and Android devices).
Always Google free attractions offered by a city or ask your hotel. You might be surprised by the offerings or learn that a museum is free a certain day of the week/month. And voila, traveling on a budget just became a lot easier.
5. Walk everywhere
Part with the idea that you'll be walking the streets of Paris in your most fashionable shoes. Instead, pack your comfortable walking shoes and get ready to hit the streets.
Walking saves a considerable chunk of your travel budget and burns calories (go ahead and have that extra gelato). It's also one of the best ways to get a feel for the city and the overall layout.
AWA Tip: just look at my Instagram feed and you'll see that these are my go to travel shoes: Cole Haan Zerogrand Wingtip Oxfords. They're comfortable, lightweight, you can smush them together in your suitcase, are washable, and look good enough that you can wear them with jeans, skirts, dresses, etc.
I also like these APL tennis shoes because they can double as a running shoe.
6. Take public transportation
When walking isn’t an option grab a public transportation map and get comfortable with the system. It may be confusing at first, but trust me, once you get past your first few trips using public transportation it becomes a breeze.
It always makes me sad when I hear someone went to London and didn’t get on the Tube once! Not only did they spend a small fortune in cab fares but they missed an experience. You just can’t visit London without hopping on the Tube
7. Eat at food markets
One of my favorite things when traveling is checking out the local food markets. Not only is it a great opportunity to try a variety of regional dishes in one place but makes traveling on a budget a breeze with the cheap prices.
8. Learn the art of grab-and-go picnics
Grab a baguette from the boulangerie by your hotel, some cheese from the fromagerie, and a sampling of meats from the boucherie. Walk to a close by park and you’ve got yourself one affordable, memorable, and delicious meal! You are now on your way to becoming a budget travel expert.
If the weather isn’t great, find a grab-and-go type place (these are crazy popular in Europe) and have a quick bite there. Pret a Manger is a great option in the UK, and places like Spain and Italy have causal cafes on almost every street serving cheap sandwiches and quick bites.
This way of eating (especially in the afternoon) not only saves cash but precious sightseeing time. I rarely, if ever, sit down at an actual restaurant for lunch. My only true "restaurant meals" are dinner.
9. Do as the locals do
I try to avoid hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. aimed at tourists (and most especially American tourists). Don’t go to the bar at the Four Seasons or The Ritz and drink a €20+ cocktail. Instead, go to the local pub or wine bar for a €5 glass of wine.
I always stick to casual restaurants when traveling solo. Even when I travel with Jake we rarely go to the ritzy restaurants. Usually, we'll pick one night on a two week trip to splurge...and that's it.
Not only does it cost a small fortune, but it also makes packing much more of a headache. When you stick to the casual spots you aren’t forced to pack or waste time changing into fancy restaurant attire.
I also find it’s a lot more fun and easier to make friends when you're going to the casual restaurants and bars filled with locals and like-minded tourists.
10. Pack like a pro
Continuing on the thought of skipping fancy restaurants and therefore bypassing the need to pack chic outfits, let’s talk about packing. Over packing is a pain in the you know what.
Have you tried dragging a heavy suitcase over cobblestones? It's not fun. How about the train stations that don't have elevators or escalators...I guess you'll get a workout by heaving that bag up two flights of stairs. In the end, you'll probably end up paying for more taxis and Ubers than planned because dragging your luggage around isn't an option.
And don't forget about those pesky luggage fees. They add up quickly and can really put a damper on your day each time you hit the airport. Budget airlines like RyanAir, Volotea, and EasyJet love to charge absorbent baggage fees.
Why fellow travelers feel the need to wear an outfit only once when they travel I will never understand. I plan on wearing every outfit at least 3 times. Guess how much space 4 outfits take vs. 12...it's a considerable difference.
Don’t pack 14 pairs of socks, underwear, etc. for a two-week trip. Utilize your hotel sink, pack a few laundry detergent sheets (game changer product) and voila - you just saved some precious luggage space without having to sacrifice one outfit.
I could go on and on...which is why I dedicated two blog posts on how to pack light: How to Carry On for a 2 Week Trip and How to Size Down your Beauty Bag. These tips and tricks are a lifesaver and make traveling on a budget possible.
If you prefer videos, head to my Instagram profile page and click on the "Packing Tips" highlights reel. I go through everything I'm packing and how I'm packing for several different trips of varying lengths and weather conditions.
AWA Tip: research luggage policies if you're taking a budget airline between destinations. Your carry on suitcase may have been allowed on American Airlines, but European budget airlines often have smaller limits and are very strict.
If you think there's a chance you will have to check, just add a checked back to your ticket when you book. The price is considerably lower than paying at the airport.
11. Researching tipping
Europeans equate Americans with heavy/over tipping. Why? Because we don't take the time to research tipping etiquette of the country we are visiting.
