Save BIG while TRAVELLING
1. Get a travel credit card
Starting travel hacking is the best way to save money as a traveler (especially as an American). It means you'll want to apply for a travel credit card that will earn you points and miles for free flights or hotel stays that you can cash in later. Using a travel credit card is a great way to inch your way to free travel, even if you're not a big spender. And who doesn't want to travel freely?! Here's a list of resources :
2. Avoid ATM fees
The longer you're overseas, the more money you'll spend on ATM fees. Cash is still king in many countries around the world, ensuring that every month, if not every other week, you're going to take money out. If you're gone for months at a time, these $3-5 fees add up, so get an ATM card that allows you to skip the charges. The best thing is the Charles Schwab card, as it has no fees and will reimburse you for whatever you are charged.
3. Learn how to find cheap flights
Transportation as a traveler will be one of your greatest expenses. To help you save time, learn how to find the best flight deals. You can save hundreds of dollars on each flight by knowing the best websites and the best times to book. The key, however, is to be flexible: you will be able to find flights for a fraction of what other people will pay with flexible dates and destinations. Here are the websites where I can find the best deals:
- Airfarewatchdog – Great for searching US flight deals
- The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals
- Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals
- Momondo – My go-to search engine for cheap flights
- Scott’s Cheap Flights– The best for US flight deals
- Secret Flying – Great for flight deals from around the world
- Skyscanner – Another great search engine website for finding flight deals
4. Embrace budget accommodation
While there are good five-star hotels, they are pricey as well. You'll want to accept more wallet-friendly lodging as a budget traveler. Hostels are your new best friend, as for a fraction of a hotel's price you can find them all over the world. You will meet other travelers, go on free tours and pub crawls, and save the process a ton of money. Hostels also have kitchens that allow you to cook your own meals and save even more. And if dorms aren't your cup of tea, most hostels have private rooms, so while saving money and enjoying the social atmosphere you can still enjoy some privacy.
5. Join the sharing economy
There are plenty of incredible sites out there to help you experience unforgettable travel while saving money. You only have to be imaginative! Some of my favorite apps and platforms in the sharing economy are these:
- Airbnb – For shared and private accommodation direct from local homeowners
- Couchsurfing – Free shared accommodation with locals
- Trusted Housesitters – For long-term housesitting and pet sitting (free accommodation)
- BlaBlaCar– A ridesharing app that’s great for long distances
- EatWith – offers unique dining experiences with local cooks
- Vayable– Customized tours with local experts
6. Visit tourism offices
This is an underrated resource not used by most travelers. Tourism offices in major cities have loads of local events information, free activities, discount cards, and tourism pass. Helping you have a great time is their job, so why not use their knowledge? Stop coming to a new destination by the local tourism office to see what's going on and find out how you can save money.
7. Take a walking tour
Free walking tours are a great way to get to know a new destination, its history and culture. You will spend 1-3 hours with a local guide who will be able to answer all your questions as you get a feel for the city. Once I arrive at a new place, I still take a free walking tour because it's the best way to get a quick overview before I really dig in. Just be sure to tip your guides, they're living off tips, so be generous! If you want something more profound and professional, you can also take a paid walking tour.
8. Find cheap eats and drinks
While you'll definitely want to cook a lot of your own meals to save money, from time to time you'll also want to enjoy the local food and drink scene. Try lunch as many restaurants offer cheaper lunch specials (as opposed to more costly lunch meals). If you're going to drink in addition, look for happy hours (especially in more expensive countries). Most hostels would also have their own happy hours if they have a lounge, so be on the lookout— even if you don't live there, you can still get a drink and pop in!
9. Get tips from locals
Connecting with people who actually live in your destination is the best way to get insider information. Using applications such as meetingup.com and Couchsurfing Hangouts to connect while you ride with locals. You'll learn about the destination and you'll find tips you won't find elsewhere. Do not depend on a guidebook alone to reach out for a more authentic experience for residents.
10. Search for free activities
Who is not fond of free stuff? Do a quick google search for "free things to do in X" once you arrive in a destination. You'll get lots of blog posts and pages with lists of all the best free activities, giving you the opportunity.
11. Avoid eating or staying in tourist areas
My general rule is that I never eat or stay in the busy tourist areas within five blocks. Prices will be much higher and there will be a lower overall nutrition price. Move away from the hub of tourism and go where the locals eat and stay. The food is going to be better and cheaper, and it's going to be cheaper too.
12. Skip taxis
Take taxis everywhere, if you want to blow your budget. Use public transportation or rideshares if you want to save money and extend your travels. It may not seem like a big difference, but in the course of a few weeks or months, those extra dollars will add up. Stick to public transportation unless you're in a hurry. It's more interesting, it's going to save you money and give you a deeper sense of local life. Use ridesharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, or BlaBlaCar as an alternative to taxis.
13. Volunteer
Many hostels, if you can work a few hours a week to help them clean up, will let you stay free. It's a great way to save money while having some work experience, so you can stretch your travel budget further. Websites such as helpx.net and workaway.info have plenty of volunteer opportunities to aid you expand your travels, so be sure to check them out if you want to stay on the road without wasting your travel funds.
14. Buy travel insurance
This may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to save money while traveling is to buy travel insurance. Flight delays and cancellations, luggage loss, fraud, accidents— over the years I've had all of them happen to me. I had travel insurance every time I was able to rely on to help me navigate the situation and save me money. Unfortunately, when you're traveling, problems and hiccups can and do happen — and they can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Don't risk losing the savings of your life.