Take a trip to see the cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo, go snorkeling with sea turtles in Bali, explore the hidden wonder of Machu Picchu in Peru, or get up close and personal with the wildlife in Tanzania. The world would seem limitless.
Behold: Brilliant ways to save money while traveling!
Now imagine being able to do all of that without winning the lottery. Crossing off every location on your bucket list shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, and, guess what: it doesn’t have to. With our budget travel tips, you can visit to every corner of the globe—from the Greek Isles, to Melbourne, to Buenos Aires and back again—on a budget that suits you. Traveling isn’t just for the rich anymore, my friend!
So, look no further; we’re here to help you navigate balling on a budget.
Here are the 11 BEST ways to travel cheap
Believe it or not, there are cheap ways for students to travel. In fact, there’s cheap ways for everyone to travel! With a little flexibility and a bit of know-how, you’ll be able to save money traveling like it’s nobody’s business. Sadly, none of these tips will get you traveling for free, but they’ll definitely help you cut costs where it counts.
One of the most tried and true budget travel tips? Use public transpo!
1. Travel with Friends
There’s no one better to share your travel adventures with than all of your BFFs. Your group chats are already consumed with talk of fun and different ways to travel, so why not turn it into a reality? This is one of the best ways to save money while traveling, because you can split all the costs. Groceries, accommodation, activities, car rentals; all of it gets so much cheaper the more people you have. Grab your friends and get planning!
2. Try Couchsurfing
Wanna spend your vacay surfing it up on the Brazilian coastline but can’t afford a hotel room with an ocean view? Take up another kind of surfing: couchsurfing. Locals open their doors to tourists looking for a cheap place to stay. They can also tell you all about the lesser-known gems across the city: from cute, hole-in-the-wall restaurants to the quietest beaches for your early morning surf. You’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge that isn’t available at a hotel and save a ton of money on accommodation.
3. Look Into Programs to Volunteer Abroad
Volunteering helps the community and the planet and it’s good for your soul. Take your mission overseas with a volunteer opportunity abroad. There are so many programs and causes out their, so you’re sure to find something that works for you. Not only is this a different way to travel, it’s also great for budget travelers, because, although you usually have to pay to join the program, that will cover your accommodation, meals, and lots of other costs.
Budget ahead of time for your non-negotiable “must have adventures,” then work backwards to determine your daily spend.
4. Get a Part Time Job While You’re Away
Maybe budget travel isn’t for you and you’d rather live like they do in the movies; settle in Sydney for the summer and catch some rays or take an extended siesta in Barcelona over Christmas break. Whatever your prerogative, a part time job is a good way to fill the gaps in your finances without sacrificing comfort or must-do activities. If you’re on a visa that lets you work and you’re happy to stay in one spot for a bit, talk to a local temping agency about finding a short term role. You’ll make some money and add some cool experience to your resume!
5. Search for Budget Travel Destinations
“Budget” doesn’t have to mean “not worth visiting”! In fact, many countries with lower costs of living can be great places to stop, get off the beaten path, and save some money. Beautiful countries like Colombia, Bosnia, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and many others are safe, unique, and affordable places to travels, even if you’re going solo. Generally speaking, food, transportation, and accommodation are cheap, so you can save your money traveling here and spend it on pricier destinations later.
6. If You’re in College (or High School!), Study Abroad
You probably wouldn’t expect studying abroad to be included in a list of budget travel tips, but it can be done! Depending on the school and location, study abroad programs can be the same price or cheaper than a semester at your home university. Going with one of the budget travel destinations listed above is a good place to start looking, as countries with lower costs of living are ideal for studying abroad. There are tons of scholarships available too, so it can definitely be one of the cheap ways for students to travel.
7. Stay with Relatives Who Live Overseas
Some of your best travel memories won’t cost you a darn thing <3
Does your cousin live in Germany? Or maybe your mom’s step-sister’s uncle’s son lives in Japan? If you’ve got a relative living abroad, that is the perfect excuse for you to stop by on your budget travel adventure. You’ll get to visit your family and save money traveling. We’re talking free accommodation, free meals, insider tips, and your own personal, bona fide tour guide. It really doesn’t get much better than that!
Bonus budget travel tips to help you save money
- Cook your own food. Enjoying the local food is part of the traveling experience, but it can make a serious dent in your wallet. Try to go grocery shopping and cook most of your meals at your accommodation and only eat out every now and then.
- Sign up to get frequent flyer miles. The best way to fight off jet lag? Knowing you got your ticket for free. If you know you’ll be flying a lot while your away, signing up for frequent flyer miles early on will help you save money in the long run. They’ll also email you about any deals they have going on so you can snap up cheaper tickets!
- Try not to use your card overseas. Foreign transaction fees can really eat through your money. Talk to your bank before you go to see if they have partnerships with any foreign banks that can help cut back on fees. If you decide to take out cash at an ATM to pay for small purchases, make sure you store it someplace safe!
- Be minimalistic. Pack light. This may seem impossible, but, by not bringing two huge suitcases, you’ll limit the amount of souvenirs and novelty things you’ll purchase, because you simply have no where to put it. That way, you’ll save money and only buy things that you really value.
- If you’re staying for a while, find long-term accommodation. So, you’ve fallen in love with a Venice and want to stay and work for a while? Great! Avoid staying in hotels or traditional hostels, which can be pricey when you stay for weeks on end, and opt for long-term hostels or shared apartments. It’s a great way to meet people without blowing through your money!
You’re ready to take on the world without taking out a loan!
Cheers to you having the time of your life! Just remember all the cheap ways to travel abroad
If traveling the world always seemed like an impossible dream, now is your time to go. Whether you’ve wanted to visit Paris since you were twelve or you just know that you need to take a vacation somewhere, everyone deserves to travel every now and then, no matter your budget. And trust us, it can be done for less money than you’d expect, especially if you follow our tips.
Take your time and shop around for a good deal; they may not always be easy to find, but they’re out there waiting for you. Once you’re sitting on that plane, all the hard work and planning will be completely worth it. Happy vacationing!
