Flights, accommodations, transport, tours and more all add up when you are travelling but there are ways to save money while still having an amazing trip.
I am a university student in my early 20’s working part-time time so trust me when I say I save money whenever possible during my trips. Throughout my trip planning experience, I have learned ways to save money and make travel more accessible to people and I wanted to share these tips with all of you.
This post is all about the top budget travel tips.
Use Flight Tracking to Find the Best Deals
Websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner have options to turn on flight tracking on the flights you want to book and you will get emailed when the flight prices increase and decrease. By getting updates on flight prices you are able to purchase your tickets when the price is low helping you save money on a very large purchase of your trip, the flights.
Use Public Transport and Walk
Many cities around the world have great public transport such as buses, trains, ferries, and more. Instead of getting taxis from one destination to the next using public transport is a great way to save money while travelling.
Another way I love to get from one place to the next while travelling is walking and my favourite part about it is it’s FREE and you often get to see amazing views. So if something is within walking distance and it is safe to do so walking is another great option to save money.
Go on Free Walking Tours
There are many travel destinations that run free walking tours and they are a great way to learn about the place you are visiting at a more affordable price. Do not be fooled by the name free walking tour it is not technically free you are supposed to tip the guide at the end of the tour however much you think is reasonable. But I really enjoyed going on a walking tour when I first arrived in a new city to learn about the different places and more about the culture.
Check out GuruWalks and FreeTour they both have tons of free walking tours to choose from.
Book Budget Accommodations
When people think of budget accommodations they often think of hostels which are a great budget option but not the only one when travelling around the world. When I am travelling I often look on HostelWorld for hostel options and sites like Airbnb to find rentals. If you are solo travelling or with a small group hostels are normally the most affordable options but if you are travelling in a bigger group getting a rental house and splitting the cost can sometimes be more cost-effective. Just make sure you are looking at all the accommodation options for the destination you are travelling to make sure you are choosing the most budget-friendly option.
Spend Money on Excursions You CAN’T Miss
Booking tons of tours can add up quickly throughout your trips so my rule of thumb when travelling is figuring out tours and tickets I REALLY want to get and budget my trip around those. You want to make the most out of your trip so some tours and excursions will make your travelling experience better but try not to book an unnecessary amount of tickets if you are trying to save some money. I always have to remind myself to not be too cheap and spend some money on excursions I really want to do because they often are the highlights of your trip. When looking for tours and excursions I recommend checking out GetYourGuide or Tiqets for great prices.
Look into City Passes
City passes are a great way to save money while also seeing top attractions and sights. Lots of major cities have city passes and they often include public transport and access to a few of the city’s top attractions to visit for a discounted price. If you are hoping to visit lots of different attractions in the city you are visiting definitely look to see if a city pass is available.
GetYourGuide often has city passes but to find them just look up (city name) city pass.
Cook Your Own Meals (do not eat out 3 meals a day)
Eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner adds up quickly and one of the best ways to save money while travelling is cooking your own meals. You often have kitchens available in hostels or Airbnb’s you are staying in so take advantage of them. Go grocery shopping when you arrive in a new location and plan to cook a few meals during your stay and have a few meals out, balance is key. Locals do not eat out three meals and day so neither should you!
Apply for Volunteer Opportunities/Work Exchanges
If you are planning on staying more long-term in a travel destination volunteering is an amazing way to travel on a budget. Companies like Worldpackers have volunteering opportunities all around the world where you volunteer a few hours of your day working in exchange for free accommodations and sometimes meals, excursions, and more. You can work at a hostel, school, animal centre, and so much more. You also normally get between 1-3 days off per week, depending on your volunteer opportunity, to travel around your destination.
If you are interested in volunteering with Worldpackers you can use my code NEVERENDINGTRAVEL for $10 OFF an annual membership.
That brings us to the end of my top budget travel tips. As someone who is a university student in her 20s I am looking for all the possible ways to save money while travelling so if you are in the same boat I hope these budget travel tips were helpful. The main takeaway is travelling does not always have to be expensive there are ways to save money and still have an amazing time. For anyone planning a trip soon safe travels and happy budget travelling!
