how to travel world cheaply

How To Travel The World Cheap: 57 Epic Budget Travel Hacks for 2024!

There are lots of practices you can adopt in order to travel the world cheap . The most effective ways are to take advantage of Airmiles, exchange work for free food and accommodation, have a well researched travel plan and to be savvy with bank cards and money exchanges.

Since 2008 I’ve travelled all over the world on a fairly tight budget, often working as I go. In this guide I want to share 57 cheap travel hacks that I’ve picked up which will have you exploring the globe for less.

So, let’s get straight into it!

Dreaming of travel is easy once you know the top travel hacks

Transportation Travel Tips & Hacks

1. Flight booking hacks. One of the biggest initial costs when travelling is your flight ticket. So in order to travel cheap, use flight comparisons sites such as Kiwi . You may find booking directly through the airline is cheaper but always use a price comparison engine to check before you book.

Pro Tip : Make sure to clear your cookies and browsing history to avoid price increases. By searching for flights you are signalling to the world that you are looking to buy, so prices will then increase daily in order to get you to panic buy. Delete cookies or browse in incognito mode to avoid this. @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter&family=Inter:wght@500&family=Noto+Serif&family=Noto+Serif:wght@500&display=swap'); .tp_wrapper { font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif; /* the font, can be replaced with 'Noto Serif' */ max-width: 1024px; } .tp_content { background-color: #DEE9F0; /* main block background color */ padding: 24px 32px 32px; } .tp_subtitle { margin: 0 0 16px; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 500; } .tp_text { font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 145%; margin: 0; } .tp_button { display: inline-block; background: #2A243B; border-radius: 6px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; color: #fff; font-size: 20px; margin-top: 24px; padding: 12px 32px; text-decoration: none; }

2. Try changing the home location of flight booking websites to see if purchasing in another currency is cheaper.

3. One of the cheapest ways to travel is through offering to get bumped off a flight in exchange for a flight voucher. These can be seriously rewarding! Companies will regularly overbook flights on the assumption that people will cancel or not show up. On those times when this doesn’t happen the airlines need to free up seats quick, and that’s where you step in!

4. For short trips choose carry on only or if you need to check baggage, pay for it online before you travel. Airlines will often charge more at the airport.

5. Save on rail travel costs by using railcards. I saved a ton through using the Japan Rail Pass during one visit, however they only save money if you use them to the full so do the research first. Also consider using overnight trains to save on accommodation costs. This works great in some countries such as India and is an awesome local experience too.

6. If you feel comfortable, consider hitchhiking. Alternatively, connect with other travellers at your hostel to carpool.

7. If you have a flexible plan, investigate relocating vehicles to get free or discounted car hire.

Consider renting a car with Rentalcars , an international car rental booking service that is present all over the world. With Rentalcars you will definitely find a perfect car for your perfect trip wherever you are.

8. When travelling for long periods save money through walking or using buses, instead of using expensive taxis. Use ride sharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, Cabify and Grab. Uber opened the door for cheap car journeys but now there are lots of different companies operating all over the world. Research which ones are best for the areas you’re traveling too and download the app before you go.

9. One of the biggest ways to traveling on the cheap by far, is to use an Airmiles credit card. Every time you spend money with that credit card you will be earning Airmile points which can be exchanged for flights. Just remember to always pay off your credit card every month to avoid high interest fees.

10. Create frequent flyer accounts with every airline you travel with then sit back and enjoy the rewards.

11. A top sneaky travel hack is to jump on airline price errors. Sometimes airfares can pop up at crazy low prices, often caused by a glitch in the Matrix (or something!). If you manage to purchase one of these flights the airline will often honour the incorrect price. Act fast and take advantage of these opportunities by following these ninja websites:

Secret flying.com
Jacks Flight Club (UK) or Scott’s Cheap Flights (US)
The Flight Deal

12. Pack light and smart to avoid excess baggage fees. Roll your clothes or use packing cubes to save on space.

13. Take advantage of layovers to enjoy a quick city visit without any extra flight costs.

14. Try booking two one-way trips rather than a return. I’ve had success with this on flights and rail trips.

15. Keep receipts for gift purchases and claim back the tax at the airport before you leave the country.

16. Travel by campervan. If you’re looking to explore your own country (or continent), consider buying a campervan to combine your method of transportation with your accommodation. My campervan has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made and I can highly recommend it. For all the latest info on converting your own campervan check out my van life section .

Accommodation Travel Hacks

17. Get cheap or free accommodation through housesitting . With housesitting you will generally look after the persons house whilst they are away. Many housesitting jobs often include pet sitting.

18. Get free accommodation and learn all about life from a local through couch surfing .

19. Pick accommodation with free breakfast to save on food costs.

20. Choose private hostel rooms instead of more expensive hotels.

🏨 Where can I find the cheapest hostels?

You will definitely find the hostel you need with Hostelworld , the global hostel-focused online booking platform, inspires passionate travelers to see the world, meet new people, and come back with extraordinary stories to tell.

21. Use booking.com ‘s price matching promise to get the best price on hotels.

22. Travelling on a special occasion? Be sure to let your hotel know and they might offer you a free upgrade.

Work Abroad

23. Exchange work for accommodation and/or food with companies such as Workaway or World packers. Or, if you want to learn about organic growing, check out WWOOF .

24. Earn a passive income to support yourself whilst travelling. There are so many ways to get a side hustle going these days but some examples include;

Selling your photos on stock photography websites such as Dreamstime or Shutterstock.
Starting a website. Make sure you use a fast and reliable host. For my websites I use Siteground .
Selling your photos directly with a website that does it all for you. I use Smugmug .
Teaching English online.

25. Join a voluntary programme abroad for example VSO. Many volunteer programmes charge a fee and in return they will provide accommodation, food and training. There are volunteer programmes all over the world in all sorts of different professions. For example, I joined the American Conservation Experience as I was interested in conservation and wanted to explore the South West . Here are some other ideas to explore .

26. Work in a travel job, for example as a tour guide with Contiki, Exodus or Backroads. For adventure travel consider life as an Overland Leader. I’ve worked as an overland leader for severn years and have travelled extensively through Asia, Africa and the Americas. Read more about this job here . If you have a particular trade you can also work on cruise ships or private yachts.

27. Work abroad with a work visa. Below the age of 30 work visas for many countries are quite straight forward to get. Whilst in that country you can then pick up temporary work which is usually unskilled, such as fruit picking, retail or a bar work.

After a certain age, usually 30, some countries will still allow you to work but will require work visas for specific professions, for example as a ski instructor or scuba dive instructor.

Alternatively you could get your TEFL certificate and teach English abroad. This can also be done remotely, online.

28. Do your job online. Can your work be done remotely? Post Covid it seems like more companies are exploring this as a full time option so this could open new avenues for many. If you have a service that can be provided online you could also offer your services on Craigslist or Fivrr.

Planning your trip is one way to travel cheap

Destination Tips For Budget Travel

29. A cheap way to travel is to visit destinations where your home currency is strong. You’ll benefit from a strong exchange rate and from cheaper costs of living.

30. Whilst you’re on a tight budget, skip destinations with expensive visas.

31. Stick to one region at a time to avoid air travel costs. When I first went travelling I booked a round the world air ticket thinking I could see the world in 6 months. Boy did I have a lot to learn! Pick one region to fully explore first before moving onto the next. Don’t do what I did and be in a hurry to see everything all at once.

32. Travel during the shoulder season to benefit from lower costs and avoid the crowds at the same time – double win!

Eating out is costly so travel cheap by cooking your own meals

Food Travel Hacks To Save Money

33. Cook your own food. One of the best ways to travel around the world for cheap is to limit the amount you spend of food. Now don’t get me wrong I am a complete foodie and believe one of the best things about travelling is experiencing new types of cuisine. However, eating new types of food doesn’t mean going to the most expensive restaurants, in fact it’s often the opposite. But travelling on a limited budget does mean it’s not possible to eat out everyday since the cheapest way to eat often involves cooking your own food. Therefore choose accommodation with kitchens included such as hostels or rent an apartment.

34. Jump on happy hours and all you can eat deals.

35. Eat out at delicious and cheap street food stalls with the locals.

36. Avoid restaurants near popular tourist spots as these will often be overpriced.

37. Limit your alcohol if you have a limited budget. Alcohol is often expensive and isn’t a necessity.

38. Use a filtered water bottle and never buy water again. Check out this guide to discover which filtered water bottle I recommend for travel .

39. Stealth budget travel hack: Use chewing gum or tic tac containers to transport your favourite spices. Cheap food doesn’t have to be bland!

Planning Tips For How To Travel On The Cheap

40. Set a budget and stick to it. But be sure to include a generous contingency to allow for times when things don’t go to plan or to cover a once in a lifetime opportunity if it arrises.

41. If you are travelling on a tight budget you need to make a plan before you leave. List your priorities before you set off and refer to the list once you’re on the road. That way you won’t get sucked into doing expensive tours that you weren’t interested in anyway. Check out Google Maps Trip Planner for a great free trip planning tool.

42. Research whether activities you want to enjoy are cheaper to book in advance or are best left open and flexible. Last minute trips can sometimes work out cheaper.

43. If you don’t want the hassle of planning a trip use a travel agent. They know what they’re doing and can often find you the best deals.

44. Get smart and savvy with city tourist cards which provide entrance fees for multiple sites. If you know you’re going to visit all the top sites these will definitely save you money overall.

45. Enjoy free city walking tours. I’ve enjoyed great free city tours in Galway and Yerevan to name just two. But of course they’re not completely free – don’t forget to tip!

46. Research entrance prices beforehand to avoid getting scammed. However, just be aware of what the local currency is doing as prices can jump up if a currency weakens.

47. Follow your favourite travel companies on social media to learn about special promotions or giveaways.

Money Top Tips For Traveling Cheap

48. Get smart on money Exchange. Never change money at the airport or at busy tourist spots as these will have the worst rates. Hotels or hostels may also offer exchanges which again typically aren’t the best rates but they are safe and convenient so way up the risks/benefits of both.

49. An easy but important cheap way to travel is to use a travel card or join a bank with no overseas fees. This way you can hit the ATM without getting hit with overseas withdrawal fees. I use Starling Bank which is an online bank. All of my transactions are managed online via an app. Also, if purchasing online, they don’t charge for overseas transactions and have decent exchange rates.

50. Haggle but don’t be a d**k! Some cultures embrace bartering, expect it even, but these local people also have to support themselves so don’t be the person that walks away from a purchase for the sake of a dollar!

51. Use donatefull.com or groupon.com to find best coupons or use wikibuy to apply coupon codes at checkout.

52. A top life hack for travelling is to purchase a Scrubba bag and save on laundry bills. This nifty little bag packs down really small so doesn’t take up any room in your luggage and with just a 3 minute shake, can wash your clothes as good as any washing machine!

53. Keep rechargeable batteries in the fridge or at least in shady places. Rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge if they’re kept cold. Not freezer cold though as this will have the opposite effect.

Phone and Internet

54. Get a local sim card and avoid hefty roaming fees. In some countries these can be a rather involved process but for most it’s quite straight forward. You often need your passport to register the sim card.

55. Use offline maps to save data. I use maps.me for most places when I’m travelling.

56. Consider investing in your own wifi router if you require a good connection. In our campervan we use this super fast Huawei wifi travel hotspot which allows us to connect multiple devices in areas where signal is typically poor.

Travel Insurance

57. Last but by no means least, get yourself some good travel insurance. Travel insurance can be expensive for long trips but you just never know when you might need it. The world of insurance can be a minefield but the guys at SafetyWing do great deals for long term travel through allowing you pay on a month by month basis. I highly recommend checking them out.

Summary On How To Travel The World Cheaply

Travelling around the world cheaply can do be done in many ways but it often requires a good amount of planning in advance. Be prepared for your trip through investigating the best deals, signing up for Airmile credit cards and joining frequent flyer programmes. Consider exchanging work for accommodation and reduce food costs through cooking your own food. Ensure you have the best bank cards to avoid big transaction fees, choose destinations where your currency is strong and use local Sim cards for the best phone and internet deals.

Through incorporating even just a few of these cheap travel tips you’ll be well on your way to exploring further, for longer 🙂

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Louise is an Adventure Tour Guide & Mountain Leader from South Wales. Through working as a tour guide and snowboard instructor, she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

How to Travel the World On a Budget For a Year With Only $10K For Two

If you are secretly thinking about how to travel the world on a budget and find the cheapest way to go places, this post will definitely come in handy! Really, you don’t need to have a lot of money to be able to travel. It is totally possible even if you are on a tight budget.

In fact, I want to show you how to travel the world for cheap when you have only $10K and want to spread it out for as long as possible.

I know, lately, things have been changing fast. At first the pandemic and now the Russian war in my own country influenced inflation and made prices soar.

It became more challenging and more expensive to travel. With only $10K (especially if you have this amount for the entire year), it is now a more difficult task to travel qualitatively than let’s say it was even a couple of years ago. Yet, it is still possible. And I’ll show you how.

There are a lot of tips from different people regarding how much money one should have in order to travel long-term and feel comfortable.

I have personally seen reports with such numbers as $20K and $30K per year and then I met someone who spent around $15K when traveling solo around the world.

Honestly, I don’t think that having $30K for one year of travel is something extraordinary. Even $20,000 is still enough money. If knowing how to spend it smartly, this amount can keep you going for way longer than just 12 months. And yes, even in this time when prices are up.

And now, you don’t need to stay in hostels all the time, camp, or sleep in trains or buses. Also, rice and noodles are not the only dishes you have to eat.

There are still many ways how to travel for cheap, eat delicious and healthy foods , drink coffee , swim in infinity pools, go to spa centers , sleep in castle hotels , and hike trails in stunning places.

Just a couple of years ago Mark and I also traveled the world with little money and managed to spend around $10K a year using all those tips and tricks that I mention below (I accumulated them over a long period of time). If you are interested to know where we went and what we did, you can read this post .

But the goal of this article is to show you that there are ways to travel cheap. To be more exact, there are still ways to travel with $10K a year. And more than that, this amount will cover expenses for two people.

So let’s talk about them below.

General Tips on How to Travel the World on a Budget

1. set a plan on where to go and how much time to spend in one place.

Knowing where to go and how much time to spend in each place will help you understand how much to budget. And once you have that budget you can stick to, you are able to relax and enjoy the process. I don’t think making a step-by-step agenda with precise activities makes much sense.

But if you want to travel the world cheaply and not stress out on the road over things that you could have planned before, then decide for yourself which countries you’ll travel to and in what order.

Also, make an approximate plan of which cities, villages, and attractions you would like to cover and what to skip. Do some research and find out what is the cost of travel in those places. Make a plan for how to move between them. It is very important because last-minute decisions always cost more.

Flights between many countries within the same continent are usually cheap but not if you are waiting until the last day. Some types of transportation (like first-class or sleeper trains, and ferries) sell out quickly. Nice accommodation on a budget is usually also booked in advance.

Do not hope to go with the flow and book everything along the way. Better have a precise idea of where you’ll go and when especially if thinking of travelling on a budget in Europe. Also, don’t plan to visit 50 countries in 12 months. In that way, you’ll end up spending all the money on transportation and getting places instead of experiencing them, not to mention being jet-lagged and tired all the time.

From my experience, I can tell that going without a plan (even an approximate one) can cost a pretty penny later. Mark and I used to travel without an idea where to go and when, and then when trying to make a last-minute decision, prices for everything were so much higher that we had to overpay.

RELATED POST: QUITTING MY JOB TO TRAVEL THE WORLD. IS IT SMART ENOUGH?

2. Do Not Plan Travel More Than 2 Months in Advance

One of my favorite ways to travel cheap is not to plan a trip more than 2 months in advance, often even one month in advance. And the reason for that is that travel planning with too much time ahead of you often means higher prices.

Many airlines, hotels, and tour companies offer discounted prices to fill up their remaining inventory when the date of travel is close. By booking your travel arrangements closer to your departure day, you may be able to find some great deals that weren’t available when you first started planning.

In my experience, the best way to find cheap airline tickets for long distances is within the 3-6 weeks range. So if you want to fly somewhere in 2 months, it is better to start monitoring prices but not buying tickets just yet. Wait and see how better deals are going to pop up as some time passes and you have 4-5 weeks left before the travel date.

Although do not wait for too long as with less than 2 weeks time left before your departure, airfare prices are going to increase again.

The same is with accommodation. Oftentimes owners of many boutique and small heritage hotels decrease prices of rentals during the off-season even if there are still a few weeks of time left before travel.

