My Favorite Budget Travel Tips
Some ways I save money once I'm actually on the trip!
I talked a lot about how to save money when you’re planning a trip in a previous post…
But what about once you’re on the trip? I try to keep a balance between budgeting a lot and splurging on a few important experiences or meals or souvenirs once I’m on a trip in order to save money. Like I said before: my travel math is cheaper travel = more travel.
I’ll start with one of my simplest ways to save money on a trip: take a reusable water bottle. I know this may seem like second nature to some of you, but sticking to this practice will save you a fortune in over-priced water bottles on your travels. Plus, it’s better for the environment!
Just pack your empty water bottle in your carry-on or personal bag. You can fill it in the airport once you’re through security. You’ll start saving money right away as bottled waters in the airport are the most overpriced. If you don’t have one already, buy a smaller water bottle for your travels, with a lid. That way you can toss it in your bag and carry it with you throughout the day. If you’re traveling to countries or outdoor destinations without clean drinking water, find a water bottle that has a filter.
This budget tip is one of those a little goes a long way situations: the small amounts of money you’ll save by refilling your own water bottle really add up!
Another way I save a chunk of change on a trip is to take public transit. This is exceptionally easy to do in places like Europe that have extensive and easy-to-use
train systems, but a little research goes a long way! Most places you go will have cheaper public transit options: just do a bit of Googling before your trip on what they are and how to use them.
Here are some examples from my travels. When I arrive in Seattle, I take the light rail instead of an Uber. The cost is $3 versus about $60. Arriving to New York City, you’re faced with a similar choice. A taxi costs upwards of $100, or you can take the LIRR for under $20. Speaking of New York, a subway ride to anywhere in the city costs $2.90. A cab costs $3 base fee plus $.70 per every 1/2 mile and other fees and a tip. You see the pattern here. Public transit is way cheaper.
To me the sacrifice in comfort while in transit is well worth saving the money. Maybe I take that transportation budget and treat myself to a really nice meal one night of my trip. It all comes down to priorities!
One of my absolute favorite ways to save a buck on a trip is to take my previous tip even further and walk instead of paying for transit. I walk wherever I can when traveling, not only to save money but also to fully experience a place. Walking is the best way to truly get to know a new city, and it’s free!
Eating out is very important to me when I travel. It’s how I get to know a new culture, meet people, and make some of my favorite memories. For this reason, I don’t do much grocery shopping or staying in for meals on trips. This is a personal priority. That being said, there are a lot of ways I still save money even if I am going out for most meals.
Eat street food or at small local cafes for lots of meals. I find this to be not only cost-effective but so fun. Go out early and have a cheap coffee and pastry with all the elderly locals at a small town in Spain; watch the town wake up and all the regulars parade in. Or eat cheap tacos from a stand in Mexico; they might just be the best thing you eat on your whole trip. In a lot of places, your dollar will go very far at these smaller establishments.
Eat local: you’ll find very reasonable prices on local food and drink in most parts of the world. For example, Vinho Verde is like water in Portugal and probably cheaper. You’ll see it everywhere you go for very cheap, but it’s good wine, often made naturally by local farmers. Stick to what is regional to where you’re visiting (whether it’s food or dink or artisan crafts to take home as souvenirs), and you’ll be saving money while getting a more authentic experience.
On that note, a great way to save money when traveling is to practice moderation with your food and drink. (Isn’t this a great practice in all of life anyways?) One drink with dinner will save you so much more money on a trip than if you treat yourself to several. Or maybe you skip dessert on some days of your trip. It’ll make that one gelato even more special.
Another great way to save money on a trip is to stay in hostels. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about them, but I’ve only ever had good experiences. Yes, hostels are the epitome of budget accommodations; that doesn’t make them all bad. Often you’ll meet kindred spirits, fellow travelers with shared interests who might know the city you’re visiting better than you and have excellent travel tips. Just do your research ahead of time, and choose a hostel with good reviews.
Accommodations can often be the most expensive part of a trip, so opening yourself up to staying in hostels can make your budget go way further. This becomes extra helpful when you’re solo traveling as you won’t be splitting AirBnb or hotel costs with a friend.
Just like I mentioned in my previous post about budget travel planning, know when to splurge! You’ve done so much to save every penny on your trip, but remember how far you’ve come. Make sure you treat yourself to an art museum or famous sight or a special meal. Whatever it is that makes you excited about this destination, consider how important that memory will be to you or how much it will help you truly experience that place. Go for it!
I hope these tips help you save money on your next trip so you can take even more trips after that. If you have a good budget travel practice, let me know!