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How to Travel on a Budget for Beginners

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Wondering how to travel on a budget? While it may seem like traveling is exclusive to those with cash to spare, you don’t have to overspend in order to get out of town. There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget — including using reward points or miles and traveling during ideal times— that can end up saving you a lot of money. Here's travel guide for beginners on a budget.

Start planning early

If this is your first big trip, odds are you’ve already started planning. That’s good — the sooner you start, the more time you have to save money . Travel prices rise and fall with demand, and the cycle fluctuates as your travel dates get closer.

Beginning your planning early gives you the best chance of finding discounted hotel rooms, cheaper flights and other less-expensive activities. Although you won’t find the cheapest prices far out in advance (as we mentioned, it’s a cycle) keeping an eye on rates will allow you to jump on them and book when they drop.

» Learn more: How to account for inflation in your travel budget

Book at the right time

This bears repeating. Why? Because when you book and when you travel can make a huge difference in the price of your vacation. This applies to flights and hotels.

Confused about when the "right time" to book will be? There are multiple free tools available online to help you.

One of the easiest to use is the price tracking tool available via Google Flights. This service lets you know how the fare you’re looking at purchasing compares with past pricing. It also lets you know if rates are high or low compared with average costs.

If the flight you’re considering does appear to be expensive, Google Flights also features a price tracker alert system that will email you when fares drop. You can toggle this feature on within the search bar.

According to Expedia, the best day of the week to buy your airline ticket is on Sunday.

Skip overpriced tours

There’s nothing like getting out into a new city to explore. But how much of that exploring can you do on your own? With the information available online, it’s simple and easy to conduct your own tour for free rather than paying for a guide.

If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, consider instead one of the many free tours that many major cities offer. These walking tours will give you tons of information about the area completely free of charge, though gratuities are welcomed.

Otherwise, apps such as Spotted By Locals , Tripadvisor and Rick Steves offer comprehensive information for many large cities. Often this is free, but sometimes you’ll need to pay a nominal fee.

Use reward points

One of our favorite ways to save money includes redeeming reward points for travel. Some of your biggest expenses, such as hotels and flights, can be wiped away by using reward points during your trip.

This type of travel takes planning; you’ll need to accrue enough points to make a travel redemption. Much of the time, this is accomplished through welcome bonuses earned when you open a travel credit card .

For example, a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Paris costs $1,255 at the beginning of November 2022.

This same flight can be booked using 45,000 American Airlines miles .

While 45,000 miles may seem like a lot, you can earn this amount of miles with ease. For example, you can earn more than enough miles needed for this flight with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. The first purchase could be a stick of gum or a cup of coffee — it doesn’t matter.

Many co-branded airline credit cards also offer perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, saving you time and money.

The same can be said of hotel credit cards . Most major hotel chains have co-branded credit cards, including Hilton , Marriott , IHG , Hyatt , Choice and Wyndham . These credit cards — and their sign-up bonuses — can go a long way toward cutting costs on your vacation.

Even better, many of these credit cards offer complimentary elite status . Elite status can grant you perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, free WiFi and late checkout.

It’s a good idea to consider booking hotel rooms using points, especially for budget family travel. Sometimes hotels charge more for additional people in your room, but these costs won’t translate to reward redemptions. You’ll generally pay the same standard price as long as you can all safely occupy the room.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Travel in the off-season

Along with using reward points, taking your trip during the offseason is another excellent way to save money. Each destination has a peak period of demand during which prices will be inflated.

This will include flights, hotels, tours and even dining, making traveling on a budget difficult. In Europe, the high season is in the summer, when most people come to visit.

During this time, flights will be at their most expensive. Remember the above example featuring that flight to Paris for $1,255? A similar flight during peak season will cost $2,070 round trip.

As you can see, even if you’re paying cash for your flights you’ll be saving over $800 by taking your trip when demand is lower.

» Learn more: Why "shoulder season" is the best time to travel

If you want to travel on a budget

Vacations don’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re a vacation veteran or a travel newbie, it’s easy to save on trips by starting planning early and keeping an eye on prices.

More importantly, taking advantage of reward points can significantly cut down on flight and hotel costs. Otherwise, traveling during the offseason can help drop expenses and allow you to travel on a budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

How to Budget for a Trip: The Easiest Travel Budgeting Method (+ Tips!)

Here’s a silly secret: I love budgeting travel… and I also think that most guides to creating a travel budget make it entirely too complicated.

I initially wrote this guide on how to budget for a trip almost 7 years ago, when we were prepping for what we were then calling a 6 month round the world trip (spoiler: depending on your definition of “trip”, it never actually ended).

50+ countries and the better part of a decade later, I’m still using the exact same, simple formula for calculating our budget while traveling–even if our definition of “on a budget” has changed over the years.

Planning to hit the road soon and wondering how much money you need for your trip?

Whether you’re headed off on a 2-week Europe trip or you’re planning to live out of a backpack for years like we did, our simple method for budgeting travel expenses has you covered.

Here’s the travel budget strategy that we swear by to this day!

Table of Contents

Our Formula for Creating a Travel Budget

Why we like this travel budgeting system, example of how to budget for a trip, tips for travel budgeting, planning a trip.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Here’s our incredible simple calculation for travel expenses:

(Money Saved – Major Expenses) / Number of Days Traveling = D aily Budget

That’s it–simple, easy to remember, and allows you to easily translate your savings from a pile of money into an actual travel budget.

Some long term travelers prefer to divide by the number of weeks instead of the number of days, on the premise that some days you may blow a large amount, and then have cheaper days to make up for it.

While that is 100% true and Jeremy and I definitely balance expensive days with inexpensive ones, I still prefer to think in terms of days.

In my experience, smaller numbers tend to be more easily tracked, and are less overwhelming as a result.

How to Define Major Travel Expenses

“Major expenses” can be somewhat of an ambiguous term, but I tend to use this for pricey plane tickets, travel insurance, and large monthly bills that you’re still responsible for during your trip (say, a car payment or health insurance). 

If you’re headed to any destinations that require a visa, be sure to include those costs as well!

For shorter trips, I also like to include lodging and certain cheaper transportation costs (night trains, budget airline flights, rental cars) here, but for long-term travel, that’s obviously not practical.

The point of the major expenses category is simply to remove the money that is allocated for specific expenses from play before determining how much you have to spend.

This is to avoid either a) running around feeling like you have more money than you do and overspending or b) anxiously fretting about the upcoming expense (like a plane ticket home) and saying no to things that you want to do because you’re needlessly stressed about not having enough money.

Personally, we’re much more likely to do the second.

Looking back on almost 7 years of travel, I can now definitively say that there have been more experiences than we’ve said no to when we should have jumped at the opportunity than times we splurged on an experience that wasn’t worth deducting from our calculated travel budget.

Luckily, thanks to this travel budgeting system, those experiences have been few and far between.

For us, this method of creating a travel budget works perfectly.

Thanks to careful tracking, we have never overspent on a trip, and we’ve also never worried much about money during our travels.

The worst that will happen is that we have a couple of pricey days in a row and follow it up with a day of inexpensive hiking or laying on the beach to make up for it (hardly a tragedy).

While I tend to track our daily expenses via mental estimates, I will write out cash expenses daily and credit card/more easily tracked expenses a couple of times a week–yes, even 7 years later.

It may seem like a drag, but 10 minutes of work can relieve a lot of stress and fear of the unknown that can come with just letting your money slip to the back of your mind.

(At least, it will be in the back of your mind until you start panicking over the thought of where your checking account balance might be when trying to fall asleep at night!).

Let’s say that a couple traveling is traveling to Paris from the USA for one week, and wants to calculate their travel budget.

In the interest of not searching too deeply for a pretend trip, I’ll say they buy the first flights they search for don’t stress about that too much. They’re also cautious and want travel insurance for their trip.

Our pretend couple has a $4000 travel budget, in total.

Major Travel Expenses for Our Mock Paris Trip

Round-Trip Flights to Paris: $2000

Travel Insurance : $150 

Hotel Room, $130/night for 7 nights: $910

($4000 total budget – $3060 major expenses) / 7 days = $134.28/day to spend, or $67.14/per person, per day.

I would round those down to $134 or $67, both for the ease of math and to build in a slightly conservative slant to the budget.

This would need to cover activities/tours, souvenirs/shopping, transportation while in Paris, and food/drinks.

That’s not only doable but completely comfortable in Paris, as long as our pretend couple is not hoping for luxury travel.

Know what’s worth it to you.

If you’re a major foodie, skimping on dining probably isn’t going to work for you–and if you’re a SCUBA lover, suggesting you limit dives on a beach trip may sound miserable.

Whatever your priorities are, focus on those and skimp on other areas, instead–even if other travelers consider the things you skip to be must-see sights.

Check in on your budget regularly.

Even if you don’t check in daily, be sure to track your budget at least every few days.

This will help keep you from blowing off course in either direction and also relieve any anxiety you have about not knowing the status of your budget.

Remember that traveling on a budget doesn’t mean having less fun!

Some of our favorite travel experiences cost little to nothing.

Browsing local markets, enjoying a beach day, going for a hike, wandering aimlessly through cities, sampling street food, and more all make for wonderful and incredibly memorable travel days.

Travel budgeting can be daunting when you get started, but once you get used to it, it enhances, rather than detracts from your experiences.

Not only are there wonderful travel experiences to be had at all budgets, but knowing where you are in your trip financially is much less stressful than constantly worrying that you’re over your travel budget… without having the concrete data to confirm either way.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

11 thoughts on “How to Budget for a Trip: The Easiest Travel Budgeting Method (+ Tips!)”

Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!

Extremely useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

Thank you! Appreciate you stopping by! 🙂

bookmarked!!, I love your site!

Another small thing to consider would be to convert your daily budget amount to local currency.

Great point, thanks for stopping by! 🙂

This is by far the best travel blog I have come across. Thank you!!!

So happy to hear that, DeElla!

Great info!

Good info. Thanks we will be traveling Italy for 28 days. The last 7 we are staying with friends. We don’t want to rent a car but use trains between towns and subway/buses in the cities. How do I budget for that? Are there month long passes for each? Excluding airfare we have $7000 food/transportation/entrance fees. Does that sound doable? We are flying into Rome, then Florence and take day trips from there, then ending up in Ugento. Any recommendations?

Thanks, Brenda!

You can definitely get around Italy without a car, that’s not a problem at all. $7000 for for 28 days on the ground also sounds reasonable (I’m assuming you’re traveling as a couple).

Trenitalia does have a monthly pass of sorts for trains, similar to the Eurail pass but for Italy only. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it without knowing your schedule. Most likely, booking each leg individually is fine.

For short distances in rural areas that you travel by bus, you won’t need online tickets or anything like that. Same for any “local” trains you take, like the slow train between Florence and Bologna. You can buy those tickets step by step as you go, as the prices are set.

Where the prices get higher and you’ll need to budget in advance is for the high-speed train routes around Italy, like from Florence to Lecce, for example. Those trains have dynamic pricing, so if you can book your tickets in advance, you’ll both spend less and be able to budget more easily.

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How to Make a Travel Budget in 2023 [Free Template]

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Can You Afford to Travel?

The 2 approaches to travel budgets, travel budget template worksheet, passport and visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, clothes, gear, and toiletries, accommodation, local transportation, attractions and activities, walk-around money, gifts and souvenirs, websites to help research travel costs, the best apps for travel budgets and expense tracking, saving for your vacation, final thoughts.

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Creating a travel budget isn’t all about boring spreadsheets and searching for low budget bargains — a finely-crafted budget it is designed to maximize your total travel experience.

Let’s start out easy here. You may have dreams of globetrotting and living your best life in distant lands, but can you actually afford it?

The amount you have to spend on your trip will need to be proportionate to the place you are visiting. By that, we mean that some destinations can be done on the cheap, while others will be a bit more of an investment.

Where you want to stay, what you intend to do when you get there, and physically how far away you will be from home can all have a considerable bearing on how deep your pockets will need to be.

Before you book yourself silly, really break down the potential costs of your dream trip and tally it up with the amount of money you will realistically have to fund it.

Bottom Line: Sometimes, it may be better to put your plans on hold until you have saved up enough cash to really experience a place, rather than rushing to get there and missing out on some of the best bits.

Whether you are a plan-well-in-advance sort of traveler or more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person, there are different ways to approach setting out your budget based on what works best for you.

Plan Your Adventure Well in Advance

The most traditional way to book a vacation is to think of somewhere you want to go, plan your vacation dates, and decide how long you want to stay. This kind of advanced planning is the usual go-to for most travelers, as it allows you to book time off of work or plan trips around school semesters, and gives you the opportunity to firm up plans before you leave.

Knowing when and where you are going also has another key advantage — it gives you plenty of time to save up all the cash you will need to really enjoy your time there. Booking in advance also means you get your choice of cheaper accommodation at better rates.

Book months in advance and you can research your planned itinerary and potential expenditure, and maybe even save enough extra for upgrades of luxuries to make your adventure truly special. This kind of planning is a great incentive for saving hard.

Travel Based on Your Bank Balance

If, on the other hand, you want to take your cash and get the hell out of dodge, you can work backward to identify the most amount of fun you can have for your money. If you are feeling lucky, and you know how much you are willing to spend, the world really is your oyster.

The awesome power of the internet has made impulse traveling even easier, as you can simply hit up any number of booking sites to find an exciting destination, as well as suitable flights, accommodation, and excursions in just a few clicks.

Another great way to make your budget go further is to think outside the box. Visiting popular destinations out of season, taking shorter vacation times, or even looking at places away from the main tourist trail can all make your money go further.

A trip to the legendary Yosemite National Park during April or May, for example, is a great way to experience some of the most iconic open spaces in America before the schools let out, or hit the beaches of Miami or the Florida Keys during September and October when tourists shy away from the increased risk of stormy weather.

You can also look at alternatives to the more traditional resort destinations to get more bang for your buck. Consider a trip to Reno instead of Las Vegas, hit the slopes in Winter Park instead of the sky-high prices in Vail, or take in the history of Williamsburg and avoid the price tags of New York or Los Angeles on your next city break.

To help you plan and keep track of your travel budget we have created a free, handy Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

📋  Click to Download Our Travel Budget Template >  📋

Travel Budget Considerations

When planning your travel budget, there are lots of different things to consider. Break down your budget into subsections to make it easier to plan and stick to:

One of the most essential elements of your travel plan will revolve around the legal and local requirements for travel to and from your destination. You must research any visa requirements and restrictions before you fly, and be sure to have all the documentation you need before you leave.

Most countries will have their own individual and very specific entry requirements, and there may be restrictions on how much local currency you can bring with you, as well as how long you can stay.

As a very rough guide, some examples of the requirements for U.S. citizens could include:

• Travel to Europe — If you are traveling to or through any of the main 26 European countries, you must know the requirements of the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates borders and assumes that travelers will be able to enjoy up to 3-months of visa-free travel. This will change in January 2021 with the introduction of the ETIAS .
• Travel to Australia — You must have a valid U.S. passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enjoy up to 90 days of travel in Australia.
• Travel to Central America — You will not need a visa to visit most Central American countries, but you may need a tourist card for some destinations (~$10) to allow stays of up to 90 days visa-free.
• Travel To South Africa — You must have a valid U.S. passport, but do not need a visa for stays of 30 days or less.

Check out our guide to tourist visa information on over 100 countries.

There are many great reasons why you should always buy travel insurance coverage for your trips overseas, and only 1 reason not to. Trust us. If the worst should happen while you are away, you will wish you hadn’t tried to save money by skipping on the insurance, so make sure you always make space for travel insurance in your travel budget .

The best travel insurance policy does not necessarily have to be the most expensive one you find, but it probably won’t be the cheapest either. With this in mind, shop around and speak to a variety of providers before committing to any 1 product.

There will be different levels of coverage available to suit the requirements of every type of traveler, from lone backpackers to family vacations, but at the very least you should try to include:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Repatriation expenses
• Cancellation or curtailment coverage
• Lost baggage coverage
• Travel delay/missed departure coverage
• Journey disruption coverage
• Personal liability coverage
• Legal expenses coverage
• Electronics loss/theft and damage coverage

Depending on where you go, what you’ll be doing, and the nature of your trip, you may want to also consider dedicated financial protection that could include specific coverage for:

• Winter sports coverage
• Terrorism disruption coverage
• Cruise coverage
• Business coverage
• Sports equipment coverage

It is important to remember that the domestic health insurance that you use at home will not necessarily cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas . Don’t leave it to chance — invest wisely in your travel insurance and never skimp on the coverage just to save yourself a few bucks before you go.

You should also look into insurance coverage for your prized electrical items and personal belongings, too . While we would recommend leaving the diamonds at home, unless you are going somewhere exceptionally glamorous, many of us will take expensive electronics with us everywhere we go.

Find coverage that offers repairs or replacement for damaged, broken, lost, or stolen items before you go.

Hot Tip: There are some credit cards with travel insurance , so you might already have some coverage without knowing it!

Some parts of the world pose more of a risk to our health than others. By ensuring that you have all the travel vaccinations you need before you go, you can reduce the risk of developing serious diseases that your immune system may not be used to.

You can pretty much be vaccinated against all of the world’s most common communicable diseases at your local doctor’s office, health care center, or health department, and there will be medical professionals who will be able to provide you with useful information for your trip.

You will need to do your own research before you travel and speak to healthcare providers about the risks. But, as a rough guide to keep in mind when planning your travel budget, here are some of the most common travel vaccinations and their approximate costs:

• Cholera — A single-dose oral vaccine costs around $45.
• Hepatitis A — A single-dose vaccine costs around $115.
• Japanese Encephalitis — 2 doses given 4 weeks apart costs around $290 per injection.
• Meningococcal Disease — This single-dose vaccine is recommended from pre-teenage years and costs around $135.
• Rabies — A series of 3 or 4 injections into the muscles over the course of 4 weeks costs around $3000 for the entire course.
• Typhoid Fever — A single oral dose for anyone over 6 years old costs around $60.
• Yellow Fever — This vaccine is not stocked everywhere, but if you can find a clinic that offers it, you will need a single shot costing as much as $350.
• Malaria — There is no single vaccine, but antimalarial tablets can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting the disease by 90%. These may need to be taken as far as 3 months in advance and can cost anything from $20 a pack up to $260 per pack.

What you need to take with you will depend very much on where you headed. Whether you choose to travel light or max out your luggage allowance is up to you, but there are plenty of ways to help keep costs down when it comes to packing for your next adventure.

Compile a Capsule Wardrobe

Travel guides always bang on about the legendary “capsule wardrobe” — but it literally is a real thing. By taking 7 or 8 items of clothing with you that can be worn in a variety of ways you can dress for days at a time without worrying about overfilling your luggage or maxing out your travel budget.

Choose 2 pants, skirts or jeans, 3 tops, 1 sweater, 1 dress or a smart shirt and a coat or jacket, and you should be pretty much good to go. Throw in beachwear, sports gear, or thermals as-needed and some socks and underwear to see yourself sorted for the duration of your stay.

Another way to keep costs down is to avoid buying new stuff for every vacation . Your favorite bikini, flip flops, party dress, or even hoodie should be shown off time and time again, so never feel the need to replace your vacation clothing unless you really need to.

Here are some destination-specific packing lists:

• Beach Vacation Packing List
• Cruise Vacation Packing List
• Disney Vacation Packing List

If you want to take your travel camera with you, your GoPro for awesome live video, your phone, tablet, laptop, headphones , or any other bits of kit — think carefully about whether or not you really need it.

Taking more expensive gear with you increases the risk of stuff getting lost, broken, or stolen, as well as weighing your luggage down and tying you to charging ports and electrical sockets.

Keeping Clean

Most people like to have their favorite toiletries with them, but save money and space in your luggage by not taking full-size products.

You needn’t even worry about wasting money on cute little travel size products either. Simply decant your full-size bottles and pots into smaller travel containers instead . This is super easy to do, meets with TSA regulations, and saves you a few dollars here and there.

Alternatively, buy what you need when you arrive. Most destinations and airports will have plenty of shops to choose from. One area where you shouldn’t cut costs, however, is sunscreen. Buy the best you can, ideally from a trusted brand, before you leave.

Finally, check if the airline you are using charges extra for checked baggage and if so, see if you can get away with just a carry-on case instead.

