Smart Strategies for Learning How to Save Money On Traveling

Saving Money on Travel

Traveling is one of those simple pleasures in life that really pushes you to take a break from your daily routine and explore the world around you. Appreciating the scenic views, tasting unique flavor combinations, and meeting diverse groups of people all help you live a more adventurous lifestyle and gain a new perspective as well. Of course, traveling does come with a cost of its own—which is significant in many cases. So, learning how to save money on traveling ensures that you can continue to enjoy these exciting adventures more often.

Depending on your personal wants and needs, you can travel the world for next to nothing or easily break your budget for the entire year in one go. That’s why finding an acceptable balance is key to having all of your wants and needs met while you are traveling and keeping costs affordable at the very same time.

Saving money on travel doesn’t mean feeling like you’re constantly making concessions in order to stay on budget. Rather, it means making the intentional decision to save money on travel where you can, so that you also feel good about the money you are spending.

There are plenty of travel hacks out there that are so straightforward and easy to use you’ll still experience both excitement and comfort while you roam. By simply being intentional during the planning process, you can have the vacation you’ve been daydreaming about and not feel any financial regret once you return.

How to Save Money On Traveling

With the following 25 travel hacks, I’ll show you how to money on traveling and still feel like you’re on a grand adventure. Because nothing feels worse than ending up on a bad vacation and having to go back to your regular routine tired, stressed, and wholly unsatisfied.

1. Read Blogs and Listen to Podcasts

There are tons of blogs and podcasts nowadays that focus on both travel and personal finances. Start thinking of all of them as resources with a wealth of information, and you’ll realize quickly just how much you can still learn about saving money on travel.

2. Travel During Off-Season

No matter which city, state, territory, or country you’re looking at, all of them have both a peak season and an off-season when it comes to travel there. If you have a choice, traveling during the off-season can save you a ton of money on things like accommodations, transportation, and ticket prices.

3. Be Flexible With Dates

Just like being flexible with the season you plan to travel in, being flexible with the days you’re actually on vacation can also save your travel budget. By simply switching your dates around a few days, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars overall.

4. Consider Different Destinations

Want to save some serious cash on your next vacation? Consider a variety of different destinations and see which one gets you the most bang for your buck.

5. Choose Low-Cost Areas

Even the most expensive locales often have more affordable areas nearby. By simply staying and playing just outside of the city limits, you can keep your budget happy and still experience all of the good things that the destination is known for.

6. Set a Daily Budget

Setting a daily budget, and actually tracking it while you’re on vacation, can help you avoid costly spending mistakes and travelers’ regret. A daily budget will help know exactly how much you can spend each day and will even signal you that it may be time for a reward.

7. Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is another smart way to avoid expensive bills later on. Anything from medical emergencies to cancellations or lost luggage may be covered under your travel insurance policy, so it’s important to get that in place before you go. Many credit cards offer travel insurance as a benefit of using your card. Plus, you can always buy an affordable policy from companies like InsureMyTrip, Travelex, or World Nomads.

8. Research All Available Accommodations

When it comes to saving money on travel, accommodations are an excellent place to start. The more flexible you are, the more money you can save. If you only stay in 5-star hotels, you’re going to spend a lot more than you may realize. So, consider all of your options including hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, camping, and even house sitting opportunities.

9. Utilize Airline Miles and Hotel Points

Any time you purchase an item, it’s an opportunity to earn airline miles and hotel points that can be used for future travel. Just be sure not to forget all of those miles and points you’ve already racked up when it’s time to plan your next trip.

10. Look At Your Transportation Options

Once you’ve selected a destination, or a few possible destinations, it’s time to look at all of your transportation options. Be sure to do some price checking by looking at several airlines, calculating the cost of driving your own car or renting one, or taking a train or a bus to get there.

11. Plan a Weekly Schedule

Planning a weekly schedule before you go on vacation is another smart hack for saving money on travel. That way, you’re far less tempted to spend money frivolously on attractions that you really don’t even care about just to fill up the day with more stuff to do.

12. Find Free Entertainment

You can find free sources of entertainment pretty much anywhere you go. By searching for events online or asking the locals, you’re sure to find free art exhibits, concerts in the park, outdoor movies, and more.

13. Take Advantage of Special Events

Another great idea for how to save money on traveling is to take advantage of special events. Places like museums, art galleries, zoos, and national parks host free admission days throughout the year where you can enjoy everything they have to offer without paying the ticket price.

