27 Budget Travel Tips (That Everyone Should Know)

#2 – Exchange Most of Your Money at Your Destination

Novice travelers should avoid completely exchanging all their cash before a trip. I don`t recommend arriving in a foreign nation empty-handed, but you don`t want to pay the extremely expensive foreign currency exchange fees at home.

Each residence has many details and a private infinity pool. There are options to rent one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, making it suitable for trips with family or friends.

👉 Bonus Tip: Some remote destinations don’t have an ATM, so be sure to always get to isolated places with plenty of exchanged cash.

#3 – Stay in a Shared Hostel Dorm Room

Hostels are a budget traveler’s best ally. The most inexpensive shared dorm room I’ve stayed in was $3 per night, though $5-15 is conventional presently.

Co-ed dorm rooms are typically less expensive than gender-specific dorm rooms. Though, I strongly recommend that females remain in female-only dorms, especially at party hostels. This is one of several safety measures and solo travel tips for women.

#4 – Cook Your Own Food

Utilize the included kitchen facilities at your hostel to save some serious cash on food while abroad. Most hostels and rental homes have kitchens but double-check if your hotel room includes a place to cook.

Procure your ingredients from the neighborhood market instead of the supermarket to further reduce expenditures on nourishment.

#5 – Eat Street Food

Take advantage of affordable street meals instead of sitting down at a fine restaurant. You can typically locate hot ready foods at local markets for as small as $1 per meal in more reasonably priced countries.

Caution is advised when eating street food as something that has been sat out for a prolonged period of time could cause issues. Carrying Imodium is also suggested as it may help in an emergency situation.

#6 – Take Public Transportation over Private Rideshares and Taxis

Take regional buses, trains, and even water vessels instead of pricey private rideshare options. It may take more time to reach your destination but the money saved justifies the while.

👉 Bonus Suggestion: Download the offline mapping software Maps.me to consistently have your surroundings in an unfamiliar locale. Maps.me has helped me numerous times when disembarking at the incorrect bus stop or taking a wrong turn in a new town.

#7 – Choose Free Activities like Hiking over Paid Excursions

Paid tours can easily become one of your biggest travel costs. Opt for free activities like hiking and complimentary walking tours and swimming to save a lot. I typically discover hidden places by asking locals about their favorite cost-free options.

#8 – Buy Your Flight at Least 6 Months in Advance

The most affordable airline deals can be found when reserving travel several months in advance. You can save the most on your largest travel cost by booking your flight at minimum six months before departure, especially if journeying during peak tourism seasons.

#9 – Use Work Exchange Programs to Trade Work for a Place to Stay

Participating in work exchange programs is truly the best strategy for maintaining a minimal travel budget in the long run. Securing employment at a hostel represents one solution. Personally, I’ve used both WorkAway and WWOOF, generally working only 4-5 hours a day for 4-5 days every week in exchange for lodging and sometimes food.

#10 – Hitchhike in Safe Areas like Patagonia and Island Towns

Hitchhiking is likely the most cost-effective way to travel with a limited budget. However, hitchhiking carries risk, so use caution regarding who offers you transport and where you signal for a ride. Conduct thorough preliminary research on hitching in a specific country to potentially avoid danger.

👉 Bonus Tip: Purchasing travel coverage helps offset costs of lost baggage and canceled flights. I personally use World Nomads travel insurance and greatly advocate for them.

#11 – Skip or Limit the Amount of Tourist Tours

You may want to pay for several tours as it`s your initial time out of the country but I promise that it’s unnecessary. I successfully visited the Valley of the Kings in Egypt without a guide as a solo female and had no issues.

Arranged tours also typically limit the amount of uninterrupted time you can dedicate at a site, hurrying your once-in-a-lifetime moment. Opting out of the guide allows spending however long is wanted exploring Chichen Itza or the Vatican.

#12 – Refrain from Buying Souvenirs

Souvenirs add up rapidly. Refrain from overspending on vacation by restricting yourself to only one or two trip mementos. Spend what would be souvenir money on a nice meal or a tour you’ve had your eye on.

#13 – Shop from the Local Market

Procure what you need from a local market for a fraction of retail prices. All savvy travel shoppers locate the most affordable costs at community markets instead of major stores. This travel trick alone can preserve you upwards of hundreds of dollars on your trip.