The amount you pay for your flights will vary widely depending on a wide number of variants, including:

• Your destination
• Who you choose to fly with
• Whether you fly direct
• Whether you fly return or one-way
• The day of the week and time of day that you fly, and even the time of year
• Where you fly from
• When you book

There are many different ways to fly around the skies, but here are some ways to bag cheaper flights :

• Use Points and Miles — If you aren’t accumulating points to fly, read this beginner’s guide to get started.
• Book as Early as You Can — Flights often significantly increase in price within 3 weeks of the departure date.
• Stay Flexible — Flights leaving on different days or at times of day can be cheaper than others.
• Don’t Dismiss Discount Airlines — Short journeys, internal flights, and even some international journeys can be way cheaper on discount, no-frills airlines.
• Sign Up and Shop Around — Sign up with airlines direct to be notified of discounts and flash sales, and be sure to check in on all airlines that fly to your preferred destination.
• Use Aggregation Sites — Sometimes this is a winner, sometimes it isn’t — but don’t be afraid to try. Sites like Kayak or Skyscanner can be good, but don’t just accept the first price they give you.
• Buy Connecting Flights — It can be cheaper to buy 2 separate connecting flights than a direct 1. Check your destination and see who stops where along the route.

Again, how much you spend on where you stay is entirely up to you. Keeping costs down can be harder in large cities or expensive beach resorts, but there are ways to rest your head without losing your mind over the cost of it all.

Whether you are going for an all-out 5-star luxury or a family-friendly motel room, there are always deals to be had. Book direct through the hotel, include weeknights or a Sunday night in your stay, and be flexible on location.

Hot Tip: A hotel just outside of town, for example, will offer more attractive nightly rates and free parking and will usually represent better value for money than a downtown hotel will.

Renting a private home or vacation apartment on a short term basis can be much more affordable than a hotel. You can also find some superb properties for rent, complete with everything you need to enjoy your stay.

Fully-equipped kitchens, parking, TVs, and even pools often come standard and depending on your destination, there are lots of great Airbnbs and other holiday rental websites available.

If you are heading to the coast, the backcountry, or just getting out into the great outdoors, camping can completely transform your experience. Many campsites come complete with showers and cooking facilities and even pools, sports facilities, and fitness centers. You can take your own tent or rent one.

Another great way to save money on accommodation is to look at hostels in the area. A far cry from old fashioned student accommodation, many modern hostels are clean, bright, and modern and offer a combination of dorm-style bedrooms and private double or family rooms with en-suite facilities.

Hot Tip: Hostels are a great way to stay right in the middle of some of the most expensive cities in the world.

Rent a Recreational Vehicle

Another great choice if you are heading out on the open road, RVs can save you a fortune as you literally take your accommodation with you. RV trips are fun, family-friendly, and provided you aren’t always in a gas station, a great way to save money on where you stay.

RVshare and Outdoorsy are 2 companies that rent out campers and RVs.

You can pretty much rent any kind of vehicle , anywhere in the world. Although if you are staying in a city, public transport is a much more useful and affordable proposition.

The same rules also apply to some intercontinental trips, as well. For example, it can be easier and cheaper to travel through Europe using trains and buses than worrying about having to take care of a car when you get there.

If you want to explore out of the way destinations, hard to reach beaches, or just like the idea of being free to come and go as you please, car hire is readily available in most corners of the world.

Before you commit to it, think about the rental fees, fuel costs, and other potential expenditures and compare the costs of using public transport in your chosen destination.

Car hire here in the U.S. will vary depending on the type of car you choose and how long you intend to hire it. Small city cars are the most cost-effective, and big SUVs, 4x4s and luxury cars can also be hired if you have deep pockets.

When it comes to car rental, keep your costs down by:

• Booking your vehicle in advance
• Looking outside the airport as you may get a better deal in town
• Choosing a practical vehicle to suit your needs, not your dream supercar
• Being aware of mileage limits and one-way fees
• Use a credit card with car rental insurance , so you can be ready to turn down unnecessary add-ons and cross-sells that you don’t need
• Making sure the vehicle is checked for damage before you take the keys
• Only hiring it for as long as you need it
• Keeping your eyes out for deals on particular types of car, and better prices for longer-term rentals

Most tourist hotspots, big towns, cities, and even some iconic landmarks will offer a wide range of public transport options to get you around. There will be more choice and more frequent services in highly populated areas, while services may become more restricted further out in the countryside or suburbs.

If you are clever, you could save yourself a small fortune by grabbing good deals on public transport, leaving you with more cash to spend on the fun things in life.

Try these to tips for traveling around town on the cheap:

• Buy daily, weekly or even monthly travel passes in advance
• Bulk buy tickets online or via an app
• Take advantage of student passes or discounted fares for families, seniors, or children
• Avoid traveling during peak commuter times
• Services like Greyhound offer cheaper fares for mid-week journeys
• Sign up for early notification of flash sales and other promotional codes and discounts

Wherever you are headed, there will no doubt be plenty of things to do and places to see when you get there. The key to not missing a single thing is researching everything before you leave.

Have a plan in place of all the activities you want to take part in and the attractions you want to see and integrate the potential entrance costs, additional fees, and other expenses into your initial budget.

With a bit of luck, you will be able to find plenty of local discounts, city passes, and money-saving ways to see all of the very best attractions at rock bottom prices.

Pick up a copy of the local listings magazine or newspaper and check out free events , as well as using the coupons and discount codes they supply for all kinds of attractions. You can also subscribe to online discount sites like Groupon to find discounted ticket prices.

Historical landmarks, museums , art galleries, theme parks , sporting events, concerts, and many more attractions often offer reduced entrance prices at off-peak times or group discounts to entice visitors in. Some even have a free entrance day once a month.

Big cities often have lots of free entertainment on offer, too. Check out the artsy districts of major cities for street entertainers and free shows. If you are heading to the beach, research costs such as sunbed rental, locker rental, and even the menus at local restaurants to gauge an idea of how much a day on the beach could potentially cost you.

If you want to try your hand at surfing, sailing, or other kinds of water sports, you may want to get back on the internet and find reduced price lessons or discounts for group bookings.

While you may have budgeted every dollar down to the last cent, you should also keep a contingency plan for some pocket money . Days out in the town, lazy afternoons on the beach, or even a trip on a planned excursion can present you with lots of little unknown expenses.

Whether you need to buy an extra bottle of water, some sunscreen for your face, or entrance to additional attractions, keeping a little cash on you is a good way to be prepared.

Large amounts of cash should never be carried about your person while you are out exploring, but a couple of dollars stashed into your pocket or travel wallet and can be incredibly useful.

In order to keep your money safe, you should:

• Never flash wads of cash
• Keep your notes and loose change somewhere safe like your inside pocket or in a money belt
• Carry small denomination notes and coins
• Understand the local currency you are carrying, so you known how much to give over when paying

Walk-around money is simply a little buffer to keep you going, but set yourself a daily budget and stick to it.

These days, almost everyone travels at some point. This means that those unusual and unique products that we used to buy as souvenirs are no longer as sought after as they once were.

Nearly every tourist destination on earth will be able to sell you tacky bits and pieces for you to take home, but savvy travelers bypass these and look for more personalized and unique mementos to take home with them instead.

Bottom Line: A t-shirt here, a guide book there, and lots of little bits and pieces in between can soon add up. Spend wisely, and if you must buy gifts and souvenirs, choose ones that have a special meaning to you, that you can treasure forever.

To help make your research easier, some clever folks who have traveled before you have made websites that can help you to research and plan every single aspect of your next big adventure and what the costs involved may be.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip is a huge repository of travel costs that have been hand-gathered from thousands of travelers, and now provides an incredibly comprehensive guide to how much your trip will really cost you.

You can create and personalize your very own travel budget once you register with the website. You can also pick up tons of top travel tips and advice for both new and experienced travelers alike.

Nomad List offers a heap of resources and information for remote workers, digital nomads, and travelers, Nomad List is designed to help users navigate the world. Find information on thousands of destinations, places to work, neighborhoods to stay, and even make new friends before you go.

A great site for anyone who wants to work and travel for longer-term adventures, you can ask questions and arrange meet-ups to touch base with other like-minded wanderers.

This clever little website has 1 goal in mind — to let you know exactly how much money you really need to stay at your dream destination. Expatistan offers direct comparisons between different locations and the website is essentially a giant cost-of-living database that is updated and improved on a regular basis.

Using collaborative information garnered from expats from all over the world, this website really will give you the lowdown of where you can, and can’t, afford to be.

Keeping track of your expenses using your bank balance alone can be a real pain. A dedicated travel money app will help you to keep control of your finances, even when you can’t check the internet. Here are some of the best:

Trail Wallet

This easy to use expense tracker is a great way to keep an accurate record of your finances on the go. Designed to be incredibly intuitive and easy to use, you can make a note of all your expenses in a way that makes the best sense to you. Set up daily spending limits, view records of your recent outgoings, and upload images of receipts for multiple trips with custom start and end dates.

Perfect for use both at home and away, this clever little app will even let you input amounts in local currencies from over 200 countries , and you can update the app with the current exchange rate.

Trail Wallet can be used on both iPhone and iPad and is free for up to 25 items, or unlock unlimited amounts for continuous travel with the $4.99 upgrade.

Trabee Pocket

Trabee Pocket is available on both iOS and Android, and you can choose between the free version or additional services in the paid-for version. Even with the basic version, you can add the details of as many expenses as you like, covering various trips and destinations. You can choose your currency, and there are 8 basic categories to file your virtual expenses under.

You can add images of the physical receipt and produce an expense report and breakdown of expenditure using the data from each category . The upgrade costs around $2.49, and you can add multiple currencies and additional customized categories.

All in all, Trabee Pocket is sleek and an easy to use app that helps you to see how much you are spending and where you are spending it.

TripCoin is a concise and easy to use app that is available on iOS only. It is free to download , and there are no upgrade options at the present time. This smart app allows you to keep tabs on your spending at the touch of a button while making is super easy to add new entries when you need to.

Summary reports can quickly be compiled to let you see progress reports and spreadsheets, and you can even export the data to Excel, Numbers, Open Office, or Google to keep your inner accountant happy anywhere in the world.

Wally was designed to help anyone to manage their finances, anywhere in the world easily. It promises to offer a simple, seamless tool that works in an intuitive way, making it super easy to keep track of your money on the move.

The basic version allows you to add details of all of your regular incoming and outgoings as well as inputting your day to day expenditure, creating groups to manage joint accounts, and splitting payments with your friends when you need to.

It can be set to your local currency and lets you divide your outgoings into easy to find pre-set categories. Available on both iOs and Android, you can upgrade to the paid-for version for $24.99 a year to enjoy unlimited trips and categories.

This is a brilliant invention for anyone traveling with friends. Available on both iOS and Android, you can download it for free, but an in-app upgrade is available to Splitwise Pro. No more scrambling around with a pen and paper to split the bill, this app allows you and your buddies to keep track of your shared expenses and balances at the touch of a button.

You can add a bill, and choose how to split it, or send text or email requests to remind your friends and family that payments are now due. You can also categorize your expenses, calculate amounts in over 100 different currencies, and even sync all of your expenditures with the Cloud.

If you want to keep a more detailed record of your accounts, this little app will also export the data into easy to read CSV reports.

Before you worry about how to manage your finances while you are away, you will need to devise a plan that gives you the funds to get you there in the first place. Unless you have been blessed with a sudden windfall or a lottery win, you will need to save your cents to achieve your goals.

Set a Savings Timeline

If you receive a regular wage, or you are able to forecast your earnings accurately, you can start to set a timeline on how long it will take you to save up for your vacation . If you put aside just $100 a month, for example, you will be able to have $1200 to play with in just a year. This amount may not pay for a new life abroad, but it could you buy a week by the ocean.

Bottom Line: Think of where you want to go to, find out how much it will cost, and then set a monthly savings goal and stick to it. Some months you may have to sacrifice on your social life or shopping habits, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Multiple Savings Accounts

Once you know how much you need to save each month, be sure to physically remove that money from your day to day bank account. Set up at least 1 separate savings account and electronically move it , or set up an automated payment to leave your regular account on payday.

Visualization

Re-train your brain to save instead of spend, and you will be able to tally up every cent you save with something amazing . Your first $150 saved, for example, could mean that you have those tickets for that boat party in Miami in the bag, or that you are on your way to paying for a 4-star hotel instead of a mid-range one.

Whether you are dreaming of trekking up the Himalayas, backpacking around Asia, Interailing through Europe , or a long-awaited family vacation, seeing what your savings can afford will super motivate you to save more.

Wherever you are planning on traveling to, being in control of your finances will make your experience even more amazing. Worrying about getting into debt on your credit cards or not having the cash in your pocket to really explore the region will ruin your adventures.

Save hard, spend well, and look for ways to save money across every aspect of your trip. Plan your spending before you go and keep track of your expenditure while you travel. There are deals to be had on flights, accommodation, food, attractions, and almost every area of your next vacation. Plan in advance and enjoy knowing that you are having the best time for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i travel with a low budget.

There are plenty of excellent places to travel on a low budget. Here are some great options:

• South Africa

How much should I budget for a trip?

There are lots of factors that make up how much you should budget for a trip. Where you are going, the time of year, your travel style, what you want to do, and how long are you going for are just some of the considerations. It’s best to work out exactly what the trip would cost, cut out anything you can do without, and go from there.

How do I stick to a budget while traveling?

The best way to stick to a budget while traveling is to keep track of all your expenses so you know exactly where you are against your budget. The easiest way of doing this is to use a travel budget and expenses up like Trail Wallet, Trabee Pocket, or Tripcoin.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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How to Budget for a Trip

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The Balance

Whether you’re planning an international vacation or a long-weekend road trip, the idea of escaping your daily life for the promise of relaxation and adventure is intoxicating. But while planning a big trip can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to figure out how much it’s going to cost.

We’ve created a simple Google spreadsheet to help you plan and budget for your next trip. The Balance’s Travel Budget Worksheet includes common expenses (large and small), plus space to enter credit card or other loyalty program rewards that defray some of the cash costs. It’s free to download and use (but you will need a Google account).

The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination and realize you’re out of money. That’s why it’s important to make a travel budget that includes everything from rental car costs to seat selection fees. As part of “ Our Money’s on Travel ”—our series on getting back to travel—we’re taking a look at how to budget for a trip, whether it’s the big costs or the small, plus a few travel hacks to help you save money along the way. 

Most trips involve significant expenses such as transportation and lodging. How significant they are depends on your plans—transportation could include plane tickets or gas for your car, and lodging could mean a five-star hotel or a cabin in the woods. Websites such as Budget Your Trip can help you plan for these costs, but don’t factor in any tips or tricks for saving money. So while this kind of budgeting site can be a good starting point, there’s a lot more that goes into planning your travel budget. Here are a few strategies for saving money on these major travel expenses.

• If you have access to multiple airports, like New York City residents, check prices out of all of them: LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark (EWR). 
• If you only have one local airport, consider booking a separate, cheaper ticket to a major hub, which may offer cheaper flights.
• Be flexible with your dates and aim to travel during off-peak times. 
• In pre-Covid times, there was evidence that you could get the best fares by booking 20-115 days in advance and flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. But those bets are off because airlines’ pricing formulas are in transition as they cautiously ramp up for more travel. For now, you’ll just have to look for deals and grab them when you see them.   
• Follow airfare deal sites such as Scott’s Cheap Flights , Secret Flying , and Dan’s Deals to find out about cheap flights as soon as they’re available. 
• Check multiple sources before booking hotels to find the best rates and deals. For example, Hotels.com offers a free night for every 10 nights you book. Large hotel chains often advertise best rate guarantees and will give you up to 25% off your stay if you find a better rate elsewhere.  
• Consider shared lodging, such as a private room or dorm in a hostel or a private room in a local’s house on Airbnb, rather than renting an entire home. 
• Take advantage of any deals through membership programs such as AAA and AARP. 

Transportation

• If you’re planning to rent a car, use sites like Autoslash to compare rental car costs across a wide variety of programs and get a quote for the cheapest rates available. 
• Train passes, like the Eurail Pass , offer discounted or unlimited travel for a fixed price so you’ll never be surprised by last-minute ticket costs. 
• Electric scooter companies such as Bird and Lime allow you to purchase daily or monthly ride passes in certain cities. 

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Travel insurance protects you in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or medical costs in covered situations. But before you buy it from your airline or another carrier, check to see whether you’re covered by the credit card you’re using to book your trip. 

In addition, many airlines have eliminated change fees for flights, while many hotels have begun allowing flexible cancellations on their bookings. If you won’t face financial consequences for changing those big-ticket bookings, travel insurance may not be worth the cost.

The big costs aren’t the only ones to consider beforehand. Your travel budget should also consider expenses like tipping, entertainment, souvenirs, food, and even cellphone fees.

Plan for as many of these costs in advance as possible so you aren’t surprised during your trip—or when you return home to larger-than-expected bills. 

Watch out for these costs and minimize or eliminate them with these smart strategies:

• Rental car additional driver fees : If you need a second driver on your booking, book through a service that includes them for free, such as Costco Travel . 
• Rental car insurance : If you already have car insurance, check to see whether it extends to rental cars. If you don’t own a car, look into a non-owner car insurance policy that will cover you when you drive a rental, which generally costs far less than traditional rental car insurance policies. Also, check whether the credit card you’re using offers its own rental car insurance. 
• Debit card holds : Hotels and rental car companies will put a hold on your card when you arrive. If you’re paying with a debit card, the money they put on hold will not be available to you until the hold drops, which could take some time. If possible, make your bookings with a credit card instead, or include the hold in your travel budget.
• Cellphone coverage : If you’re with Google Fi or T-Mobile, you’re in luck, as most locations are covered for free by your cellphone plan. Otherwise, consider purchasing a local prepaid SIM card, which can cost significantly less than the international roaming fees charged by most cellphone companies. Or plan to leave your phone on airplane mode and only use it when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Entertainment costs : Many major cities offer tourist cards, which bundle tickets to a number of attractions onto a card that’s valid for a set number of days. If you plan to hit all the highlights, these cards could save you a bundle over individually purchased tickets.

After diligently earning rewards on your travel credit cards, now’s the time to cash them in for free flights and hotel stays. You can choose to redeem points directly through your card’s travel portal, or transfer them over to hotel or airline chains to book awards. 

We recommend crunching the numbers to find the best way to redeem credit card points . For example, hotel chains such as Hilton and Marriott offer the fifth night free on award bookings, so it may make sense to transfer your points to your hotel rewards account. This can also be a good strategy for buying expensive flights, as airlines will sometimes charge a set amount of miles for a ticket even if the cash price is high. 

Now that you’ve got a handle on how to save money on travel expenses, it’s time to do the heavy lifting: actually saving money for your trip. Consider these ways to save up for your trip:

• Set up an automatic transfer from your checking account into a dedicated “travel fund” account. This strategy keeps your travel budget separate, so you’re not tempted to spend it elsewhere before your trip.
• If you receive a tax refund, put as much as you can straight into your travel fund.
• If you have extra cash left over from the stimulus checks, move it into your travel fund. 
• Work bonuses or side hustles could offer unexpected ways to boost your travel account.
• If your family exchanges gifts, consider letting them know that you’re saving up for a vacation. Cash is always an option, and gift cards for hotels, airlines, and restaurants can also make a significant contribution to your travel budget. They could even give you frequent flyer points if they’d like.

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How to travel on a budget: Here are our 22 top tips

Editor's Note

"How can I travel on a budget?" is one of the top questions we receive at TPG.

There's no question that travel is expensive right now as millions satisfy the itch to travel more. Demand has been through the roof. Inflation and correspondingly high hotel, rental car and airline ticket costs have many would-be travelers throwing up their hands in frustration.

However, there are still many ways to save. In addition to using reserves of points and miles to book hotels and airfare, TPGers have many budget travel tips to help stretch your dollars when traveling.

Here are 22 ways to travel on a budget.

Use membership codes to save on car rentals

If you're a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, pull all of these levers. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn't even know about. A few examples from AARP include 30% off a car rental at Budget or Avis.

Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car

Look beyond traditional car rental companies and locations

Most people search for rentals at the airport with standard companies like Hertz and Avis. If you don't find good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte , Turo and Silvercar.

Related: Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on 1st rental

Check credit card merchant offers

Before booking your trip, review your credit cards' special merchant offers. Multiple issuers offer this option (although American Express is a leader in the category).

Every program works similarly: Log in to your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card for which the offer is registered.

There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout or coupons to print to take to the register. There are likely offers you can activate that will provide discounts on dining, gas and entertainment.

Related: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year

Take advantage of free days at national parks

Every year the U.S. National Park Service sets aside several days when entry is completely free ; options include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.

Visiting a national park on one of the NPS' free-entry days can save you up to $35 per vehicle at some of the most popular national parks, such as Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon .

Stay outside the national parks

You might dream of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly — especially if you can't pay for it with points.

However, just beyond the park, there's probably a hotel you can book with points. For example, you could stay at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone with IHG One Rewards points; the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.