We booked many trips at the last minute, including a recent trip to Cordoba while moving from Malaga to Tenerife island. And by the way, the trip to Tenerife with flights and accommodation, which we planned 2 weeks before departure, turned out to be quite cheaper than if we had stayed in Malaga during the same duration.

3. Get a Travel Credit Card Before You Leave

If you want to travel smart and cheap, get a travel credit card, preferably one with cash rewards. It will save you money on every purchase.

With a travel card, you don’t need to pay a foreign transaction fee. Also, what we found important is that when you pay in a foreign country with a credit card, the exchange rate set by the bank is always higher than the rate in exchange kiosks. So, in this way, you will be saving money too.

But besides savings, you can earn points on all transactions and later deposit them into the account as cash value and apply towards travel.

More and more places around the world accept credit cards, even small market stalls, so you won’t need to withdraw money on every occasion.

As for the card to choose, see what banks in your country offer. If you are from the US, from my experience I can recommend the Bank of America travel rewards card , Chase Sapphire Preferred , and Capital One Venture (although the last two have a yearly fee).

4. Choose to Travel Slowly to Be Able to Save

By traveling slowly I mean choosing one city in a new country where you’ll base for at least a month. Better if you make a base there for a few months. Especially in this time, with the corona, it provides more security to have a long-term base. In this case, you’ll be able to rent accommodation on a monthly basis, cook at home, get to know how locals live, and travel within that region. All of it will cost you way less than constant travels from one place to another.

Traveling full-time can get really exhausting and also it takes more resources. Traveling slowly helps to remain positive and energetic .

If you look at budget-friendly destinations, you’ll see that renting a nice but pretty basic room costs between $10-$15 a night. If you multiply by 30 days, it will add up to $300 minimum. But honestly, you cannot count on that. In one destination it may cost $10 while in other $20.

On the contrary, in the same destination, the entire apartment costs between $250-$350 a month. It includes a kitchen that in turn helps to cook at home from time to time and save on food.

With slow travel, you do not necessarily see less. You actually get to experience more, just in one country.

We have been living in slow travel for almost 4 years now. During this time we were based in many cities and traveled qualitatively around many countries. If you are curious to learn what are those places (that I believe are fantastic destinations for budget travelers to live while traveling slowly), check my other posts:

15 Countries to Live in Europe With $1000 Per Month For Two
Life in Istanbul, Turkey – What’s It Like? Tips For Foreigners & Digital Nomads
Moving to Turkey – Is Turkey a Good Country?
Life in Tbilisi, Georgia – Will You Enjoy It?
How is Life in Ukraine For a Foreigner – What to Know & Expect
Life in Kuala Lumpur – What to Expect?
Living in Vietnam Under $1000 For Two – Amazing Country For Budget Travelers

5. Travel There Where You Don’t Need a Visa

Most likely, if you are reading this post, you haven’t traveled much yet. Maybe you’ve seen a few places but I bet there are many more left for you to discover. And if I have to guess, you want to go everywhere.

So, my advice to everyone who is on a shoestring budget but wants to travel the world for a year (or more) – try to start with those destinations where you don’t need to pay for a visa or where at least a visa is cheap.

Different passports have different levels of power, I get that. Still, a lot of those passports enable their holders to travel to some destinations visa-free. Check where you need to apply for a visa or where you can just obtain an ETA and calculate how much it will cost.

Visa expenses in total can end up being a few hundreds of dollars. For someone on a tight budget that’s actually a lot of money. So if you are flexible about where to travel to, start with those destinations where crossing the border is free. Or at least where the cost of a visa is cheap.

Mark and I personally use iVisa website to check if we need visas for every country we go to. It is a very helpful resource where all information is updated regularly.

6. Plan to Travel to Prime Destinations During the Off Season

Traveling to expensive destinations during the off-season may seem counterintuitive, but it can actually be a great way to save money while still enjoying all that the destination has to offer.

During the off-season, no matter where you go, prices for flights, accommodation, and activities usually drop. But with expensive destinations that’s not the only benefit.

Oftentimes, many expensive destinations during the low season besides lower prices also offer milder weather that is more comfortable for outdoor activities. For example, in destinations like Hawaii or the Caribbean, the off-season means lower humidity and fewer storms which is an ideal time to enjoy the beaches or go hiking.

In southern Spain like Andalusia for example, off-season (meaning winter) is a perfect time to escape cold and enjoy winter sun on a budget.

One of the reasons how Mark and I managed to travel all over Spain and even live in one of the northern towns and then live in Malaga was because we mainly traveled there in winter and found cheap accommodation for a long term while it was still cheap.

7. Choose to Travel to Cheap Countries

I am sure you could somehow figure that this one was going to make the list. If you want to make sure your saved money will last you longer, choose to travel to cheaper destinations . Each continent has its own cheap countries. And Southeast Asia is not the only place.

In North America, for instance, Mexico is pretty cheap. Look into Campeche, Merida, Guanajuato, Puerto Escondida, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara if you want to save money. Although it is also very possible to travel to Cancun on a budget together with Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

In Europe, look into the Balkans (all countries in this region are very cheap,) Eastern Europe, and some parts of Spain . We lived in Montenegro and spent the same amount of money there as we did in Bali . Bosnia and Herzegovina was even cheaper.

Ukraine, my home country, is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe for winter and for summer where to live comfortably but with very little money. Let’s just wait for the war to end and you can add Ukraine again to the places where to travel on the cheap. Even Istanbul in Turkey , where we used to live and return often, offers a lot of options for budget travelers.

With Southeast Asia, you need to know where to go because some places can be more pricey than others. Singapore is obviously the most expensive, Taiwan is not that cheap and some parts of Malaysia, the Philippines, Bali can also surprise with prices.

If you haven’t opened my post about the cheapest countries to live in Europe , do it now. I included all the countries where you can live with €1000 per month. Even if there is no plan to live in any of them, it’ll give you an idea of how cheap/expensive they are for travel.

8. Pack Everything You Need Before You Leave

Chances are you won’t be taking a lot of stuff when leaving to travel. Still, pack your bags wisely.

While you are still working and having an income stream, buy everything you may need for your voyage ahead of time. Glasses, sunblocks, a bathing suit, sandals, sneakers, towels, medicine, and even a hair muss if you need one. Do not plan to buy those necessities later. In a new country, you may not know right away where the best places to shop are or the same items can be more expensive.

Plus additionally, if you don’t pack all you need, it will mean you’ll buy it ina new destination in this way adding more weight to your bags. And extra luggage nowadays is quite expensive.

Many airlines charge additional fees for checked luggage or overweight bags. By packing everything you need in a carry-on bag, you can avoid these fees and save money.

However, it is not really about money only. Running around in a new place may steal your time.

9. Change Your Habits to Save More Money

If you want to travel the world on a budget, you need to make some changes to your lifestyle.

We all have our own habits and small things that make us happy. For me, some of those things I love are a bowl of smoothie almost every single day, something sweet, and jogging. For Mark, that’s always a cup of coffee, workout, and beer. When we were living in America, we paid for all those things around $200 each month.

When we started to travel, we realized that we couldn’t have smoothies all the time (this type of food is pretty expensive everywhere in cafes), buy coffee on a daily basis (which our bodies don’t need anyway) and we couldn’t pay for a gym. So we made a lot of changes. No, we didn’t quit them but we changed the routine.

Instead of paying for a gym, we always follow home workouts, jog, and exercise outside when the weather is warm. For example, now while living in Istanbul , we are renting an apartment near the park and seaside. The only time we paid for a gym was during our long stay in Ukraine .

For smoothies and coffee, we decided to purchase a portable coffee maker and a compact travel blender that we pack in our suitcases for many trips.

While I will never try to tell anyone to stop exercising and eating healthy, I will definitely encourage you to realize where you are overspending. Most likely you are spending more on long-held habits. Are you a smoker? Drinker? Coffee, fast food, soda addict? All of this will be taking a good chunk of money out of your monthly budget.

If you want to learn cheap ways to travel, cut your spending, and quit bad habits because they may be costing you more than anything else.

10. Go Only There, Where Flights Are Cheap

Another thing that will help to travel the world for a year on a budget is to plan to go to those destinations where flights are cheap. I like to use an ‘Explore’ option with google to see which connections the city of interest has and which of them are the cheapest.

There are a lot of countries that interest me and where I want to go. But when picking the next base for us with Mark, I always search for tickets first. The cheapest and most convenient flight always wins.

Before planning your itinerary, first of all, learn how to find cheap deals . Make a list of countries you want to visit and then start looking at which country is cheaper to fly to. Sometimes distance doesn’t matter. You may find a better deal to fly from the U.S. to Europe than to Costa Rica or even Mexico.

A few years ago, while being in Ukraine , we found the cheapest ticket to Chiang Mai and this is why we ended up there. But on the way, we had a fantastic 24 hours long layover in Doha , Qatar which let us visit a new country for cheap.

Play with different airfare search sites (we always compare on Expedia and Google Flights ), use some luxury travel hacks, make sure to check prices from Tuesday to Thursday (especially at night), look for connecting flights, and compare prices.

I recommend buying tickets for at least the first two months of your travels. The rest you can buy along the way.

Practical Tips on How to Travel the World for Cheap

11. find complimentary accommodation.

Complimentary accommodation does not always come as free. Sometimes you may need to do some work in exchange but it is worth it so much.

Getting this type of accommodation is good if you plan to travel to prime destinations such as Western Europe, Scandinavia , Australia, New Zealand, United States , Canada, etc.

With these countries, you can always house-sit , volunteer, camp for free or little money, couchsurf , or work in exchange for food and a place to sleep. Most of these opportunities, especially international housesitting , will cover your room and board and sometimes provide a car.

Before Mark and I left America we spent 3 months traveling from the West Coast of the U.S. through Vancouver and then to Banff National Park and then all the way to Vermont, staying in free accommodation. This is how we ended up paying less than $1500 for all that time. I talk more about what we did and where we stayed in this post on work in exchange for accommodation and food . Give it a read.

But briefly, here are resources to use to find complimentary accommodation:

Housesitting – this website has the biggest number of hosts
Couchsurfing – this is the largest resource with free accommodation
WWOOF & Peace Corps – a big number of community projects while staying with local hosts or in volunteer housing
HomeExchange or Love Home Swap – the most popular websites for swapping your home with someone else’s in another part of the world
BeWelcome – a non-profit hospitality exchange platform that connects travelers with local hosts who are willing to offer free accommodation
Warm Showers – a platform that connects cyclists (if you travel by bike) with hosts who offer free accommodation, shower facilities, and sometimes meals
University Living – great resource for summer travel for students that allows you to find a room for rent in university dorms around the world at a reduced rate. This can be a great option if you’re traveling on a budget and don’t mind sharing a bathroom or living space with other travelers

12. Or Choose to Stay With Locals

Another option for cheap accommodation is to stay with locals. Besides the money, it also provides an excellent opportunity to immerse in a new culture, get to know how people in that country live and experience something different than a hostel or even Airbnb.

Our favorite websites for short and long-term stays with locals are:

– Homestay – rent a room in someone’s home and let the host help you learn about local life

– Servas – a hospitality exchange network, similar to Couchsurfing but with a mandatory yearly fee and stricter sign-up. It helps to connect travelers with local hosts who are willing to provide free accommodation in exchange for cultural exchange and friendship.

– HelpX – one of my favorite platforms that connects B&Bs, farms, hostels, homeowners with volunteers. With the help of this site, you can do all types of jobs in exchange for free housing and food. From volunteering in a hostel to helping to look after a luxury home, this site has it all!

– Agoda – this website has quite a few pretty awesome guest houses in Asia.

– Trustroots – another website similar to Couchsurfing. But here, you are able to find a host based on the same interests as you have.

13. Also… Stay in Monasteries

We accidentally learned about this option on our road trip from Bucharest to Brasov . And we almost stayed overnight in a beautiful Caraiman Monastery , perched on a hill overlooking the mountains.

While walking on its beautiful grounds, we noticed a message on a door saying that there were rooms available for rent. The price per night was less than €10.

Later, I decided to do some research and found out quite a few monasteries around the world where both male and female travelers can stay. That’s an amazing opportunity to save money on accommodation and experience something truly unique!

For a long time, religious institutions have been receiving pilgrims. And this opportunity stayed with us to this day. However, don’t expect much. Usually, monasteries offer overnight stays with very ascetic conditions – only a bed, a table, and very simple dinners. You may also need to visit a religious service.

But, stays are very quiet and peaceful and you need to be in bed by a certain time. So, it won’t work to get there late at night from the nearest bar.

Some monasteries have a fixed rate per night, like hotels, but others will be grateful for a symbolic charity contribution. To find out more details, see this article .

To find a monastery or temple for the night, check these sites:

– Monasterystays – monastery stays in Italy, Austria, and Slovenia

– Goodnightandgodbless – mainly monastery and church stays in Europe

– Templestays – stays in Korea

14. Look for New Apartments on Airbnb

Honestly, I am not a big fan of Airbnb anymore. I used to be in the past when it has just come to the market and was relatively new to everyone. But after a while, after traveling for a bit and staying in various Airbnbs on three continents Mark and I noticed how much Airbnb changed for the worse. Lately, we started to use VRBO in those destinations where it is available.

Through Airbnb, many times we paid a lot of money for a place that was dirty and not the same as in pictures, some owners didn’t seem to try hard to provide the best service, sometimes Airbnb team didn’t care, other times we had issues with the apartment and nothing was done to fix it. Overall, we started to notice one pattern – prices for apartments are constantly unreasonably increasing but the level of service and quality gradually goes down.

Another thing that caught our eye is the fact that many Airbnbs are owned by real estate agencies, not locals as Airbnb promotes. And in turn, it creates a totally different experience.

So, our trust got undermined. Still, I recommend this concept in a few cases. One of them is when you travel long-term and need an apartment for a minimum of 28 days. To save money, when we book a flat for that much time (or more) we always go with new apartments only .

The reason for that is an additional discount from Airbnb. Usually, when the owner signs up and is willing to rent out his home, Airbnb always suggests giving a discount to the first 3 people who book his property. Besides a regular long-stay discount, they are supposed to provide an extra one. Many times this discount is between 30% and 50%.

If you look at some destinations, you will be surprised to find some amazing deals. For instance, when we were recently looking for homes in Norway , the average price was around $2000-$3000 per month but a new apartment that recently popped up on Airbnb cost around $800 in a good location in the Tromso area.

So if you are on a very tight budget but want to travel the world for cheap, always look for new airbnbs and book one as soon as you like it.

15. Look For Farm Stays

Would you like another hack on how to travel the world on a low budget? Then choose to live on a farm.

No, I am not talking about WWOOFing or workaway .

I mean a farm stay without a need to work. There are quite a few farms in some countries that offer accommodation. You can stay on a farm you like, learn how it works (for example, see how the cow is milked), and enjoy outdoor activities.

The conditions of such a stay vary. It can be an ordinary tent or a luxuriously furnished apartment. Of course, the luxury cottage for a budget traveler will cost a lot. But, there are also cheaper options.

On average though, a modestly furnished room with amenities on a farm will cost around the same as a budget hotel in the same country.

You can find farm stays to save money on the following sites:

– Farmstay – farm stays in England, Scotland, and Ireland

– Downunderfarmstays – farms in Australia

– Traveletti – farms in Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Greece, Portugal, France, Spain, and Italy to help you travel Europe on a budget. Their service is unavailable at this time due to covid but keep it in mind for the future.

– Farmstayus – farm stays for budget travel in the USA

– Farmstaycampingaustralia – stays in Australia

16. Or Look For a Home On Spot in a New Country

If you plan to stay in one place for as minimum as a month and haven’t found anything decent and affordable on Airbnb yet, do not panic. I recommend booking accommodation for the first 3-4 nights and once you get to your destination, start looking around among locals. Or, join local Facebook groups.

We always follow this strategy and always have success in finding something. This is how we found lovely and rather cheap apartments in Vietnam, in Thailand, and in Bali . In Montenegro and Turkey, we found beautiful flats through the Facebook group.

So do not worry if the choice of flats online is not ample. In many countries, you’ll find it quickly enough.

17. Rent a Car If Traveling in Europe

how to travel the world for ten thousand a year-1

Yes, exactly, if you are wondering how to travel in Europe on a low budget, rent a car. It is a smart move that is going to help you save money and see more. And I’ll explain how.

