Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned vacationer, learning how to travel on a budget is a must. Not only will it help you save money in the long run, but it could also lead you to uncovering hidden gems and immersing yourself in local culture without the hefty price tag. Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort, luxury, or your two bags of luggage, though. With strategic planning and patience, you can plan an unforgettable vacation that caters to your needs without straining your finances.
Below, travel experts explain everything to keep in mind when planning your next vacation. From booking during shoulder season and looking into travel credit cards to cheap hotel tips and airfare hacks, here’s everything to know about how to travel on a budget.
For more helpful travel tips, check out what may be the best seat on a plane for every type of passenger and our explainer on plus-size-friendly travel tips.
How to Travel on a Budget
Be Flexible About Your Destination
If you don’t have a specific location in mind, start your planning by looking at cheap flights, recommends Katy Nastro, a travel expert for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). By looking at cheap flights first and then later deciding on your “where” and “when” based on those results, “you are setting yourself up on the most affordable foot,” she says. After all, if you are fixated on one location, you may miss out on exceptional places with amazing flight prices.
Keep Tabs on What You’ve Already Booked
When it comes to booking anything for a vacation – your hotel, airfare, rental car, etc. – it’s easy to end your search as soon as you’ve secured the reservation. But because prices fluctuate so frequently, Nastro recommends keeping tabs on the prices even after you book. “To ensure you aren’t leaving money on the table, remember to sign up for price alerts, check hotel and auto rates directly, and make sure your reservations have flexible cancellations so if those rates do drop, you can just cancel and rebook for the lower price,” Nastro says. To help keep tabs on flights, you can use Going, a website that alerts you when there are cheap flights departing from your chosen airport, or set a notification with Google Flights.
Travel in the Low Season or Shoulder Season
Low seasons differ depending on the destination. Regardless of where you’re going, if you want to save a penny or two, this is the best time to travel, Nastro says. Flights, hotels, and even food are cheaper during this time period. Plus, there won’t be as many crowds or other tourists. Shoulder seasons are also a great time to travel and offer less risk. Though it might be a tiny bit more expensive than the low season, the possibility of more attractive weather is stronger. While off seasons and shoulder seasons are a great time to travel, make sure to do your research. A little extra heat won’t hurt you, but a devastating monsoon will definitely ruin your vacation.
Be Open to a Range of Accommodations
You don’t need to stay at a five-star hotel or villa to experience extraordinary luxury. From stunning Airbnbs and boutique hotels to glamping and B&Bs, luxury can be found anywhere. Discover different cultures by booking a variety of accommodations. For example, Kampgrounds of America is a great option for those seeking affordable camping accommodations to suit your budget and preferences, says Diane Eichler, senior vice president of marketing at Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
Another option is to pet sit while on vacation. “Register yourself on a trusted pet-sitting website so that you can watch someone’s fur baby in their home while they are on vacation,” recommends Jennifer Dohm, senior director of consumer communications at Chime. “This is a creative way to take advantage of free housing when you explore a new city in exchange for a handful of small chores.”
Get Upgrades Simply by Asking
Keep those pearly whites bright and throw a mint in your mouth while you’re at it, because it never hurts to ask. Flights quite frequently have exit-row seats that have yet to be assigned. Eventually they will look for volunteers, but you can snag that extra leg room early simply by asking.
Be sure to also ask for any upgrades upon checking in to your hotel. If a hotel is not completely sold out, more often than not, someone at check-in will upgrade you to a larger room. If they ask for a fee, try to negotiate it down – again, with a smile and a bit of personality. Most importantly, though, mention whether you’re celebrating a birthday or honeymoon everywhere you go. “While it won’t work all the time, there may be an upgrade, discount, or free glass of champagne in your future,” Dohm says.
Use Travel Rewards Cards
Pull out that plastic; it’s time to collect points and miles using travel rewards credit cards. Get the right ones and look forward to extremely cheap flights, free upgrades, and what would otherwise be unaffordable hotel stays. The first step is to find the right card(s) for you. Look for deals that offer bonus points simply for signing up. Once you find a program that fits your lifestyle, it’s time to start charging – everything. Stow your cash and debit card deep in your wallet, and start paying for everything, from your morning coffee and groceries to household bills and even rent (if you can), with your rewards card. The more you spend, the more points you earn. The more points you earn, the more luxurious getaways you will have.
Follow the Advice of Travel Bloggers
As steals and deals are constantly changing, subscribing to blogger newsletters is key. You will be provided with the latest tips and tricks as soon as they become available, allowing you to use them before everyone else catches wind. Giving advice on the best credit cards to sign up for, reviewing affordable destinations, and keeping you up to date on the latest bargains, travel bloggers teach you how to hack the system, and in a way that anyone can understand. Some of the best travel bloggers include The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, and Nomadic Matt.
Book Hotels That Just Opened
Brand-new hotels are always looking for a way to lure in new visitors. How do they do this? They offer amazing rates and discounts that entice travelers who enjoy the best of luxury and aren’t afraid of new-hotel experiences. Plus, just-opened hotels offer some of the most impeccable service out there. They have yet to build a reputation, so the best way for them to get those fantastic TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews is to make sure their guests have an unforgettable stay. And let’s not forget the biggest perk of staying in a previously unstayed-in hotel . . . a perfectly clean bathroom, and a bathtub you’re not afraid to soak in.
Stay Off the Beaten Path
Get a great deal by booking a hotel on the outskirts of your destination’s most touristy area. Not only will you get your money’s worth, but you will also gain a more realistic perspective of what life is like in the area you are visiting. Take some time to research your destination’s different regions and find a hotel in a more intimate neighborhood. Staying off the beaten path will likely result in luxury at a much cheaper price tag. Save money and live, eat, and shop like the locals do!
Travel in a Group
A lot of people say less is more, but when it comes to traveling, sometimes more is actually less. Traveling in a group can save some major Benjamins. When booking a hotel, the more rooms booked, the cheaper the rate. However, when traveling with friends, I highly recommend considering an Airbnb. With a large group, it is possible to rent an extraordinary residence that, when split between multiple people, actually gives you an inexpensive yet luxurious place to lay your head at night. If you decide to rent a home though, make sure to read the reviews and do your due diligence. The last thing you want is to arrive and be gravely disappointed by what you see.
– Additional reporting by Taylor Andrews
Shelby Eden is a former PS contributor.
Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at POPSUGAR who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more. In her six years working in editorial, she’s written about how semen is digested, why sex aftercare is the move, and how the overturn of Roe killed situationships.