Related: The best campgrounds, hotels and lodges near Yellowstone National Park

Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app

If you're a T-Mobile user, you're in luck: This app is a major perk that will put money in your pocket just for checking your phone on Tuesdays.

To participate, download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app , check the app on Tuesday and claim your discount code. We've seen weekly discounts on everything from rental cars to gas, hotels and theme park tickets.

Related: T-Mobile expands travel-focused 'Coverage Beyond' benefits

Get discounted gas at Shell through the Fuel Rewards app

At TPG, we love to stack savings. The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a good one to pile on the discounts.

You can link it to other loyalty programs — including American Airlines AAdvantage, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and more — to receive extra discounts. Also, if you purchase through Fuel Rewards, link to partner retailers such as Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax and many others to save even more.

Don't forget to use a credit card that gives bonus points or discounts at gas stations for even more savings. TPG likes the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ), which awards 3 ThankYou points per dollar at gas stations, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , which also gives 3% back at U.S. gas stations.

Related: These are the best credit cards for gas purchases

Save on theater tickets in New York and London

Check TodayTix for cheap Broadway and West End tickets if traveling to New York City or London.

The TodayTix app has discounted tickets to various shows available. Prices vary, but most of the top shows currently playing are available on the site and the app.

While not all shows are hugely discounted, TodayTix often runs no-fee promotions. Keep in mind that for some shows, you won't be able to choose your precise ticket location. Instead, you will pick a section you'd like to sit in.

Related: On with the show! How to get a great deal on Broadway tickets

Save on entrance fees with Bank of America

Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of U.S. cities on the first weekend of every month just by showing their cards. It's through the Museums on Us program that's been going on for 25 years. It's open to Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card holders.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Use your library card for museum entry

Another way to get free museum admission is with a library "lending ticket" — a program where libraries will lend museum passes for a set amount of time.

Also, check if your local museum's membership comes with ROAM (a reciprocity program across North America). It's an easy way to get maximum value from a regional (and usually less expensive) membership.

Take a free walking tour

Sign up for a free walking tour on your first day in a new city. It's an inexpensive way to learn about the city and orient yourself.

Look online for options before traveling and sign up in advance if necessary. Then, all you need to do is show up with comfortable shoes and enjoy your free tour.

Although tipping is suggested, you'll spend much less, even after generously tipping your guide, than you would with a standard tour option. You will likely also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you're traveling alone or looking to make new friends.

If you're interested in seeing what's available on your next trip, Google the city you'll visit and the phrase "free walking tour" to see what comes up.

Dine on the cheap with Seated

Here's a fun one: The Seated app allows you to dine out and get paid for it.

The app rewards diners who sign up and eat at designated restaurants with cash they can redeem through gift cards. All you have to do is let the app know you'll be dining at a location before you take a seat. You can also get gift cards for Uber, Amazon and Starbucks.

Fly on weekdays

Flexibility on which days you fly is one of the keys to getting the best airfare prices. Leisure travelers most commonly book weekend flights, while many business travelers fly on Monday. So, the midweek days — Tuesday and Wednesday — have lower demand and are often the best days to travel for lower prices.

Related: When is the best time to book airfare?

Book vacation packages

Airlines that bundle airfare and hotels as vacation packages can offer better deals thanks to their vast buying power and inventory. These bundles can offer savings of up to 40% off. Savings on business-class plane tickets and high-end hotels can offer some of the best deals.

Also, purchasing directly from the airline gives you a one-stop shopping experience. You can even add a car and activities to your trip at the same time. Plus, you'll often be able to take advantage of special sales and bonus points and miles offers.

Related: Everything you need to know about saving money with vacation packages

Use a price monitoring tool

Airline fare monitoring sites such as Hopper and Google Flights ensure you get notifications when your trip's best and lowest prices become available. Set up as many combinations as you're considering, including different departure and return dates, so that you can get alerts for all possible fare reductions.

Be flexible on destination

If you're not locked into a fall or winter vacation location (like you would be for a destination wedding or family reunion that you can't change), try an alternative to find better prices. For example, consider subbing Quebec City in for Paris if you want Old World charm. For scuba diving enthusiasts, skip the expensive long-haul flight to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and instead head to the second-largest barrier reef in the world in easy-to-access Belize.

Related: 5 key tools and tips for cheap airfare

Hold your deal

If you see a great deal but are not yet ready to book, hold it . For example, Hopper's Price Freeze allows you to lock in the price of a flight for up to seven days to take more time to finalize plans before you book. Some airlines will also let you hold flights for a small fee. (Remember that all U.S. airlines, by law, allow you to hold and cancel a flight booking within 24 hours without penalty as long as you book more than seven days in advance.)

Re-price your flights and hotels

As long as you've booked a hotel, car or flight that can be canceled without penalty, you should make it part of your weekly routine to check for price drops. If you find a lower price, rebook. You can use these same rebooking strategies with points to make dynamic pricing work in your favor for hotel stays so you can save on award nights.

Related: How I saved 33,500 points on upcoming hotel stays

Consider alternative airports

With prices high, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports. For example, Houston and Chicago have two airports, while the New York City area has three, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey . In Southern Florida, you could easily fly to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It works internationally too: Try Gatwick Airport (LGW) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR) when flying to London.

It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another city and then taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey. For instance, you could fly into Philadelphia and catch a train to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a flight with better pricing or award availability.

Use positioning flights

Positioning flights are unrealistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport. Can you reach your destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport save you money or miles? Just ensure you leave enough time between flights to avoid unnecessary travel headaches.

Related: Use positioning flights to get amazing deals

Use points and miles when appropriate

Since you are reading TPG, you may also want to earn points or miles through your everyday spending that you can use to pay for part of your trip. Some credit cards — like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — can help you earn airline miles or hotel points that you can redeem directly with the airline or hotel. Cards such as the American Express® Gold Card earn transferable points you can redeem for travel or transfer to various travel partners.

If you have a stash of points and cash fares are high, it makes a lot of sense to use those points instead. For example, I recently priced a trip to San Francisco and found a flight over the Fourth of July weekend; it should normally cost about $400, but for this particular weekend, it was going to cost me at least $621. I used 46,000 Delta SkyMiles instead. While it wasn't the best redemption in the world, it was better than shelling out all that cash. Most of those SkyMiles came from credit card spending on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Related: Why I'm keeping my Delta Reserve card even when I'm flying less

There are many strategies for getting the most out of your credit card . You'll generally get the most value when redeeming for premium-cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. However, you may prefer to book economy award flights or lower-category hotel stays using your points to stretch your points further.

You can join AARP for discounts even if you are not retired. The advocacy group for older adults offers all kinds of cool discounts, including $60 to $200 off British Airways flights and 10% off Hilton hotels.

Related: How to use AARP discounts on travel

Bottom line

Spending a small amount of time researching the best ways to travel on a budget could easily make a dream trip, like a Paris vacation, more attainable.

It's possible to take an excellent vacation on a budget. You just need to put in the time to plan your trip, budget your expenses, download a virtual wallet of money-saving apps and consider using points and miles to decrease your out-of-pocket costs.

Some of our top budget travel tips include shopping around, signing up for deal alerts through websites like TPG and using points and miles. Opening a credit card or two for the sign-up bonus once or twice every few years could make your trips even cheaper. Don't forget to sign up for our daily newsletter , where we teach you how to travel better for less. At TPG, we make traveling on a budget easy.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Additional reporting by Melissa Klurman.

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A beginner's guide on how to plan your travel budget

Learn how to plan a budget for any vacation, including what to plan for in your budget, how to determine your daily budget, and how much money you should have available in case of emergencies

Sep 24, 2023

What's the best way to ruin an amazing vacation? By running out of money before it's over! 

Let's face it: budgets are a boring, yet necessary part of the travel planning process. You do not want to be in a foreign country and realize that you have no money left for food for the last three days of your trip. 

Put in a little thought and effort before you leave, and you'll save a whole lot of worry while you're there! 

There's so much to consider when planning a trip budget , and it can feel overwhelming at first. No worries, though, because I'm here to help! Today I'm going to share my approach to creating a travel budget.

How to budget for your travel

When creating a travel budget, I separate expenses into three categories:

• Preparation Expenses
• Actual Vacation Expenses
• Emergency Funds

You might also like:   The greatest travel hacking guide you need for a stress-free trip

1. Preparation Expenses

Preparation Expenses include all the money you must spend before you leave for your trip . Here are some examples of what will be included in your preparation expenses:

Passport and Visa 

These costs will vary greatly, depending on where you live and where you are traveling, but there's no way around them so be sure to do your research and make room for your passport and necessary visas in your budget.

Travel Insurance 

While travel insurance is not, strictly speaking, required, it is definitely a good idea. Especially if you will be traveling long-term, you should at least research your options. If you're traveling for more than a week, I highly recommend at least purchasing health insurance. 

You never know what might happen when you're abroad, and you certainly do not want to come home with thousands of dollars owed to a foreign country, all because you slipped on a rock while hiking or drank some unclean water. There are plenty of affordable options available.

Vaccinations 

Vaccinations  are usually relatively cheap, but they can save a whole lot of trouble later so go ahead, look up which ones are recommended for the areas you'll be traveling, and add them to your to-do list and budget.

Luggage/Travel Gear 

This is a very broad category, and it will depend entirely on what you already have and what you personally deem necessary. Suitcases, backpacks, money belts, cameras, international phone plans, activity-specific gear (for example, hiking boots, sleeping bags, etc.), neck pillows, basically whatever you need to make your life easier/more enjoyable while traveling goes in this category.

Transportation 

Here you will include the cost of planes, trains, and automobiles to get you where you want to go. Include major travel routes, not inner-city transportation here.

This list seems quite extensive, but the good news is you likely already have many of the more expensive items on the preparation list, such as a passport, luggage, and camera. Even if you don't, they can be considered investments for future travel as well.

More useful tips on Adventure planning: the best guide for your backpacking trip .

2. Actual Vacation Expenses

The next category, Actual Vacation Expenses, will look like this:

Accommodations 

Where will you be sleeping? Luckily, you're on Worldpackers, so there's  plenty of opportunities to keep this expense at $0 through work exchange.

Otherwise, this will be one of your biggest expenses. When planning, look up actual rates for your exact dates and destinations, as this can vary hugely depending on the time of year and other factors.

Food and Drink 

There is a lot of great information on how much you should budget for this, depending on your destination, on the internet.  Consider whether and how much alcohol you plan to consume and whether your accommodations offer free breakfast when planning your meal budget.

Tours/Activities 

The best way to plan for this is to make a list of all the activities and tours that you would like to do while you're vacationing and how much they cost

Small Transportation

Consider whether you'll be walking or whether you'll require a taxi or other means of transportation within your destination city and how much that will cost. Other options could include bicycle or motor scooter rentals.

This will depend on how many souvenirs you plan to purchase and what types. Familiarize yourself on Customs Duty regulations so there are no surprises upon reentry to your home country.

The upside is: this part of your budget should be much more fun to plan! 

Once you have a total for this part, divide it by the number of days that you will be traveling. 

For example: if I am vacationing for 10 days and the Vacation Expenses part of my budget totals $600, my math would look like this:

$600 total/10 days = $60/day

By dividing your budget into a set amount per day, it will be easier for you to keep track of your travel budget . 

There will likely be days where you spend a little more or a little less than your daily budget, but as long as they balance out there's no need to worry.

3. Emergency Funds

Finally, we have Emergency Funds. This is the money that you will have available but separate in case of emergency: stolen or lost credit cards, unforeseen but unavoidable expenses, etc. 

I recommend keeping emergency funds in cash and separated into two to three different stashes, kept in separate places during your trip. 

The reality is, unexpected expenses come up more often than not, and you should always have a backup plan! I recommend budgeting at least enough money for a couple days' meals and a couple nights' accommodations, as well as an emergency plane ticket back home, should you need to leave early.

Extra: money saving tips!

If your budget is coming out to be too expensive, consider these money saving tips:

• If your accommodations are too expensive, have you considered work exchange ? Hostels ? Airbnb ? Couchsurfing ?
• A good way to save money on food and drink is to lower your alcohol intake and shop for food at markets that you can prepare for yourself instead of eating out for every meal.
• Are you traveling during the high season? If so, that can affect the price of transportation, especially flights, accommodations, even activities and food sometimes! Consider visiting during a quieter time of year to save money.

Take your time when budgeting your trip. Plan carefully and be aware of how much you spend each day , and you will have a great time with no money worries! If you still need more help on how to lower your budget, check out my article about 7 actionable ways to save money while traveling!

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Kimberli Brown

I recently quit my day job to chase my dream of traveling full-time.

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Aug 01, 2020

Nov 08, 2020

Very needful advice! Loved it!

May 04, 2023

Jul 18, 2023

So helpful. Definitely going to plan how much I’ll spend per day to help budget!

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Think of how you’ll be moving around

Every destination is different, so is every traveller. So the next step is to think about and find out what’s the best way to move around once you’ve reached your destination. Some of you may like to explore your destination by foot, others by cycle, public transport or taxis. Whatever be the best available option that suits your tastes, arrive at an estimate of how much you would need to set aside to freely move around the place you’re in.

Our top tip:  Look out for public transport ticket options. It is very likely that you might find cheaper tickets if you book them in advance or book them for a longer period of time. In case, you need to book taxis, research about the best services that locals use on Quora or Facebook Groups to avoid being ripped off.

Think of what you’ll be eating

No, we’re not asking you to list out all what you plan to eat during your two-week long trip. Instead, have an idea of what a meal costs in the places you’ll be travelling to. Some people already have a number in mind on how much they would spend on food in a day. It is best to arrive at this number with some research. Online resources like Lonely planet travel guides , travel websites like Trip Savvy or blogs like Nomadic Matt are good places to start looking. Or try out apps like Zomato and TripAdvisor to find latest, updated prices.

If you have no time to research, then, budget a minimum of at least 2 to 2.5 times the price of your accommodation per night for one day’s worth of food . This rule of thumb works well for budget travel.

Our top tip: If you’re on a longer trip, try to cook at least one meal a day. You’ll be surprised how much money you would save. Also, always opt for natively consumed and seasonal items. Or, try meeting up with locals and eating home-cooked food through meal sharing apps to get an affordable taste of local culture.

Think of what you’ll be doing

Have at least a vague plan on what you intend to do for the large part of your trip. For instance, chilling by the beach or a hiking trip would be different from a city tour or a music festival crawl, cost wise. So depending on this, know what major activities you’ll be spending on during the trip . Some people make a list and prioritise them according to time and cost. Go ahead and do whatever works for you. What is important is that you have some idea about the entry fees or cost of these attractions or activities.

Our top tip: Most often, by booking some activities in advance can save you money and sometimes even can help you skip long lines at tourist attractions. Many countries have specially designed tourist cards catering to different interest groups (like for art lovers, sports enthusiasts etc) with special discounts and offers on such activities.

Think of what you’ll be buying

Gifts and souvenirs are a huge part of travel. Most often than not we like to bring back a little something from the places we visit. You may not be able to have a clear picture about how much things would cost unless you get to the destination, but keep aside some money to be spent on things you want to buy while travelling.

Our top tip:  Making a list of people for whom you want to pick up gifts for will save you time, help you stay organized and stop you from overspending or buying things on impulse. You could use a simple notepad or if you don’t want to carry an additional weight, just use Wallet’s Shopping Lists and create a digital list, ticking off names once you buy each item. Simple and effective, isn’t it? 

Think of emergencies

So why do we have a plan? To be prepared to face come what may. Then wouldn’t it be foolish to not budget for unforeseen circumstances or emergencies? This is the final step or item in your budget. Keep aside some money for things you forgot to budget for , medical emergencies, extra expenses, or even happy accidents, like an impromptu event you may be invited for, while you’re on the road.

Our top tip: If you aren’t sure how much to put aside, two to three days worth of living expenses per person would be good to start with.

How to create a travel budget on Wallet

Now that you’ve arrived at an estimated total amount you plan to spend on your trip, you can make the process of sticking to your budget so much more easier by using Wallet.

Combining two of Wallet’s most powerful features, Budgets and Labels, creating and sticking to your travel budget will be a cakewalk!

Labels allow limitless customizations which will help you manage your money in a way that makes sense to you.

Say, for instance, you’re planning a trip for two to Italy. You’ve gone through the steps we listed above and arrived at a figure of $6000. Create a travel budget with this figure and with a label called, say, Italy. Now, every time you spend money, you just need to label it Italy for it to be counted in this budget. In this way, you can easily see how you are faring with regards to the budget you set for yourself. Wallet will also forecast your spending and alert you if you need to make changes, thereby making it easier than ever to stick to your budget better .

If you want to dig in a bit more, you could create different budgets for different categories of expenses you want to track on the trip, say food and daily expenses, or just taxi (helps if you would want to claim it back later) and so on. Just create a new label for it and create a Budget with the respective label.

You could also create different budgets for each place you’ll be visiting on a long trip . The choices are limitless. Wallet gives you tools that can be customized as you wish to simplify the process of money management for you.

And, if you don’t want to track your expenses on the go, but still want to compare your expenses with your budget, you could just Import your transactions once you’re free during the trip or after the trip as per convenience.

Coming up with a realistic travel budget is the first and basic step towards planning a great vacation. It gives you a clear idea of what exactly you’ll be able to afford, sets guidelines for how much you need to save for and lets you be in full control of your money. So get a budget and take that vacation now!

Over to you…

Do you create budgets before you travel and track your expenses while on the road? What are your tips for a financial stress-free vacation? We would love to know. Share your ideas, thoughts and suggestions with us in the comments section below.

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Understanding and Preparing for Layoffs 

The Impact of Daily Habits on Your Budget: Part Two

The Impact of Daily Habits on Your Budget: Part One

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The Best Budget Travel Tips — From Saving Money on Air Travel to Spending Less on Hotels

The finance and travel pros have you covered.

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It’s clear that people are thinking about travel this year, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them. Whether a weekend getaway, staycation, cruise, or faraway excursion, a trip is in the plans (and/or wishes) for many Americans. According to an IPX1031 survey with 1,000 participants, more than 90 percent of Americans plan to travel in 2023. The majority (86 percent) are planning a trip out of state, and nearly 30 percent expect to vacation abroad.

RetailMeNot asked 1,000 U.S. consumers about their spring and summer travel plans and found that 96 percent hope to take at least one trip between March and May. Their survey also revealed that price is the most important factor when it comes to deciding on vacation experiences and activities. Two-thirds of the respondents agreed that inflation is impacting where and how they travel, especially the high cost of transportation.

Even with budget concerns, though, travel is still possible. Getting away from the daily routine, even briefly, provides relaxation, enjoyment, enrichment, and health benefits . To help make those travel plans come to fruition, we gathered some ideas on budget vacations from travel and finance expert.

How to Plan Travel Within a Budget

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"Don’t let Instagram influencers make you think you can’t travel on a budget, and don’t believe travel isn’t worthwhile just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend," Samantha Brown , travel expert and host of PBS’s Emmy-winning series, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love , told Travel + Leisure .

With that encouragement, Brown offered some suggestions: " Road tripping saves on both costs and stress because so much travel anxiety can be attributed to airports and airlines." She continued, "Take more road trips in your own car and explore your own state. Travelers rarely think about their own backyard, but they should."

Along those lines, Brown suggested checking out the National Wildlife Refuge System , with more than 560 refuges, including 100 urban national wildlife refuges located near metropolitan areas. There’s also access to hiking and biking trails, wetlands, and a thriving animal population. 

Brown added, "Think in terms of opposites: If it’s summer and everyone’s going to the beach, head to a city and enjoy all their free events such as outdoor concerts." Consumer financial advocate Courtney Alev of Credit Karma echoed Brown’s suggestion to avoid popular spots during their high seasons, when prices are guaranteed to be more expensive. Instead, look into alternative, similar destinations. Alev added, "A fun getaway doesn’t always involve a flight. Look at destinations that are within driving distance of home and see where you can go close by."

T+L A-list advisor Jonathan Alder agreed that travelers should seek out the shoulder and off-season periods when costs are lower. He suggested considering destinations outside of the U.S. "Many people might assume it’s less expensive or a greater value to travel within the U.S., although that is far from true for the last few years. Consider destinations that might not be your first thought as there are so many amazing countries out there."

Saving Dollars on Air Travel

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Kristin McGrath, shopping expert for RetailMeNot, suggested signing up for email alerts from tools like Expedia, Travelocity, and Google Flights to get early access to coupon codes. "Experiment with different travel dates," she said. "If your travel plans are flexible, check alternative flight dates to see if you can dig up a lower fare. You may be able to trim your ticket price by changing your dates by as little as one day."