If you start searching for deals and try to book in advance, you can rent a car for as little as $20-$25 per week (sometimes per month!) There are endless offers from various rental companies that offer fantastic deals in different parts of the European continent.

We rented a car in Valencia for $28 for 10 days in late November, in Bucharest (Romania) for $25 for the entire month (which we canceled due to a change of plans,) and later we paid $85 per month, $45 per week in Sarajevo , $30 for 2 weeks in Milan and more.

Renting a car in Tbilisi and Montenegro was way more expensive but for the most part, renting a car in Europe was pretty cheap. Recently we rented a car in Turkey for as little as $8 per day.

If traveling solo , hiring a car may actually cost you more but for two people it is a perfect opportunity to save money on transportation. Buses and trains are not that cheap as companies try to promote and you may end up spending more for two people on one round trip between cities than on a car rental and gas for the entire week (which also allows you to be flexible.)

With this strategy though, you have to visit Europe during the offseason and also target to visit cheaper destinations. During the high tourist season, prices are so high, that you will end up spending much, much more.

18. Eat/Drink/Shop Smartly

Food costs always come second after accommodation costs and can take a lot out of your budget. To be able to travel the world not spending much, try to cook at home more, especially if you are traveling in Western World countries.

Eating out in Southeast Asia , surprisingly, is cheaper than when you cook at home, but only if you choose street food. Trips to restaurants and cafes add up and can cost a fortune. South America and Eastern Europe are very affordable in this sense too.

We always cook when we travel. Our daily food expense until this day in the year 2024 is between $15-$20, depending on the destination. This cost always covers meat or fish products, lots of veggies, fruits, smoothies, coffee, tea, and occasional eating out and desserts. There is never a moment when we say “no” to ourselves when it comes to food, and we always eat local food.

I honestly don’t understand how some people manage to eat only rice or vegetables in order to cut costs. Doing it they lose so much. Trying local foods is part of the experience, please, spend some money on local food. Also, you need to stay healthy and watch your diet by eating healthy whole foods. There is no way for your body to be healthy if consuming rice or vegetables only.

Another note is about alcohol and coffee. You would need to cut on those to save money too.

19. Be Selective When It Comes to Attractions And Entertainment

I know, when you travel you want to have fun and do as many activities as you physically can. But don’t be in a hurry. Price for those attractions matters.

Physically you can’t do everything anyway, but choosing one activity over another does not mean you don’t get to know the country. Each destination has plenty of free or cheap things to do, so there is a lot to choose from. Avoid attractions oriented solely on tourists, even in poor countries they cost a fortune. Choose those activities that locals choose for themselves too.

For certain destinations, like Cambodia , for instance, you still want to budget money to be able to do some sightseeing. Angkor Wat entrance ticket for 3 days costs $62, but it is well worth it.

Visiting ancient Pergamon in Turkey was also worth every penny, like many other sites we went to. Yet, every country has also hundreds of activities or places that don’t cost any money. Take advantage of that and have a fabulous time!

Traveling the world for 10 thousand dollars a year is not a difficult task to do if you carefully plan your trip. I do advise though to put aside at least an extra $$$, just in case if there is a day when you need it. If you can have more, it’s even better. Having “emergency money” always makes you feel more confident even if you don’t make use of it.

Learn how to travel the world on a budget for a year if you have only $10K! It is easy! #budgettravel #fulltimetravel

Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. She is working online and that’s why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely.

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18 Comments

Oh, I love such articles! We spent way more during our yearlong honeymoon even though we still stayed within “bacpacker’s budget” – but I’m always thrilled to see how little money you actually need to see the world! 🙂 And about slow travel – yep, it’s actually the best, we realized that as well. You may “see” less, but you surely experience more!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Sandra!

Thanks so much for the helpful information. Dying for this to be over so we can get our location-independent selves out there. All the best.

So true! Hopefully this madness will be over soon! Stay safe wherever you are, Sharon!

Wow, so many tips! This is so encouraging because the financial aspect is probably what keeps most of us from traveling the world.

Such a great inspirational post! We are actually on our job-free year and were travelling around quite a lot. Since we´re stuck back home but still wish to continue our trips once the borders reopen this tips will come in very useful! We´ll have to definitely cut down our budget, happy to see it is actually possible 🙂

I am glad to hear Katja you find this post helpful!

Thank you for sharing such amazing tips with us, as I am about to visit Iceland soon so these tips will be sure of great help to me as well to all others who would be traveling along with me as I am sharing this amazing post with them as well.

Some of the tips are really technical and makes good sense to count these things before any trip plan like credit cards, deals info and especially visa free destinations. Both of them sounds good. However nice tips to keep in mind.Thank you!

I am glad to hear, Majid, you found them helpful!

I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon such an informative and interesting article. I am in the midst of what some might call a spontaneous adventure; planning my first euro trip and I couldn’t be more nervously excited about it. I’m traveling solo, and I’m curious about how long it took you and your husband to plan your trip? Thanks again you’ve already been so helpful.

Hi Samuel, thank you for your lovely comment, I am glad to hear this post came in handy! To be honest, it didn’t take a lot of time for us to plan our trip. I think it was around 4 months. We made a decision in February and then in the end of May we hit the road. Maybe the reason for that was a fact that we didn’t really own much. It was easy to let things go and leave.

The most time consuming thing was to give my car back to the bank. Mark sold his car quickly but my car depreciated a lot, so I decided to give it back to the bank. And that took around two weeks of my time. Other than that, everything else was pretty easy, probably because we were not tied to one place in a long-term.

This is a wonderful guide! Thanks for sharing all the resources and great tips for budget travelling. At 15, I think you confused Bratislava with Bucharest, as you wrote Romania next to it. I’m sure it was completely unintentional and that’s ok. I’m Romanian and it caught my eye.

Omg, I really did! Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Iulia, I don’t know what I have been thinking about 🙂

I’ve always liked traveling, the idea of seeing the world fascinated me, but I’ve never been able to make a very long trip, it’s always a few days never more q 1 week, but with these methods I’ll be able to enjoy my travels much more and go further away thank you so much.

My pleasure and I am very glad to hear you found this post helpful!

Loved your article. Nicely done and written. This post will be very helpful to your readers

It’s true that the biggest expense is actual traveling, by staying longer in location and getting familiar with surrounding will save you a lot of money (and time) 🙂

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How to travel for cheap? 8 ways to see the world with less money

In this article I'll share the best tips on how to travel for cheap, based on my knowledge as a solo traveller around the world.

Lauren Worldpackers Community

Sep 18, 2023

Are you wondering how to travel for cheap? Whilst travelling the globe can seem incredibly expensive, it doesn't always have to be. There are many alternatives to save a lot of money on the road.

Travel used to be something far out of reach for many, but these days people are able to go far and wide without spending much. We now have smarter transport, more choice of accommodation and more knowledge on how to travel for cheap.

Whether it's a city break, staycation , or backpacking your way across the globe, there are many ways in which you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime on a low budget. In this article, I'll give the best tips I learned from my own experience and from talking to other travelers.

How to travel for cheap? 8 tips to help you to save money

Before we start, the number one tip is to be realistic about your trip. You may want an all-inclusive luxury holiday to the Maldives, but if your bank account says otherwise, it's best to listen.

Make sure to have a rough budget and stick to it - that way you can enjoy yourself without worrying about the expenses.

With that said, here are 8 top tips on how you can travel the world for cheap:

Pick the right destination to make the best with your budget
Do your research to find the lowest airfare
Curb your meals expenses by cooking in your trip
Live it up with some free events
Pack light with a minimalist packing list
Do volunteer work exchange with Worldpackers
Seek out discounts to travel cheaper
Use your skills to make money travelling

1. Pick the right destination to make the best with your budget

As mentioned before, it's good to be realistic about your trip and what you can afford. If you're on a tight budget, travelling to one (or some) of the cheapest countries to visit will make your life much easier.

To start, the best thing to do is create a budget plan . When choosing your location, research the average costs of transport, accommodation, food and other expenses like the experiences you want to have when you're out there.

Take Europe for example - the North is typically very expensive with Nordic countries like Iceland and Denmark but Eastern Europe is the complete opposite. And if you want to save even more, especially on longer trips, consider going to Southeast Asia or Latin America , where most countries' cost of living and currencies make it easier to travel for cheap.

There are plenty of beautiful, fun and cheap places to travel around the world. Want some ideas? Read our articles on The best places to travel on a budget and The cheapest vacation destinations.

But if your absolute desire is to go to an expensive country, though, the following tips can help you reduce costs on your trip.

2. Do your research to find the lowest airfare

One of the most expensive parts of travelling, especially abroad, is the transport. If you're going somewhere far, you're likely to be flying there.

A great hack to travel smarter is to search for flights on incognito mode on your web browser. And if you can have some flexibility on your travel dates, you're much more likely to find cheap flights.

One of the best things to do if you want to travel for cheap is book flights outside school holidays, that way you won't pay the higher prices. And some airlines offer cheaper flights on Tuesdays, for instance.

Depending on where you're going, you might also consider taking a bus or a train to your destination, even if it's a longer journey. Not only it might be cheaper, but it's also more sustainable.

And if you're flying, it's also good to check out the prices for a city or country near your destination - maybe it's worth it taking another means of transportation from there.

Find out more amazing tips reading our article on how to find cheap airfare.

3. Curb your meals expenses by cooking in your trip

cooking your own meals is a great way to travel for cheap

Sure, wining and dining out is great but you don't need to do it every meal. One of the fundamntals of travel for cheap is deciding what you really need and what you can live without.

My tip is to pick a few places you're desperate to try out and make a budget for them. The rest of the time, you can cook your own meals. With that in mind, I suggest you stay in accommodation with a kitchen , like a hostel or apartment.

If you don't have access to a kitchen, you can still buy produce from a local supermarket and make your own breakfasts and snacks. As for dinner, if you want something hot then fast food places are a good shout and they don't always have to be unhealthy.

It's also good to look for local restaurants with cheap lunch menus, or street food stalls that allow you to explore local flavours for cheap.

Top tip: Help reduce food waste and save money with apps like Too Good To Go where you can get the end of day food that's been highly discounted. Also, many supermarkets reduce their food at the end of the day too. Always worth looking out for.

4. Live it up with free events

Experiencing a country is best done when you immerse yourself in the culture, explore your surroundings and get to know the locals. You may be tempted to do some of those pricey tours, but they aren't usually as authentic.

In most cities, there are plenty of free walking or bike tours, which is a fantastic way of sightseeing whilst making friends. If you're travelling solo then events like these are one of the best ways to create some great memories and life-long friends.

Some hostels may offer free experiences like cooking classes, tours and pub crawls . And if you talk to locals and do you research, you'll probably find out about days when museums have free entrance, or attractions that aren't made for tourists like parks and street markets.

There's plenty of free stuff out there, in most parts of the world. You just have to look for it!

5. Pack light with a minimalist packing list

If you're prone to taking two huge suitcases on a weekend away, you might want to rethink your packing style.

There are exceptions for items like medication if you have a medical condition or work equipment if you're a digital nomad. However, if you're just packing a years' worth of clothes into a suitcase to keep up with fashion trends , then it's time to become a bit more ruthless.

Many airlines allow you to take one or two free bags for hand luggage and then charge for check-in bags. Travelling light is also a way to travel for cheap because it makes it easier to use public transportation and walk, instead of spending money on taxis and such.

Do a minimalist packing list and you'll realise how much more practical your trips will be.

6. Do volunteer work exchange with Worldpackers

Volunteering while travelling is a great way to learn about different cultures, practice or develop different skills and make new friends. You'll come back home with great memories and it's also a great hack for those who wonder how to travel for cheap, since you'll save a lot of money on accommodation and other expenses.

You can find volunteering positions at Worldpackers , a work exchange platform that connects travelers to hosts from all around the world that offer free stay and other benefits, like meals and tours, in exchange for a few hours of help.

There are hundreds of different opportunities and there will definitely be a perfect position for you. Here's some examples:

If you like animals and eco projects you can volunteer on a farm , ecovillage or permaculture project .
If you're a party person, you can do a work exchange in a hostel and make many friends.
You can also help out at a social impact project , volunteering in a community , school or NGO in amazing places.

volunteering is an amazing way to travel for cheap

Volunteering does mean giving up some of your free time, of course. However, if you choose a good position you'll gain a lot in return for your work. You might be able to learn amazing new things, and connecting with your hosts and other volunteers will make your trip much more memorable.

7. Seek out discounts to travel cheaper

If you're a student wondering how to travel for cheap, you should definitely take advantage of the student discounts that are widely available. Meals, transport, accommodation, drinks and experiences are cheaper for students in many places.

As for the rest of us, we may not get as many discounts, but there are always railcards and bus passes that make a difference for those looking to save money while travelling .

And if all else fails, there are low cost airlines and bus companies to get you from A to B without splashing the cash.

8. Use your skills to make money travelling

How about not only travelling for cheap, but also making money on the go? Digital nomadism is very common nowadays, so if you can get into it, it may be very worth it. You might not have much money before you go travelling, but if you can work remotely, you can make money and see the world at the same time.

Things like social media marketing , blog writing , video making, and web developing are all examples of how the digital world opens up endless opportunities .

If you don't already have a job that allows you to travel remotely you can still create that opportunity for yourself. This does require some effort, but once you find the right balance between work and travel, traveling becomes much more rewarding.

Bonus tips on how to travel for cheap and be a sustainable traveler

Have you stopped to think that budget travel choices are often good for the planet? When looking for affordable alternatives for transportation and meals and experimenting collaborative ways of travelling , you might also travel more sustainably .

Here are some attitudes that save you money and help the environment:

Walk or cycle around a city if possible, rather than getting a taxi
Prefer taking buses or hitchhiking than renting a car
Take a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up where possible
Buy shampoo and soap bars, which save space and last much longer

If you're ready to get out there and explore the world, don't forget to check out the amazing volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers .

Have any other good tips and tricks for how to travel the world for cheap ? Share them in the comments!

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Lauren Mclachlan

Worldpackers Community

Hey I’m Lauren! I’m from a small town in sunny (I wish) Scotland and took on my first solo travelling trip after graduating in 2019 My experience was way better than I could’ve imagined – meeting wonderful people, seeing amazing things, great experiences and even teaching weekly yoga! I couldn’t have done all this without Worldpackers, I’m so grateful I came across the website. I think everyone should get to experience travelling at some point in their lives – wherever and whatever it may be! My advice if you’re thinking about it is – don’t think too much! Just do, you won’t regret it. Also, if you want 10% off your Worldpackers memberships you can use the code LAUREN10

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Write here your questions and greetings to the author

Feb 12, 2022

I am a handicapped and I have a wish since childhood that I travel solo around the world but I'm unable to fulfill this wish the only reason for one shortcoming is lack of money because I don't have money to buy it I humbly request your company that I need a lightweight Racksak Bag which is 65 liters & a tent which can be of 2 person & rest as you wish so that I can make my dreams come true & I can set a better example in the society for this I will be eternally grateful and thankful to you and all your loved ones.

Sep 29, 2022

how about to get visa

Lauren (Author)

Oct 10, 2022

Hi Rusul, I don't know about visas as I have never had to get one. The best thing to do would be to search the internet depending on where you want to go.

Apr 04, 2023

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Jun 16, 2023

Those are excellent tips for traveling on a budget! Here's some additional information and advice on each of the points you mentioned: Pick the right destination to make the most of your budget: Some destinations are naturally more affordable than others. Consider countries or cities where the cost of living is lower, as it can significantly impact your overall expenses. [tunnel rush](https://tunnel-rush.co/)

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How to save money for travel? 15 tips to help your planning

Cheapest and safest places to live in the world

10 Best cheap vacation ideas: unique experiences that fit your budget

How do worldpackers trips work.

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

How to Travel Cheap: 16 Ways to Travel for Cheap or Free

Whenever I ask readers what the number one thing holding them back from traveling is, I almost always get the same answer: Money.

This is something I hear from everyone I talk to: “Matt, I simply don’t have enough money to travel.”

This problem — and how to overcome it — is my most asked question. Over the past 14 years , I have answered this question in a plethora of posts, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. Long-term readers might even be getting sick of me discussing this subject because it is one I talk about so much.

But I know no matter how often I address this question, it will come up again.

Since this question comes up so often, I like to constantly remind people of this fact: You do not need to be rich to travel.

Let’s repeat that: You do not need to be rich to travel.

There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget (and for free) — you just need to be willing to get creative.

Traveling the world with no little or no money sounds like an impossible dream. But it is possible. It’s not glamorous, but it’s possible.