One time in Greece I watched a restaurant owner chase a couple out of the restaurant saying "you tipped to much". The couple insisted it was fine and they wanted him to have it. As they left the owner shook his head, almost like the hefty tip was wasteful or an insult. Now, this isn't often the case and restaurant staff will gladly take your money...but I mention it as food for thought.
In the US it's custom to tip 15%, 20%, 25%, 28% (the percentage seems to be getting higher and higher these days).
Whereas in Europe you really only tip at a sit down restaurant. 10% is very generous and is for outstanding service.
Research tipping policy for the countries you are visiting. You may be surprised to learn that tips are a rarity and extremely low in some places.
12. Phone plans and data usage
If you travel overseas often, it may make sense to have a phone plan, like Google Fi, that doesn't charge international roaming fees. Otherwise, research your phone plan and see what the rates are. Some plans charge a flat $10 per day for roaming, while others charge per GB.
Those traveling with a buddy should pick one person in their party to use data (when it's a flat rate) and then you can split the cost at the end.
I try to save my data as much as possible (since I'm on a low cost plan that isn't unlimited). I pre-download as much as possible over WiFi. Things like my favorite Spotify playlists and offline Google Maps (a must).
When I land overseas I'll often put the majority of my apps in WiFi only mode. If I'm not traveling solo and with someone else I'll turn on airplane mode.
Many cities in Europe offer free WiFi. If you're worried about security, invest in a VPN like Nord VPN.
If you think you'll need to make phone calls while abroad, look into Viber "out" plans via the Viber app. I always buy the USA Unlimited Viber Out plan ($2.99 for a month).
This allows me to make phone calls to the USA through Viber (the person on the other end needs to have Viber to receive the call). WhatsApp is another option, but you need to be connected to WiFi. With Viber Out, you don't need the WiFi connection.
AWA Tip: Google allows you to pre-download maps so you can use them later in offline mode. They will be saved as "Offline Maps" under your Google Maps profile. This saves considerable data since you can still get directions to places and see nearby restaurants/coffee shops/etc. You won't be able to browse through reviews or pictures though in offline mode.
I've had issues with walking directions not being available with "offline maps". So I'll turn data on to get the walking directions route (shown with the blue dots), then I'll immediately turn data off and just make sure my dot follows the path.
13. Water
This last budget travel tip is easy on the wallet and the planet. Stop buying plastic water bottles! Bring your own reusable water bottle. I like the S'well water bottle because it's the perfect size and keeps drinks hot or cold.
Research safe drinking water before you leave. Did you know it's safe to drink the water out of Rome's ancient water fountains? The water is clear, cold, and delicious! There are fountains all over the city. Venice even has a Google Map you can download and save with all the drinkable water fountains throughout the city.
If you want the added security of filtered water, check out the Brita water bottle that comes with a mini filter in the straw. Or check out this Berkey sport bottle (I have this one). I wouldn't rely on these with unsafe drinking water, but may use it around Europe where the water is technically safe, but I want some added security.
You can find ways around buying plastic water bottles even if the city doesn't have safe/drinkable water. For example, I'll often fill my water bottles up in the gym since there's usually a water purifier in there.
Your wallet and the planet will thank you for this.
In summary
Traveling on a budget is within reach and will become second nature when you put these tips to practice. You will quickly find that travel doesn't have to be expensive nor does a budget trip mean you are missing out by not spending a fortune.
Traveling with the above tips will actually give you a more authentic experience and the chance to mesh with the locals!
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Traveling on a Budget | 13 Ways to Save Money
Hi Ashley! I love your blog! I’m so happy for you that you’re doing this. You’ve always been so great at this stuff and had such a passion for travel. 🙂 I know you’ve spent a lot of time in Florence. I’m headed on a girls’ trip to Italy with my mom and sister soon. Wondering if you have any tips on places to eat? Or get gelato? 🙂 🙂 🙂
We will also be in Venice, Positano, and Rome, but I was thinking Florence might be your specialty.
Love you!
Thank you so much for visiting! I absolutely have a list of Florence recommendations, which just happens to be my FAVORITE city! I have a post written but am waiting to publish until I can get some pictures. I’ll send you an email with everything so you don’t have to wait 🙂
what a great blog Ashley! I just got back from Spain and traveled for 11 days with your suggestion of wearing outfits many times over. I took 4 and it was plenty. Only 3 pairs of shoes and one of those were rain booties that I did not need. Great ideas and suggestions and I look forward to many more!!
So glad you are enjoying the blog and I hope you loved your time in Spain!
I like your blog. It’s very up-beat and informative, as well as having great photos.
Keep it up!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, thank you!
Hello from Montreal! I came across your blog while preparing a trip to Lisbon and I really like it. Thanks for the tips and itineraries. I love travelling and I will keep following your posts!
That means the world, thank you so much! Glad you’re enjoying the blog and have fun in Lisbon!