Alev added, "When your travel plans are flexible it’s usually easier to find cheap flights. Traveling during the week, tolerating a longer layover, or taking a red-eye flight often provides the best deals. Also, book somewhat in advance so you aren’t paying last-minute prices."

A travel trends report from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo suggests Sunday is the best day to book and Wednesday is the best day to depart. They recommend one month lead time for booking domestic flights and six months for international flights. Of course, advice on this topic varies, but it’s a good idea to compare and learn as much as you can before booking. 

Spending Less for Hotels

"Spend no money on accommodations. Think of house swapping or housesitting. You can stay all over the world for free," Brown told T+L, recommending TrustedHousesitters and Home Exchange as two sites to explore.

McGrath, meanwhile, advised, "For vacation rentals, book your stay as early as possible. Whether you’ve been dreaming of a tropical vacation or are planning to head home for a specific holiday or event, book early. Vrbo, Airbnb, and other vacation rental prices tend to be less expensive when booking months or even weeks ahead."

McGrath also suggested booking bundled vacation packages that include flights, hotels, and car rentals. In addition to saving money, you’ll know the price of your entire trip at the time of booking, rather than getting a cheap flight only to be surprised by the cost of hotels and car rentals. 

The Expedia travel trends report points out a boom in more affordable three-star hotel stays. "Fewer stars don’t equal lower standards ... Many properties still offer excellent amenities, stylish interiors, and unique vibes...just at lower rates." The report continues, "As nearly a quarter of global travelers plan to be more frugal in 2023, added value without compromised quality is vital.” 

Budget Travel Without Debt

According to a study from Accrue Savings , one in five consumers have gone into debt for travel, with 81 percent incurring more than $500 worth of debt. Instead of facing payments for a past vacation, the company recommends saving in advance for a trip. 

Alev advised creating a separate savings account to give your money a purpose. "Dedicating that account to a specific getaway will make it easier to see how your savings are growing over time, and will help you avoid accidentally spending that money on something else." She also suggested setting up automatic withdrawals from your checking account or having part of your paycheck automatically deposited into your savings account.

Retail and shopping expert Kristen Gall of Rakuten understands it’s hard to resist buying items to have a piece of that memory at home. "However, it’s important to remember you don’t need every souvenir that catches your eye. I recommend only purchasing items that you simply can’t get back at home or that are small enough to not impact your luggage weight."

With these expert suggestions and your own creative approach to budgeting, this may be the time to start planning a well-deserved vacation.

Plan, Ready, Go®

Planning a Trip Budget that Works for You

You’ve chosen your dream destination. You’re finally going to take that trip to Paris, Rome, or Hong Kong. Now you have to figure out how much all of this is going to cost. You need to think about planning a trip budget.

But, where do you start? In this article, we’re going to discuss the ins and outs of planning a trip budget. And I’m going to lift the curtain on how much we spent on one of our trips. I know. This is exciting stuff.

Key takeaways

• Planning a trip budget is a crucial step in the travel planning process and should reflect your travel preferences and priorities.
• Accommodations and airfare are typically the largest expenses.
• I highly recommend setting aside travel funds in a dedicated account and avoiding debt for travel.
• Tracking expenses during the trip helps manage the budget and ensures funds are available for desired activities and future travels.

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclaimer.  

You’re ready to take that dream trip. You’re looking for airfare and hotel deals online. Good for you. I absolutely do that too. But before I book those big-ticket items, I like to have at least a decent estimate of what my total trip cost is going to be so I don’t blow too much of my budget on any one part.

5 Easy Steps to Planning a Trip (Especially for Beginners)

First step: making decisions about your travel budget

How do you decide where your travel dollars should go? Well, a lot of this will be dictated by your personal preferences.

• Do you value luxury accommodations or hotel stays and fine dining or are you more interested in investing in comprehensive tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences at your destination?
• Would you rather do one more expensive trip every now and again or do you explore the world on a smaller budget so you can travel more frequently ?
• Do you prefer international travel over domestic trips?
• Do you rely on car rentals when you travel or do you prefer to walk and/or use public transportation?
• Do you prefer long-term travel on a shoestring, like backpacking through Southeast Asia?

Perhaps your ideal trip includes Michelin-star restaurants or large rooms in high-end hotels. Or maybe you’d rather stay in a hostel for a few nights and cook your own meals so you have the money to do that $350 heli-hike to a glacier on New Zealand’s South Island.

MUST READ: My Favorite Travel Planning Resources

Asking yourself these kinds of questions will clarify the best way for you to allocate your travel dollars in the way that works best for how you like to travel.

And be honest with yourself about what you want. There’s nothing inherently virtuous about spending as little money as possible on travel. Nor will your trip automatically be better just because it’s more expensive.

The best travel budget is the one that gets you where you want to go at a cost you’re okay with spending.

Next: Estimate your travel expenses

To start, I estimate the costs for airfare and accommodations with some basic online research. It’s usually safe to say that those will represent the two biggest expenses in your trip budget.

This step can take a considerable amount of time. I just don’t like spending a lot of money on airfare, so I wait for the best deal …and if one comes up that works for when I can take time to travel I jump on it.

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is my top choice for finding amazing cheap flight deals.

I also love to use Google flights to track flight prices before I book.

Read more about How to Fly for Less

We typically book our airfare first, then our accommodations. Occasionally we find the perfect place to stay (like when we spent a week in Florence ) and we’ll book that first, but that’s fairly rare.

After those are done, we have a much clearer picture of what our potential trip cost is.

How much we spend on the rest of our trip is largely dictated by the plane ticket and apartment/hotel costs.

Vacation Budget Guidelines

To help you out, here’s a basic framework of how we set our travel budgets:

• Transportation (including airfare, train fare, gas, public transportation, rental cars)—30%
• Accommodations (vacation rental, hotel room) —30%
• Daily budget for expenses while traveling (meal costs and other food, souvenirs, incidentals)—20%
• Activities/site entry fees/city or museum pass —10%
• Miscellaneous (for unanticipated or extra costs, budget overages)—10%

These percentages will vary depending on your destination and how you like to travel, but it makes a good starting place. For some travelers, airfare will make up closer to 50% of the budget, and for others, food will take a larger chunk.

Destination can especially change these percentages greatly. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World those park tickets can easily take up a significantly larger portion of your budget than 10%.

Likewise, if you’re heading to Moorea for a stay in an over-water bungalow, well, first of all, I’m jealous, but secondly, that means you’re probably spending more on your accommodations than you might otherwise.

For road trip travel, of course, your transportation expenses will be largely gas for your car, and you can eliminate the airfare expense.

As you plan more travel, you’ll get a better feel for how much you can expect to spend for the way you usually travel.

And you don’t have to stick to this religiously. If you go over budget in one area, you can easily trim back a bit in one or all of the other areas to compensate.

TIP: Keep track of all of your trip budget details with a travel budget spreadsheet like this . Prefer pencil and paper? Grab the printable trip budget tracker sheets here .

Set aside your travel funds

Personal finances can be a touchy subject. I understand that.

But I’m going to strongly recommend that you never go into debt to travel. Once you’ve decided how much money you will need to cover your trip costs, it’s time to start setting aside money for that trip.

Setting up a separate bank account for your travel fund is a great way to keep that money separate from the account you use for your regular everyday living expenses.

For more great ideas about saving for travel, see my article all about affording more travel .

Make sure you’re tracking trip expenses while you’re traveling

Keeping on top of every penny we spend as we travel helps with decision-making as we go. Those unexpected expenses can creep up on you if you’re not careful.

We tally everything up at the end of the day so that we know exactly how much we’ve spent. And this works whether you prefer to travel with a debit card or use credit cards.

This way, as the trip progresses we know for sure whether we can go back to a favorite restaurant that was maybe a little pricier, or pay for the admission to that site that was on our “maybe” list because we weren’t sure if we could afford it.

Or even buy that “splurge-y” souvenir.

AND…every penny we don’t spend on one particular trip goes to the budget for the next trip that needs additional funding.

And that’s how we do it!

Sample: realistic travel budget

Let’s use the example of one of our recent trips (to Paris) to see how this works out in reality:

Transportation (air and ground)

• Round trip airfare for two (American Airlines, basic economy from ATL to CDG): $1,084.06
• RER (Paris commuter train), from and to CDG, to and from Versailles, several metro tickets: $68.29
• Total transportation: $1,152.35
• Percentage of total budget: 31%

Accommodations

• 7 nights rental apartment through Vrbo, plus damage protection): $1206.29
• Percentage of total budget: 33%

Daily expenses while traveling

• Food, souvenirs, incidentals: $708.58
• Percentage of total budget: 19%

Activities/site entry fees

• Paris Museum Pass (two, 6-day passes purchased at the airport): $166.57
• Eiffel Tower tickets (1 summit ticket and 1 ticket to the second level purchased online in advance): $47.14
• Palais Garnier guided tour tickets (purchased online in advance): $38.34
• Total activities/sites: $252.05
• Percentage of total budget: 7%

Miscellaneous expenses

• WiFi hotspot rental (from Vision Global): $53.80
• Travel insurance (World Nomads explorer plan): $236.93
• ATL airport parking for 9 days: $90
• Total miscellaneous: $380.73
• Percentage of total budget: 10%

So even though we went a little over budget on the accommodations, we were under budget for our sightseeing and daily expenses. So, we more than made up for spending a little more on the apartment rental.

The daily expenses part of the budget usually is where you’re going to have the most flexibility in your budget since so many of the other costs will be set ahead of time.

I usually greatly overestimate how much we’ll need for this part of our budget. It’s not intentional necessarily, but I do want to make sure we’re comfortable, not scrimping.

Final thoughts on planning a trip budget

You’ve got the basics down. Now it’s time to start putting your travel budget together.

It may seem daunting at first, but if you break it down into smaller steps it becomes a lot more manageable. So don’t forget—before you go booking all those flights and hotels, take some time to sit down and create a realistic budget for your trip.

And then make sure you set aside money for your trip and track your expenses while you’re away. It may seem like a pain, but trust me, it will be worth it in the end.

And who knows? Once you see how much money you can save by being smart about your spending, you may just decide to travel more often! 

Now that you know how to create your travel budget, it’s time to start planning your dream vacation!

More articles to help you plan your trip

• 5 easy steps to planning a trip (perfect for beginners)
• Planning a travel itinerary: the complete guide
• How to save money so you can travel more
• How to fly for less
• How to use Google flights to save money on airfare
• Essential travel planning resources
• Creating a good balance between sightseeing and relaxation on vacation
• Should you book directly with your hotel or use a third-party site like Booking.com?
• Essential tips for packing light and traveling carry-on only

Pin this post!

Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

This was so helpful! I will definitely do this for our next trip.

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Free Travel Budget Calculator: Easily Make Your Vacation Budget

Packed for Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure policy for more info.

Ready to take the hassle out of planning and managing your vacation budget? Our online Free Travel Budget Calculator is  simple, and easy to use, and can help you plan and track your vacation expenses in just a few clicks.  

I’ve used these same methods and categories of expenses for every trip I’ve taken over the last 25 years. From multiple  3 month solo adventures through Europe and South America, to weeks long trips to Cuba and Vancouver Island, Canada with my family. 

Now online with automatic calculations, so you don’t have to mess around with spreadsheets or hand write in printables that clutter up your home. 

In this post you’ll get access to this free tool, plus, you’ll get my top tips for planning your budget effectively for your trips and how to save money on travel. All the advice you need for smarter travel planning is right here.

Table of Contents

How to Use the Travel Budget Calculator & Try It Out!

Make sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to it anytime you need to track your vacation expenses and make travel plans.

This free vacation budget calculator will give you an estimate of total travel costs for your trip and whether your budget is enough to cover what you want to do.

It can help you identify areas you can potentially save money on trip expenses. Whether it’s choosing more budget-friendly hotels, walking or taking the bus instead of taxis, or prioritizing your top not-to-miss activities.

You can also start with your budget.

Then play around with the length of your trip, how much hotels, flights etc will cost to help you determine your price range for each travel expense as well.

• Enter 0 (zero) if there are certain categories you don’t need . The calculator will output an error ($NaN) if you don’t.
• Instructions for the calculator are below the Travel Budget Calculator, to give you an idea of what you should include under each budget item.

Vacation Budget Calculator

Calculator instructions.

Enter all your estimated expenses you’ve gathered during your vacation research.

Make sure it’s actually a realistic travel budget. For a  family trip with young kids, you’ll also need to factor other things like diapers, baby wipes etc.

• Travel Budget : Enter your overall vacation budget you have for this trip.
• Number of Travellers: Enter the number of people you are paying for on this trip
• Number of Nights: Enter the number of nights you will need accommodations for. This will be used to calculate hotel costs.
• Number of Vacation Days: Enter the number of days you will be on vacation. Include travel days to be safe . This will be used to calculate your overall food & drink, daily transportation and activity costs.
• Total Flight Costs: Enter the estimated total of flight costs for everyone travelling. Be sure to include any baggage fees.
• Transportation Costs: Enter the total transportation costs for the trip. This is for any major transport costs that aren’t flights like trains, city transfers, car or RV rentals.
• Daily Transportation Costs: Enter your anticipated daily transport costs. This is for things like taxis, buses, Ubers, parking costs etc, you might need to get around every day.
• Hotel Costs (Per Night): Enter the amount your accommodations will cost each night. Don’t forget to include any tips for housekeeping staff etc. you may need to pay.
• Total Tour Costs: Enter your overall total budget or cost for tours, including guide tips.
• Activity Costs (Per Day) : Enter the amount you expect to spend on activities daily (do not include tours). These are for things like seeing movies, souvenirs, shopping, trips to a rec centre / pool, bowling, seeing a hockey game or a concert etc.
• Food & Drink Costs (per Day): Enter your overall daily food & drink budget or expected costs for everyone. Don’t forget to include tips.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: Enter an amount of money you will have overall for unexpected expenses or miscellaneous costs that pop up. Be sure to also include extra travel expenses not covered elsewhere.
• Travel Insurance: Enter the overall amount of money you will pay for travel insurance for everyone. This is for things like travel health insurance, trip cancellation insurance etc.

Budget Outputs

Currency Note: While the output is in dollars (uses the $ symbol), you can really use any numerical currency you’d like. Just ignore the $ symbol.

Once you hit the calculate button, you will get 4 pieces of info based on the numbers you provided:

• Total Vacation Costs : This is the estimated cost for your vacation based on the info you provided.
• Over Budget / Under Budget: This is the amount you are either over or under budget. If your expenses are over your vacation budget, it will say Over Budget and the number will be negative. If it says Under Budget, that is the amount you are under your estimated budget.
• Travel Costs Per Day: This is the amount of money your trip will cost you each day.
• Cost Per Person Per Day: This is the amount of money your trip will cost you per person, each day.

Make sure to review your results. If your over budget are there things you can do to bring the costs down? Or is there a way you can save or make more money before your trip?

Why You Need A Travel Budget

Listen, I am all for spending a little extra to do things our family doesn’t get to do at home. 

But there is nothing more anxiety-inducing than running out of money on a trip, or having to pay off huge credit card bills at 28%  interest because you didn’t plan ahead.

This is where a vacation budget can really help. 

It doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or spend money.

Creating a budget will actually help you be able to afford your dreams. Plus be able to relax & have fun on your vacation knowing you won’t be in debt when you get back home.

The trip budget calculator will make financial planning fun, and easy.

How To Set Your Travel Budget & Determine Expenses

1. determine your overall travel budget.

First things first. Decide on your overall vacation budget or the money you are willing to spend on this trip.

When determining your overall vacation budget, you’ll want to consider a few things:

• How much money are you willing to spend on this trip?
• How much have you already saved?
• How long do you plan to go for? (more or less time can impact your budget)
• How many people will be travelling? (some places like Europe limit 4 people to a hotel room, this can significantly impact cost)
• When do you want to travel and how much time do you have to add to your vacation fund?
• How much extra can you afford to put away every week / month on top of your regular bills & household expenses?
• Is there any way you can decrease household expenses, or increase your income to add to your vacation fund faster?

Just make sure it’s a realistic budget. It doesn’t do anybody any good to use too low or too high numbers as a starting point. 

2. Do Your Research

The type of trip you want to take, the length and the type of activities you want to do, will really impact your budget.

For example a week long trip to Thailand will be much different than a week in Japan, or a trip to Disneyworld.

Do some intial research to give you an idea of what your basic travel expenses will costs, so you can have ballpark figures to enter in the travel cost calculator.

You can always google average costs of living / travelling at your destination.

Careful planning is an important part of any travel budget. 

3. Find Ways to Cut Costs

Unless you have a rich benefactor, or suddenly won the lottery, it’s a good idea to consider ways you can cut costs, save money and use your travel budget wisely.

Besides using our holiday budget calculator, our favourite ways to save money on travel expenses.

Transportation & Accommodation

• Find flight deals & error fares : The best way is with Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) Flight tickets can be a big expense and make up a good portion of the total cost usually. 
• Consider housesitting: Trusted Housesitters is our go-to site for housesitting around the world.
• Rent a place with a kitchen : Save money on food with a vacation rental . They can also be cheaper than renting multiple hotel rooms if you have a large family or group.
• Compare car rentals: Using Discover Cars can help you save up to 70% by quickly comparing rental cars options.
• Book early: Hotels, flights and trains are generally cheaper booked in advance. You won’t want to risk paying significantly more waiting until last minute.
• Take public transportation: If it’s safe to do so, take the local bus, or walk instead of relying on expensive taxis all the time.

⭐️ Also check out our list of the best ways to save money on flights .

General Money Saving Tips

• Travel off season or peak season: Not only is it usually much cheaper, there’s usually fewer tourists.
• Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees : Those transaction fees can really add up. Also consider if travel credit cards with points are for you.
• Eat where the locals eat : Avoiding the touristy restuarants, and eating where the locals eat will not only save you lots of money, it will give you a more authentic look into their local cuisine and culture.
• Avoid popular destinations:  The most popular touristy destinations  often cost a lot of money, compared to smaller, lesser known destinations.  
• Consider using travel agents: Sometimes a travel agent can find you a great deal, with much less work on your part. 
• Adjust your travel style: Luxury resorts may be out of your price range. Road trips, camping trips can be just as memorable for for a family vacation.
• Plan free activities : Pick some free activities to do in between your more expensive tours, theme parks, & day trips to ancient ruins. 
• Check out these ways to save on flights

Final Thoughts Using The Vacation Budget Calendar

Creating a vacation budget might seem challenging, but don’t worry! Equipped with the right tools and a bit of strategic planning, your next epic adventure is closer than you think.

Using a vacation budget calculator can help guide you to make smart, affordable choices, allowing you to experience the journey you’ve always dreamed of, without stressing about expenses.

Travel can be exciting and enjoyable at all budget levels. So here’s to making memories with your family, and friends.

Related travel planning resources:

• Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist
• Family beach vacation tips
• Tips for saving money on road trips
• Easy ways to build a travel fund
• Save money on attractions: Where to buy online tour tickets

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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How to Plan a Trip on a Budget

4 Min Read | May 24, 2023

I love planning vacations. I could probably do it for a living if I didn’t have the job I do now.

But vacations can be expensive.

With a little research and budgeting, planning a trip can actually give you a sense of relief and control that makes the getaway much more fun. So, here are seven steps to plan a trip on a budget:

1. Plan your trip budget.

This is the most important step and will affect the rest of your vacation planning process. Determine how much you want to spend on everything from hotels and gas to souvenirs and meals. It doesn’t have to be a ton of money—there are many ways to plan an affordable vacation or staycation.

You can use my free Vacation Budget Worksheet to plan out each category. As you’re planning, if you decide something is too expensive, scale it back or cross it off the list.

2. Choose the top places you’d like to go.

On the surface, this may seem like the easiest (and most fun) part of your planning. But here are some questions you need to ask:

• Which destinations fit within my budget?
• Does my destination affect whether I plan it myself or hire a travel agent?
• Will I drive or fly?

Did you know a bunch of popular U.S. cities actually have a lot of free and super cheap things to do? Check out my list of the 10 cheapest places to travel .

3. Research flights and dates.

As you’re planning your trip, know that certain times of the year are cheaper to travel than others. Everyone knows flights will be more expensive around a holiday, but there are lots of other factors that determine how much you’ll pay for that flight or hotel. Do your research, play around with dates, and decide how many days you can afford to be there. I put my top 10 travel booking hacks in this video:

4. Look for deals. 

You can find websites all over the internet that will help you score deals on hotels, amusement park tickets, airline travel and so on. Here are some great resources:

• Google Flights
• Groupon Getaways
• Tripadvisor
• Scott’s Cheap Flights

Make sure you look for bargains after you set the budget—for two reasons. First, once you know where you’re going and how much you want to spend, you’ll be able to look for specific savings. Second, it’s a big morale boost to see that you’re coming in under budget when you find a deal.

