Traveling cheap while still having a memorable travel experience is not difficult if you know the secrets. Here are the best tips for saving money while traveling.
Save money on flights, restaurants, accommodations, entertainment and more. These money-saving travel tips will help you cut travel expenses so you can spend less and travel more. Let’s face it, who doesn’t want to wander without emptying their bank account?
I’ve done some serious research to uncover the best-kept secrets for stretching your travel budget. From snagging sweet deals on flights to finding budget-friendly accommodations that still deliver comfort, I’ve got you covered. Read on.
How to save money on flights
How to score cheap flight deals? Low-cost airfare should not be a mystery. Travelers should be able to locate and book budget flights easily. However, the abundance of confusing options and a lack of knowledge sometimes make cheap airline tickets a dream.
It IS possible to travel cheap and find reasonable international and local flights, last-minute vacation deals and discount airfare every time. It does take effort though, and knowledge, and a little bit of luck too.
Cheap Flight Deals 101 – The Basics
Let’s start with the basics, or CHEAP FLIGHT DEALS 101. These are the simple things you’re probably already doing for cheap travel, but let’s just make sure.
Flexibility is king. The single biggest tip for traveling cheap and snagging cheap flight deals is FLEXIBILITY.
That’s the flexibility to fly some days before or some days after the desired date. Even a one-day change can make a difference of several hundred dollars. Seasonal flexibility is also important.
Visit the websites of individual airlines.
Subscribe to their mailing list and newsletters, and register for their contests. Airlines sometimes announce deals exclusively on their sites.
If you get too many emails from them, manage your subscriptions to receive only the information you want. Likewise, follow airlines on social media sites for the same reason.
Sign up for travel alerts
Determine where you want to go and schedule a travel alert for this. Travel alerts will tell you what the price of a flight is on different dates.
As an example, I scheduled an alert through Skyscanner for a flight from JFK to Dublin. The results varied substantially – about US$100 – from the first date I set the alert to every subsequent price change.
A little flexibility on the date can net you a bargain.
If you register with certain search engines, they will scour the internet seeking error fares (when an airline posts a fare by mistake) and other ridiculously cheap flight deals, one-time-only fares and hotel rooms for cities you choose as well as random cities.
Perhaps you never considered Morocco as a vacation option but then you found a fare for $350 round trip from JFK. Suddenly Morocco is looking very attractive. Two sites that are especially good for this are Airfarewatchdog and The Flight Deal.
We’ve all heard the comments that the best times to purchase flights are Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The new reality is that the important thing is when you fly, not when you book. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are usually more affordable than Fridays or Sundays.
But prices change all the time. That’s why you should use price prediction tools like Hopper, Google Flights, or Kayak come in.
They tell you when is the best time to book because they show you prices for different days. Some price prediction tools may predict when prices are likely to drop in the next month or month and a half.
This is not guaranteed as things change but it can help you make better booking decisions especially if your flight details are flexible. Give it a shot next time you travel.
Get an awards travel credit card and sign up for frequent travel plans
These credit cards will give you sign-on bonuses and points which you can exchange for airline award miles.
You are going to use a credit card anyway; you might as well get points towards air travel while you’re at it.
Once you rack up enough miles for a ticket, cash them in! Don’t hold on to your miles forever waiting for that one big dream trip.
Airline miles can expire. Airlines can change their terms. You probably know someone who held on to miles just to realize they had expired when they were finally willing to cash them in. Your miles are as good as cash.
If you are unsure how best to maximize your airline points and miles, consider using online calculators that help you figure out the best conversion of miles to money before booking your trip.
This could save you tons of miles and, therefore, money. Some sites that offer this are Omni Calculator, NerdWallet, and The Point Calculator
Depending on the airline, you can also earn points for dining at specific restaurants and shopping at businesses affiliated with the airline’s program.
You can rack up airline miles on many different purchases. Use your airline credit card for all expenses, including gas, groceries, house improvements, and groceries.
Many credit cards are specifically designed for travel, such as Ink Business Preferred Credit, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and American Express Business Gold.
These can rack up a ton of miles and points when you make everyday purchases like phone bills, gym memberships, property taxes, and house insurance on your card. They add up quickly.
As if that was not enough motivation, some credit cards, like Chase Sapphire Reserve will get you into airport lounges with the Priority Pass, up to a $500 value depending on how frequently you travel.
Travel during shoulder season and seek out seasonal offers
If your travel plans are flexible, travel during the off-season. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also save money. Shoulder season offers better flight and hotel prices.
Want to go to Europe from the U.S.? Understand that a summer European trip will cost you more. Try flying off-season or consider a different destination like South America instead when it’s off-season.
