You can’t go on vacation without spending money. After all, you’re going to need to fly somewhere and eat meals at some point in your trip, right? But you can save money while traveling by planning ahead, getting the most out of your budget, and making smart decisions while away from home. So if you want to save money while traveling, take these 10 tips into consideration before your next trip.
1) Estimate your costs before travel
Estimate how much your travel will cost you by adding up costs like accommodation, meals, entertainment, and activities. This can help you keep your budget organized while traveling. If you have a set itinerary, book everything upfront to get a discount and guarantee yourself a place in that hotel or tour group. Also, make sure to bring cash with you when going out as credit cards will often come with foreign transaction fees (more on those later). Furthermore, look into ways to save money such as using public transportation or looking for coupons online. The more research and planning you do before your trip starts, the less likely it is that unexpected expenses will come up unexpectedly.
2) Set a travel budget
The easiest way to save money while traveling is to set a strict budget for yourself. Research how much flights, hotels, and food will cost you in your destination city before you go, and stick to it. To maximize your spending on accommodations, try splurging on one nice place instead of four basic ones; when it comes to meals, spread them out with breakfast at one place and lunch at another. You’ll spend less than if you had eaten every meal at one location and still have access to better options than if you stayed in an inexpensive hotel or hostel. Finally, keep track of what you’re spending so that it doesn’t get away from you.
3) Use credit cards responsibly
Credit cards make it easy to rack up debt. And in today’s economy, they can feel like a necessity. But using credit cards responsibly is key to saving money while traveling. If you do have to use a credit card, remember that rewards aren’t always worth it (see above). When you are planning your trip, resist expensive impulse buys by setting an allowance for shopping trips or nights out on weekends. Monitor your spending and don’t let yourself go over budget during your trip; carry cash with you when possible to avoid overspending at restaurants and shops.
4) Save money by booking flights in advance
Booking a flight in advance is one of several ways to save money while traveling. There are other minor changes you can make, like consolidating your spending onto one credit card and making use of an internet bank account so you don’t have to pay for ATM fees; both of these things might help shave off a little bit extra, but booking early and buying direct are two sure-fire ways to save money. So what should you do? Make sure your flights are booked at least three weeks in advance and that they aren’t subject to change or cancellation fees.
5) Hotel discounts
Booking at a hotel when it’s busy (e.g., holiday weekends, convention season) is usually more expensive. If you want to save money on your trip, book off-season and ask for a discount if they have any left. Hotels also offer last-minute discounts if they’re not sold out and may even let you stay in an executive suite free of charge, or for very little money, just because they don’t want to lose your business. A lot of hotels also offer discounted rates to corporate accounts with a lengthy contract; many will give travel agents or online discounters better rates than other customers so you can sometimes find great deals that way too.
6) Get creative with transportation
No matter where you're going or how you plan to get there, one of your biggest expenses will be getting from point A to point B. If you can be creative with your transportation choices and keep costs down, you'll find it much easier to save money while traveling. Check out all of your options before deciding on a mode of transportation—you may find that flying is worth it even if it costs more than taking a train or bus. And look into using carpooling apps like Uber; instead of paying for gas, tolls and parking split those expenses with fellow travelers—and don't forget about public transit!
7) Rent apartments instead of hotels
Hotels are notorious for nickel-and-diming their customers. But there are ways to save money while traveling. For one, staying in an apartment instead of a hotel can save you big bucks. You'll have a kitchen to prepare food and probably have access to laundry facilities as well—saving you even more money than you'd expect on food and convenience items like snacks and beverages. If you're going out for meals, find restaurants that serve family-style meals—where multiple courses come out at once—instead of à la carte dining; often, it's far cheaper to order family style because restaurants aren't splitting costs between every single item on your bill. With some planning, saving money while traveling is actually quite easy!
8) Eat local food
The best way to save money while traveling is to cut out a big portion of your expenses, and that means avoiding Westernized hotels and eating in local restaurants. You'll still get things like foreign currency and foreign languages, but you won't have to pay big-city prices for them! If your hotel is too expensive, look for alternatives in guesthouses or hostels; you can easily find something affordable if you do some research. If traveling internationally, be sure that all expenses are covered by your credit card before leaving home—this includes everything from emergencies back home to an unexpected $5 cup of coffee abroad.
9) Walk, don’t drive, to attractions
As much as you want to see famous tourist attractions and landmarks, you’ll be better off if you skip driving your car. You’ll avoid costly parking fees and bridge tolls; instead, walk or bike to where you want to go. This will save on gas money—so more cash can go towards souvenirs! If walking isn’t an option for your trip, look into getting a public transportation pass or shared-ride taxi service so that you can spend less time in transit. Remember: no matter how far it looks to walk somewhere, it will always be closer than how far it is by car!
10) Go off the beaten path
Do not be afraid to stray from the beaten path, because doing so will give you the opportunity to visit places you haven't been before and will help to make your trip more memorable. If you want to save a lot of money and experience something more unique, check out attractions not so popular, find cheaper food and lodging, and avoid tourist traps. For whichever destination you're headed to next, these tips will help you save money while on the go.
Conclusion
When it comes to saving money while traveling, there are a lot of things you can do to trim costs without sacrificing your experience. From using a travel rewards credit card to carrying cash and using a prepaid card, you have options that will make it possible for you to save money. The key is knowing how to use these tools before you leave home so you can put them into action during your trip.