5. Start saving up.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road! By working and saving up the money now, you won’t have to deal with payments or credit card interest rates after you come home. Use your trip as motivation when you’re pulling a double shift or taking freelance work. Print out an image from your destination (like a beautiful beach or snowy mountain scene) or save it as your phone screen as a reminder of what you’re working toward.

6. Create your itinerary. 

As you’re saving up for your trip, you can also start scheduling which days you’ll do what activities. What excursions, tours and sight-seeing will you do? What reservations do you need to make in advance? If you do a lot of running around one day, do you need to block off the next day for some rest and relaxation? I think it’s fun to go ahead and book some things in advance. I love knowing it’s paid for and checking it off my list. Use Yelp or Tripadvisor to research reviews and pricing to make sure you won’t blow your trip budget.

7. Go and enjoy your trip!

Nothing is worse than paying for a vacation for months after it’s over. But if you take these steps to plan and budget ahead of time, you’ll avoid that headache. Then, when you’re on your trip, live it up!   Relax and enjoy.

Every savings goal starts with a budget. Create yours today with EveryDollar.

These seven steps will ensure the bills for your vacation don’t follow you home so you can leave the beach at the beach. The reason more people don’t plan this way is because they want the instant gratification. They want to enjoy now and worry about how to pay later. That leads to overspending, and it creates stress and regret.

Vacations are meant to be fun, not stressful. So  make a budget  and have a plan. My favorite way to budget is with the EveryDollar budgeting app. Start budgeting today for free —and enjoy your next vacation way more! 

3-Minute Money Quiz

Want to take control of your money but don’t know where to start? Take this quiz to get a free customized plan for your money.

Did you find this article helpful? Share it!

About the author

Rachel Cruze

Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Rachel writes and speaks on personal finances, budgeting, investing and money trends. As a co-host of The Ramsey Show, America’s second-largest talk radio show, Rachel reaches millions of weekly listeners with her personal finance advice. She has appeared on Good Morning America and Fox News and has been featured in publications such as Time, Real Simple and Women’s Health magazines. Through her shows, books, syndicated columns and speaking events, Rachel shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love. Learn More.

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How to Create a Travel Budget

Last Updated: December 7, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Laura Krueger & Michelle Donson . Laura Krueger (right) and Michelle Donson (left) are Travel Specialists and the Founders of LM Media Worldwide, a free service that sources and negotiates contracts for hotel rooms and meeting space needs. With a combined 30 years of experience, they specialize in hospitality sales, contract and rate negotiations, room reservations, and wedding planning. Laura holds a BS in Business Management with High Honors from Rutgers University and has directed several sales teams, negotiated thousands of contracts, and consistently exceeded national sales goals for hotel chains such as Wyndham, Radisson, and Starwood. Michelle holds a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Delaware and has worked in group sales and banqueting for Marriott and directed several sales teams with InterContinental Hotel Group, Wyndham, and Starwood. Michelle has also earned the prestigious “Salesperson of the Year” award twice consecutively for Wyndham Hotel Group’s national sales team. LM Media Worldwide is trusted by Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks, Marriott, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Melia Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Wyndham Hotel Group, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 180,298 times.

Traveling is a great way to clear your mind and find memorable experiences. However, travel can be expensive and may require you to save up and budget your costs ahead of time. By taking time to consider your costs thoroughly, both for necessities and for leisure, you will have a working budget ready for your trip.

Budgeting for the Basics

• You can compare plane ticket costs with Google Flights, SkyScanner.com, Expedia, FareCompare.com, or Kayak. Always research price comparisons before making your purchase.

• Use your preferred search engine to research public transit at your destination. Not all cities will have all of the options mentioned above.
• You can compare rental car prices SkyScanner.com, Expedia, or Kayak as well. Always research price comparisons before making your reservation.
• If you are renting a car, you should also consider what rental agencies are close to your airport or hotel.

• Pick a hotel that is located near the attractions you’re seeking. This will prove convenient and save you in local travel costs.
• Consider amenities like televisions in the rooms, internet access, and access to a swimming pool. You should also consider the quality and size of available beds and bathrooms, the availability of air conditioning, and whether or not they serve a complimentary breakfast. If you have any questions that aren’t answered by their website, call the front desk.
• Check customer reviews on Google and Yelp. Keep in mind that nearly every hotel has some excellent reviews and some that are terrible. Read as many as possible to get a comprehensive idea of the quality. [4] X Research source
• Some locales will have hostels where you can stay at little or no charge in exchange for doing some chores. [5] X Research source

• If you need to save some money on food, consider getting a hotel room with a kitchenette or at least a microwave and then purchasing some easy-to-make meals at a local grocery store.

• Allianz, World Nomads, Travel Guard, and InsureMyTrip.com are some websites that offer standalone travel insurance.
• You can also get travel insurance from general insurance providers like Geico and State Farm. You may be able to get a discount if you purchase auto, life, or home insurance from these providers already. [9] X Research source

Budgeting for the Extras

• Look up pre-packaged sight-seeing tours in your destination. They may be the most cost-efficient and thorough way to see a locale’s major sights. [10] X Research source

• Use sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor to research local entertainment and get an idea of the costs ahead of time.
• Consider getting a AAA membership. They offer travel discounts at restaurants and entertainment venues.

• Make a list of the people you intend to purchase gifts for ahead of time and try to assign a rough dollar amount.

Creating an Initial Budget

• Ask questions like “What does a meal cost there?” or “What are some cheap things to do there?”

• Try sites like BudgetYourTrip.com, SavingForTravel.com, and IndepdentTraveler.com. Set up an account and enter the details of your budget and travel expenses.

Doing Budget-Friendly Planning

• You may also need to set aside money from your typical day-to-day expenses so you’ll have enough. Work out a regular amount of money to set aside for your travel expenses and begin saving as soon as possible.
• If you need some extra money to make your travel budget, consider a part-time or temporary job like driving for a ride-sharing program or writing for an online publication. Search for temporary jobs on websites like Craigslist, Indeed.com, or FlexJobs.com. [14] X Research source
• If you’re a frequent traveler or have travel benefits from your credit card company, you may be able to defray the costs of airfare or travel. [15] X Research source

• Use the website https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ to determine the exchange rate. Simply enter the amount of money in your travel budget and then change the second box to the currency of your destination country.

• Check out organizations like funjet.com, Expedia, and Apple Vacations to find package deals.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/travel/cheap-flights-budget-travel.html
• ↑ https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/sites/default/files/Sample_Student_Budgets_Europe.pdf
• ↑ https://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/hotel-and-b-and-b/choosing-a-hotel
• ↑ https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-tips/finding-cheap-accommodation/
• ↑ Laura Krueger & Michelle Donson. Travel Specialists. Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.
• ↑ https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-vacation
• ↑ https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/travel-guides
• ↑ https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/travel-insurance/travel-destinations.html
• ↑ https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/thrifty-50-tips
• ↑ https://www.moneycrashers.com/how-to-find-cheap-entertainment-on-vacation/
• ↑ https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/cut-your-expenses/
• ↑ https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/countrylist.php
• ↑ https://www.nextavenue.org/10-great-sites-find-gigs-and-part-time-work/
• ↑ https://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2016/04/how-to-use-credit-card-rewards-as-a-companion-to-your-travel-budget.html
• ↑ https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/dollarization-why-so-many-countries-use-the-us-dollar
• ↑ https://www.libertytravel.com/travel-article/your-all-inclusive-guide-all-inclusive-vacations

About This Article

To create a travel budget, start by adding up your usual expenses, like rent and food, to see how much you have left over to spend on a trip. Once you have a dollar amount in mind, budget for important details first, like tickets to your destination, and lodging costs once your there, and set that money aside. Then, research fun entertainment ideas to enjoy on your trip, like sightseeing tours or a play, and decide which of these things you’ll like to do with the money you have left. For more tips on how to travel on a budget, like how to find free entertainment while you’re traveling, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

Many travelers have their sights set on summer getaways , but with everything from baggage fees to fuel costs impacting the price of a ticket, "Good Morning America" is asking travel experts to share tips for booking bucket list destinations on a budget and finding savings along the way.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, senior director of content for The Points Guy, offered his tips for affordable travel techniques.

Where to find the best flight deals

Kelvin encourages travelers to utilize Google Flights and other free price-tracking tools to compare fare prices and snag the best deal.

He also suggests using both the calendar and map features within Google Flights to see which airports, dates and destinations how the lowest fare.

From the Google Flights homepage on a computer, click "explore destinations" and select a departure city without adding a destination. Then zoom out on the map to see the best prices for destinations all over the world.

Get the most out of free travel loyalty programs

Travelers should be earning points for anything and everything that they are buying or booking from airline and hotels to car rentals, Kelvin said.

In addition to the points that can can help travelers earn free flights and hotel stays, Kelvin said to look for extra perks just for joining.

Hyatt rewards, for example, offers all guests free breakfast.

For Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Car Rental, he said you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.

Loyalty programs are great for airlines too. JetBlue, for example, allows enrolled customers -- even if they don't have enough points for a flight -- to use points for discounts. Plus, with any airline, as you accumulate points to earn status, you can get free seating upgrades.

Travel credit cards with cash back perks

Along with earning points, travel credit cards give you protection for your trip like insurance to help with lost or damaged baggage and trip cancellation protection

Chase debuts new airport lounge: Gourmet menus, sleek interiors, free facials redefine hospitality for airport travel

As for credit cards, The Points Guy team suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card as an all-around pick -- you get 75,000 miles after meeting your minimum spend in the first three months. Which Kelvin said is a value of over $1,300.

If you're looking to earn the most miles, he said look to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

"You'll earn the most points on all your purchases with this one," he said.

Finally, if you want a credit card with no fee, Kelvin suggested the Bilt Mastercard, which he said is particularly great for renters because you can earn points on what's likely someone's biggest expense.

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Save money on international phone plans for summer trips

If someone's trip is taking them out of the country, using a cell phone internationally can cost $10 to 15 per day. For a family of four, that's more than $400 for a week.

If your phones support eSIM, Kelvin suggested purchasing a data plan for your destination through an app such as Airalo, Truphone or GigSky.

For example, one of Airalo's global SIM plans costs $9 for one week, which could save a family close to $350 dollars, depending on their existing international coverage.

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Travel Budget Calculator

Your ultimate guide to smart travel planning.

Planning a trip can be exhilarating, but it often comes with the stress of managing finances. Fear not! With the Travel Budget Calculator, you can embark on your dream journey with confidence. In this guide, we’ll delve deep into the intricacies of budgeting for travel, empowering you to make informed decisions and maximize your experiences.

Understanding the Travel Budget Calculator

Embarking on a journey starts with meticulous planning, and the Travel Budget Calculator serves as your trusty companion. This tool revolutionizes the way you approach travel expenses, offering a comprehensive overview of your financial landscape. By inputting essential details such as number of nights, duration, accommodation preferences, and activity interests, the calculator generates a personalized budget tailored to your preferences and constraints.

Benefits of Using the Travel Budget Calculator

Planning your itinerary can be overwhelming, but the Travel Budget Calculator simplifies the process. Here’s why incorporating this tool into your travel planning arsenal is a game-changer:

• Efficiency in Planning: Say goodbye to tedious spreadsheets and guesswork. The Travel Budget Calculator streamlines the planning process, providing instant insights into your projected expenses. With a few clicks, you can fine-tune your budget and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience.
• Financial Transparency: Transparency is key to effective budgeting, and the Travel Budget Calculator offers just that. By breaking down expenses across various categories such as transportation, accommodation, dining, and activities, you gain a clear understanding of where your money is allocated. This transparency empowers you to make informed decisions and prioritize experiences that matter most to you.
• Flexibility and Customization : No two travelers are alike, and the Travel Budget Calculator recognizes that. Whether you’re a budget-conscious backpacker or a luxury seeker, this tool adapts to your preferences and constraints. Adjust parameters such as accommodation standards, dining preferences, and activity intensity to tailor your budget to your unique travel style.

Travel Budget Calculator: Your Key to Financial Freedom

In conclusion, the Travel Budget Calculator empowers you to embark on unforgettable journeys without compromising your financial stability. By leveraging its capabilities and implementing savvy budgeting strategies, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities and create cherished memories that last a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today and let the Travel Budget Calculator be your guiding light.

FAQs About Travel Budget Calculator

Below are some basic questions that arise while using a travel budget calculator.

Q. How does the Travel Budget Calculator work?

A. Calculating a travel budget isn’t rocket science; it’s just simple math. As we know, if we have exact numbers in front of us, decision-making becomes much easier. A Travel Budget Calculator simply provides us with all the expense numbers.

Q. Is the Travel Budget Calculator suitable for all types of travelers?

A. Absolutely! Whether you’re a budget-conscious backpacker, a luxury seeker, or somewhere in between, the Travel Budget Calculator adapts to your preferences and constraints. Simply adjust the parameters to align with your unique travel style and embark on your adventure with confidence.

Q. Can I trust the accuracy of the Travel Budget Calculator?

A. Yes, the Travel Budget Calculator is designed to provide accurate and reliable estimates based on the information provided. However, it’s essential to factor in unforeseen expenses and fluctuations in prices to ensure comprehensive budget planning.

Q. Can I save my budgeting preferences for future use?

A. Unfortunately, the Travel Budget Calculator does not currently offer a save feature but you can download it. However, you can easily recreate your budgeting preferences each time you plan a trip by inputting the relevant details into the calculator.

Q. How frequently should I update my travel budget?

A. It’s advisable to review and update your travel budget regularly, especially as your trip approaches and circumstances change. Factors such as fluctuating exchange rates, last-minute bookings, and unexpected expenses can impact your budget, so staying proactive is key to financial planning success.

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Free Travel Budget Calculator To Help You Set A Trip Budget

By Jessie Festa. This budget calculator for travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Looking for a free travel budget calculator to help you set a trip budget and stick to it?

Then you’re in the right place!

If you’re dreaming about your next vacation but feel overwhelmed by the financial planning it entails, don’t fret; I’ve got a solution that can help you manage your trip expenses in just a few clicks.

Welcome to my free Travel Budget Calculator – a simple yet powerful tool that takes the guesswork out of budgeting for your vacation, ensuring that you’re financially prepared for every part of your journey.

With escalating costs and numerous variables to consider, planning a budget for travel can often seem like navigating through a maze; however, my travel calculator simplifies this process, helping you create a comprehensive budget tailored to your unique travel needs.

And, that’s not all. Along with the free budget calculator for travel, I’ll also be sharing advice on how to properly create a trip budget as well as save money on travel.

Quick tip: Flights are often the most expensive aspect of your trip. Luckily, there are platforms that can help you easily find flight deals and error fares like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheat Flights) and FareDrop . In terms of accommodation, search Hostelworld for hostels (many of which have private rooms), consider housesitting through Trusted Housesitter s , book a vacation rental with a kitchen to save money on food through VRBO , or stay on free couches through Couchsurfing . And when it comes to car rentals, Discover Cars can help you quickly compare your options and save up to 70%! These are just a few of the many ways to score the best deals on travel. Keep reading for more!

Free Budget Travel & Planning Resources

But first, before we map out how to budget your trip, I invite you to grab access to my free  Ultimate Travel Planning Kit  — which includes 40+ travel resources — from printables to quizzes to itineraries — all meant to help you explore the world beyond the guidebook!

Some highlights of the kit include:

• Trip budgeting calculators for road trips, backpacking, cruising & more
• Free “Where Should You Travel Next?” personality quiz
• Pre-plotted Google Maps for 45+ destinations
• Printable travel journal with writing prompts
• Packing lists for different types of trips

Once you’ve grabbed your copy , keep reading for tips on creating a travel budget as well as the vacation calculator.

Why Use A Travel Budget Calculator?

While travel is incredibly fulfilling, trip expenses can certainly add an element of stress. From airfare and accommodation to meals, sightseeing, shopping, and miscellaneous costs, managing finances effectively can become a daunting task.

That’s where the role of a travel budget calculator becomes crucial. While there are many reasons to use a budget calculator for travel, here are some of the main benefits:

1. Stress-free travel planning

First and foremost, a vacation budget calculator can dramatically ease your planning process. Instead of manually listing out and totaling all possible vacation expenses, the calculator does the heavy lifting for you. It’s an efficient tool that streamlines the entire budgeting process, helping you plan your trip without getting lost in a sea of numbers.

2. Customized trip budgeting

Not all travelers are the same, and neither are their budgets. For instance, creating a solo travel budget will look different than creating a budget for a luxury trip. By accounting for your unique needs and spending habits, it helps you make informed financial decisions that fit your travel aspirations.

3. Avoid spending surprises

Unanticipated costs can be a traveler’s worst nightmare. My trip budget calculator helps you avoid unpleasant financial surprises on your trip. By considering a comprehensive set of potential costs, it provides you with a realistic budget that takes into account everything from essential travel expenses to leisure activities and even potential emergency costs.

4. Financial control

By providing a clear financial roadmap for your journey, a vacation budget calculator enables greater financial control. You can track your expenditures, identify areas where you might be overspending, and adjust your budget accordingly.

5. Facilitates travel savings

When you have a clear understanding of your travel expenses, it becomes easier to identify areas where you can save money. A travel budget calculator can help pinpoint these opportunities, whether it’s choosing more budget-friendly accommodation, opting for public transport over taxis, or prioritizing your must-do activities.

Factors To Consider When Planning A Travel Budget

When it comes to travel budgeting, knowing what to include in your calculations can make all the difference. Here are some key factors that the below holiday budget calculator takes into account, providing you with an accurate and realistic travel budget:

1. Transportation

Transportation costs are often one of the largest expenses. Consider all forms of transportation you will need: flights, trains, buses, taxis, car rentals, or even ferries. Don’t forget to account for transportation to and from airports or train stations.

For instance, I know personally that taxis to and from JFK add up to about $200, which is a pretty solid dent in my travel spending.

2. Accommodation

Lodging costs can vary greatly depending on location, time of year, and the level of luxury you prefer. From budget hostels to luxury resorts, your accommodation choice plays a big role in your travel budget.

3. Food & Drink

Consider both dining out and grocery costs. Remember, touristy areas often have higher prices for meals, and don’t forget to include a budget for trying local delicacies or more upscale dining experiences if that’s your preference. Additionally, keep in mind that alcohol can increase your bill considerably.

4. Activities & Sightseeing

Whether it’s museum entrance fees, guided tours, or adventure activities, these trip costs can add up quickly. Research the costs of the attractions you want to visit and add them to your budget. If it makes sense, consider weaving in some free experiences.

5. Local Transportation

Consider the costs of getting around your destination. This might include public transportation, taxis, or the cost of gas or car rental for a road trip .

6. Shopping & Souvenirs

Whether it’s a postcard, a t-shirt, or local crafts, make sure you have a budget set aside for souvenirs and shopping if it makes sense for you.

7. Emergency Funds

It’s always a good idea to have some money set aside for unexpected costs. This could include anything from a sudden health issue to a lost passport or unplanned extra nights.

8. Travel Insurance

While it’s an added expense, travel insurance can save you a significant amount of money in the event of trip cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. Personally, I recommend SafetyWing , which is budget-friendly while still providing robust coverage.

9. Tips & Gratuities

In many cultures, tipping is customary, and not accounting for it can lead to awkward situations. Research the tipping etiquette for your destination and include it in your budget. You might also download an app like Global Tipping to help.

10. Connectivity

Depending on your destination, you may need to consider the cost of local SIM cards or portable Wi-Fi devices to stay connected. Luckily, buying a SIM card in your destination is typically budget-friendly, as is buying an eSIM from a company like Airalo .

Free Travel Budget Calculator (With Instructions)

Now let’s go over the vacation cost calculator itself and how to use it.

Step 1. Enter your intentended budget. Start by entering your intended trip budget at the top – as in, the total budget you plan to spend – and then your expenses in the following rows.

Pro tip: when creating your trip budget, I recommend considering what aspects of travel are most important to you as well as your unique travel style. For instance, if you’re like me and think experiences are what make travel special, you might allot more of your budget to the Activities category.

Step 2. Pay attention to travel category instructions. You’ll also want to note which categories ask you for your total spend, like Flights, and which ask you for your per day spend, like Food and Lodging.

Step 3. Adjust for how many people you’re traveling with. Finally, make sure to note how many travelers you’re calculating for, which will change the “per day per person” totals. If you only want to calculate the trip budget for yourself, enter “1” as the number of travelers.

