Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re a pro or planning your first adventure, there are countless ways to explore the world without draining your savings. In this guide, we’ll share 10 smart tips to travel on a budget, helping you save money on flights, accommodation, and more, while still experiencing unforgettable memories. With the right strategies, you can travel affordably to your dream destinations.
One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to avoid peak tourist seasons. Flights, accommodations, and attractions are often much cheaper during off-peak months.
The ideal way, is to research destinations that offer the best weather that you are looking for during these times, and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds while keeping more cash in your wallet.
Keep in mind that not everyone has the same preferences as you, with some preferring a certain weather, while others don’t care and just want to visit for a specific attraction. Hence, it is essential to do research beforehand as to find the best and cheapest period for you.
Budget airlines like Ryanair, AirAsia, and Spirit Airlines are great for finding cheap flights. They offer no-luxury services, but if you can pack light and don’t mind skipping in-flight luxuries, you can travel between countries at a fraction of the price of major airlines. Moreover, if you are able to fit all inside a backpack you will save at least €50 per person each time.
You will notice that with most airlines, the difference in luggage and backpack sizes is very small around 10cm extra for a luggage. However, this is not reflected in the price. Hence, we suggest buying a good travel backpack that will save you hundreds of euros in the long run. Furthermore, if you don’t really care were you are seated, these budget airlines offer random seating allocation which for sure makes them the cheapest option.
Instead of splurging on hotels, opt for hostels, guesthouses, or Airbnb rentals. Hostels often have dormitory-style accommodations, making them perfect for solo travelers or groups on a budget. Many hostels also offer communal kitchens, helping you save even more by cooking your own meals. Moreover, if you find the perfect location that is placed not too far yet not too close to the center, you can surely save a couple of euros as well.
Traveling in groups also helps reduce costs quite a bit, enabling you to splurge on a better rated accommodation but the costs will be split between more people. This is due to most accommodations offering a double bed even for a single person, however traveling for example in couples will result in cost savings.
Stop the taxis and private cars, and use local public transportation like buses, trams, or subways. Not only is public transport much cheaper, but it’s also a great way to experience the local culture. In many cities, day passes are available for unlimited rides, this can be seen through for example our article on Stockholm Travelcards. Even though sometimes taxis seem like the best easy way out, you can be surprised about the efficiency and reliability of some of the public transport in certain countries. This mostly surprised us in Stockholm.
Even though we hesitated plenty before taking the bus for the first time, in the end we realized that it was extremely efficient, super clean and we saved hundreds of euros in just a few days. Although it might take you some courage to try something for the first time, we suggest that you plan beforehand as you might be surprised about how easy it actually is at the end.
Dining out for every meal can get expensive fast. If you’re staying in an accommodation with a kitchen, shop at local supermarkets and cook some of your own meals. Not only does this save you money, but it also allows you to try fresh, local ingredients in your cooking. We know that cooking on holiday, might be the last thing you want to do however, we prefer to travel and cook a few rather than not affording to travel at all.
We suggest that you find local markets that will not only save you some money, but also allow you to try some of the local cuisines. In our Porto guide, we mentioned the Mercado do Bolhão. This was an amazing market full of fresh treats such as sandwiches, pies and pastries as well as fresh ingredients. We noticed that trying many small items, instead of one big meal can sometimes be cheaper, still get you full and also allow you to try a vaster choice of items.
Sign up for frequent flyer programs, hotel reward memberships, or credit cards with travel points. Over time, you can accumulate points that can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, or even car rentals. This is a great long-term strategy to save on future trips. Moreover, trying new applications might give you certain discounts as a new customers. We also suggest trying to find discount codes on the internet especially around holidays and feasts.
Furthermore, many banks actually offer for example travel insurance for free which some might never consider but it’s good to have especially if it’s free. Cards such as Revolut, also offer discount on hotels, accommodations and certain rentals for specific subscribers. Even though it is tedious to read policies, we highly recommend that you do to obtain one time discounts, first time client advantages and several offers.
Many destinations offer free attractions such as museums, parks, or walking tours. Research these before your trip, and plan your itinerary around them. Walking tours can be particularly enjoyable and informative, and they are often tip-based, meaning you can pay what you can afford. You should also look at any offers there are available for your age group. For example during our trip in Rome we managed to visit many attractions at just €2 each as we were considered youths. This was a fraction of the price and gave us the same access like the normal ticket.
You can also search online for tips and tricks. Some attractions offer either the first or last entry for free or for reduced costs. Offers may also be available by buying packages for multiple attractions such as the one mentioned in our article on Oceanografic in Valencia. Moreover, there might also be city passes available in many cities around the world. We bough it in Stockholm, you can find if it was worth it or not in our article Go City Pass Stockholm. These passes gives you access to multiple attractions for a limited duration of your choice at a fixed cost.
While last-minute deals can sometimes be great, booking in advance generally ensures lower prices. Keep an eye on price trends for flights and accommodations, and book when prices are low. Comparison websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights can help you track the best rates. You should also find flight hacks on the internet. For example airlines like Ryanair usually have the lowest prices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, some also say that prices are usually the lowest 3 weeks exactly before departure date.
Moreover, you can also keep an eye out on any discounts given by social media influencers on the internet. If you have enough time, sometimes not buying a direct flight can also save you some money. However, this has to be planned throughly beforehand as to ensure you allocate enough time. With regard to accommodation, it is also possible to find package deals for example flight + accommodation which might be cheaper than buying separately.
Save on accommodation costs by traveling overnight on buses, trains, or even flights. Many long-distance journeys are available during night hours, and you can rest while getting to your next destination. This is an especially popular strategy for backpackers and long-term travelers. If you manage to travel overnight for both departure and arrival you manage to save at least one night of accommodation while also winning a full day on the last day of your holiday.
This is also ideal if traveling by train from one city to the next. Since the late hours are usually in low demand, prices are generally lower than those in the morning. This would also allow you to save a night on accommodation. Sleeping at the airport can also be an option. Even though it might not be the most comfortable solution it can be a great option if you arrive late or leave early from your destination.
If you’re looking for a way to travel long-term on a budget, consider work exchanges or volunteering. Websites like Workaway and WWOOF connect travelers with hosts who offer free accommodation and meals in exchange for a few hours of work per day. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture while keeping costs low. This is often ideal when traveling long term.
The work involved is usually minimalistic and for few hours hence, you can still enjoy your holiday the rest of the day. Moreover, hours are usually flexible allowing you to choose what’s best for you. If this is not your thing, you can also check for some part time remote working for your specific occupation. If you’re adventurous enough, you can also start to create something completely alone, like we are doing on this blog to share our experiences with you! Click here if our story and the reason why we created Match On The Map interests you.
By using these budget travel tips, you can make the most of your trips without breaking the bank. Budget travel doesn’t mean sacrificing experiences, it just means traveling smarter. If there are any more topics or destinations you want us to cover, don’t hesitate to contact us below. Also, don’t forget to check out some of our popular posts like our article Ultimate Travel Kit: all you need to Know or our posts on Paris and Nantes.
We are Martina and Cyprien, a long-distance couple with a passion for travelling.
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