#14 – Ask a Local About Local Prices to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

Understanding what costs are standard in a local region before making any purchases is one of the most important travel recommendations. For instance, I typically ask my lodging host or reception staff how much a taxi fare should typically be from the airport to my hotel ought to be. That way, I know whether or not I’m being overcharged.

#15 – Split Accommodation, Food, and Tour Prices with Fellow Budget Travelers

Odds are, most other travelers in your hostel are also on a tight budget. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be staying in a 12-person shared room.

From my experiences, I’ve found that most fellow travelers are happy to split travel costs, like for tours and meals.

📚 Related Reading: Destinations for Solo Travel

#16 – Only Drink During Happy Hour

Drinking too much on travels is among the fastest ways to burn through funds. Good news – happy hour, featuring discounted beverages, is common almost everywhere. Take advantage of these times to save money while partying at your destination.

#17 – Skip the Bar, Buy from the Local Store

Conserve as much on alcohol as possible by obtaining it from the local market or grocery rather than elsewhere. I always buy beer from small convenience stores in Mexico because they`re tasty and support local enterprises.

#18 – Avoid Buying Overpriced Hostel Food and Drinks

In my own experience, hostel food is overpriced and not as tasty as the local cuisine. This holds true for nearly every hostel where I`ve stayed worldwide. You`ll find better deals on more flavorful dishes at a neighborhood market or nearby eatery rather than spending double on bland hostel fare.

#19 – Download the iOverlander App for Information on Free Campsites

The iOverlander app is extremely helpful for road trips! I recommend this tool to everyone and truly cannot recall how I traveled and set up campsites throughout the United States without using it.

iOverlander displays free campsites near your moving vehicle and it`s entirely free of charge! Read comments and view photos from past campers to determine if there`s cell service or if the camp spot has closed down.

#20 – Couchsurf in Safe Countries with a Host Who Has Many Reviews

I’ve Couchsurfed many a’times to save money on my travels. I highly recommend only staying with hosts who have many photos and many reviews from past guests to ensure safety. I especially pay close attention to what the female reviewers say because I mostly Couchsurf as a solo female.

Take a look at the Couchsurfing networking platform to get started finding housing while traveling.

#21 – Rent and Sleep in a Car in Easy Going Places Like Hawaii

Stretch your money as thinly as possible by sleeping in your rental vehicle. I rented a spacious SUV in Hawaii and slept in the rear seat for a few days without any issues.

#22 – Always Haggle for Cheaper Prices

You`ll always pay the full listed price if you don’t negotiate. Most listed prices are flexible in most countries around the world outside of chain retail stores. Bargain at local markets, small family-owned shops, street events, and for souvenirs to achieve the best possible price.

#23 – Bring a Reusable Water Bottle and Water Filter

Save money and help the environment by bringing your reusable water bottle on your trip. Drinking tap water isn`t advised in many countries. So I recommend bringing your own water filter as well for budget-friendly vacations.

Yakima, Washington offers excellent chances for outdoor activities. Cowiche Canyon has several paths for hikers, cyclists, and horse riders. Rocky Top features panoramic views of the town and even connects to a longer trail to Mount Rainier. Floating down the Yakima River is a popular way to beat the summer heat. Everything needed can be reserved at a local business.

#24 – Check Out Hostel Book and Clothing Swaps

I’ve encountered quite a few hostels that offered free book and clothing exchanges. This is usually manifested as a box or library marked with a “free” sign and really comes in handy in a pinch.

#25 – Bring a Backpack Instead of a Suitcase to Curb Checked Baggage Fees

Backpacks stuffed with a month`s worth of clothing and gear may not be the lightest option, but they do come in handy. Never pay checked baggage fees again by stowing your backpack in the overhead compartment on your flight.

Get started with our guide to the best rucksacks.

👉 For your next read: Inexpensive Family Getaways

#26 – Visit More Affordable Countries

While visiting London on a budget is possible, your funds are going to last much longer at more affordable locations.

Visiting lower cost of living countries is a superb way to save money on flights, nourishment, lodging, tours, souvenirs, and more when traveling.

Money-saving backpacker places contain Southern and Central America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. A few nations in these areas even make our listing of the best time away destinations!

👉 Continue Reading: Guide to Budget Travel in Puerto Rico

#27 – Travel During the Off-Season

Research when not to visit your intended destination and travel during that time if saving money is your biggest priority when traveling. Most prices are cut in half during off-seasons to attract more visitors to the location.

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Thanks for reading my top budget travel tips!

Before your trip, be sure to look at my ebook on budget travel.