It should be said that there are some expenses you shouldn’t compromise on (like travel insurance ) but there are tons of ways you can travel the world on a budget — including plenty of ways you can actually travel for free.

In this post, I’m going to show you two things:

How to travel cheap
How to travel for free

Learning how to travel cheap is all about taking advantage of helpful apps and websites that save you money, finding ways to lower your expenses, and even making money as you travel. It’s about finding value and lowering your expenses while still being able to afford to do what you want.

Learning how to travel for free entails taking advantage of free accommodation, transportation, and activities that are already out there, thereby reducing your cost to zero. You can also use points and miles to earn free flights and accommodation . Here, you sacrifice comfort and convenience to extend your travels as long as possible.

With the right budget and the right mindset, you can make your travel dreams a reality. Even if you don’t earn a lot or you have debt, there are still plenty of ways to go overseas (I still had debt when I went on my first trip around the world). They may not be fancy or luxurious, but if travel is your priority then you can definitely make it happen!

Ready to kick-start your budget travels and save money? Just click on either of the links below to jump directly to that section!

Table of Contents

1. Get a Job Overseas

2. teach english overseas, 3. do wwoofing and work on a farm, 4. use the sharing economy, 5. cook your own meals, 6. get rail passes, 7. sleep in large dorms, 8. use student and other discount cards, 9. get city tourist cards, 10. capitalize on your skills, 11. get free flights, 12. stay for free, 13. hitchhike, 14. take free walking tours, 15. house sitting & pet sitting, 16. use your social network.

Not making enough money at your job? Or, even worse, are you working a job you hate? Why not get a job overseas? There are plenty of opportunities in the world as long as you aren’t picky. After all, this isn’t a career you are starting — it’s just a way to earn money for travel.

Here are some popular (and easy to find) jobs you can get when you travel:

Au pair – An au pair is a live-in caregiver who helps a host family by looking after their children and doing some basic housekeeping. In exchange, you get free room and board and a small salary. This is a great route if you’re looking to learn a new language or immerse yourself in a new culture. You can read this post for more info on being an au pair .
Bartender – It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, so if you have the skills then this is an easy job to move overseas. It’s also an easy job to get under the table if you decide to go that route. If you don’t have the skills to tend bar, consider being a dishwasher or busser.
Hostel worker – Hostel workers rarely stick around for long, which means there is always a demand for new help. It’s a great way to meet other travelers while adjusting to a new location. You can usually also start off as a volunteer (in exchange for a free room) to avoid visa complications. Three websites that can help you find hostels to volunteer at are Worldpackers , Workaway , and HelpX .
Waitress/waiter – There are tons of seasonal restaurants around the world (and around the US) that need extra help during the busy tourist months. If you have experience, this is an easy job to find abroad.
Dive instructor – If you have your certification , this is an easy job to travel with as dive instructors are needed everywhere. Best of all, these jobs are usually in picturesque tropical locations !
Tour guide – If you’ve got a knack for history and don’t mind speaking in front of groups, this is the perfect job for you. It’s also usually a cash job, which means you get your tips directly.
Cruise ship worker – This is a much more formal position than the ones above, but it’s a great way to travel. The hours are long, but there’s something to be said about living at sea!
Casino worker – While this might require some training, if you’re a night owl and don’t mind the casino scene this is a fun job to work abroad.
Seasonal worker at ski resorts – Instructors, restaurant staff, hotel staff, lifeguards — ski resorts need all sorts of staff to keep things moving, making this a goldmine for the overseas traveler (as long as you don’t mind the snow!).
Yacht worker – While the hours can be long, you can make great money working for the rich and famous on their yachts. Best of all, you’re usually in some pretty amazing destinations!
Yoga instructor – If you have the skills (and certification), teaching yoga abroad is an easy way to make some spending money. While you might need to know the language, there are yoga studios in pretty much every city in the world.

Working overseas often gets discounted as an option because it seems hard to do. It’s not. Just be open. These jobs don’t require advanced degrees or a lot of work experience either.

Are you going to get a high-paying office job? No.

Will you get a shitty, low-wage job that will pay all your travel bills? Yep!

I’ve met people from all walks of life, both from Western and non-Western countries, funding their travels this way. It’s an easy, fun way to lengthen your travels, deepen your experience, and make a little money so you can keep on traveling.

READ MORE ABOUT WORKING OVERSEAS: 15 Ways to Find a Job and Work Overseas

All you need is the ability to speak English fluently and a TEFL degree , depending on the country you work in. The world is yearning for teachers, and this is a job in high demand; many companies in Asia will even pay for your flight over as well as cover your rent while you’re there.

If you have a college or university degree you’ll be able to make more money and apply for better positions though it’s not necessary for many countries.

Additionally, there are many websites and services out there that allow you to teach virtually. As long as you have a great Wi-Fi connection, you can help people learn English from anywhere in the world!

Some places you can teach online are:

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget 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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Travel the world for cheap with these 13 tried & tested hacks

Travel Travel Inspiration Travel Tips & Hacks How To Travel For Cheap

Traveling to your dream destination doesn’t have to be a long-term plan that breaks your bank account. You can always travel to your dream destination on a budget. Here are some of the tested and proven ways to travel the world for cheap. You can thank us later!

13 sure shot ways to travel the world for cheap

#1 become a pro at travel hacking.

Travel hacking is essentially collecting points on travel credit cards, frequent-flier points, and miles to get freebies. This will, in turn, help you travel for cheap. Depending on how much you collect you can afford free flights, free nights at hotels, access to tours, and much more. Travel hacking can even allow you to have once in a lifetime experience if you collect enough points. For example, certain credit card companies offer luxurious stays like villas in Rome and trips to the French Riviera. Additionally, you can even experience exotic destinations like the Galapagos Islands for dirt cheap if you’ve travel hacked your way right.

What’s truly brilliant is that anybody can accumulate these points and become a pro at travel hacking. All you have to really do is get an airline card, a travel card, or a general rewards card like Chase Sapphire. Ensure that the cards offer a sign-up bonus of at least 50,000 points. The more the better. Now, simply pay for your groceries, restaurants, and daily shopping with these cards. This will help accumulate points extremely fast. Of course, you can go a step further and accumulate more points by using these cards to take surveys and indulge in (necessary) online shopping.

You can even get multiple credit cards for your different needs and club them. For example, some cards might offer free accommodation while some might only offer free miles. Once you take away the airfare and price of accommodation you can spend much more on brilliant experiences.

Your Guide To Traveling The World For Free!

#2 learn the art of finding cheap flights.

Surprisingly, you can save a ton of money on airfare by simply looking for cheap flights in the right places. While platforms like Google Flights and Booking.com can make it easier for you to find tickets, it doesn't show the best offers.WhichBudget is a great site as it shows you hundreds of cheap airlines in over 200 countries. All you need to do is put in some research time and book much in advance. It’s also best to never book around the holidays as prices are almost always at an all-time high.Interestingly, the airports matter as well. A flight to a relatively smaller airport in the city might be cheaper than flights to the bigger ones. Additionally, you can travel for cheap by avoiding checking in luggage as it tends to cost a lot if you’re traveling to multiple countries.

17 Golden Hacks To Snagging Cheap Flight Tickets

#3 couchsurf and list your place on airbnb.

#4 Trust last-minute deals

Hotels and airlines almost always offer last-minute deals to fill up the last seats or rooms. They even go to lengths to price it below their profit margin closer to the dates. . If you’re not concerned about the last-minute hassle and risk, it’s worth pouncing on these deals. Most importantly, you can travel for cheap and save a ton of money. Finding these last-minute deals have become quite easy with sites like Jetsetter and Hipmunk. For last-minute experience deals, there’s no place better than Headout. Planning to visit the Colosseum while standing in a queue at the Vatican? Get the Headout app and in 3 taps find the best last-minute deals in 50+ cities across the world.

#5 Opt for budget travel destinations

This one’s a no-brainer. If you’re looking to travel for cheap, simply opt for a budget travel destination. A budget travel destination does not only offer cheap accommodation but even the food and experiences will be much cheaper than other popular travel destinations. For example, you can eat amazing food, travel around and stay at a paradise-like place in Bali all for less than $100 a day. Countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Portugal are not only extremely affordable but are also rich in culture and are safe. Most importantly, since transportation, food, and accommodation are cheap, you can afford to stay for long and even splurge a little

#6 All-Inclusive packages can be a steal deal

If you’re looking for a super-condensed travel experience, then an all-inclusive package can be an amazing deal. Not only is it cheaper than traveling to all the places on the itinerary individually but it’s also extremely convenient as everything like stay and travel is taken care of by the travel company. Additionally, it’s super safe as you’ll more or less be traveling with a group. Of course, these days all-inclusive packages can be personalized. So, you have the option to spend more or less. And if you want to save some money, it’s best to look out for those last-minute all-inclusive getaway packages

#7 Off-season travel is the way to go

The off-season is the best time to travel if you're wondering “how to travel for cheap?”. Of course, peak seasons have their advantages - the weather, locals out and about, all establishments open in full swing and whatnot. If you’re willing to let go of the little pleasures, then off-season travel is your best bet. Moreover, you won’t be rubbing shoulders with other tourists which you have to admit is a blessing. If you do your research and figure out the off-season months for a city you can expect the airfare and accommodation to be significantly cheaper as well.

#8 Use cards with no foreign transaction fees

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#9 Sign up for free tours

In a majority of cities around the world, free walking tours are easily available. Free tours are essentially pay-what-you-feel tours conducted by a local guide or a college student who knows the city in and out. You can book a slot online and at the end of the tour, you can tip your guide as much as you please. However, that is optional as well. These tours usually last from 1-2 hours and the guide will take you around the most popular places in the city on foot. You get to learn a lot more about the city you're visiting and the history from these tours than the paid ones that tend to cut corners. Furthermore, you can get amazing nightlife and food recommendations from the local guide.

#10 Steer clear of tourist traps

In every city, there are always several tourist traps that you’ll inevitably bump into. It might be accommodation in certain countries or public transportation in others. Regardless, it’s always better to know what are potential tourist traps you could fall for before you step foot in the country. Public transportation and even popular tourist spots in certain countries tend to take advantage of naive foreigners and charge exorbitant prices. Always negotiate and finalize the price before buying a ticket or before getting into the vehicle. When it comes to food and accommodation, book from trusted online portals in advance and you’re good to go!

12 Travel Scams to Watch Out for in 2021

#11 don’t leave home without travel insurance.

Having a travel Insurance policy that suits your travel style is one of the most underrated parts of traveling. Not just for your belongings but also your health. It’s even more important to get it if you have pre-existing health conditions. Travel insurance is also comprehensive protection of sorts that helps you save a lot of money in unfortunate scenarios like theft, cancellations, accidents, and even injury. While it may seem like an extra expense, when things go wrong you can bank on your insurance for coverage. You can get travel insurance from either your pre-existing insurance provider or from third-party providers like World Nomads, Insure My Trip, and Medjet.

The Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Travel Insurance In The Post COVID World

#12 travel overnight to avoid hotel costs.

One of the best ways to save money and travel for cheap is to travel overnight to avoid hotel costs. You can skip paying for a night if you’re traveling overnight. It might be a tad bit uncomfortable compared to your hotel bed, but it’s worth the money you’re saving.

#13 Get a local sim

We recommend you get a local simcard if you’re planning on staying for more than a week. Roaming charges or even paying for Wi-Fi abroad can get expensive. Getting a local sim allows cheaper international calls and most importantly affordable data plans. Roaming around in search of Wi-Fi is not fun and a local sim can come in handy especially if you’re working while traveling.

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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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 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.

22 Budget Travel Tips: Wise Advice on How to Travel Cheap

Budget traveling couple walking down the streets of Prague at sunset

Seeing the world doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, if you stick to our time-tested budget travel tips, you can take longer trips while minimizing damage to your savings account.

From using VPNs to find the cheapest flights to seeking out the lowest ATM fees, there’s a lot you can do to bring your travel costs down to a minimum. Best of all, you can do all this without compromising on the quality of your trip.

It’s tempting to throw caution to the wind now and again, but my advice is to look at a budget vacation as an investment in your future. The smarter you spend, the more places you’ll get to visit down the line. Isn’t that what we’re all after here?

So, if you’re looking for advice on how to travel cheaply, you’ve come to the right place. We’re all about squeezing value out of the tightest of budgets, and now it’s time for you to learn exactly how to do so.

Budget Travel Tips

Research Affordable Destinations

Travel in the Non-Peak Seasons

Travel closer to home, house sit in exchange for free accommodation.

Travel With a Partner or Friend

Book Your Plane Tickets Far in Advance

Use a vpn when searching for flights, consider staying in hostels, stay in accommodations that offer free meals, get a travel credit card & book with rewards points.

Pack Camping Gear
Perfect the Art of One-Bag Travel

Consider Van Life

Pay in local currency on credit card transactions.

Withdrawal Local Currency for Trusted ATMs

Use Public Transportation Instead of Taxis & Ubers

Walk as often as possible, focus on free activities, go on a free walking tour, indulge in street food & other cheap eats, consult with locals for budget-friendly recommendations.

Take Advantage of Grocery Stores and Local Markets
Final Thoughts: Budget Travel Tips

Preparing for Your Trip

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail (or so I’ve heard). Before packing your bags and setting out, you can save a small fortune by following a few logical pieces of advice. Carefully planning and savvy trip-booking will save you heaps of money in the long run.

Research Affordable Destinations that Fit Your Budget

Motorcycle going under a red and yellow sign in the countryside of Vietnam

While this might seem like a no-brainer, it’s arguably the number one rule for planning an affordable vacation. You need to set reasonable expectations for a budget trip, which might mean going off the beaten path and trying something different.

Destinations like Paris and Bora Bora will always be in vogue, and by all means, cross them off your bucket list if you have the money. That said, visiting budget-friendly destinations like Mexico, Portugal , Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia can be equally rewarding.

Traveling to a popular hub during peak tourist season is a big part of the appeal, but it is also the most expensive time to visit. Visiting during an unconventional season is a great way to see all the sights while saving significant money.

Not to mention, If you’re the type of person who prefers a little peace and quiet, vacationing out of season is a great way to avoid noisy flocks of tourists. Many destinations shine their brightest without the background noise, which could be true for yours too.

Everyone wants to see the world outside of their little bubble, but that might not be possible without a proper budget. The good news is that you can cut down on expenses and discover some hidden gems if you stay closer to home. Remember, traveling farther away doesn’t always mean having a better time.

Traveling closer to home will inevitably be more streamlined if you have a car or camper van of your own. As we discuss later on, a reliable vehicle is more than just a means of transport when you’re out on a road trip, which is excellent news for you and your precious budget.

Sad black and white dog on a leather couch

Chances are, the price of lodging makes up the bulk of your travel expenditures, but there are ways to put a roof over your head without spending a penny. By offering to house-sit for a local and watch their pets, you can score a bed, a warm meal, and maybe even some extra cash.

If this reminds you too much of all the housework waiting back home, there are plenty of alternatives. Workaway offers lodging in exchange for a wider variety of services, while Couchsurfing lets you find strangers who’ll let you crash with no strings attached.

I’m all for being spontaneous and adventurous, but if you’re traveling by plane, waiting until the last minute to book tickets is usually a bad idea. Plane prices can vary wildly from day to day, and they almost always peak a few days before takeoff.

Booking a few weeks or even months in advance can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. The downside is having to commit to a game plan far in advance, but that’s part and parcel of traveling on a tight budget.

If you use VPNs to watch Netflix shows that aren’t available in your region, you’re not alone. But did you know that you can use the same trick to land an even better deal on your flights? Needless to say, the less money you spend on tickets, the more cash you’re left with at the end of the day.

Switching your location to another country (like Mexico, Malaysia, or Myanmar) will often result in a reduced ticket price. The process is relatively straightforward , and it only takes a few extra minutes of prep work for potentially significant savings. Why not give it a try?

Travel With a Friend or Partner to Split Expenses

Two 30-something year old men posing in front of skyscrapers in Cartagena, Colombia

When traveling, countless little expenses are constantly nibbling away at your bottom line. Heading out with your friend or partner can help stop the bleeding since you can split hotel rooms, gas money, grocery bills, and other essential costs.

Besides, it can get a little lonesome out there without anybody to share your experiences with. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of me-time if that’s what you’re after, but the longer your trip, the more you might wish you had somebody to share it with.

