If you’ve already managed to save some money for travel, you are off to a great start. Another challenge is how to make that money go further once you are on the road. Entrance fees to popular tourist sites, extravagant dinners out on the town and drinks with new friends can drain that travel fund pretty quickly. But don’t be discouraged! There are so many ways to save money while traveling. Keep reading to find out how to stretch that dollar, peso, rupee or whatever the local currency is without having to sacrifice memories for a lifetime.
Accommodations
Accommodations are a place where a big portion of your budget will go towards on the road. If you are trying to figure out how to save money while traveling, this is a good place to start.
- Stay in hostels
- Many Americans are so misinformed when it comes to hostels. No, it’s not like the nightmare scenario that the movie “Hostel” depicts. Hostels these days are safe, clean and provide a way to meet people from all around the world. They can make your life easier by coordinating buses to your next stop and help you arrange activities and tours. Many hostels have pools, restaurants and bars as well. Hostels are often way cheaper than a hotel, and they offer private rooms too if sharing a dorm isn’t your thing.
- Couchsurfing
- Couchsurfing is a platform that connects people from around the world. You can stay for free with a local in the destination you are traveling to. It’s customary to offer to cook a meal, pay for drinks or clean up after yourself in exchange for the accommodation. The platform also has meetups and events around the world where you can meet new people if you aren’t keen on staying with a stranger. The Bros have met so many amazing friends through this platform and have both hosted and stayed with our friends in amazing places like Italy, Germany & Switzerland.
- Book directly
- Most of us use 3rd party platforms such as Kayak, Hostelworld, Booking.com, Travelocity, etc. to book our accommodations. Although this is a good way to find places to stay and read reviews, you should always see if the hostel or hotel has their own website where you can book directly. This will often save you a few dollars.
- Rent out your space
- Workaway
- Workaway is a way for travelers to give back to the communities and places they visit. It’s also a way for you to have free accommodation and connect to the culture on a deeper level. There are a wide variety of options, from helping out at a local farm, cleaning and maintaining sailboats, to living with a family and helping around the house with the kids. The options are endless and most will provide a way for you to have free accommodations and maybe even some free meals in exchange for your help. If you’re looking for an experience beyond the typical tourist traps, Workaway could be for you.
- WWOOF
- WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The founding idea of WWOOF is “to facilitate exchanges around sustainable living and organic agriculture in pursuit of living in harmony with nature. WWOOF provides a way for people to learn about organic food, farming, and culture. In doing so it brings together people who share similar values and philosophies.” This platform is similar to Workaway, but caters to just Organic Farms around the world. Once again, you most likely will have free accommodation and some meals in exchange for your work.
- House & Pet Sitting
- Are you an animal lover? Maybe you are someone who can work remotely from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. Perhaps you just are someone who is responsible and can take in the mail and keep the house plants alive. House/Pet Sitting may be what you’re looking for. Having your own home to cook meals, relax and explore while living like a local is a special experience. Having a furry friend helps too! Check out TrustedHousesitters, Nomador & MindMyHouse.
- Work in a hostel
- If you are traveling long term, working in a hostel could be an option to consider. In exchange for working the reception desk, sweeping floors, or changing sheets, you can snag a free stay. If these job descriptions aren’t your cup of tea, maybe you have some skills you can offer to the establishment. Can you offer up some photography or social media help? If you are good with your hands, you can offer to build something or fix up some stuff. Are you an artist who can maybe paint a mural? Maybe you can offer to play music or sing for hostel entertainment? Get creative and ask the owners! Hostels are always looking for help improving the experience of their establishments and it’s well worth the cost of a free stay for a guest who can help out. Check out WorldPackers for listings!
Transit
Whether you are flying, taking a bus, train or a taxi, transit costs contribute to a major slice of your budget. But fear not, there are ways to keep costs down.
- Check different searches and websites to compare flight costs
- If you are looking for the best deal, you cannot just look at one website/search. Check Google Flights, Skyscanner & Kayak. Then check the airlines’ websites directly to compare the costs. By diversifying your search, you give yourself the best chance of finding the best deal. Also, be sure to use incognito windows in Google Chrome.
- Be flexible
- This is one of the best pieces of advice we can give. If you are married to flying out on a Monday and flying home on a Sunday, you are boxing yourself in. If you can be flexible, you open up more possibilities, and hence, better deals. The Bros are budget travelers in every sense, and flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of being a long term traveler. If you aren’t glued to one specific airline, one specific day, or even one specific destination, there are incredible deals out there. If you are strict with these variables, you may find it tough to find deals, especially on air travel.
- Carry-on & leave the checked bag fees at the gate
- Checked baggage fees can add up quickly, and it’s such a waste of well earned money. The Bros traveled the world for 13 months consecutively with carry-on only bags. There’s a saying that whether you are traveling for 2 weeks or 2 years, the size of your bag should be the same. Well, it’s the truth. No matter how light you think you are packing, you are ALWAYS bringing too much stuff. 45L packs/bags will suffice for the overhead bin and a 20-30L smaller bag can fit under your seat. Another perk to traveling carry-on only: As soon as you step off the plane you are ready to go. No waiting for your bags at the terminal, and more importantly, no airlines losing your bags and creating a nightmare scenario for your travels.
- Use your Airline miles from Travel Hacking
- If you’re a smart traveler, you already know about the technique of travel hacking. Now it’s time to use those miles to score cheap flights! One of the Bros’ best hauls was a one-way flight from NYC – Rome, Italy for $5.60 thanks to our airline miles!