The pros of traveling during the off-season are that savings can be significant, up to 50%!
The cons can be seasonal closures and bad weather. Still, it’s worth significant consideration.
Seasonal discounts are not just about deals after Christmas. You can score big-time discounts offered by many travel-related businesses during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The cruise industry offers deals from January to March when cruise companies struggle to increase sales. You can score cool stuff like free internet or discounted airfare during this time, on top of your cruise reservation.
Many car rental companies have to relocate their cars from the south to the north in the spring. A Florida to New England spring-time trip is a terrific time to score a price on a one-way rental car.
Keep checking your airline flight prices
During the pandemic, many U.S. airlines suspended change fees on airline tickets. The situation remains largely unchanged today with the exception of basic economy.
What this means for you is that if you buy a ticket and find a cheaper price for the same ticket later, you can change your ticket with no change fee.
Some of the airlines that have done away with the change fees are United, Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines. This is valid for reservations made using cash or miles.
It’s important to check with your airline first in case this policy has changed.
Cheap Flights 102 – Intermediary
Check out the budget airlines
Don’t just search on the big airlines. Traveling cheap means checking the low-cost budget airlines, too.
Budget airlines tend to service a specific region like Europe or India. But this has changed recently. Now you have budget airlines that can transport you between continents at budget prices.
There are budget airlines offering low-cost prices in other regions too like, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
There is a catch with budget airlines. You knew there was a catch. But it’s a little catch so don’t worry.
Nothing, absolutely nothing is included in the price- other than flying you from point A to point B. Want to select a particular seat?… it’ll cost you. Check a bag?… open your wallet. Have a snack?… don’t even think about it! Nevertheless, I think that’s a small price to pay for a small price.
Another potential issue for some is that these airlines tend to fly in and out of less frequented airports. This means you need to factor in the cost and time involved in getting to wherever the flight lands and departs. Still worth it, I say.
Finally, just like regular airlines, many of the budget airlines are cheaper at certain times of the day like 5:54 AM or 11:30 PM. Just keep these factors in mind before you fall in love with your $99 price tag.
Learn your search engine options
Traveling cheap involves having the right tools. Use the right search engines to snag the best and cheapest flight deals. There are tons of search engines out there, so which is best?
The best ones are the ones that list ALL the airlines and flight options worldwide. Some U.S. search engines do not list the European or Asian budget airlines that have some of the best deals, so I tend to avoid them.
I also like engines that are easy to use and visual. Some of the ones I use the most include MOMONDO and SKYSCANNER. They have every airline option – including budget airlines – on the planet.
I’ve found both their prices to be competitive but Skyscanner has been cheaper. Momondo has a great feature that lets you see different prices on different days without having to enter an alternative date.
This allows you to choose the cheapest dates available within the month you are traveling. Very convenient.
I’ve used GOOGLEFLIGHTS a lot lately. They have an interactive map that lets you insert your home airport and check out options from there.
It may not be the best if you are dead set on a particular destination, but it’s great for searching for possible vacation options. The pricing is also good.
Whatever you do, make sure you check multiple search engines
Don’t just go with the first one you use even if the price seems good to you. You’d be surprised at what else is out there if you really search.
Other search engines are fine too, but with these, you get every option under the sun which saves you time and effort and virtually guarantees you the best price.
Consider nearby airports
Many cities are served by two or more airports. Perhaps the more distant one is not as convenient for you but is a hub for cheap budget airlines.
If there is good public transportation, consider flying in/out of that alternative airport. This could save you a great deal. When searching, check the “all airports” option rather than your usual airport.
If you drive a bit further to a more distant airport, you might find a fare that not only is cheaper, it might even go direct versus making multiple connections.
Want cheaper parking too? Check out parking in a cheaper location farther away, then take their shuttle to the airport. Or park further away from the airport and take public transportation to the airport.
Wally Park has parking lots in 10 locations across eight U.S. cities and provides shuttle services to the airport. Other cities with similar services include Boston’s Park Shuttle & Fly and The Parking Spot. Some of these companies even offer complimentary car washes!
Consider nearby cities
If the price to a particular city is way expensive, check cities nearby. It may be cheaper to fly to a cheaper destination and take public transportation to your originally intended destination.
Search in incognito mode (maybe)
Some people swear by this. Others say it’s a myth. The idea is that airlines use “cookies” to monitor what you search for and increase the price incrementally as you come back to the site.
To avoid this, search in incognito mode or clear cookies before you search. I do practice this tactic for that added confidence…just in case.
Cheap flights – Advanced. Budget Flights
Finally, we move up to ADVANCED CHEAP FLIGHTS. Here is where you play with segments, overland routes, and layovers to get yourself the best ticket price possible.