While a swanky hotel room is a welcome luxury for any traveler, it’s far from essential if you want to save money. If you don’t mind sharing a room with a handful of strangers, staying in a dorm room or a hostel is a great option to stretch your budget further.

There are a few important strategies to master if you opt for a hostel over a hotel . Still, if you prepare accordingly, hostel life should be a more rewarding and money-saving experience. Whatever you do, always bring a pair of quality earplugs for the inevitable snorers or sleeptalkers.

Eating out on the town is a great way to get a feel for how the locals live, but it can also get a bit pricey. An excellent way to get around that reality is to find accommodation that includes at least one free meal daily to keep things cheaper.

You can find these kinds of deals all over the world, and if you’re staying for an extended period, the savings really start to add up. For example, this hostel in Krakow lets you enjoy a whopping two meals a day for free while offering a super-comfortable bed to lay your head down.

Six travel credit cards fanned out across a colorful tablecloth

Airline companies and hotels often partner with a specific credit card provider to offer special deals for users. If you play your credit card game right and do some research, you could snag a nifty welcome bonus and accumulate points that can lead to free or heavily-discounted travel.

One of the best ways to track these offers is through Nerdwallet’s best travel credit cards roundup . This post has come in handy for thousands of travelers, and it’s probably the best way to keep track of which cards are best for your travel style.

Pack Camping Gear & Sleep Under the Stars

We’ve reviewed several cheap lodging options, but if you enjoy the outdoors, you might not need to pay anything at all. Camping is a great way to connect with nature without investing much beyond a simple tent and inflatable mattress.

This might not always be an option since you’ll need good weather and a nice campsite to set up shop. That said, if the name of the game is saving money, it doesn’t get much more affordable than camping out for free in the cozy confines of your tent.

Perfect the Art of One Bag Travel & Avoid Baggage Fees

There are plenty of reasons to consider traveling light – mainly the privilege of mobility. Beyond that, though, it also helps on the spending front – chances are you need far fewer supplies for the average trip than you might think.

Baggage fees have been known to take large bites out of travel budgets, but with a bit of personal item carry-on magic, you can save significant money that would be better spent elsewhere. Just be sure you buy a properly-sized bag that’ll fit underneath the seat in front of you.

White van in front of a storefront titled "New Mexico Look on Central"

Buying a camper van is a significant investment, but it will pay off in the long run if you travel a lot and even make it your primary residence. Why overspend on “affordable” NYC hotels when you have something like the Brooklyn Van Alley to fall back on?

If you have zero experience with mobile homes, there will be a bit of a learning curve . Besides the vehicle, you’ll also need to set some money aside for essential supplies . Still, if you can survive that initial investment, a camper van might just pay for itself in due time.

After You Arrive at Your Destination

Planning the trip is just the beginning – there’s arguably even more clever maneuvering once you reach your destination. Here’s what you need to keep in mind after you’ve arrived:

Poor currency conversion rates might not seem like the biggest deal, but they add up over time. A few cocktails and into your trip, you may fall into the bad habit of pressing the button to be charged in your home currency on the credit card reader rather than the local one. Hate to break it to you, but the conversion rate is never in your favor.

To avoid the conversion fees imposed by most credit cards, paying in the local currency is always a good idea. These fees apply whether you’re at a restaurant or a retail store, so be mindful before reaching for your wallet.

Use Well-Reviewed Money Exchange Businesses & Withdrawal Currency from Trusted ATMs

Old fashioned neon sign that says "ATM" with an arrow pointing downwards

When you arrive, you might feel too tired to stress over where you withdraw local currency, but you mustn’t jump the gun. Not all exchange desks will give you the best deal, so always check Google reviews before blindly handing your money to the first money changer you see.

The same goes for ATMs, too – depending on the bank or the machine itself, you may get charged an unreasonable fee, even if you withdraw the local currency. Dynamic Currency Conversion isn’t as helpful as it sounds, so use your best judgment.

Taxis and Ubers can be very convenient in a time crunch but are also quite expensive. Often, a taxi driver will pick you up knowing that you’re a tourist (even if you speak the local language) and charge you a higher price than what’s fair.

The safer bet is usually to rely on public transportation whenever possible. On top of it being cheaper (and often free), it’s easy to keep track of where buses, trains, and trams take you if you use Google Maps to plan your route.

Three people smiling at the camera as they walk down the street in Frankfurt, Germany

Even if you aren’t on a budget, walking is almost always preferable to driving when visiting a new location. Besides being free, it’s also great for your health and lets you see more of what the region has to offer at your own pace.

Also, a vacation is the perfect time to pick up the habit of walking or hiking back home. The physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of walking large distances daily can be life-changing, so lace up your walking shoes and give it a shot.

The only thing better than “cheap” is “free,” and in the digital era, all it takes to find a free activity is to look it up online. From annual events at parks to free museum days and other meetups , there are almost always free activities to discover in major cities.

Remember, though – just because something is free of charge, it doesn’t mean you should go out empty-handed. Your activity of choice may feature some “hidden” fees now and again, or it could lead you to a pricey detour down the line.

Knowing nothing about your destination is a surefire way to spend more money than you need to. Thankfully, most major tourist hubs offer walking tours that help you immerse yourself in the local culture and discover some fantastic spots.

You’re likely to meet other like-minded budget travelers on a walking tour, so you might even leave with an extra friend or street food buddy. Just be sure to tip your guide for their trouble – think of all the money they helped you save by showing you around.

A crowded sidewalk full of restaurant patrons eating dinner in Hanoi, Vietnam

One thing to remember about tourist traps is that they often know they can overcharge curious travelers from faraway lands. It’s okay to indulge in an expensive meal in the heart of town, but if you’re looking to save money, try out some delicious street food for a fraction of the price.

In some ways, street vendors can give you a better idea of the ins and outs of the local cuisine. On that note, don’t be afraid to head out to the outskirts, either – this is usually where you’ll find some more affordable eateries unknown to most tourists.

If anyone knows the restaurants and attractions that offer the best value for money, it’s the locals. Relying on Google reviews is all well and good, but an insider’s advice can be way more helpful and rewarding.

Depending on where you go, it’s not uncommon for a friendly local to invite you into their home for an authentic, home-cooked meal. Putting the money aspect aside, this is one of the most wholesome vacation experiences you can hope to find. Chat up a friendly local and see where the conversation might lead you.

Take Advantage of Grocery Stores & Local Markets

If push comes to shove, remember that going to a restaurant is almost always more expensive than whipping up the same meal yourself. Even if you don’t have a kitchen to work with, you can always grab some affordable food from the grocery store and enjoy a simple picnic.

This is also a great way to connect with the local culture. There’s no better way to get a feel for how the natives eat than by walking the same grocery store aisles they do. You might even get hooked on some new flavors you never knew existed.

Budget Travel Keeps You on the Road Longer

Two boats floating in the Seine River in Paris at night with the Eiffel Tower lit up in the background

And that concludes our list of the best budget travel tips to keep in mind before planning your next trip. We’ve laid out our best advice based on many years of affordable travel, and we hope it’ll serve you well on your adventures.

The devil is in the details regarding saving money, so if you take advantage of a handful of clever travel hacks, you can rest assured that you’ll maximize your budget. Whenever I check my bank statements after a long trip, I’m always amazed at how far a few good decisions were able to stretch my money.

There’s a dollar to be saved around every corner, and if you’ve been around as many corners as we have, you know how important that can be. Learning to appreciate the simple pleasures of travel really goes a long way.

The bottom line is this: while the best things in life might not be free exactly, they can cost less than you might think. The sooner you learn how to travel cheaply, the more the world will open itself up to you.

Last Updated on March 18, 2024

Andrej Paskalov

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50 Useful Tips to Travel the World Cheap in 2021 (by Bloggers)

Planning a trip in advance to travel cheaply

How to travel the world cheaply?

It is a very popular question, as money is the main reason, why many people don’t travel.

It is possible to travel the world having little money.

Here are the best budget travel tips from me and the most experienced travel bloggers that contributed to the writing of this ultimate guide to traveling on a budget.

Budget traveling

Budget traveling is art . It is also my hobby. What can be more exciting than finding a 30-euro return flight from Poland to Norway or a 200-euro return flight from Germany to Mexico?

There are many hacks that you need to know to travel the world cheaply. Here is a breakdown of the topics that we will cover in this article:

Best time to travel on a budget

How to find the cheapest flights?

Ways to save money on transportation

How to spend less money on accommodation ?

Spending less on visiting attractions

Eating good and cheap, how to enjoy the most of your budget travel, how to earn money while you travel.

It is important to choose the right time to travel. Traveling off-season can be 3-4 times cheaper than in the time when everybody has holidays. Many of our contributing travel bloggers emphasized this fact. Here are the budget travel tips concerning travel timing:

Tip #1 “Being flexible with your destination or the timing of your vacation is the biggest money saver of all . Many people only want to travel to a destination during high season, but choosing to travel on shoulder season instead is a much better budgeting decision.” #flexibletravel

Budget travel tip from savoredjourneys.com

Tip #2 « Travel out-of-season . Not only will you avoid peak airfare costs but hotel prices will be more competitive and places will be less crowded.» #traveloffseason

Budget travel tip from aluxurytravelblog.com

Tip #3.1 “Obviously avoid peak season. Spring is usually a good time to travel in most of the places.” #avoidpeakseason

Tip #3.2 Be ready to change your plans once you get to your destinations. Most of the time the best way to find new places (that are also quite cheap) is to ask local people. So you need some flexibility. #flexibility

Last 2 budget travel tips are from fabionodariphoto.com

Tip #4 “Travel off season — not only will you stay away from the crowds but you will also minimize your travel expenses .” #traveloffseason

Budget travel tip by Sonal and Sandro from Drifter Planet

Tip #5 Plan your travel in such a way that you visit places during the off season. This way you can save a lot on flights and hotels as you are sure to get off season discounts . The icing on the cake is that you can have an enjoyable travel experience minus the crowds . You can leisurely spend time and it can be an immersive experience. Budget travel tip by Sandy & Vyjay from imvoyager.com

Tip #6 Book everything in advance or at the last moment (last-minute and first-minute), as the prices then are the lowest. Some tours from big travel agencies have great discounts if you book at the last day. #lastminurebooking

RomanRoams tip

Learn how to save money for your trips

How to find the cheapest flights

The largest travel expenses are usually transportation and accommodation . We will help you to save money on both. Here are the travel tips on finding cheap flights :

Tip #7 Watch out for ‘error fares’ , flight deals, and vacation package deals: you could sign-up to e-mail alerts on flight search websites such as Skyscanner so you’ll be notified when the price becomes cheaper for your particular trip. Try to also research for the local budget airlines that are well-known in your destination since they often have added promos on top of their cheap fares. Otherwise, you could also subscribe to websites that regularly post error fares and crazy flight deals for any given time period. My favorite would be SecretFlying.com — I once scored a roundtrip ticket from Europe to Japan for only $300! That was a real steal! #watchfordeals

Budget travel tip from www.iAmAileen.com

Tip #8 “Best airfare search engine is still ITA Matrix . Why? Because it gives you more options to search for lower fares than any other site. The radius option, in particular, is invaluable in allowing you to check flights to or from a range of airports. The advanced codes options allow you to tailor your search in ways that often result in better flight results.” #airfaresearchengine

Budget travel tip from bonvoyageurs.com

Tip #9 “Also know that studies have shown that on average 6 weeks ahead is the time you will get the best deals on flights . But, book much earlier if you plan to pay with frequent flyer miles as flights fill up.” #bookingtips

Tip #10 “When booking flights, I suggest using a meta search engine (a site that searches multiple sites) like Kayak or TripAdvisor Flights to find the best flight deals.” #metasearchengine

Last 2 budget travel tips are from amateurtraveler.com

Tip #11 I recommend using Skyscanner . Here, you can choose several destinations, choose a whole country, or even a continent, choose a particular date, particular month or choose the “cheapest month” option. Great when you have flexibility, but useful in any case. #flexiblesearch

Tip #12 Flight search results can be different depending on user ip, location, age, or other information available with tracking cookies. Use good VPN providers to hide your IP and change location and find the cheapest prices available . #usevpn

Transportation is also a big travel expense. If you’re not planning to stay in one place for a long time, or even if you want to visit another part of the city, these tips will help you to travel cheap:

Tip #13 If you want to travel to a different city for free, go hitch-hiking. In many countries, it is allowed and is not dangerous . But, don’t hitch-hike alone, better go with your friend. #hitchhiking

Tip #14 If you are afraid of hitch-hiking, you can use carsharing services like BlaBlaCar , ZipCar , Car2Go and many others working internationally or just within 1 country. Special about carsharing is that it is safer than hitch-hiking, as you see reviews and other information about the driver, and easier to plan , as there is always a particular time when the driver comes to a particular place. #carsharing

Tip #15 In EU and the US, there are big budget bus chains that sometimes have rides for $1-2 . They are Megabus , Flixbus , Easybus and many other international and local companies. #cheapbuses

Tip #16 Trains are usually more expensive than the above-listed options, but there are opportunities to spend less on them. In Germany, there is a weekend ticket for 40 Euros if you travel alone + 4 Euros for each next person (up to 4) to travel through whole Germany using regional trains. Eurail is another story. It is a system, where you can buy a pass to travel through any number of European countries on trains , you can even sleep in trains if it is ok for you. #trainfares

Also check the guide to Backpacking in Europe.

Tip #17 To choose the best travel option from one point to another, I suggest using GoEuro or Rome2Rio , where you can compare several options from carsharing to flights . #alltraveloptions

Tip #18 “Spending just a few minutes familiarizing yourself with public transportation options can save a lot of money over taking taxis, but we also recommend researching the best location to stay so you can walk more. It’s free!” #knowpublictransportation

Tip #19 If you want to spend less money on public transportation, you can find a good accommodation in the city center to be able to go to the main attractions by foot. It is not necessarily expensive, there are usually many cheap hostels in the center. #centralaccomodation

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Budget Travel

16 Best Budget Tips On How To Travel The World Cheaply

Published: September 9, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Serene Edmonds

Budget Travel Tips

Are you dreaming of exploring the world but worried about breaking the bank? Well, fret not! In this article, we’ve got you covered with the 16 best budget tips on how to travel the world cheaply. Who says globetrotting has to be pricey?

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality experiences or missing out on amazing destinations. With a little bit of planning, flexibility, and these budget-saving tips, you can embark on an incredible journey without emptying your wallet.

From scoring cheap flights and accommodations to saving money on food and transportation, we’ll share the insider secrets that will make your dream of traveling the world a reality. So, tighten your seatbelts and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Tip 1: Plan your trip during the off-peak season for cheaper flights and accommodations.

By avoiding the peak tourist season, you can take advantage of lower prices on airfare and accommodations. This not only helps you save money but also allows you to experience a destination with fewer crowds.

Tip 2: Utilize budget airlines and search for flight deals.

Look for budget airlines that offer affordable fares and keep an eye out for flight deals and promotions. Websites and apps like Skyscanner and Kayak can help you find the best prices for your desired destination.

Tip 3: Stay in budget accommodations such as hostels or guesthouses.

Instead of splurging on expensive hotels, consider staying in budget-friendly accommodations like hostels or guesthouses. These options provide a comfortable place to rest without breaking the bank.

Tip 4: Cook your own meals or eat at local eateries.

Eating out for every meal can quickly add up. Save money by cooking your own meals using local ingredients or by dining at affordable local eateries. This way, you can indulge in delicious cuisine without overspending.

Tip 5: Use public transportation or walk instead of taking taxis.

Public transportation is often cheaper than taking taxis, and it allows you to experience the local culture firsthand. Consider using buses, trains, or even renting bicycles to get around and explore your destination.

Tip 6: Research and book attractions and activities in advance.

Many popular attractions offer discounted prices for online bookings. Research and plan your activities in advance to take advantage of these savings and avoid paying higher prices at the last minute.

Tip 7: Take advantage of free attractions and activities.

There are plenty of free attractions and activities in most destinations. Take advantage of parks, museums with free admission days, walking tours, and local festivals to experience the culture without spending money.

Tip 8: Travel with a group to split costs.

Traveling with a group allows you to split costs for accommodations, transportation, and even meals. Not only does this help you save money, but it also adds to the fun and camaraderie of the journey.

Tip 9: Use travel reward programs and credit card perks.

Sign up for travel reward programs and use credit cards that offer travel perks, such as cashback or airline miles. This way, you can earn rewards while saving money on your travels.

Tip 10: Pack light to avoid baggage fees.