- Walk and take public transportation
- It’s amazing how many travelers get lazy and will spend ridiculous amounts of money on taxis while traveling. These same people would never do this at home. Public transportation is great and affordable in so many places around the world. Figuring out the metro lines, navigating bus schedules or plotting the best walking routes are part of the adventure of exploring a new destination. When in doubt, ask a local. People are friendly around the world and are willing to help!
- Travel slower
- The faster you travel, the costlier it will be. If you are getting on a bus or plane every week, it will be next to impossible to keep costs down. Traveling slower is also more sustainable for the environment. When you slow down, you actually get to see more and experience a culture a little deeper. Some people rush around to see everything and end up experiencing nothing. Slower is always better, not just for your wallet, but for your experiences as well.
- Hitchhike
- This one is definitely for the more adventurous, but it will no doubt save you a boatload of cash. We’ve met many travelers over the years utilizing this method, and they have some incredible stories to go along with it!
- Shared Rides
- BlaBlaCar is the world’s leading long-distance carpooling service. It’s safe and secure and even has an easy to use mobile app. Think of Uber but cheaper and for longer distances. Bla Bla Car connects drivers with empty seats to people traveling in the same direction.
Eating & Drinking
Let’s face it. Part of travel is the experience of trying new foods and drinks. It’s such a deep part of the travel experience. Whether it’s Nasi Goreng in Indonesia, or ceviche and Pisco Sours in Peru, you are going to want to try what the locals are having. By all means, indulge, but there are some shortcuts you can take to help you save some money while eating & drinking.
- Go out for lunch instead of dinner
- A lot of restaurants are trying to draw customers in by offering lunch specials and deals. These deals will not be found during dinner time. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, opt for lunch.
- Get away from the main tourist zones
- If you go to a restaurant in Times Square, the prices will undoubtedly be inflated. Even a bottle of water on the street will cost more here. Do yourself a favor and walk a few blocks away. The prices will always drop as you move away from these tourist packed zones.
- Ask locals where they eat
- This is such a great tip. Talking to locals is always a great idea and will give you insights into the location you are in. Locals know the best deals, the best foods, and the best values better than anyone. Ask a local and you’ll be in good hands.
- Eat at local markets/supermarkets
- Local markets and supermarkets offer great prices and also give you a look into what the local people buy and eat. The Bros will often go to the supermarket and get some fresh bread and make our own sandwiches for cheaper than any other eatery would offer. Local markets are great places to try authentic meals for cheap. Remember, local people don’t eat out at restaurants everyday, so why should you?
- Cook your own meals
- Most hostels have a kitchen and a refrigerator to store and prepare your own meals. If you have an AirBnB or are house-sitting, you’ll be set up with a kitchen as well. There’s no reason to to go out for every meal when you can save some money by firing up a dish of pasta, rice or whatever you’re tasting that day.
- Take advantage of free meals at hostels/hotels
- Many hostels will offer free breakfast or coffee. We’ve stayed at hostels who even hosted a free dinner. Hotels also may offer complimentary breakfast. Take advantage of this when you can.
- Get a street beer!
- The Bros are big proponents of the street beer. In many countries, it is legal to drink alcohol on the streets, so why not?! Instead of paying for overpriced drinks at the bar/club, indulge in a local beer from a local market and take a walk to burn off those extra calories while you soak in the atmosphere around you.
- Bring a refillable water bottle
- This will save you money and will help the environment and the beaches from those terrible plastic bottles that find their way there. In countries where the tap water is unsafe, you can use water purification tablets.
Miscellaneous
- Share costs with friends
- If you travel with friends you can split the costs and save a lot of money. If you are traveling solo, make some friends! You can split a rental car, share an AirBnB and lower the cost of a taxi ride.
- Be smart about ATM withdrawals
- First off, get yourself a Charles Schwab checking account, as they will reimburse you for ALL of your ATM fees. This is huge. This means you can take out smaller amounts of cash as needed, and it won’t cost you a fortune in fees. This also means you’ll be less likely to be left with a bunch of leftover foreign currency (see the next point below). Take a look at our post on How to Handle Your Money While Traveling.
- Avoid currency exchanges
- It’s amazing how many people are still falling into this trap. Don’t be one of them! You are almost guaranteed to be ripped off if you are exchanging currencies in an airport, in a city center, or anywhere for that matter. Take out smaller amounts of cash (see above), and use your credit card whenever possible (see below).
- Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- A credit card with no foreign transaction fees is a godsend. It saves you from worrying about cash, it lowers your chances of having money stolen from you and it allows you to keep earning airline miles, points, or whatever your credit card rewards are. There are no hidden costs or fees, so it’s actually better than using cash. Major Bros Tip: When using the card, you may be prompted with whether you want to pay in the local currency or in your home currency. This confuses so many people who often make the wrong decision. ALWAYS pay in the local currency. If you chose your home currency, you will get charged to convert the currency, meaning you will pay more.
- Don’t pack everything
- This is especially true if you are traveling long term. Don’t prepare for every single scenario. Your destination will have whatever you need, and often it will be cheaper than at home.
- Find cheaper things to do
- Don’t feel pressured to visit every museum or every tourist site because that’s what others (or Instagram) told you to do. Do the things you truly enjoy and forget about showing off for social media at a place you don’t even care about. Also, look into a free walking tour wherever you are. Most places have them and it is a great way to see a new city with a local knowledgeable guide for minimal cost (be sure to tip your guide!)
- Ditch the cell phone plan
- This is also more geared toward the long term traveler. Get rid of the monthly plan and buy a local SIM card as you need. WiFi is readily available in even some of the most remote places in the world these days, so you’re never far from a connection.
Looking for information on how to handle your money while traveling or how to travel hack? Check out the Bros’ Travel Tips!
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