Step 4. Calculate your vacation budget. Once you hit “Calculate,” the calculator will tally up your expenses and let you know if you’re over or under your budget – and by how much. You’ll also get a pie chart visually showing you where you’re spending the most money.

Step 5. Adjust your budget. With this information, you’ll be able to see exactly where you may be overspending as well as where you have some wiggle room. Adjust accordingly.

Instructional notes:

• If there is a category where you’re spending $0, please put “0” in the line field. Otherwise, you may receive an error.
• This holiday cost calculator looks at your per person, per day costs.
• If you’d prefer to calculate by your total spend for each category – or if you’d like this calculator on its own standalone page to bookmark for later – please grab access to my free Travel Resource Library here . The library also includes other types of vacation spending money calculators for road trips, cruises, backpacking trips, and more!

Travel Budget Calculator

How to save money on travel.

One thing that makes sticking with a trip budget easier is knowing how to lessen your travel costs. A few important tips:

1. Choose your destination wisely

Calculating travel expenses typically begins with choosing your travel destination - which is one of the most important factors in your travel budget. Different locations have varying costs of living, affecting the price of accommodations, food, and activities. Research typical costs in your chosen destination to establish a baseline for your budget.

2. Consider your travel dates

Before you calculate vacation costs, realize that the time of year can also significantly impact the cost of your trip. Off-peak or shoulder seasons often offer reduced costs for flights and accommodations, while the high season can be much more expensive.

3. Use tools to find flight deals

Along with following flight deal accounts on social media - like @TheFlightDeal on Twitter - you can use platforms like Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) and FareDrop to find low fares and error fares to save big.

4. Book accommodation beyond hotels

For instance, you can snag free accommodation through CouchSurfing , where you'll sleep on local couches, and TrustedHousesitters . Just note that with the latter you'll be expected to do something in return, such as housesit or pet sit.

Additionally, hostels offer affordable accommodation, and many even feature private rooms. You can peruse the Hostelworld website to quickly find great options.

5. Travel like a local

While a vacation mindset tends to lead to overspending, living in your destination like a local means being more savvy with your finances by taking public transportation, eating at non-touristy restaurants, or even cooking your own meals if you book a place with its own kitchen through a site like VRBO . This can really help you keep food costs down.

6. Get savvy with travel credit cards

First off, you'll definitely want to get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. From there, you'll also want to consider whether you want a card with no annual fee, or if an annual fee makes sense for the additional travel perks - such as miles and points that you can redeem for free travel.

These strategies can bring your totals in the vacation budget calculator down quite a bit.

7. Book early

In general, booking airline tickets and hotels in advance can significantly affect your spending. You'll typically pay a lot more when leaving these big expenses until last minute.

8. Compare your rental car options

9. Research airport transfers

Instead of simply arriving at the airport and hopping into a taxi, do your research to see what is the best option for getting to your hotel. While typically public transportation is the most budget-friendly, it's wise to factor in how long the trip will take and if you'll need to switch bus/train lines. In some cases, it'll make more sense to take a car or book an airport transfer even if it costs a bit more.

Final Thoughts On Using A Travel Budget Calculator

Using a calculator to budget for travel can help you create an intentional budget and stick with it.

That being said, it's important to remember that the goal is not just to save money, but to make the most of your trip within your financial means.

Travel can be enjoyed at any budget level, so focus on creating memorable experiences rather than feeling obligated to do everything.

At the very least, you'll learn skills for keeping your total cost down so you can better plan ahead for your next trip!

Have you ever used a travel budget calculator?

Enjoyed this budget calculator travel guide? Pin it for later!

Capital One Main Navigation

How to budget for your trip, build a travel budget before you hit the road..

October 19, 2022 | 3 min read

Planning a big trip can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to do it on a budget. But knowing what you can afford, what you’ll need to spend and how to avoid overspending can help maximize the fun and minimize the stress. Here are a few ideas for building a travel expenses budget so you can feel as good about your finances as you do about your itinerary.

Start at home

If you don’t stick to an overall spending budget, you may find it hard to build and keep a travel budget. So start by figuring out exactly how you spend at home, making sure you have enough left over each month to put away in a savings account . If you don’t, search your budget for places to save. If you’re spending too much on á la carte workout classes or a gym membership, try online workout classes or free forms of exercise like running, biking and hiking to help keep costs down. Or hunt your bank statement for subscriptions , digital or otherwise, that you never use and cancel them. Once you’ve started padding your savings account, you’ll feel more confident about planning a big trip and building a budget for it.

Analyze that spending

The simplest way to figure out what you’ll spend on a trip is to look hard at where your money went on a previous trip. Using the website or app for your bank and credit cards, find every expenditure related to the trip, from your airfare to your cab ride home from the airport. Include things you bought for your trip (like new walking shoes or sunscreen) and things you bought during your trip (like souvenirs or dinner). Then, build a spreadsheet that summarizes what you spent in each category. It’s not the most fun evening activity, but analyzing past spending will offer a glimpse into how much you spent on food, drinks, taxis and other categories, helping you plan for your next trip.

If you’ve never traveled or are traveling abroad for the first time, you can still plan your travel budget. Using the categories in the next section and a little online sleuthing, you can do your best to estimate your trip costs. On your next trip, consider getting receipts as emails whenever possible, and take photos of your paper receipts. It can help you analyze your spending the next time around.

What travel expenses to budget for

If you’re not an experienced traveler, you may not know exactly how to budget for travel. So, start with categories. Imagine your trip from start to finish, focusing on how you’ll spend money along the way. As you go, create a travel budget worksheet that puts your spending into buckets. Those buckets will depend on where you’re traveling and how you like to travel. Planning an all-inclusive beach vacation will require different categories than a trip to a national park. But generally, the categories in your trip budget should include:

• Transportation. This includes how you get to and from your destination and how you get around when you get there. These days, many people are opting out of airplanes and trains in favor of more personal forms of travel, like rental cars. Make sure you’re taking these choices into consideration when you budget for things like gas, food pit stops, and prepping your car for a lot of road time. Then check out your options for how you’ll travel when you arrive—taxis, Lyfts, public transportation or just walking. It could be a good idea to add in some cushion in case your transportation needs shift once you get there.
• Lodging, including taxes and fees. This could be a big chunk of change, but luckily, you should know exactly how much it is before you leave.
• Food and drink. This depends on a lot of factors, including how you like to eat, where you’re traveling and how much you expect to tip. If you’re more comfortable grabbing take out or getting delivery, make sure you’re taking those extra fees into account.
• Activities like museum tickets, tours, excursions, golf outings, etc.
• Souvenirs—anything you might buy on your trip that you wouldn’t buy at home.

Look for places to save

Once you see how you spend, you may discover that traveling costs a lot more than you realize. If so, you may want to try traveling more cheaply.

Say your last trip included hundreds of dollars in spending on Lyft or taxis. Price out what it would cost to rent a car for the length of your trip, which is often the cheaper option.

Maybe your dinner bills regularly reached $100 on your last trip. Use local food blogs and magazines to seek out small, local eateries and street food vendors that will capture the local flavor while keeping your dinner tab manageable. Also consider staying near a farmers market or small grocery store, so you can try your hand at cooking meals with local ingredients.

Airfare often is the biggest expenditure on a trip budget, and right now, a lot of people just don’t feel comfortable with it. Instead, think about traveling by car. If you’re traveling with friends, make sure you’re keeping track of gas usage so you can split the cost later. Scope out the parking situation beforehand so you know where you can safely leave your car without racking up too high of a garage fee or getting an unexpected parking ticket.

Consider a staycation instead. If traveling away from home is something you don’t feel comfortable with right now or if it just isn’t in your current budget, planning a staycation could be a good alternative. You can still plan fun activities around the neighborhood, get your favorite take-out or go to your favorite local spot, or even set up a tent in the backyard. Finding some R&R with a staycation can give you the feeling of getting away, while being a lighter touch on your budget.

Adjust on the fly

Analyzing your spending after one trip might help you plan for the next. But it won’t keep you from sticking to your budget while you’re traveling. So, if money is tight, consider tracking your spending while you travel and comparing it daily against your trip budget planner.

One way to rein in your spending is to designate a daily budget for food, drinks and other costs. You may even set aside that amount in cash each day, so you know exactly how much you spend. Just be sure to bring along a debit card or credit card in case of an emergency.

Then, every afternoon, when you’re not wiped out but can use a short break, take a few minutes to see what you’ve spent. If you’ve overspent on food or drinks, consider something lighter for dinner. If you’ve already hit your target for activity spending, plan your next day around free sights. If you’re traveling somewhere that allows access to your favorite banking or budgeting app , use that. If not, bring a printout of your budget and just jot down what you spend in a notebook, then take a few minutes to compare.

If you stay on top of things, you might find it easier to stay on budget until your head hits the pillow the second you arrive home. You may even find that you have enough left over to start planning your next big adventure.

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How to visit Miami on a budget

Apr 27, 2024 • 8 min read

If you don't have far to travel, Citi Bikes can be a great way to see the sights in Miami while keeping costs down © lazyllama/ Shutterstock

With its ever-growing skyline and mansion-laden private islands, Miami can come across as a playground for the rich. But does it really require a hefty bankroll? It just depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for.

Sure, you can spring for the Fontainebleau at $400 a night, but you can just as easily find a SoBe hostel or even a standard hotel room for a fraction of that price. And while there are plenty of James Beard Award-winning restaurants to choose from, some of the city's top dining experiences can be enjoyed for $20 or less. 

Budget-conscious travelers can also get around Miami without going broke and still have a great time. There are several public transit options available to those with a smidge of patience, and they offer the chance to people-watch and get a glimpse of a Miami that most tourists don't even notice. And when it comes to free experiences, the city is chock-full of them if you know where to look. 

Here's how to enjoy Miami on a budget.

Daily Costs in Miami

• Hostel room: $30–90
• Basic room for two: $150–300+
• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): $80–200+
• Public transit ticket: $2.25
• Cafe con leche: $2–4
• Sandwich: $15
• Dinner for two: $40–60
• Beer at the bar: $8

Average daily cost: $175

Plan to visit in peak hurricane season if you can

If your vacation time is flexible and you're feeling brave, lucky or both, consider looking for flights in August or September. While hurricane season starts up in June, it really takes off during this period. Coupled with the return of the school year, the intense heat (August is especially roasty) and the near-daily afternoon showers, it's also the cheapest time to visit Miami. The good thing is that hurricanes don't just appear overnight. If one does make its way to the city, you'll have time to make alternative plans. 

Also, be aware that even when Miami is shown in the trajectory of a hurricane, by the time it finally reaches the city, it's often much weaker than initially anticipated. This means you might just experience a full day of high winds and rain but not a full-on hurricane, with the bonus being that the weather is generally quite pleasant (cool, dry and sunny) post-storm. 

Find out the best time to visit Miami for your perfect vacation

Shop around for your flight (MIA isn't always the cheapest)

Booking your flight as early as possible is always recommended, but that's not the only way to save. While Miami International Airport (MIA) has plenty of flight options, it can actually be pricier than the next closest airport: Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL). Yes, it's a bit of a hike from Miami, but it's always wise to keep an eye on flights for both airports.

Bonus: the Tri-Rail is accessible from FLL, which you can use to get down to Miami if you've opted against renting a car. 

Use free public transit options when available

As a major commuter town, Miami is best-traversed from the comfort of a rental car. However, if you're not looking to wander too far from your hotel or hostel, you might be able to get away with using public transit. Moreover, Miami has several free public transit options to choose from (and the rest are relatively low-cost as well).

City of Miami Trolleys run in a variety of Miami neighborhoods, including Wynwood, Coconut Grove, Little Havana and Allapattah. Other areas of Miami-Dade run their own free trolleys, from Miami Beach to Coral Gables. 

If you find yourself downtown, the cheapest way to get around is undoubtedly the totally free-of-charge Metromover . It's slower-moving than the Metrorail (the city's somewhat limited but still-useful train option), but it can give you some excellent views of the city and Biscayne Bay. You can take it anywhere from the Adrienne Arsht Center to Museum Park (home to the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Frost Museum of Science ), Bayside Marketplace to Bayfront Park , and as far south as Brickell (home to plenty of high rises, restaurants and bars).

Want to explore further? Take the Metrorail and head south to Coconut Grove (you'll need to transfer to a bus or Uber to get close to the shops and restaurants); South Miami or Dadeland (another popular shopping center); or north to Allapattah, a historically lower-income neighborhood currently seeing a bit of a gentrification-based renaissance and now home to attractions like Superblue and the Rubell Family Art Collection . 

Hit the ground running with our Miami transportation guide

Rent or borrow a bike to get around

While Miami is not known for its huge biking culture, it's still a solid way to get around a smaller neighborhood. And don't worry, you don't have to bring your bike along with you.

Citi Bikes are the local rent-a-bike option. They're readily available all across Miami Beach and all along the coast on the mainland from Little River down through Wynwood, Downtown, Brickell and to Coconut Grove. At $7.95 per hour (or $24 per day), it's a relatively inexpensive way to see the city up close, sans parking headaches.

Oh, and finally, check if your hotel has a bike-borrowing system – you'd be surprised how many offer this as an amenity.

Skip the ocean view hotel rooms

Sure, an ocean-view room can be worth it, but is it always necessary? Clearly not. And if you're on a tighter budget, you'll likely want to shop around and stay at either a hostel or a smaller boutique hotel. Any hotel with ocean (or skyline) views will generally upcharge anywhere from $30–80 for the scenic outlook. Save that money for Miami's other attractions. You can always try to book a hotel that has rooftop access so you can still snag some great views (and great selfies) without the extra cost. 

Take advantage of free museum days

Miami is home to a plethora of museums, and over the years, they have become increasingly accessible and affordable. The Pérez Art Museum, Gold Coast Railroad Museum , The Wolfsonian  and The Bass are just some of the museums offering free days at least once a month.

If your travel dates don't align, there are plenty of other museums that are free year-round, including the Institute of Contemporary Art , the Frost Art Museum and the Lowe Art Museum . Travelers with disabilities can also enjoy certain museums free of charge, from HistoryMiami to MOCA NoMi (with free sensory days once a month at the Miami Children's Museum ).

Grab any necessities at your nearest grocery store

Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS are a dime a dozen in Miami, but beware of those located in touristy areas like South Beach , as their prices tend to be higher. So where can you go to get a better deal? No doubt you've heard the locals sing the praises of Publix. Find your nearest store for lower prices on necessities including deodorant, sunscreen and toothpaste. Depending on where you are in town, you can also pop into Sedanos or Winn-Dixie for even better prices.

Venture into your nearest Latin food-by-the-pound spot...

Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention where to get cheap eats in the Magic City. While you might want to flex your credit card for a night at one of the city's many award-winning restaurants, you can still eat well without going broke at the nearest Latin food-by-the-pound restaurant. Don't be confused by the name, though; these places aren't always weighing your food. What they are doing is loading up a styrofoam container to the brim with all sorts of yummy goodness – the kind that's also excellent reheated.

Get your fill of Cuban cuisine like arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) at Palacio de los Jugos , or venture into a Nicaraguan eatery called a fritanga to taste delicious gallo pinto (a rice and beans dish), carne asada (grilled marinated steak) and fried cheese.

...or pick up legit Latin food from a street vendor

If you're looking for something a little less dense, you can always check out local street food vendors to see what cheap, tasty treats they've got. Yes, some food trucks nowadays sell fusion foods that are pricier than you might expect, but many remain reasonably priced. El Bori  is a food truck serving up delightful Puerto Rican bites like empanadillas (turnovers), cheese dogs and alcapurrias (fritters) for under $10. Smaller food carts selling Colombian arepas de choclo (sweet corn cakes) are often a staple at tourist hot spots and local events, and you can usually grab something yummy for around $5.  

Seek out free festivals, art crawls and more

The party is always on somewhere in Miami and, more often than not, you won't even have to pay. If you're on the beach and seeking cheap nighttime activities, check out the Miami Beach Culture Crawl on the third Thursday of the month. It features different activities each month, from backstage tours to exhibition openings and more. Viernes Culturales in the Little Havana neighborhood is another arts and culture crawl where you can check out vendors, dance to live music and really get a taste of Cuban-American cultura . Speaking of which, Calle Ocho , which takes place every March, is one of the largest music festivals in town, and it's free of charge.

Music lovers should also be aware of the WALLCAST Concerts and the  SoundScape Cinema Series staged just outside of the New World Symphony . And don't forget all the farmers markets, author events at places such as Books & Books , and more totally free events going on year-round. 

Keep planning your trip to Miami

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How to Enjoy Family Road Trips on a Budget: Yes, It’s Possible!

Posted: February 21, 2024 | Last updated: February 21, 2024

Family road trips are one of life’s greatest adventures – a chance to explore new destinations, make memories, and enjoy the freedom of the open road. But without careful planning, costs can quickly spiral. Just remember that a memorable road trip doesn’t have to break the bank. With some smart strategies and a bit of preparation, you can hit the road without straining your wallet. 

1. Set a Budget

Before setting out on your road trip, set a realistic budget. Take into account all possible expenses, including fuel, food, accommodations, attractions, and any unforeseen emergencies. A well-planned budget helps you make informed decisions and avoid overspending. Be sure to factor in a little extra for unexpected costs to ensure a stress-free journey.

2. Plan Your Route in Advance

Planning your route is a key step in road trip prep. You can identify the most efficient routes by mapping out your journey in advance, saving time and fuel. Utilize travel apps or websites to find the shortest or most scenic paths and avoid construction or heavy traffic areas. An optimized route also allows you to plan stops at interesting places along the way.

3. Travel During Off-Peak Times

Traveling during off-peak times like shoulder seasons or weekdays can lead to significant cost savings. Accommodations often offer lower rates outside of tourist seasons or on weekdays. Additionally, attractions may be less crowded, enhancing your experience. Traveling off-peak also typically means less traffic, making your drive smoother and potentially quicker.

4. Use Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

Implementing fuel-efficient driving habits can lead to noticeable savings on your road trip. Maintaining steady speeds, using cruise control on highways, and avoiding sudden accelerations and hard braking reduces fuel consumption. This saves money and minimizes your environmental impact. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained and ensuring tires are properly inflated also improves fuel efficiency.

5. Pack Smart

Packing smartly can prevent costly purchases during your road trip. Bring along essential items such as snacks, drinks, a first-aid kit, and various entertainment options. This preparation helps avoid frequent stops for overpriced items and reduces the temptation for impulse buys. Packing a cooler with refreshments and snacks is especially helpful for long stretches of driving.

6. Stay in Budget Accommodations or Camp

Explore budget-friendly options like motels, hostels, or camping to save on lodging. Camping cuts costs and adds an element of adventure and closeness to nature to your road trip. If camping isn’t your style, look for affordable motels or hostels, and always book in advance to secure the best rates and availability.

7. Eat Like a Local

One of the joys of road-tripping is discovering local food. Avoid expensive tourist-oriented restaurants and seek out where the locals eat. It’ll give you a more authentic and less expensive dining experience. If your accommodations include kitchen facilities, consider preparing your own meals. Picnicking is another cost-effective and enjoyable way to eat while exploring new areas.

8. Use Gas Price Apps

Fuel costs can add up quickly on a road trip. Use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas prices along your route to save money. These apps provide real-time fuel price data, helping you plan your refueling stops more economically. Being strategic about where and when you fill up your tank can result in significant savings over the course of your journey.

9. Take Advantage of Free Attractions

Exploring free attractions is a fantastic way to enjoy your destinations while keeping costs down. Many cities and towns offer a variety of no-cost options like museums, parks, galleries, and historical sites. I’m always amazed at how many local attractions and historic sites are free or low-cost and how much fun and fab experiences you can have with your family without spending much at all. Research your destination to find these free and low-cost activities beforehand, and plan your itinerary to include these free attractions.

10. Avoid Toll Roads

While toll roads can save time, the costs can accumulate, especially over longer trips. To minimize expenses, plan your route using free alternatives. Utilize GPS and route planning apps that have options to avoid toll roads. This might add a bit more travel time, but the savings make it worth the detour, particularly on extended road trips. Be prepared for potentially more scenic drives through less-traveled paths.

11. Share the Journey

Road tripping with friends or family makes the journey more enjoyable and more economical. Sharing expenses like fuel, accommodation, and food significantly reduces the cost per person. It also offers an opportunity for memorable experiences with your travel companions. Plan the budget together and discuss splitting costs upfront to avoid any misunderstandings later.

12. Limit Souvenir Spending

Souvenirs are a popular way to remember your trip, but they quickly eat into your budget. Set a specific budget for souvenirs and stick to it. Consider affordable alternatives like postcards, local crafts, or photographs. Sometimes, the best souvenirs are the memories and experiences themselves, captured in photos or journals.