Many airlines charge hefty fees for checked baggage. Pack light and opt for carry-on luggage to save money on baggage fees while also enjoying the convenience of not having to wait for your luggage at the airport.

Tip 11: Exchange currency at local banks or use a travel-friendly credit card.

Avoid high exchange rate fees by exchanging currency at local banks instead of airports or tourist areas. You can also consider using a travel-friendly credit card that offers favorable exchange rates.

Tip 12: Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations.

Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations allows you to take advantage of last-minute deals and discounts. By keeping an open mind, you might discover hidden gems and opportunities for affordable travel.

Tip 13: Take advantage of free walking tours or DIY sightseeing.

Many cities offer free walking tours led by enthusiastic locals. This not only helps you explore the city on a budget but also provides insight and knowledge about its history and culture.

Tip 14: Drink tap water or carry a reusable water bottle.

Avoid spending money on bottled water by drinking tap water if it’s safe to do so. Alternatively, carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at public water fountains or your accommodations.

Tip 15: Use local transportation apps for navigation and discounts.

Download local transportation apps that provide real-time information on bus and train schedules, as well as discounts for using their services. This way, you can navigate the city efficiently and save money on transportation costs.

Tip 16: Connect with locals and seek their recommendations.

Engage with locals and seek their recommendations for affordable places to eat, visit, and explore. Not only will this help you discover hidden gems, but it will also provide an authentic and immersive travel experience.

Traveling the world doesn’t have to break the bank. With the right tips and strategies, you can embark on exciting adventures on a budget. By following these 16 budget tips, you’ll be able to travel to your dream destinations without emptying your wallet.

From planning your trip in advance and being flexible with your travel dates to opting for budget accommodations and seeking out local food options, there are plenty of ways to cut costs without sacrificing your travel experience. Additionally, taking advantage of travel rewards programs, using public transportation, and researching free or discounted activities will help you stretch your budget even further.

Remember, traveling cheaply doesn’t mean compromising on the quality of your experience. By embracing a more frugal approach, you’ll not only save money but also gain a deeper appreciation for the places you visit and the people you meet along the way.

1. How can I save money on flights?

Look for deals, be flexible with your travel dates, and consider flying with budget airlines.

2. What are some affordable accommodation options?

You can opt for hostels, guesthouses, or even stay in Airbnb accommodations to save money on lodging.

3. How can I save on food while traveling?

Eat like a local by trying street food or visiting local markets. Avoid touristy restaurants that charge higher prices.

4. Are there any ways to get discounted or free activities?

Research free attractions, visit museums on free admission days, and look for city passes that offer discounted entry to multiple attractions.

5. What about transportation costs?

Utilize public transportation or consider walking or cycling to get around. Avoid expensive taxis or car rentals if possible.

6. How can I save money on currency exchange?

Research and compare exchange rates, withdraw cash from ATMs instead of currency exchange counters, and notify your bank about your travel plans to avoid extra charges.

7. Is it possible to travel long-term on a budget?

Yes, it is! By practicing mindful spending, finding work opportunities abroad, and making use of long-stay visas, you can travel for an extended period without breaking the bank.

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How to Travel Cheaper: 40 Ways to Travel on a Budget

One of the greatest things about travel is how truly accessible it is to any budget. Traveling on a budget absolutely does not need to take away from your overall experience and actually, we believe that budget travel can add to the experience! It’s amazing how much you can save when you really put your mind to it and cut down on extra expenses. We became experts at traveling cheaper on our six month trip around the world. Even nowadays when we travel and aren’t on such a small budget, we still implement these ways to travel cheaper because some are so practical that it just makes sense!

This guide on how to travel cheaper is broken down into 7 different resource sections. You’ll be surprised how simple some of these are and really will not impact your overall travel experience. Ultimately remember that research is your best friend. If you take the time to learn the tips and tricks for different destinations, you will be prepared to save during your travels!

How to travel cheaper: Planning

1. be flexible with your destinations and dates.

Depending on your work and home situation, you can save tons of money on travel by being flexible with your travel dates. Most of the time there is no rhyme or reason why it is cheaper to fly on some dates than others. Especially if you book your trip early, simply adjust your exact timing and book the cheaper travel dates!

We use a combination of Google flights , Skyscanner and Hopper to gauge flight costs. Hopper will tell you what the average flight costs will be to a destination, so you know if you are getting a good deal!

We also love subscribing to Dollar Flight Club and Scott’s Cheap Flights . These companies basically search the internet for cheap flights! If you are flexible with your travel, you may end up traveling somewhere really cool for super cheap. Dollar Flight Club is how we ended up going on our honeymoon to Ireland for $300 roundtrip!

2. Travel in the off-season

Every country has their popular time of the year to visit and the reality is that it is probably just as fabulous during the off-season, just cheaper! We backpacked through Asia at the beginning of the rainy season and the weather rarely impacted us. We know that we saved on housing costs during this time compared to the same housing options in-season.

3. Get travel insurance

World Nomads makes travel insurance so affordable and it is 100% worth the investment. They will cover thousands of dollars of costs depending on your situation if something happens. Get the insurance!

4. Travel to budget friendly destinations

If you are traveling on a budget, be practical about your destinations. There are tons of countries and cities to explore that are just simply cheaper to travel to than others. We ended up cutting out Switzerland on our backpacking trip around the world because it would have made a huge dent in our overall budget. We will go another time when funds aren’t as tight!

Here are some of our favorite budget friendly countries:

Czech Republic

5. Plan your daily budget

Knowing your budget is essential to traveling cheaper! Learn here how to plan your travel budget. Trail Wallet is the best app for keeping your budget in check!

6. Book early

Last minute travel is typically the most expensive to book! Do your research early and plan your trip early.

How to travel cheaper: Transportation

7. fly during the week.

Similar to the point above about being flexible, cheaper flight options will typically be during the week. Flight costs can be a big chunk of your travel budget, so save here when you can!

8. Use public transportation

What’s a better way to learn a city than mastering public transportation? You got this! Not only will you become a more experienced traveler but it will usually save you tons!

9. Take overnight transportation for long travel days

This is a tough one, but it is a true way to travel cheaper. Overnight transportation is typically cheaper than standard hours and on top of that, you save on a night of housing. Budget travel is not always comfortable!

10. Research different transportation options between cities

Rome2Rio is the best website to see all of your transportation options! There are typically different priced options between train, plane or bus to get to a new city. We took a 7 hour overnight bus from Vienna to Poland instead of a quick flight because it saved us a couple hundred dollars. Figure out the cheapest way to travel between destinations.

11. Research different airport options

Make sure to check all of the nearby airport options for the city you are flying to! We have been to Florence multiple times and rarely fly into the actual Florence airport because it is so small. Both Milan and Rome are bigger airports, which usually means cheaper flights. They are both an easy train ride to Florence so we end up saving on the roundtrip travel.

12. Download the local transportation apps

While Uber or Lyft do exist in a lot of places, they are not the only rideshare apps around the world. There are others like FreeNow (Europe) and Grab (Asia) that are very important to download. There may also be an app specifically for public transportation.

Research what the transportation options are before you go to a new city and make sure you have them ready on your phone!

Use code JLJ10 for 10% off all eSIM purchases.

13. Carpool (safely!)

Carpooling is a great way to save some money while traveling. Did you stay at a hostel and there are other travelers going to the airport at the same time? Split the cab! Now safety first, do not get in the car with a complete stranger from the airport. Never sacrifice safety for your budget!

14. Walk when you can

Walking is the best form of free transportation and a great way to explore a new city.

15. Avoid transportation when there is a surge

This is not something that you think about until you are in that situation where the uber to the airport is 3x the costs. If you can, avoid needing a ride at rush hour or right when the bars close.

When we were living in San Juan, all of the bars closed at 12am due to the pandemic. We made the effort to leave the bar 15 minutes early to grab a car before the rush. A typical uber was $10-$15 to get home and with the surge it was $50-$60. This saved us tons for a small effort! Another example is getting a car to the airport. If you have a late evening flight, consider getting to the airport on the earlier side to beat rush hour and avoid the surge.

How to travel cheaper: Dining and drinking

Food and drink costs can really make or break a travel budget! Luckily there are tons of ways to experience a city without spending your money on expensive dinners or fancy cocktails. These are a few of our favorite ways to cut down our food and alcohol costs while traveling!

16. Limit your restaurant meals

There is really no need to dine out every meal when you are traveling. If dining out is important to your travel experience, choose a few restaurants in each city that are a must and make those your only meals out!

For your other meals, go to the local grocery store. We used to eat breakfast in Europe for ~$3 each. We would grab a croissant, piece of fruit and a coffee – it’s certainly not gourmet, but it is cheap and sets you up for the day! If your housing has a fridge and kitchen, grab supplies to cook or make sandwiches. This will end up saving you so much money!

17. Research local happy hours

Happy hour is a budget traveler’s dream! This is the best way to treat yourself and try a bar or restaurant that you normally would not be able to fit in your budget. We have happy hour hopped through cities by starting at the earliest one and ending up at the latest one – make it an event!

18. Check the tipping standards in each country

Each country has a different standard on tipping so it is important to check the rules or ask the locals what is expected. Just as much as you don’t want to undertip, you also don’t want to overtip! Australia is a great example of this. It is very uncommon to tip in Australia because the servers and bartenders are paid a full salary vs dependent on tips. This is an opportunity to save some money while traveling.

Again, we do not endorse being a cheap tipper. Even if you are traveling on a budget, always take care of your servers and bartenders!

19. Drink in public respectfully (if it is allowed!)

This is what we call the SM Sports Bar (Seth and Maddy Sports bar). It is located anywhere in the world and also budget friendly! This is the easiest way to limit your bar tabs. If it is permitted in the country you are visiting, grab some beers or wine from the grocery store and happy hour in the local park! The SM Sports bar has been to some cool places like watching a sunset in Santorini, under windmills in Belgium and of course under the sparkling eiffel tower.

20. Ask the locals where they eat

Most likely the locals are not dining at the most expensive restaurants. Ask your bartender or your airbnb host where the locals go to eat! This will give you a budget dining option and also a true local experience. Our surf instructor in Puerto Rico gave us some of the best recommendations that we did not find on the internet!

21. Always keep healthy snacks on hand

Grab some healthy snacks from the grocery store to help manage your hunger and keep them with you. This will limit your urge to buy a meal out and hold you over until you are back at your housing to cook your meal!

How to travel cheaper: Tours and experiences

Tours and experiences are another way to quickly work through your travel budget. Here are a few workarounds to still experience all of the culture while traveling on a budget.

22. Plan your own tours instead of hiring a company

This is actually very doable with enough research, especially for walking tours! One of the best things about the travel community is the amount of free resources out there. Research if this is doable and do a tour on your own time for free!

We read multiple blogs about the Game Of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik, Croatia and did it all ourselves. We did the same for the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, we rented bikes and led our own tour to all of the different sites.

23. Research free activities in each city

There are tons of free activities in every city! Check out all of the free parks and museums. When in doubt, people watching in a park is a great way to spend an afternoon.

24. Visit museums when they are free

Many cities in Europe offer their museums for free on the first Sunday of every month. Take advantage of days like this to visit those pricey museums!

25. Research student discounts

If you are a student, many museums and activities will offer student discounts. This is a great way to travel cheaper!

26. Skip the trinkets

Many travelers love to pick up a trinket from each city they visit. If you are traveling on a budget, consider skipping this tradition and remember your travels through pictures and journals! One “trinket” we like to purchase in each city is a postcard. This does not take up any space in your bag and is usually around $1.

How to travel cheaper: Housing

Housing expenses can really add to your overall travel budget. Here are some ways to travel cheaper through your housing choices.

27. Visit friends

The best kind of housing is free housing with friends! If you are truly traveling on a budget and looking for a getaway, consider visiting a friend to save money on housing. Depending on your location, this could save you $500+!

28. Compare all of your housing options

Each city varies with what housing is cheapest depending on your group size. Airbnb will be your best option in many destinations in Europe and the US if you are traveling with a few friends. If you are traveling solo, hostels will most likely be your cheapest option for travel!

We always browse Booking.com and Hostelworld to gauge hotel and hostel pricing. Then do a quick search on Airbnb or VRBO to see which will be cheaper per person.

29. Prepare for shared housing

Shared rooms will always be cheaper than private rooms. For the cheapest option, go with a bed in the biggest room in the hostel. It’s a great way to meet other travelers and as long as you are prepared with an eye mask and ear plugs , you’ll be just fine!

30. Book housing with a kitchen

This refers back to the point earlier about cooking instead of dining out. Utilize the kitchen in your housing to save money on food while traveling.

31. Travel with a buddy

We totally encourage solo travel but sometimes the reality is that it is cheaper to travel with a buddy or a group. You can save a lot of money by sharing housing, rides, meals etc…

How to travel cheaper: Packing

32. pack light.

The less you pack, the less you will pay for travel. Read how to pack light for travel to become a packing expert and ultimately save you money!

33. BYO water bottle

Always travel with your own water bottle! It is so much more cost effective to fill up at water fountains rather than paying for water bottles whenever you need a new one. It is also eco-friendly!

34. Invest in refillable toiletry bottles

I love refillable toiletry bottles to save money while traveling. It’s a great way to buy larger bottles of your favorite products and fill them up when you are traveling rather than buying travel sized toiletries for every trip. Here is a list of the best toiletries for travel!

35. Use hotel amenities

When you are traveling on a budget, it is not the time to be picky about your products. If your housing provides soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion, use them! They are free. And bring extras from housekeeping to your next destination.

How to travel cheaper: Banking and logistics

Banking is not always fun to talk about but it is super important that you set yourself up for success before traveling! Many of these logistics are discussed in more detail in our guide on How To Prepare for Long Term Travel . These expenses really add up, especially when you are traveling for a long time. If you have your finances set up with the right companies, you’ll ultimately travel for cheaper!

36. Get a local sim card

Unless you have T-Mobile, international roaming fees are expensive and add up. A local sim card is the cheapest way to use your phone internationally.

37. Be aware of ATM charges or better, get a debit card with no international ATM fees

Make Charles Schwab your new travel budget best friend! This is the best bank for international travel because they will reimburse foreign ATM transaction fees. We saved thousands on ATM fees during our six month backpacking trip. Some ATMs will charge up to $15 to withdraw cash. That amount will really add up!

38. Earn points with your credit card

Credit card points are truly one of the top ways to travel cheaper. We use Chase credit cards to earn as many points as we can on travel. We like to use our points in locations that do not necessarily fit in the budget. If there is a city that you want to visit but the hotels are crazy expensive, use your points to book your stay! It doesn’t cost you any extra and you earned it.

39. Get priority pass with your credit card

Think about the last time you were in an Airport for a couple hours, how much money did you spend? Gaining access to airport lounges with Priority Pass ends up saving you so much money on travel because you do not need to buy anything in the airport! You can eat a meal, fill up your water and take snacks on the go before your flight. Plus even though you are traveling on a budget, you feel like a baller when you are hanging out in the lounge!

Europe and Asia have some of the best airport lounges in the world. Some travel days we like to get to the airport early to enjoy our time in the lounge before the flight!

40. Avoid exchanging money when you can

Somehow you always end up losing money when you exchange money. Try and gauge how much cash you really need to take out in a certain country before traveling to a new country. The more accurate your estimation, the less money you will lose on the exchange rate and can simply take more cash out at your next destination.

Additional budget resources:

Your question answered: How to quit your job and travel Use this guide to build your travel budget Learn how to pack light for travel

See, there are so many ways to travel cheaper! Travel really is accessible to anyone who is on a budget, you just need to make smart decisions with your money.

Traveling on a budget absolutely does not need to take away from your overall travel experience. Hopefully these tips on how to travel cheaper will help you pursue your dreams and travel the world. Let us know in the comments any of your favorite budget tips we may have forgotten!

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12 Unconventional Ways to Save on Travel

Points and miles are major, but there are other cheap ways to travel too.

Hands put money coin in the glass jar with passport and model plane for saving money and travel.

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Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget.

Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics – such as traveling in off-peak seasons or staying at a hostel or a rental with a kitchen – the costs inevitably add up. If you're looking for ways to save on your next trip, add these unconventional tips provided by travel industry experts to your hat of travel tricks.

Get a set of packing cubes

Traveling with just a carry-on bag is a cost-effective option since it's typically free on most major airlines, but it's often easier said than done. That's why packing cubes are a good investment. They don't cost much – you can get a quality set like this one by Bagail for less than $25 – and they inevitably allow you to save space and fit more in your carry-on (or checked luggage ).