14. Get Outdoors

The most memorable vacations involve spending lots of time outdoors exploring the new area you’re in. And there’s no better way to do that than to go hiking, biking, skiing, tubing, kayaking, or paddle boarding in the great outdoors. Not only are these activities affordable, but they also help you stay active and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

15. Buy Tickets Online

Learning how to save money on traveling isn’t complete until you start buying tickets online. Nearly every attraction you visit has a discounted rate for tickets purchased online, offers free upgrades, or puts out coupon codes throughout the year. Plus, you avoid the long wait at the gate once you get there.

16. Purchase Wants Ahead of Time

Saving money on travel doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything you desire. If you really want your little ones to be all decked out in Disney gear while they’re at the park or your partner would love to support their favorite team with a t-shirt and ballcap during the game, buy these items ahead of time and spend a lot less money than you would by buying the items when you’re actually there.

17. Use Local Transportation

While you may need your own wheels in more rural destinations, anytime you’re near a decent-sized city, consider forgoing the rental car and using local transportation instead. Your feet are entirely free, but buses, trams, subways, cabs, Uber, and Lyft can all help you get around pretty cheaply in most cases.

18. Eat Local

The whole point of traveling is to have new adventures you can’t have back at home, so it makes no sense to fall back into your old routines when you get there. Avoid the over-priced chain restaurants you’re familiar with. Instead, stick to local restaurants, food trucks, and food carts to discover incredible cuisine and save money while doing so.

19. Bring Snacks and Drinks

Simple snacks and drinks can be ridiculously expensive when you travel. So, be sure to grab these items at a local grocery store and keep them handy instead of paying those marked-up prices you’ll find everywhere else.

20. Take Breaks Throughout the Day

One of the most exhausting—and most expensive—ways to spend your vacation is to keep going non-stop from sunrise to sunset. Save yourself some money and sanity by taking breaks throughout the day. Rest by the pool, read a book, take a nap, or go for a leisurely walk instead of constantly spending money on organized activities.

21. Avoid Fees

While learning how to save money on traveling, make sure you understand all the ways fees can add up quickly and cost you big time during your vacation. From atm fees to foreign transaction fees, you could be wasting money and not even know it, so check out the fine print on all of your debit and credit cards before you leave.

22. Refrain From Buying Souveniers

No one plans an entire vacation just to buy new shot glasses, magnets, figurines, and postcards. So, why do so many people think they suddenly need these items just because they’re traveling? Skip the souvenirs, save some money, and spend more time and energy making life-long memories on your vacation instead.

23. Understand That Gifts Aren’t Necessary

When was the last time you got really excited about a t-shirt or a hat from a place you’ve never even been to? That’s because no one does. Let go of the need to bring back gifts to everyone you know the next time you travel, and not only will you save money, but you’ll also save the people you love from having to pretend they actually like the gifts you bought back for them.

24. Use Airport Lounges

Whenever you have a long layover at an airport, consider using an airport lounge to pass the time. For a flat fee, you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, comfortable seating arrangements, wifi, TVs, and even showers in many places. Depending on how long you’re there, you can save a ton of money on eating and drinking alone, and you can increase your comfort level exponentially.

25. Work Remotely

The last piece of advice I have on how to save money while traveling is to work remotely while you’re gone. Taking extended vacations can be made much more affordable if you make a little money on the side. And all you need to do this is a laptop and wifi.

Should I Spend My Savings on Travel

If you’ve thought ahead and created a savings account for travel expenses, then you should definitely spend your savings on travel. However, if spending the money from a savings account reserved for emergencies is your only option, you should definitely not spend your savings on travel.

Remember, travel is a luxury. Eating and having a safe roof over your head should never be considered a luxury.

While vacations are exciting, and everyone deserves them from time to time, being intentional with your money and responsible with your budget is a far better idea than digging yourself into a financial hole. Besides, there are so many great ways to find an adventure that cost little to no money.

From staycations to camping trips, hiking trips, road trips, and romantic getaways, you can see the world on any budget. You just have to plan wisely and enjoy the ride.

Ready to push your mundane daily existence off to the side? Plan your next adventure carefully, and you can make discoveries about yourself and our beautiful planet along the way.

Today is the perfect day to learn how to save money on travel by being more intentional and making responsible travel plans. With practice, I think you’ll find that you’ve suddenly become an expert at increasing the overall joy in your life as well.

Sources