13. Bring Reusable Water Bottles

Purchasing bottled water repeatedly is really expensive and not eco-friendly. Bring reusable water bottles for each person and refill them at rest stops, visitor centers, or food establishments. It’s better for the environment and your wallet. My family all have their own custom reusable stainless steel bottles that work for hot or cold drinks.

14. Use Reward Programs and Discounts

Make use of any memberships or rewards programs you have for discounts on various travel expenses. Programs like AAA, hotel loyalty memberships, or credit card rewards can net you big savings on accommodation, attractions, dining, and even fuel. Always ask about available discounts when making bookings or purchases, as these savings can reduce your overall trip cost.

15. Keep Your Vehicle Well-Maintained

Before you set out on your epic family road trip, make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition. Check tire pressure, fluid levels, brakes, and other essentials. A well-maintained vehicle is not only safer but also more fuel-efficient, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and costly repairs on the road.

16. Pack a Roadside Emergency Kit

Having a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle is a smart move for handling unexpected situations. Your kit should include items like a spare tire, jumper cables, basic repair tools, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. Being prepared can prevent minor issues from turning into major expenses and give you peace of mind while on the road.

17. Use Public Transportation

In urban areas, consider using public transport instead of driving. Navigating city traffic is stressful and finding parking is challenging and costly. Public transit options like buses, trains, or subways are more affordable and save you the hassle of city driving. 

18. Avoid Rush Hour

Avoid traveling during rush hour if you don’t want unnecessary stress, to waste time in traffic, and lose money in increased fuel consumption. Plan your itinerary to avoid driving through major cities during peak traffic times. If you find yourself nearing a large city, consider stopping for a meal or an activity until traffic dies down. 

19. Choose Scenic Routes

Taking scenic routes can make your trip more enjoyable. Sure, these paths might be less direct, but you’ll get to enjoy a more picturesque and memorable driving experience compared to highways. Scenic drives often lead through quaint towns, beautiful landscapes, and interesting attractions, turning the journey itself into a memorable part of your trip.

20. Monitor Your Spending

Keeping a close eye on your spending is crucial to stay within your budget. Regularly track your expenses to ensure you’re not overspending on food, accommodations, or attractions. This habit allows you to make adjustments on the go and avoid any financial surprises. It also helps in planning future road trips more effectively.

21. Be Flexible

One of the joys of a road trip is the flexibility it offers. Be open to exploring unplanned routes or stopping at unexpected attractions. Some of our most memorable experiences came from spontaneous decisions we made on the route. Staying flexible can also lead to cost savings, as you might discover more affordable options or hidden gems along the way. 

22. Use a Cash Back Credit Card

If you have a cash-back or rewards credit card, use it for your road trip expenses. I love this strategy, as it helps me recoup a little of the cost in the form of cashback, or build reward points that I can funnel to my savings or put toward our next family adventure. Just be sure to pay off the balance to avoid interest charges, which can negate the benefits of rewards.

23. Research Local Deals and Coupons

Before arriving at your destination, do some research for local deals or coupons. Check out websites, local tourist information centers, or newspapers for discounts on dining, attractions, and accommodations. Taking advantage of these offers can significantly reduce your overall spending and allow you to enjoy more activities on your trip.

24. Enjoy the Journey

Lastly, remember to enjoy the journey itself. Road trips are as much about the travel as they are about the destination. Take in the landscapes, explore roadside attractions, and cherish the quality time with your travel companions. Many of the most memorable moments on a road trip are the unexpected experiences and sights along the way, which often come at no extra cost. We play silly travel games, tell tall tales, and generally try to amuse each other.

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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.

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Budget-Friendly Travel Hacks: How to Plan an Amazing Trip

Budget-friendly travel hacks: how to plan an amazing trip without breaking the bank.

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but the cost can often be a barrier for many people. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it’s entirely possible to plan an incredible trip without draining your bank account. In this article, we’ll explore some budget-friendly travel hacks that will help you save money while still experiencing all the wonders that travel has to offer.

Flexible Travel Dates and Destination Choices:

One of the most effective ways to save money on travel is by being flexible with your dates and destination choices. Flights and accommodations can vary significantly in price depending on when and where you’re traveling. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons or mid-week when prices tend to be lower. Additionally, explore lesser-known destinations or opt for locations where your currency stretches further, allowing you to experience more for less.

Utilize Price Comparison Websites and Apps:

Before booking any flights or accommodations, be sure to do thorough research using price comparison websites and apps. These tools allow you to compare prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms, ensuring that you get the best possible deal. Additionally, many websites offer price alert features that notify you when prices drop for your desired itinerary, allowing you to snag the lowest fares.

Travel Rewards and Loyalty Programs:

Take advantage of travel rewards and loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotels, and credit card companies. Many programs offer sign-up bonuses, points for every dollar spent, and exclusive perks such as free upgrades and complimentary breakfasts. By strategically utilizing these rewards, you can significantly reduce the cost of your trip or even enjoy certain aspects for free.

Opt for Budget Accommodations:

Accommodation costs can quickly add up, but there are plenty of budget-friendly options available for savvy travelers. Consider staying in hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals instead of expensive hotels. Websites like Airbnb and Hostelworld offer a wide range of affordable accommodations that cater to various budgets and preferences. Additionally, consider booking accommodations that include amenities such as kitchen facilities, allowing you to save money on dining out by preparing your meals.

Pack Light and Avoid Excess Baggage Fees:

Packing light not only saves you money on baggage fees but also makes traveling more convenient and hassle-free. Only pack the essentials and opt for versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. Invest in a compact, lightweight suitcase or backpack that meets airline carry-on requirements to avoid checked baggage fees altogether. Additionally, weigh your luggage before heading to the airport to ensure that you’re within the weight limit to avoid any unexpected fees.

Eat Like a Local:

Dining out can be one of the biggest expenses while traveling, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank. Instead of eating at touristy restaurants, seek out local eateries and street food stalls where you can sample authentic cuisine at a fraction of the cost. Visit local markets and grocery stores to stock up on affordable snacks and ingredients for picnics or simple meals. Additionally, consider booking accommodations with kitchen facilities to cook your meals and save even more money.

Take Advantage of Free Activities and Attractions:

Many destinations offer a wealth of free or low-cost activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Research your destination ahead of time to discover parks, museums, walking tours, and other cultural experiences that don’t require a hefty entrance fee. Take advantage of free walking tours offered by local guides or explore the city on your own using self-guided walking routes. Additionally, look for free events and festivals happening during your visit to immerse yourself in the local culture without spending a dime.

Travel Like a Local:

Instead of relying on taxis and organized tours, embrace public transportation and explore your destination like a local. Public buses, trains, and trams are often much cheaper than taxis and offer a more authentic travel experience. Invest in a multi-day transport pass or city card that provides unlimited travel on public transportation and discounts on attractions. Additionally, consider renting a bike or walking to explore the city at your own pace while saving money on transportation costs.

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or missing out on memorable experiences. By implementing these budget-friendly travel hacks, you can plan an amazing trip without breaking the bank. From flexible travel dates and accommodation choices to utilizing rewards programs and enjoying free activities, there are plenty of ways to save money while still making the most of your travels. So pack your bags, hit the road, and embark on your next adventure without the financial stress!

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Italy Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Italy is one of Europe’s most iconic and popular destinations. Home to incredible food, fabulous wine, tons of ancient ruins, undying romance, and picturesque landscapes, it should come as no surprise that this is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.

I’ve been visiting since 2006 and I never tire of it.

The vineyards in Tuscany, history in Florence , ancient streets of Rome , gorgeous views and hills Cinque Terre , romantic canals in Venice — I love it all.

Italy is best experienced slowly so pace yourself. Soak in the atmosphere and way of life as you explore. Italians move slowly and enjoy la dolce vita and so should you! Relax, take in the scenery, enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of wine. The slower you go, the better you’ll be able to appreciate the charms and nuance of this iconic southern European gem.

This travel guide to Italy can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Italy

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in italy.

1. Explore Venice

While crowded, Venice is an astounding place to visit. I love the city’s iconic architecture and picturesque canals. Don’t miss the Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Basilica San Marco, and the city’s countless museums. Moreover, be sure to head to the old Jewish Ghetto for hip bars and cheap drinks (the English word ghetto comes from this area of Venice). Venice is also home to several world-class festivals. In late winter, the epic Carnival takes place here and, in August, the prestigious Venice Film Festival takes over the nearby island of Lido. If you have time, be sure to explore the neighboring islands on a day tour. They are charming in their own right.

2. Wander Rome

Rome has so much to see and do that you’ll need to make several trips to even scratch the surface. Besides obvious highlights like the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, and Trevi Fountain, make sure you explore the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s my favorite area in Rome and feels almost like a village inside a big city. Trastevere offers delicious food, funky bars, and ancient winding streets. I love the family pizzerias and cafes here for people-watching and the gelato. Vatican City, the smallest independent city-state in the world, is nestled within the heart of Rome and is home to the Pope, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and many fantastic museums. You can fill an endless amount of time here so don’t try to rush your visit!

3. Tour Pompeii

Located a 20-40-minute train ride from Naples , Pompeii is an ancient city that was destroyed by a volcano, preserving it in a blanket of ash still frozen in time. Walk around the Roman city as it stood the day that Mount Vesuvius exploded in 79 CE, moving in and out of homes, villas, baths, and businesses where pots and vases still lay. What really struck me was entering the houses and seeing that the fountains and most of the beautiful frescoes are still intact. Admission is 16 EUR while a guided tour with a professional archeologist is 50 EUR. It’s a huge site and will take a full day to visit in depth.

4. Hike the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre consists of five colorful coastal villages on the west coast of Italy, backed by steep vineyards and mountains. These small towns are by no means undiscovered by tourists but still absolutely beautiful and teeming with great shops and cafes. Each village has its own unique charm and personality so be sure to visit all of them. I absolutely love the fun hikes in the stunning hills high above the sea between the villages that range in difficulty. The Cinque Terre express train makes it super easy to pop around to the different villages if you don’t want to hike between the towns. Trail #7 is my favorite.

5. Relax on the Amalfi Coast

Other things to see and do in italy, 1. party at the venice carnival.

Carnival is ten days of masquerade madness every February leading up to Mardi Gras. The tradition goes back centuries, starting in the 12th century and reaching the height of popularity in the 18th century. Today, it’s one of the biggest festivals in Italy, with millions of people attending every year. The iconic and diverse masks are a central part of the festivities and every year there is a contest for the most beautiful mask. If you want to splash out, you can even attend a traditional masquerade ball! Just be sure to book your accommodation early as the city fills up months in advance.

2. Explore Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. Spend some time taking in the glamor but don’t spend more than a day or two here unless you’re looking to splash out. While you’re here, don’t miss the beautiful Milan Cathedral, which boasts 3,500 statues, 135 spires, and five bronze doors. Sforzesco Castle, a 15th-century castle that houses Michelangelo’s last sculpture, is also worth a visit. There’s also Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper , located inside Santa Maria delle Grazie church (which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as Leonardo’s Horse, one of the largest equine statues in the world. To get away from the crowds, spend some time relaxing in Parco Sempione, Milan’s most famous city park. It’s a vast oasis of green space and perfect for a picnic when the weather is nice.

3. See the Leaning Tower in Pisa

The entire city of Pisa is focused on taking photos of this famed tower. Started in 1173 and finished in 1399, it’s the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral, located next door. Although it was meant to be perfectly vertical, the tower started leaning during construction due to the weight of the building on an unstable foundation. Admission to the top is 20 EUR or 27 EUR for a ticket that includes all the monuments in the complex. DiscoveryPisa runs a guided tour of all three sites for 30 EUR if you want a more in-depth experience.

4. Visit Siena

Everyone who visits Siena walks away loving it. Located in Tuscany, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy and boasts a labyrinth of lanes gathered around the arena of Piazza del Campo. Spend a few days admiring this charming city and exploring one of Italy’s most popular and famous regions. The main draw to the city is the stunning Siena Cathedral, which was constructed with white and black marble and is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country (the interior is massive and ornately decorated and lined by huge columns). Be sure to also visit the Torre del Mangia, a narrow 14th-century tower that offers stunning views of the area, as well as the 14th-century Fonte Gaia fountain, which is decorated by centuries-old marble panels.

5. Wander Naples

Naples , made famous as the birthplace of pizza, is a gritty city home to a wealth of historical treasures. There’s the medieval Naples Cathedral, the 18th-century Villa Comunale Park, and nearby Naples , Pompeii , one of the most amazing and important sites to visit in the country. The Archaeological Museum of Naples is also worth a visit, and if you enjoy hiking you can climb up the iconic Mount Vesuvius. Naples is the gateway to the south so you’re very likely to come here if you’re crisscrossing the country. Its location near Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento makes it the perfect starting point for exploring the region. Best of all, it’s a foodie city like no other; I ate my weight in pizza during my visit!

6. Explore Florence

There’s no real need to explain why one should visit Florence — the city speaks for itself. Everything people say about it is true: great food, amazing museums, ancient buildings, small streets, awesome gelato. The city has it all. Be sure to visit The Uffizi, which holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art (including the The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo). The famous David statue is also in Florence, housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia. It’s one of the most impressive sculptures in the world and at 5.17 meters (17 feet) tall, it’s a lot bigger and more detailed than you think it would be! While here, make sure you take a few wine tours throughout the region to get a feel for the verdant countryside.

7. Drive around “the Heel”

Few travelers ever visit the southern heel of the Italian “boot.” But, if you have time, it’s worth the trip. This is where most of the fruits and vegetables in Italy come from so a trip down here will give you the best glimpse into rustic Italian life far from the maddening crowds of Rome and Italy’s other tourist hotspots. Don’t miss the picturesque Polignano a Mare, with its rugged cliffs and white-washed houses. Gallipoli, with its labyrinth of narrow lanes and historic port, is also worth visiting. There are tons of amazing beaches in this part of the country too, including Marina di Pescoluse (Salento), Cala Porto (Polignano a Mare), and Torre Guaceto (Brindisi).

8. Eat your way around Sicily

There’s Italian culture and then there’s Sicily. Sicily has its own unique cooking style, traditions, and customs. It’s unlike the rest of Italy. Be sure to spend some time in Taormina and Palermo (the capital of Sicily). The UNESCO Valley of the Temples is also in Sicily, a national park home to incredible Greek ruins that are over 2,000 years old. Don’t miss the stunning Mount Etna , an active volcano that you can ski on it in the winter or take a tour of the top in the summer.

9. Stroll through Sorrento

Sorrento is a small city in southwestern Italy surrounded by a dreamy landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys, and the Lattari Mountains. There’s not a lot to do in the town itself but Sorrento makes an ideal starting point for numerous excursions to nearby cities and islands around the famous Amalfi Coast, like Capri and Ischia. I especially love driving along the winding coastal roads overlooking the sea. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby Blue Grotto .

10. Attend Settimana Santa (Holy Week)

This is the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week. During this time, there are several processions throughout Italy, drawing crowds of thousands. Throughout the week, there are various gatherings in Puglia, Abruzzo, and Sicily but the major event occurs on Easter Sunday and is led by the Pope himself. It’s an amazing time to visit, but expect huge crowds and for accommodation to sell out months in advance.

11. Visit Alberobello

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is an interesting and picturesque little town just south of Bari (a port city on the Adriatic Sea) known for its unusual white cone-shaped houses (they’re super peculiar). It’s well worth a visit between the months of November and April (to avoid the flocks of tourists) as there are a couple of museums to peruse, in addition to some great restaurants, bars, and markets.

12. Tour the Vatican Museums

Founded in the early 16th century, it is a complex of museums spanning over 12 acres. There are so many priceless highlights, including Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel. You could easily spend hours here. Consider getting a guide to make the museum come to life. Admission is 17 EUR and skip-the-line guided tours with Get Your Guide cost 50 EUR. For a more unique experience, check out the

13. See Chiesa di Sant’Efisio

When you find yourself in Cagliari on Sardinia, wander over to the Stampace quarter to see this church. Dedicated to the patron Saint Ephisius, this is the most important church in the city. The original building dates to the 13th century, though it was rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century and then again in the 18th century, this time in the Baroque style. Admission is free.

14. Take a cooking class

Italy is a dream destination for foodies and the best way to learn about this amazing cuisine is to take a cooking class . You’ll get to visit a local market, learn about the history of some of the country’s best dishes, and then learn how to make them yourself so you can impress friends and family back home. You can find cooking classes all over the country. They are very common. Prices vary depending on what city you take a class in, but most cost at least 70 EUR and last a few hours.

15. Take a walking tour

Walks of Italy offers incredible, detailed tours all around the country. They are my favorite tour company in the country. And they are relatively inexpensive and you definitely get your money’s worth. If you are big into history, culture, or architecture these tours are for you. You’ll walk away with a much richer understanding of the country. Don’t miss them.

For information on specific cities in Italy, check out these city guides:

• Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• Florence Travel Guide
• Milan Travel Guide
• Naples Travel Guide
• Pisa Travel Guide
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sorrento Travel Guide
• Venice Travel Guide

Italy Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms average 27-40 EUR per night for rooms with 6-8 beds. Private rooms are usually between 55-100 EUR per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities and include breakfast. During the summer months, expect prices to double. In Rome and Florence, prices throughout the year are about 20% higher than anywhere else.

For those traveling with a tent, campgrounds are available around the country, usually costing between 15-30 EUR per night for a basic plot for two people.

A night in a two-star budget hotel ranges between 70-125 EUR per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, and occasionally free breakfast. Prices are on the higher end in cities like Rome and Venice and also double during the summer.

On Airbnb, private rooms start around 45-90 EUR, while entire apartments usually start around 100-150 EUR. Expect prices on the higher end in hotspots like Rome and Venice. Prices can also double (or triple) when not booked in advance. Additionally, expect even higher prices in the busy summer months.

Food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, olives, and olive oil form the backbone of most dishes, with meat, fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu. Gelato and pizza, of course, are also super popular. Some traditional dishes include bigoli in salsa (pasta in anchovy sauce), risotto al nero di seppia (risotto with cuttlefish ink), gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato gnocchi), cassoeula (a meat and cabbage stew), and tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (pasta with mushrooms and truffles).

A casual restaurant meal of pizza or pasta usually costs 10-20 EUR. In tourist hot spots, add 5-10 EUR to that.

Quick eats like pizza by the slice, paninis, and light snacks cost between 3-8 EUR. Snacks like croissants are less than 2 EUR.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 8-10 EUR for a combo meal while Chinese, Thai, or Indian food is 10-12 EUR for a main dish. Dessert is usually around 4-8 EUR for something like tiramisu.

Your average restaurant meal costs around 30 EUR with a drink. Most main dishes cost around 15-20 EUR while a pizza is around 10-15 EUR. For higher-end meals, expect to spend about 70 EUR for a three-course meal with a drink.

Beer costs around 4-5 EUR while a glass of wine costs 4-8 EUR. For non-alcoholic drinks, a latte or cappuccino is around 1.50 EUR and bottled water is 1 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own groceries, expect to spend 50-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Italy Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Italy, my suggested budget is 60 EUR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation to get around, and sticking to mostly free activities like hiking, free walking tours, and the beaches. If you plan on drinking a lot, add at least 15 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 140 EUR per day, you can stay in an Airbnb or budget hotel, eat out for a couple of meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like touring the Colosseum or exploring Pompeii.