[Read: Guide: Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline .]

Choose the flight, then the destination

Scott Keyes, flight expert and founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , recommends changing the way you search for flights to save on airfare . Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a flight comparison tool like Google Flights , Momondo or Skyscanner to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airport(s). Maybe a trip to Barcelona wasn't what you originally had in mind, but if the price is right, why not head there instead?

Consider alternate airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option, Keyes also suggests comparing fares from other airports, even those that are a few hours away. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.

If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you're more likely to find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers.

[Read: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed .]

Set up airfare alerts

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Hopper and Trip.com . These sites offer deals that usually last a short time, meaning you have to strike while the iron is hot. "I do this every time I book a flight and I usually save at least 10%, but sometimes up to 75%," says Josh Band of A Backpacker's World . "I once got a flight that should have been $200-plus for just over $50 by setting up an alert."

Go to Europe for Thanksgiving

Many Americans opt to head to Grandma's house or another domestic destination for turkey dinner. However, not as many escape to the Caribbean and Mexico, and even less go to Europe – which means you're more likely to find flight deals to Paris , London and other European vacations you've been wanting to cross off your bucket list.

Travel midweek

There's no set day of the week to book the cheapest airfare, but there are less expensive days to travel, says Keyes. He recommends flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays since most business travelers fly on Sundays and Mondays (and consequently drive up the cost of airfare on those days).

Consider a 'bleisure' trip

If you have an upcoming business trip in a unique or new-to-you destination, consider tacking on a few personal days to the journey. This way, you can enjoy a mini-vacation sans airfare (assuming your company will cover that portion).

[Read: The Best Garment Bags for Travel, According to Reviews .]

Buy travel insurance

It may sound counterintuitive, but purchasing travel insurance can save your bank account (and your sanity) in the event that you or a family member falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change your vacation plans before or during the trip. A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will suffice, though there are coverage options for a wide variety of needs – including cancel for any reason travel insurance (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Housesit for free accommodations

Did you know you can enjoy free accommodations in exchange for housesitting? Sites like House Sitters America and Mind My House offer housesitting opportunities for a small annual fee (less than $50). Many of the homeowners have pets who need TLC while they're gone, too, making this a fun and budget-friendly alternative to traditional rentals like Airbnb. No matter where you travel, it doesn't get much better than living like a local and playing with pups.

Similarly, you can try couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services like the site Couchsurfing charge a negligible monthly or annual fee to sign up and get verified for safety purposes, while others such as BeWelcome are free. These services also provide exclusive meetups with other travelers.

Read: The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Sign up for a family loyalty program

Did you know there are loyalty programs that allow family members or groups to pool rewards or freely transfer rewards to others?

"This can be a great option for infrequent travelers who may not rack up enough points or miles for a free flight or hotel room individually – but can reach those rewards when combined," says Nick Ewen, director of content for The Points Guy . "In some cases, it's a single, pooled account that automatically combines points (like JetBlue). In other cases, you can simply transfer points from one account to another (like Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, or Marriott Bonvoy)." He recommends reading the full terms and conditions of these programs, as some impose time limits, maximum transfer amounts and other restrictions.

Use travel rewards on experiences

Don't forget that both airline credit cards and airline rewards programs can be used to cover more than flights and hotels. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards make it easy to redeem points for sporting events, dining (including reservations, exclusive culinary experiences and takeout orders) and more.

You can also use points earned on hotel credit cards as well as hotel rewards programs to pay for fun experiences in hundreds of destinations around the world. Options range from cooking classes and concerts to outdoor activities and spa experiences .

Book a refundable car rental

While some companies offer discounts for prepaid car rentals, many travelers say they've had better luck with booking refundable car rentals , allowing them to secure a reasonable rate while keeping a watchful eye for price drops. If a better price pops up, simply cancel your original reservation and book at the lower rate. Frequent traveler Pamela Howard, who writes about her experiences on Our Adventure Is Everywhere , says she's consistently able to save anywhere from $25 to $100 using this tactic on Costco Travel car rentals. "It's simple and that little bit of time rechecking rates pays substantially in savings."

Ewen says you can do the same when you book a flight or hotel using points since many loyalty programs have flexible cancellation policies. "If you lock in a flight at 35,000 miles and see that your same ticket is 30,000 miles just a week later, you should be able to rebook and get those 5,000 miles back into your account," he explains.

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How to Travel the World on a Budget (or free) in 2024

To travel on a budget or even for free in 2024 seems like an impossible task, doesn’t it?

However, it can be done! And frankly, it’s my favorite way to travel.

I remember when I first began traveling and I would google things like this. My Google searches would come up with articles on how to be an Au Pair, Teaching Abroad , or even Working on a Yacht .

Or sometimes more unachievable occupations, like becoming a travel influencer. Easier said than done!

While all of these options are true – you get to work and travel the world for free, many of them require thousands of dollars in schooling start-up costs or training. Additionally, I didn’t want to invest all this time and money just for the opportunity to travel.

I needed a quick and easy way to travel for months at a time for very, very cheaply.

Honestly, I debated on writing this because I feel like what I’m about to share with you is somewhat of a top secret you learn from backpacking.

Even after I did extensive research before I left for my first backpacking trip, I never came across these resources on the internet.

I only began to learn how to travel for free, after I had already been traveling for quite some time.

Let’s Talk Money

Depending on your location and the duration you are looking to travel, you will likely need some money.

Even if you don’t technically need much, it’s always important to have money stashed away for travel emergencies.

I can’t tell you how much money you need to get by. That just really depends on who you are, where you are going, and what kind of experiences you are looking to have.

How to Travel the World on a Budget or Even for Free in 2024

This guide is essentially broken down into 2 sections, flying and lodging – which are largely the most expensive parts of traveling.

My top two favorite resources for traveling on a tight budget are Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) and Worldpackers.

These two resources are fantastic options if you want to travel, but don’t want to spend a lot of money. I can guarantee if you implement one or both of these resources into your travels, you will save thousands of dollars.

What is Going ?

Going is the top industry standard cheap flight subscription service.

Let me tell you, I am not a fan of subscription services generally. I pay for my Spotify premium and Going and that’s about it. So, I understand if you may be hesitant. Luckily, when you sign up for a Going premium subscription, you get a 14-day free trial and are welcome to back out if you feel like it’s not for you.

How Going Works

There are few different subscriptions to sign up for on Going, the free version (limited), premium, and Elite. When I upgraded from the free version to Premium, is when I really stated to score insanely cheap flights.

With whatever subscription you choose, you will customize your chosen airports that are closest to where you live. These can include domestic or international airports.

After you sign up, you will receive highly discounted flights sent straight to your email. I have been part of Going for almost 10 years now, and have never paid more than $400 for a round-trip flight to Europe.

Booking the cheap flights

When you get your flight notification, it will look a little something like this –

In the flight notification email, there will be detailed instructions on how to book your flight.

The only tricky thing about these flight deals is they are often very temporary – only lasting for a couple of days, and in some rare cases – only a few hours.

This means you must be ready financially and physically to book your flight FAST. The great part is, the flights are often months or even a year down the road. So it’s not like you have to jump on your flight to Spain tomorrow, you have plenty of time to prepare for your dream vacation.

Why are the flight deals so temporary?

Going’s system is designed to catch errors in the airline systems, immediately. This is something called an error or “ mistake fares ” meaning there is either a system or human error mixed up with the costs of the flights.

The airlines fix these errors after a day or two, which is why you must act quickly.

How to sign up for Going.

You can start your free trial by clicking below.

Workaway is one of my most favorite ways to explore the world. I’ve watched fireworks in front of the Budapest Parliament building, climbed the world’s largest wooden staircase, and I’ve hiked the mountains of Norway – all while traveling through Workaway.

Workaway is an online platform that allows members to arrange homestays and cultural exchanges. It does cost a small fee to be a member, but it’s completely worth it, especially if you are backpacking.

Essentially, you work somewhere abroad for a few hours a day in exchange for free accommodation. In some cases, food is included as well.

The Pros of Workaway

As I said, Workaway is my favorite way to travel. The experiences you have are simply more enriching when you are living with locals abroad. Also, you bond with other Workawayers who come from all over the world.

Pros: Immersive cultural experiences, free accommodation, free food (sometimes), opportunity to build lifelong friendships.

The Cons of Workaway

Like anything, there can and will be some obvious cons to participating in a Workaway program.

I think you can avoid a lot of these cons by reading reviews and choosing your location carefully.

My two Workaway experiences were both very different. One was on a remote island in Norway and one was in the city center of Budapest. My experience in Norway was like a dream – I lived in a beautiful hotel on a fjord with lots of other Workawayers. While the stunning location of this Workaway was one of my favorite parts, it was very isolating.

Think about what kind of person and traveler you are, and what kind of experience you are seeking.

Another tricky thing about Workaway is, it really only works if you are traveling for an extensive period of time. Not always, but most of the time Workaway hosts are looking for a minimum 2 week – 1 month stay but would ideally keep you for even longer if your schedule allows.

Cons: Working while on holiday, locked in one place for a long period of time.

Overall, Workaway is totally worth it in my opinion.

Couchsurfing

If you are well versed in the travel world, you probably have heard of couchsurfing.

Couchsurfing is a website and app that allows travelers all over the world to crash at someone’s house for free. It works similar to services like Airbnb and Workaway – where travelers and hosts have a review system to keep everyone accountable and safe.

I personally have never used Couchsurfing, but I’ve met lots of travelers who are big fans. Couchsurfing is ideal for backpackers who don’t particularly like planning in advance and are just traveling around on a whim.

Pros: Free accommodation with no strings attached, short-term stays, meeting locals.

Cons: Short-term stays, last-minute arrangements.

How to Travel on a Budget (or free) in 2021 – Ebook Guide

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! I know this is a super in-depth guide, but I wanted to give travelers a detailed look on how to actually travel for free that wasn’t a bullcrap answer like “start a blog” or “be an influencer!”

If you’d like a visual list and even more detailed guide, subscribe below to get my free Ebook set straight to your inbox.

And that’s all I have for you! I hope you found at least one of these resources or tips helpful to kickstart your budget friendly traveling adventure. Please comment below if you have any questions.

Also, if you have used any of these resources before, I’d love to know in the comments how they worked out for you.

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10 Comments

Some of these I hadn’t heard of like Workaway. What a great concept. I’ve heard of a few cheap flight places but not Scott’s Cheap Flights so that’s another I’ll have to renege to look at in the future. Great tips

Thanks Emma!

This was very interesting. I was introduced for the first time to SCF. Great time. And it was good to hear you experience with Workaway. I wonder if what kind of work you do and is it mainly for young people or have you seen retirees do it?

Hi Karen, In my experience with Workaway, there were people ranging 16-30s. However, I’ve seen many listings that actually prefer older people and I know for a fact people of all ages do it! There’s really no norm, I think anyone can do it and have a great experience 🙂

So many great tips here for people travelling on a budget! I try to save as much as possible when I’m travelling so this will really come in handy for me.

I can so use this! Hopefully we will be able to travel soon and I may never stop!

I absolutely love this guide! I have done workaway once before and loved it! I want to use it so much more once the world opens up again 🙂

I’m so glad you had a chance to have a workaway experience! I also hope to plan to do it as well once it’s safer to travel!

These are some great tips! I’ve heard mixed reviews of Workaway but it does sound like a great way to travel on a budget! Thanks for these tips!

These are some great budget tips! I love finding cheap flights. It’s always a fun challenge to see what kind of ridiculous deals I can find.

How to Travel the World in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling the world is everyone’s dream. It is the biggest adventure one can ever take.

If you’re tired of your daily routine and like to expand your horizons, make unforgettable memories, and have stories to tell, then it’s time to start the daring adventure of traveling the world.

In this article, I’ll show you how to travel the world for free or cheaply in 2023 to make your travel dreams a reality!

How To Travel the World Cheaply

1. do your research and get prepared.

image showing travel planning and research

Research Where You Want to Travel

To travel the world cheaply, you should thoroughly research the place and the estimated expenses. Check for budget-friendly or free activities in the area, like walking, hiking, and sightseeing. Lastly, look for affordable accommodation and avoid renting private vehicles; instead, maximize public transportation.

Set Travel Dates

Setting your travel date is one of the most effective methods to travel the world cheaply. Avoid travel during peak seasons because flights and accommodations are more expensive than usual due to the number of tourists.

It is highly advisable to travel during shoulder season when the number of tourists is fewer, and many flights are cheaper. Booking your flights weeks or months before your target date is best to pay less.

Get All the Documents You Need

One important note on how to travel the world cheaply is to prepare all the documents you need, including a passport, visa, driver’s license or any valid international id, itinerary details, and other travel documents.

It is essential to prepare all documents to prevent problems on your trip, like refusal to enter a country, difficulty accessing services, and, most specifically, financial loss. If you are denied due to insufficient documents, there’s a big chance of no refunds or trip cancellations.

Figure Out Your Financial Situation

Assessing your financial situation serves as the focal point of your travel. Calculating your income, expenses, and savings would be best to avoid unnecessary costs.

Be frugal and always look for great deals, prioritize budget-friendly activities and accommodations. Lastly, always look for local bazaars; don’t be afraid to haggle to get great deals.

Create a Budget

You should create a well-planned budget to travel the world cheaply. Divide your budget into accommodation, food, transportation, emergencies, and miscellaneous costs.

Be resourceful and keep the mindset of traveling on a budget to avoid overspending on unnecessary things. Finally, keep track of your expenses to evaluate your expenditures and see where you overspend.

Save Money For Travel

To enjoy your travel, you should have more than enough savings . Even if you are planning a budget-friendly trip, having savings is considered one step ahead of your travel plan.

Always think about your wants and needs, don’t spend beyond your budget, and always remember that there are a lot of styles for saving up. But at the end of the day, your discipline and commitment to your goals are the bread and butter to achieve your goals.

2. Book Your First Travel Destinations

image showing a man is booking travel online

Use Travel Booking Apps

Booking apps for seamless, cheap, and user-friendly travel would be best. Loaded with travelers’ benefits, you can browse for discounted flights and accommodations. Also, you can get real-time updates about the flights.

Some travel booking applications have price comparison features where you can compare the prices of flights from different airlines. Lastly, it would be best to always look for the customer’s review about the app before using it.

Look For Deals and Cheap Flights

Have you ever thought that it is possible to travel the world cheaply? The quick answer is yes, you can travel the world cheaply. One of the steps you can take is to look for deals and cheap flights.

There are several applications where you can look for cheap and discounted flights, like Kayak , cheapflights.com , and Skyscanner , which offers excellent deals and affordable accommodation. It is a way to save on booking flights with less hassle and more satisfaction.

Book Cheap Accommodation

Booking cheap accommodations allows you to access different travel experiences, like letting you allocate your funds to various activities like eating out or even buying souvenirs. Additionally, you can have a more extended stay due to cheap accommodation prices.

Use Travel Credit Cards

Using Travel credit cards opens many benefits for enjoying different rewards for travel-related expenses like booking your hotels and flights. You can also have exclusive amenities by availing travel credit cards, such as access to airport lounges.

The beautiful part of owning one is that your flights often come with insurance and no foreign transaction fees. So don’t forget to use your travel credit card responsibly to maximize your travel experience.

3. Enjoy Your Travels and Live Cheaply

image showing a man enjoying his travel cheaply

Get Transportation Passes

Are you planning a trip for a few days or weeks, or just looking for a perfect way to save? Getting transportation passes can help you to save a lot of money because of its features. You can have unlimited access to various public transportation like buses, trains, or subways, saving you a lot of money and giving you the advantage of marveling around where you are staying. Kiss goodbye to costly individual tickets by availing transportation passes.

Eating cheap helps us save money and explore hidden gems in certain places. Trying local street foods is often inexpensive compared to restaurants and fast food. It fosters cultural exposure and is a great learning experience about how foreign countries make their food.

Stay at Hostels or Cheap Hotels

Being frugal can benefit those planning a cheap stay in a particular location. Staying at hostels or cheap hotels can save you a lot of money that you can use for different activities.

Significantly staying in hostels allows you to meet fellow travelers fostering a more social trip. Remember that you can enjoy your trip and create unforgettable memories while keeping your expenses low.

How To Travel the World for Free and Get Paid

1. become a digital nomad.

Is there a way to travel the world for free and get paid ? Yes! Several jobs offer free travel and accommodation, like working on a cruise or being a flight attendant. Or you could consider being a digital nomad.