On an upscale budget of 255 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This isn’t a real luxury budget but it’s a budget that affords you the ability to do anything you want. If you want real luxury, you’ll need to read a different blog for that!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). I just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Italy Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

It’s very easy to break the bank in Italy, owing to all the historic sites, expensive accommodation, and delicious but pricey restaurants. After all, Italy is one of the most expensive Eurozone countries. You’re going to be spending a lot on a visit here. However, there are still lots of ways to reduce your expenses. Here are some tips to help you save money in Italy:

• Skip the bread – Many restaurants offer you bread when you sit down — but they don’t mention that it’s not free. If you’re on a budget, decline the bread and save a few Euros each dining experience.
• Picnic – Head to the store or one of the many markets in the country and grab food for a picnic. It’s cheaper than eating out and you can lounge in one of the many parks to watch the day go by. Food markets are a good place to try things, get fresh cheese and cold cuts, pasta, and snacks like ‘arancini,’ a super-filling rice ball stuffed with meat or cheese.
• Drink the tap water – When out at a restaurant, ask for tap water or you will automatically get expensive bottled water included on your bill. Since the tap water is safe to drink, bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Buy wine at the store – You can buy a great bottle of wine for 6-10 EUR at the store. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar. Take it outdoors and sit around and enjoy the day/evening or skip expensive nightlife and go out for a long dinner and just drink it at the hostel. Just make sure you have a travel corkscrew on you if you’re going to sit outside somewhere!
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the country for cheap. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 6 EUR you really can’t complain! (And it’s cheaper than the train.) Taking the bus in town inside big cities instead of taking taxis everywhere or renting a car will save you lots of money.
• Take a free walking tour – Most cities in Italy offer free walking tours that cover all the main highlights. It’s the best budget-friendly way to explore and also a great way to meet other travelers if you’re alone. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in Italy, even in the hostels. Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds or couches for free. It’s the best way to save money and meet people. Just be sure to send your requests early (especially in the summer). Also, it’s a good idea to research the area you’re staying in first so you’re not so far away from the city center (or city!) that you need to spend a lot of time/money getting into town to see the sites.
• Get a city tourist card – Many tourism offices offer tourist cards that provide free or discounted entry to the main attractions. Some even include restaurant discounts and free transportation. If you plan on sightseeing a lot, these cards can cut your costs drastically. Check the local tourism board in each city for info when you arrive.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities. I used this service and not only did I save money, I got to meet interesting people and learn more about life in Italy. This is a good option to book a few days in advance. Just make sure to pick someone who has good ratings because newer drivers can have a tendency to be unreliable or cancel at the last minute.

Where to Stay in Italy

There’s a lot of hostels and hotels in Italy to choose from. To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Italy:

• Loly Boutique Hotel (Rome)
• The Beehive (Rome)
• Hotel Montecarlo (Venice)
• Generator (Venice)
• Hostel of the Sun (Naples)
• Ulisse Deluxe (Sorrento)
• Hotel Bologna (Pisa)
• Hostel Pisa Tower (Pisa)

How to Get Around Italy

Public transportation – Public transportation is available in all the major cities in Italy (many of which have comprehensive metro systems). Tickets usually cost between 1-2 EUR for a single journey. Some cities also have day passes that offer unlimited travel. In Rome, you can purchase a one-day pass for unlimited travel for 7 EUR. A one-week pass costs 24 EUR, for example. While public transportation is generally reliable, traffic can be a nightmare — especially in Rome.

Train – The best way to get around Italy is via their extensive train network. Prices are affordable too, with most trips costing just 10-30 EUR. Rome to Florence takes just 90 minutes (on the fast train) with tickets starting at 20 EUR. Rome to Venice takes around 4 hours with tickets starting around 30 EUR. Rome to Naples is just over one hour and costs around 20 EUR.

Italo and Trenitalia are the two main rail systems. Tickets on Trenitalia are often a standard price, while Italo’s ticket prices fluctuate more widely. It’s worth it to check both.

To find routes and prices for trains around Italy (and Europe), use Trainline .

Bus – The bus is slower than the train but cheaper, with prices on FlixBus starting as low as 6 EUR. This isn’t the most convenient or fastest way to travel, but the buses are comfortable and good for short and medium journeys. Most buses come with outlets and free Wi-Fi too.

The 4-hour trip from Rome to Florence costs around 7-15 EUR, while a longer trip like Venice to Naples takes 10-15 hours and costs just 20-32 EUR.

Flying – If you’re pressed for time and are looking to jump from one city to the next, a budget airline might be the way to go. Prices can be incredibly low — just 20-100 EUR round trip on airlines like Ryanair.

That said, when you factor in the time spent at airports, you’re likely not going to save much time. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights and you usually need to print your boarding pass out too (or pay a fee).

Ferry – If you want to visit some of Italy’s amazing islands, you’ll have to book a ferry. Ferries are frequent and you don’t need to book too far in advance, but during peak season it’s a good idea to book at least a few weeks ahead. You can use FerryHopper to find routes and prices. The popular one-hour ferry from Naples to Capri starts from 25 EUR.

Car rental – Car rentals are generally quite affordable here, usually starting around 25-35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Just make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as it’s required before you rent a car. Also, keep in mind that Italian drivers can be on the aggressive side so drive cautiously. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Italy

There’s no wrong time to visit Italy. Historically, the peak season has been July and August, but post-COVID cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are busy pretty much year round. Temperatures can soar as high as 36°C (98°F) during the summer, and popular cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence experience a huge influx of visitors. I’d try to avoid visiting in the summer if you can as it’s just too crowded, too hot, and prices increase during this time as well.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Italy is during the shoulder season (March-May and September-October). It’s still warm but the crowds have thinned and prices are lower. This is a particularly great time to hang out in the Mediterranean. Expect daily highs around 22°C (72°F).

Winter is from November to February. It gets cold, and tourist crowds thin out considerably. Temperatures vary quite a bit from north to south, with it sometimes dropping to 2°C (36°F) in Milan and 4°C (39°F) in Rome. On the other hand, November to December is fantastic — you’ll find Christmas markets and festivals galore!

How to Stay Safe in Italy

Italy is a safe country to travel as violent crime against tourists is very rare. However, scams and pickpocketing are common, especially around high-traffic tourist sites in places like Rome and Venice. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight on public transportation and when out and about. The biggest things to watch out for are pickpockets on public transportation and in crowds. Don’t leave your bag open or put your mobile phone in loose jacket pockets on the tram or subway.

Be wary of people selling discounted tickets on the street. Chances are they are fake so always buy tickets from reputable sellers only. If you take a taxi somewhere, make sure the driver uses the meter so you don’t get ripped off.

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about other common travel scams to avoid here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe in Italy, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Catcalling is not uncommon in Italy. Also, on public transport be mindful of groping on public transport. For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the country as they will have better advice for you.

If you rent a car, make sure you drive carefully and also have extra insurance. The roads in much of the country are very winding and narrow and drivers here are on the aggressive side.

Natural disasters here are uncommon, but since there are several active volcanoes in the country they can occur. Venice is also prone to flooding, so always be mindful of the weather while you’re here and heed any warnings or advisories.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Italy Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Walks of Italy – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Italy Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

The 8 Best Hotels in Rome

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How To Plan An Exciting Trip To Florida On A Budget

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Going on a Florida trip doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right planning, you can enjoy a great Florida vacation even when you’re on a tight budget.

Here’s how you can plan a budget-friendly trip to the Sunshine State — Florida.

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO. THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY JILL GREISING-MURSCHEL , A FAMILY TRAVEL AND RV LIVING EXPERT .

How To Plan A Trip To Florida On A Budget

Planning a trip to Florida on a budget is easier than it sounds. With some planning, you can enjoy the incredible beaches, weather, and beautiful sunsets without breaking your bank account!

1. Plan Ahead

You may not know this, but I’m the type of traveler that really plans our trips using planner apps . And yes, that’s the first step when Florida vacation planning — to plan ahead of time. 

The earlier the better.

​By doing so, you can consider more factors for your Florida trip planning. You can do more research on your destination and can consider EVERYONE’S schedule, which is hard by the way, especially if you’re planning a Florida vacation with a group of working adults who need time off work.

Start by creating your own Florida trip planner using a basic spreadsheet and the tips you’ll continue to read below. Write down what your vacation budget is, then go from there.

The top 3 expenses will be:

• Accommodations
• Transportation to Florida
• Food and Entertainment

Great accommodation options will book fast and reservations are much cheaper when made early, so be sure to begin your search early. Consider staying in a vacation rental like this so you can cook some of your own food and save money on eating out.

You can stay in Fort Myers Beach vacation rentals with a family of 6 for under $220 per night in one of these vacation rentals .

Or, you can stay in Orlando, located in Central Florida and near Walt Disney World for under $200 per night in one of these highly-rated Florida homes .

Or, consider visiting Fort Lauderdale Florida and stay in this Riverside Villa only a short walk from downtown Fort Lauderdale for under $200 per night.

2. Consider A Road Trip Instead Of Fly ing

It’s true that air travel is much shorter than a road trip, but they’re also relatively more expensive. The cheapest way to get to Florida is by driving, even with gas prices.

Florida is a place with great road trip routes !

​It makes for good family bonding and can save you a lot of money if you plan a road trip to Florida instead of flying. You can use the extra time for some sightseeing along the way.

However, if you don’t have the time to spend driving the long distance then you’ll want to look into airfare months in advance to save on transportation costs. Consider flying in and leaving mid-week instead of on the weekend to save, as that’s when the prices are the cheapest to Florida.

3. Travel During The Off-Season To Disney

If you’re planning a trip to Florida to visit Disney, then plan to go during the off-season to save on ticket prices and accommodations. 

Or, you could always skip Walt Disney World and the other theme parks and instead visit the beaches.

​If you really want to go to Disney, check out our tips on a budget-friendly Disney visit with more details to help you plan a specific Disney trip.

​We also suggest paying Disney Springs a visit because it’s free to visit and free to park. They also have street performances that are so much fun to watch.

4. Visit Florida Beaches

Instead of going to places with entrance fees, you can visit some of the many beautiful beaches in Florida, especially the south beach surrounding it. Walking along the shore is relaxing and FREE.

If you go to the Florida Keys , you may even get a glimpse of manatees, which we did see during our visit. Here’s our list of the best beaches in the Keys to help you plan.

Or, take time to visit the Gulf Coast of Florida . Sarasota Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Venice Beach are favorites located in South Florida.

Watching the sunset is also much more magical when you’re doing it on the beach!

5. Camp In Florida

Have fun outdoors and save on accommodation by camping in Florida. You could bring a tent, RV, or rent an RV . 

Hotels are nice but they can get pricey. If you’re trying to travel to Florida on a budget, then camping in Florida is a much less expensive way to stay.

By camping, you can also get closer to nature and enjoy the relaxation it brings. Or maybe stretch your comfort zone a bit. 

​You can also bring an RV, as we do, or rent one with Outdoorsy .

​ Traveling in an RV also helps you bring anything that you may need, including food and RV kitchen accessories.

​During both of our visits to the Florida Keys, we stayed in John Pennekamp State Park with our RV and had full hook-ups. So water, electric, and sewer hook-ups at our campsite. That allowed us to take showers, cook, clean, use our AC and live very comfortably. There are so many other campgrounds around Florida you will have many options. We often use Campendium to find reviews of different campsites before booking.

6. Avoid Florida during Spring Break (all of March) and Christmas time

Florida is a popular Spring Break destination, therefore the prices increase. 

When is the best time to visit Florida?

October and November are great months to visit Florida with fewer tourists, some of the best weather, and often known as a cheap Florida vacation. January and February can also be great months.

Think about visiting during the Winter or Fall months if you can. The weather is great in the winter in Florida, but in late Fall you may still experience hurricane season.

During Spring, Florida is filled with tourists like families on vacation and students on their school break. The same goes for Christmas. 

​Disney even has cheaper tickets during the non-peak seasonal weekdays .

7. Be Flexible With Which Airport You Arrive At In Florida

​For example, Tampa and Orlando are only 1 1/2 hours away when driving, but prices for tickets can be drastically different.

​Be smart on this because ticket prices can vary a great deal. You’d think that a ticket you bought to Orlando International Airport is a steal but then you find out that the ticket to Tampa and the price of renting a car to drive 90 minutes is much cheaper.

​That’s what our family discovered when we were trying to fly back to Florida after a visit to Minnesota. We saved over $1,000 to fly back to a  different airport and rent a car for the one-way drive to the other airport.

8. Avoid Eating In Fancy Restaurants

​It’s a sacrifice you have to make if you’re trying to plan a trip to Florida on a budget. Ready-made food in restaurants is great, but can get expensive.

​Instead, plan to visit a grocery store and make simple meals like sandwiches.  If you do want to eat out, you could allow yourselves to eat one meal out per day.

9. Attend Ranger-led Programs in State Parks

​Ranger-led programs are fun for both adults and kids and held at most National and State Parks. They’re also free and educational!

You can attend these programs at only the cost of entrance to a Florida State Park .  

We loved attending the Junior Ranger program at Oscar Schear State Park on the Gulf Coast, as well as a ranger program at John Pennekamp State Park in the Keys.

And if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, visit Everglades National Park, although there’s an entrance fee, but it’s worth it!

​10. Plan a visit to free tourist destinations

​Attend a drum circle as the sunsets on Venice beach in Florida or go to Central Florida Zoo. Or visit the Key West Garden Club if you’re in the Keys. Have a picnic at a playground if you have young kids or use your Science Museum annual pass from home (if you have one) to get into the Science Museum across Florida for free.

​There are many ways to enjoy a vacation even if you’re on a budget. The goal for many of us is to create memories that will last a lifetime. Those don’t always have to involve doing all the expensive things.

​There are things you can enjoy without even paying for it, like beaches, sightseeing at Disney Spring, visiting playgrounds and town squares.

Sometimes, you just have to really miss out on those expensive theme parks and that’s totally okay. There are other fun things to do in Florida and great cities to visit like one of our favorites St. Augustine, Florida.

Just be meticulous in your planning and your Florida trip will be a blast!

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How to plan your dream vacation

Sometimes you crave a vacation — but actually taking one feels out of reach. Maybe you're struggling to find the time or save up the money. Or maybe you just can't seem to launch those plans out of the group chat. Overcome that planning inertia and take the big trip of your dreams. Here's where to start your search, organize your logistics and enjoy yourself.

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• Travel insurance plans

Tin Leg Travel Insurance Cost

Compare tin leg travel insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

Tin Leg Travel Insurance: An In-Depth Review

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Before finalizing your travel plans, look into various insurance policies to safeguard yourself against potential risks. Travel insurance is an invaluable resource that can protect you from many unforeseen issues, but not all companies provide the same level of coverage. And some companies' policies may cost more than others.

That's where Tin Leg Travel Insurance comes in. Created by travel agency Squaremouth, Tin Leg Travel Insurance offers eight different plans with varying coverage levels and benefits, with the option to add Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to select plans. Keep reading to see if Tin Leg Travel Insurance is the right travel insurance for you.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Overview of Tin Leg Travel Insurance

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a travel insurance provider founded in 2014 by travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth. With eight different plans, Tin Leg Travel Insurance is one of the providers listed in our guide on the best travel insurance companies , specifically for travelers with pre-existing conditions. We chose Tin Leg Travel Insurance because seven of its eight plans offer pre-existing condition waivers, with a 15-day purchase window and no extra cost.

That said, Tin Leg Travel Insurance has other coverages that are noteworthy. Its coverage limits for emergency evacuation go up to $1 million, which is great particularly if you have nautical travel plans as water-to-land rescues can be costly.

Additionally, sports equipment loss is included with seven of Tin Leg Travel Insurance's eight plans. However, you will need to call for more information on adventure sports, as Tin Leg Travel Insurance doesn't guarantee coverage.

Tin Leg's Travel Insurance Plans

Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans: Economy, Basic, Standard, Luxury, Adventure, Silver, Platinum, and Gold. Each plan offers varying levels of protection that correspond to the premium costs.

Here's a look at what you'll get with each plan. We've split the eight plans into two tables to make things easier to follow.

Here's how the Adventure, Silver, Platinu, and Gold plans compare:

Additional Coverage Options

Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offers additional coverage options, but they're only available on specific plans.

You can add rental car damage coverage to the Luxury plan for an additional fee. And both the Gold and Silver plans allow you to add on CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage . With CFAR coverage travel insurance, you can cancel for any reason not listed in the base policy and be reimbursed — in the case of Tin Leg Travel Insurance, for 75% of your trip costs.

How to Purchase and Manage Your Tin Leg Policy

Travel insurance coverage varies greatly, and  the amount you pay reflects the range of protection . However, since travel insurance protects your financial investment, it's typically worth spending a few extra dollars for higher coverage maximums, especially for medical insurance and evacuation expenses.

Getting a quote from Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance is an easy process. You can do so from their website or an insurance aggregator like SquareMouth. You should be prepared to provide the following information:

• Number of travelers
• Age of traveler(s)
• Duration of trip
• Whether you want trip cancellation coverage
• Date of booking
• If you have any trip payments left to make
• One country you're traveling to
• Country of residence/citizenship

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate Tin Leg Travel Insurance's coverage costs.

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance quotes:

Premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 1.8% and 3.9% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance . It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

Tin Leg Travel Insurance provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

Once again, premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 3.4% and 5.2%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Tin Leg Travel Insurance quotes:

Premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 6.9% and 9.4%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to File a Claim with Tin Leg Travel Insurance

One exceptionally nice aspect of Tin Leg Travel Insurance is that you can report a claim online or over the phone. You can contact Tin Leg Travel Insurance's claims department at 844-240-1233 or by email at [email protected] . It's available on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

You'll be asked to fill out a claims form that asks about your trip details and the issue you faced. Tin Leg Travel Insurance will then ask you to file supporting documents related to your claim. If you're filing a claim because you canceled a flight due to an illness, they'll likely require medical documentation that supports this claim. 

Tin Leg Customer Service and Support Experience

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is well reviewed, receiving an average of 4.6 stars out of five on SquareMouth across nearly 3,800 reviews. Reviews on its Better Business Bureau are consistent with its SquareMouth score, also averaging 4.6 stars across over 110 reviews, admittedly a limited sample size. Additionally, Tin Leg Travel Insurance is not certified with the BBB.

While most customers reported a smooth and speedy claims service, some noted that communication from Tin Leg Travel Insurance during the process can be spotty. Additionally, customers complained about their claims being denied due to requirements they were unaware of when purchasing coverage. One customer wrote about how they had to cancel a trip because of work, but hadn't been working at their company long enough to qualify for trip cancellation coverage.

See how Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance stacks up against the competition. 

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard

To compare Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance to Travel Guard , we'll consider the coverage limits from their highest-rated, Gold and Travel Guard Deluxe plans, respectively.

With AIG Travel Guard's Deluxe plan, you'll get:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
• Emergency medical coverage of $100,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $2,500
• Travel delay coverage of up to $1,000

Comparing those coverages with Tin Leg Travel Insurance's Gold plan, you'll see that AIG's coverages are better than Tin Leg Travel Insurance's in all areas except one – emergency medical. While AIG offers emergency medical coverage of $100,000, Tin Leg Travel Insurance's coverage limit is $500,000 (in primary coverage).

If the medical coverage piece is what's most important to you, Tin Leg Travel Insurance would be the right choice in this scenario. That said, having $100,000 in emergency medical coverage is nothing to scoff at, so it may come down to comparing premium costs.

Remember that the premium costs will depend on the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll need to compare these two insurers using your trip-specific information to get a solid idea of the costs associated with each plan.

Read our AIG Travel Guard insurance review here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Both Allianz Travel Insurance and Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed for different types of travelers with varying types and degrees of coverage.

In this comparison, we'll look at Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip plan, the OneTrip Prime plan, compared to Tin Leg Travel Insurance's Basic plan.

With Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip OneTrip Prime plan, you'll get:

• Up to $100,000 in trip cancellation coverage
• Up to $150,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage
• Up to $800 in travel delay coverage

In looking at Tin Leg Travel Insurance's basic plan, you'll find that these two policies offer the same $50,000 coverage limit for emergency medical. Still, Allianz Travel Insurance's plan exceeds Tin Leg Travel Insurance's in the other coverage limits. That said, you'll have to quote both of these policies using your personal trip information to make an informed decision, especially if cost is the most important factor to you.

Read our  Allianz travel insurance review here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Do you have a travel credit card? If so, consider the type of insurance coverage it may (or may not) offer. Some basic coverages, like primary rental car insurance, are provided through your credit card's travel protection . And if you don't need medical coverage or don't have a lot of non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage offered by your credit card could suffice.

That said, don't forget that credit card coverage is sometimes considered secondary coverage. That means you'll have to file a claim with any other applicable insurer before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance FAQs

All policies except Economy cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of trip deposit.

You have 14 days after you purchase your policy to refund your Tin Leg Travel Insurance policy, as long as you haven't left for your trip. 

All Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance policies include 24/7 emergency assistance services.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance claims can be submitted online or over the phone at 844-240-1233 during business hours. You'll need to provide details about your trip and the problem that arose during your trip. The claims process is quick, according to customer reviews, but be sure to review your policy for guideline related to claims. 

Yes, all tiers of Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offer cancellation coverage if you or a non-traveling loved one contracts COVID-19, though you will need to provide a positive test to receive reimbursement. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Tin Leg

To review Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance, we looked at several different factors. These included premium costs, coverage categories, and claim limits. In addition, we compared the policies and premiums available through Tin Leg Travel Insurance to those from the best travel insurance providers to see how they stack up — and also considered any additional add-on coverages available and the ease of getting a quote and filing a claim.

In the end, the best policy for you will be the one that provides the coverage you need and limits you're comfortable with while also staying within budget.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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