What is a digital nomad? A digital nomad works remotely and digitally, not tied to one location. Being a digital nomad gives you the solution to the challenge of traveling the world for a living while experiencing different cultures and traditions. It opens a plethora of opportunities, like being able to work remotely with flexibility in your working hours and location.

It is also a cost-effective way of living. You compare the expenses from one place to another as a way for you to stretch your budget while saving up. Finally, working as a digital nomad promotes a balanced work-life lifestyle, allowing you to spend more time doing the things you love.

2. Work At a Hostel

One straightforward option to travel the world is working at a hostel and getting free accommodation and meals while getting paid. With that, you can save a lot of money, considering housing is expensive.

You can find any hostel jobs from websites like Worldpackers and Hostel Jobs for roles like receptionist, cleaner, bartender, service crew, or event planner.

3. Teach English Abroad

Teaching English abroad has become a popular choice for those who want to travel the world for free and get paid, especially in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and UAE.

There are cases where the employer covers almost everything, including but not limited to free housing, free flights, and even meals if the employer is generous enough while receiving a monthly salary.

Take note that there are requirements and restrictions for each country for you to be able to teach English abroad. Some may require you to have any TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA certifications.

4. Go on a Working Holiday

Going on a working holiday is one of the excellent answers if you’re looking for ways to travel the world for free and get paid. Since many countries open up holiday visas, numerous countries allow travelers to explore their place while being able to work.

Some sample jobs you can try are seasonal jobs like those in the hospitality and retail industry, teaching English, or your remote digital job.

Aside from the benefit of traveling the world for free, it is a perfect time to advance your career by adding valuable work experiences, meeting locals and making new friends, indulging in new cultures and traditions, and saving extra money.

The best countries for a working holiday include the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

How Much Does It Cost to Travel the World?

It’s a well-known fact that many people have traveled the world. Still, it’s not a walk in the park and is physically and mentally demanding. But how much does it cost to travel the world?

Cost is a variable when traveling, depending on how long you stay in a specific place, transportation, accommodation, food, activities and tours, and other miscellaneous fees.

According to CNBC Travel , a couple traveled the world full-time and spent around $4,000 monthly. You can pay about $48,000 a year for two or $24,000 for one person. They claimed that this baseline price is achievable by staying at cheap accommodations, cooking their own meals, and engaging in free activities within the town.

Even from the real experiences of Earth Trekkers , they say to expect to spend around $25,000 to $35,000 per person. At the same time, A Little Drift states that the baseline cost for traveling the world is $25,000 to $30,000 for one person per year.

If you’ve been wanting to travel the world for a year, it’s best to prepare financially in advance, do your best research to book the best flights, cheap hostels or any type of accommodation, and book activities in advance, which will be much more inexpensive.

How Long Does It Take to Travel the World?

If you plan to be a globetrotter, it’s interesting to wonder how long it takes to travel the world? Well, there are various approaches to answering this question.

Take note that the length to travel the world is highly variable and strictly depends on many factors— transportation mode, your preferences, the number of destinations, and how long you stay in one location.

If you’re traveling the world by plane and with the generation’s state-of-the-art technology, ViaTravelers say it would just take about 51 hours for a passenger aircraft to roam around the circumference of the earth’s equator.

According to Savoteur , sailing the seas is also a great way to travel the world. It would take you around 3 ½ years while stopping at numerous significant ports along the way.

But if you really want to travel the world and be able to explore the cities and discover what they offer, staying at least a week is an ideal duration. Foxnomad made a quick computation and says that if there are about 1,500 places around the world you’d like to visit, and you’re staying for seven days, that would take around 10,500 days or approximately 29 years. ,

Can You Travel the World With No Money?

Insufficient money has been the #1 problem when it comes to traveling. So, has this question ever come to your mind: How to travel the world without money? Is it really possible? Technically, if someone else has paid everything for your travel and you ain’t spending a single penny, either by your company or you won in some sort of game or raffle promo.

But if money is coming out of your pocket or no one else is involved in your travel plan, it is not technically possible to travel the world with zero money, but you can with minimal budgets. You just need to be creative, eliminate all the fancy stuff, and focus on making travel your priority.

Some travelers have successfully traveled the world with little or no money by following these tips below:

Utilize your points or miles collected from your credit card for some flight credits and hotel credits
Look for free accommodation by connecting to locals willing to lend you a room for free. Some websites include Couchsurfing, BeWelcome, Warmshowers, and Servas
Get around town by hitchhiking using a specific sign, making yourself presentable, and taking precautions by noting the license plates.
Maximize free walking tours offered to get a crash course about the city you’re traveling
Get job opportunities overseas while traveling, such as tour guides, seasonal workers, waiters, bartenders, hostel workers, teach English or any digital work
Join volunteer programs and travel the world for free
Cook your own meals will always be the cheaper way
Obtain rail passes for cheaper region-to-region traveling
Stay in large dormitories or hostels to spend cheaply on accommodations
If you’re a student or a teacher, some countries accept discounts if you show your card
Obtain a city tourist card for discounted access to the city’s go-to tourist spots like parks, museums, and activities

Don’t forget to Pin this image for your future reference!

According to Lonely Planet , the most efficient way to travel is by purchasing the “Round-the-World (RTW)” plane ticket through one of the world’s single airline alliances, Star Alliance, OneWorld, and Skyteam. They will help you fly from various airlines to thousands of airports worldwide, covering as much as 98% of the world’s countries.

The brightest and best age to travel the world is the 20s because you likely have more energy and time. It is the perfect age to explore the world and bring you a broader perspective of life.

Flying is the most expensive way to travel the world. Taking buses, trains, or boats/ferries is way cheaper if you want to travel the world on a budget. Just opt for a plane ride if there are big flight promos or discounts.

Six months of traveling is quite a long time and requires considerable money and preparation. Capital One says that to travel and survive for 6 months, you must prepare at least $1,600 monthly, so that’s a total of more or less $10,000.

Smart Airport Travel Tips
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Victoria Omololu is a fashionista exploring the world on a budget. She co-founded Only Earthlings in 2023 to show her travels in North America, Europe, Africa, and everywhere else. Victoria loves writing about travel tips, itineraries, packing guides, and taking photography from all over the world.

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Indian passport is the second cheapest passport in the world, after UAE

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA / Updated : Apr 25, 2024, 14:24 IST

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Indian passport ranks second cheapest globally after UAE, offering 62 visa-free nations. Compare the Market AU study highlights economic benefits. Adrian Taylor stresses travel insurance for stress-free travel experiences.

Indian passport is the second cheapest passport in the world, after UAE

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1 Indian passport is the second cheapest passport in the world, after UAE
2 DGCA mandates airlines to allocate seats for children up to 12 years with their parents
3 Bhutan removes mandatory travel insurance requirement for tourists
4 Venice implements day-trip entry fee to tackle overtourism; when it is starting and how much
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Pay to enter: Venice becomes the first city to implement a tourist ticket system

Venice became the first city in the world on Thursday to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading tourists from arriving during peak periods.

However, it isn't the only place in Italy that has recently introduced new measures aimed at slowing tourist flows.

Here are some of the initiatives currently in force.

Venice tourist tax

The lagoon city has introduced 5 euros (about $5.35) tickets for day trippers, valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The experiment came into force on April 25, a national holiday in Italy. Tickets will be needed for the following 10 days and thereafter for most weekends until mid-July.

Venice residents, students, workers, and homeowners are exempt from paying or booking a slot. Visitors aged under 14 and tourists with hotel reservations will need to register, but access for them will be free of charge.

Other cities, such as Como, have said they are considering introducing a similar measure but are waiting to see how the Venice initiative works before deciding.

In addition, Venice has said that from June, it will limit the size of tourist groups to 25 people and ban the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.

Florence tourist measure

Florence announced in October that it was banning new short-term residential lets on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center. It also offered three years of tax breaks to landlords of short-term holiday lets who start offering ordinary leases for residents.

The city's famous museum, the Uffizi, offers discounts to people who arrive before 8.55 a.m. and lower prices off-season. To spread out crowds, it also closes at 10 p.m. once a week.

Cinque Terrer overtourism

The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera regularly get swamped with visitors.

To try to reduce the overcrowding at peak periods, the authority which oversees the area said this week it would charge visitors 15 euros (about $16) to walk the most celebrated coastal path. In addition, the path can only be walked in one direction.

Capri tourism measure

The picturesque small island that lies across the bay from the southern city of Naples has doubled its entry fee, which is automatically added to ferry tickets, to 5 euros. The fee will be charged from April 1 to October 1.

Capri, Ischia, Procida, Lampedusa and Linosa changes

These islands have introduced limits, or outright bans, on cars for non-residents during the main tourist season.

These 5 Arizona hotels were just named among the world's best. Here's why they stand out

Five Arizona hotels were just named among the best in the world for 2024.

Travel + Leisure unveiled its 2024 T+L 500 list of the world's best hotels, compiled based on ratings from its readers, in its May issue. The list includes five Arizona hotels, including four that made T+L's 2023 best hotels in Arizona ranking .

Readers evaluate based on their levels of quality, luxury, service and amenities. Here's a look at which Arizona hotels made the Travel + Leisure 2024 best hotels list.

For more hotels recognized as being among the best of metro Phoenix, read about the honorees in U.S. News & World Report's 2024 ranking , Forbes' 2024 Star Awards , and Esquire's best new hotels in the world .

Five Arizona hotels selected by Travel + Leisure

Readers of Travel + Leisure, America's largest travel media brand, selected five Arizona hotels on its 2024 ranking of the world's best hotels:

Castle Hot Springs, Morristown.
The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
Mountain Shadows Resort, Paradise Valley.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson.

“We’re honored to be recognized on the highly coveted T+L 500 List,” said Andrew Chippindall, general manager of Mountain Shadows Resort. “It’s a true testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our treasured guests.”

How Travel + Leisure World's Best hotels 2024 were chosen

The T+L 500 list is derived from T+L's annual World's Best Awards, selected based on reader reviews and feedback. Readers were surveyed about their travel experiences around the world, including hotels, cities, islands, airlines, cruise ships and other experiences.

Readers rated hotels based on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and overall value. They scored each category on a scale from "excellent" to "poor."

The hotels recognized this year are favorites among the publication's readers, who named Castle Hot Springs the best Arizona hotel of 2021 and 2022 and the Hermosa Inn the state's best of 2023. All except for Tanque Verde Ranch were included on last year's list of the 10 best hotels in Arizona.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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How To Travel The World Cheap: 57 Epic Budget Travel Hacks for 2024!
Uber opened the door for cheap car journeys but now there are lots of different companies operating all over the world. Research which ones are best for the areas you're traveling too and download the app before you go. 9. One of the biggest ways to traveling on the cheap by far, is to use an Airmiles credit card.
How to Travel the World On a Budget
10. Go Only There, Where Flights Are Cheap. Another thing that will help to travel the world for a year on a budget is to plan to go to those destinations where flights are cheap. I like to use an 'Explore' option with google to see which connections the city of interest has and which of them are the cheapest.
How to travel for cheap? 8 ways to see the world with less money
With that said, here are 8 top tips on how you can travel the world for cheap: Pick the right destination to make the best with your budget. Do your research to find the lowest airfare. Curb your meals expenses by cooking in your trip. Live it up with some free events. Pack light with a minimalist packing list.
How to Travel for Cheap (or Free) in 2024
6. Get Rail Passes. Rail passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. If you're traveling around the region for a while, rail passes will likely be much cheaper than just booking individual trips.
How to Travel the World Cheaply: The Single Best Tip!
Just following this single tip can save you 30-60% on your international travels - I promise! But first, a digression — because this tip for how to travel the world cheaply is actually the source of the name of this blog, "Travel Lemming.". Lemmings are small rodents from Scandinavian that are rumored to engaged in mindless group ...
How To Travel Cheap: 23 Genius Ways To Travel On A Budget
Make Your Meals. You can easily save a few hundred dollars by making your own meals and buying local groceries and food when traveling. You can save a little money making breakfast and lunch on your own, and splurge on everything else. How much you can do may depend on whether you have access to a kitchen.
16 BEST Budget Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply
Go on a Free Walking Tour. Pick the Right Place to Do Certain Activities. General Tips on Traveling the World Cheaply. Do Not Exchange Money at the Airport. Use Student Discount When Possible. Work While You Travel. Get Tips From Locals. Pick Cheap Destinations to Visit. Further Reading for Resources.
How To Travel The World For Cheap
Travel hacking is essentially collecting points on travel credit cards, frequent-flier points, and miles to get freebies. This will, in turn, help you travel for cheap. Depending on how much you collect you can afford free flights, free nights at hotels, access to tours, and much more. Travel hacking can even allow you to have once in a ...
How to Travel on a Budget for Beginners
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 ...
How to travel on a budget: Here are our 22 top tips
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.
How to Travel for Cheap ️: 12 Expert Tips to Make Your Next Adventure
Opt for a local's cozy room over a pricey hotel suite. 9. Eat Like a Local. Fancy restaurants can dent your budget, but street food or local eateries offer a taste of authenticity without the high price tag. Besides, you'll get a genuine feel for the region's cuisine. 10. Book Attractions in Bundles.
22 Budget Travel Tips: Wise Advice on How to Travel Cheap
22 Budget Travel Tips: Wise Advice on How to Travel Cheap. Seeing the world doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, if you stick to our time-tested budget travel tips, you can take longer trips while minimizing damage to your savings account. From using VPNs to find the cheapest flights to seeking out the lowest ATM fees, there's a lot you ...
50 Budget Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Cheaply
1) Visit Affordable Countries. This is probably the biggest and most important of all these budget travel tips, and it's quite obvious. Visit cheap destinations! Everything is affordable in a cheap country as opposed to an expensive country. $100 could last you over a week in a country like Cambodia or Bulgaria.
How To Travel Cheap: Expert Tips
Travel Tip #4 Don't Eat Out All the Time. If you want to travel cheap and see the world, it's important not to eat out all the time. It can be pretty expensive if you're eating at restaurants all the time. Instead, use your money to buy groceries and cook for yourself occasionally.
50 Useful Tips to Travel the World Cheap in 2021 (by Bloggers)
Tip #3.1 "Obviously avoid peak season. Spring is usually a good time to travel in most of the places." #avoidpeakseason. Tip #3.2 Be ready to change your plans once you get to your destinations. Most of the time the best way to find new places (that are also quite cheap) is to ask local people.
How to travel cheap: See the world without breaking the bank
Step 7: If possible, rent your space while you're gone. It's obviously easier to save money when you have more of it to save. One way to try and offset some vacation costs is to rent out your ...
16 Best Budget Tips On How To Travel The World Cheaply
Tip 9: Use travel reward programs and credit card perks. Sign up for travel reward programs and use credit cards that offer travel perks, such as cashback or airline miles. This way, you can earn rewards while saving money on your travels. Tip 10: Pack light to avoid baggage fees. Many airlines charge hefty fees for checked baggage.
How to Travel Cheaper: 40 Ways to Travel on a Budget
Plan your daily budget. Knowing your budget is essential to traveling cheaper! Learn here how to plan your travel budget. Trail Wallet is the best app for keeping your budget in check! 6. Book early. Last minute travel is typically the most expensive to book! Do your research early and plan your trip early.
How To Travel Cheaply: 10 Ways To Stay On Budget
Return flights between London and Lisbon are around €125 now, but they were €300 in the high season of late July. Traveling at the right time can make a huge difference. 3. Fly at the cheapest times. If you have some flexibility on your departure date, then always be sure to play around with your flight dates.
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Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget. Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics - such as ...
How to Travel the World on a Budget (or free) in 2024
How to Travel the World on a Budget or Even for Free in 2024. This guide is essentially broken down into 2 sections, flying and lodging - which are largely the most expensive parts of traveling. My top two favorite resources for traveling on a tight budget are Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) and Worldpackers.
Our Practical Guide On How to Travel The World Cheap
The cheapest way to use these passes is to choose to travel during just a few days within the entire period. For example, if you choose to do your travels in 7 days in a month, it will cost you around $550. The price is almost double if you opt for continuous travel, in which you get unlimited travel.
How to Travel the World in 2024: The Ultimate Guide
To travel the world cheaply, you should thoroughly research the place and the estimated expenses. Check for budget-friendly or free activities in the area, like walking, hiking, and sightseeing. Lastly, look for affordable accommodation and avoid renting private vehicles; instead, maximize public transportation.
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