Again, flexibility is key to traveling cheap, especially with your routing.
Say you want to go from New York to Buenos Aires. You’ll probably check direct flights and find, say, a fare of $700 one way.
But what if you found a New York to Miami fare for $90 and then $500 from Miami to Buenos Aires for a total of $590? That’s a saving of $110! It may not always work but it is definitely worth trying.
Some people think it is automatically cheaper to stick with the same airline for the entire itinerary. Not so! It may be cheaper to book different airlines for each segment in order to get the best cheap flight deals.
For example, fly to Europe from the U.S. on one of the long-haul budget airlines like Icelandair, then fly on the local budget airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair within Europe. You could wind up with a couple of different airline tickets, but you could also save 50%.
Mix and match to score the cheapest flight cost
And who says you have to fly everywhere? Combine flights with overland transportation.
In smaller regions with good local transportation, like Europe or Japan, it may make more sense to take the train or bus. It will be much cheaper and possibly give you insight into the local culture.
You can research alternative transportation between cities
One website I have used to research transportation options is [email protected]. This site shows you how to get from any point A to any point B using all possible transportation options.
For example, see the chart below showing alternative routes from London to Dublin.
The sites give you everything from flights to a combination of bus and ferry together with the pricing.
The site works well in developed areas as well as less developed ones like Southeast Asia or Africa. I LOVE this site! It is one of my favorites for traveling cheap.
Don’t be afraid of layovers
Embrace layovers as a chance to explore another city. I recently found a great deal from Adelaide to JFK but with a nine-hour layover in Sydney.
I took advantage of the layover to buy a round-trip train ticket from the Sydney airport to the city, visit a museum, have dinner in Korea Town, and make it back in time to catch my flight.
Buy one flight and get one free
Buy an airline ticket to one city and stop in another one on the way. Many airlines offer stopover programs allowing you to hang out in one city for a few days on the way to your final destination.
For example, you can enjoy a stopover in Iceland on your way to London, or Doha on your way to Bangkok, or…you get the picture.
Stopover programs don’t require you to purchase additional flights, so they’re very affordable. It’s like getting a buy-one-get-one-free flight to visit two destinations for the price of one.
Pack light and smart for one bag travel
One bag travel for packing lite and smart is the way to go when trying to save money on flights. Most airlines quote without checked baggage.
They will charge you extra for checking a bag. This is becoming more and more common.
Travel with just one carry-on bag and you will save an ever-increasing amount of money on the overall cost of your flight.
This is hard for many people to do. First, get a travel bag that you can take on the plane with you and cut back on unnecessary stuff. Make sure it meets airline requirements for carry-on and that it has a 4-wheel spin like this one. Traveling cheap is not hard, but it does take some effort.
If you want additional tips on traveling cheap and light, check out HOW TO PACK LIGHT FOR A WEEK OR MORE: ONE-BAG TRAVEL
Get help with your travel hacking
If you want your points but don’t want to take the time and effort to learn how to maximize them for travel, consider outsourcing the effort.
Companies like I Fly With Miles, Point.Me, and Jet Better, can help maximize your points for a small fee.
Some companies offer coaching on how to maximize your points.
Take advantage of your credit card rental car insurance
If you have a credit card that also provides car rental insurance like Chase Saphire Reserve, and you rent a car, refuse to accept any protection options from the rental car provider. These include accident damage coverage and roadside assistance.
Make a claim by contacting your credit card provider if you have an issue on your travels such as a damaged windshield.
It’s very important to be aware of the insurance coverage on your card. This is generally limited to theft and damage.
Use the number on the back of your credit card to contact your credit card issuer to get any clarification on what’s covered.
If you want additional coverage than what your card provides, consider the options provided by the car rental company. Otherwise, just stick with your credit card insurance.
How to save money on food while traveling
Buy breakfast the night before
Some travelers love breakfasts while traveling. Me, I like to get it out of the way so I can get on with the day. If you are staying in a hotel, breakfasts can be an elaborate buffet with a hefty price tag.
Save your money and your waistline and buy some yogurt and fruit, or whatever you like, the night before and store it in your hotel refrigerator. Then have that in the morning along with some coffee or tea and get out the door.
Never eat near tourist destinations
Restaurants in tourist areas know tourists are going to be in the area anyway and chances are they’re not coming back, so cultivating repeat business is not a priority for them.
Visitors are likely to grab something while they’re in Times Square in New York City, Ocean Drive in Miami, or La Rambla in Barcelona and perhaps be disappointed. Consequently, many of these restaurants – not all – don’t have to be very good or even reasonably priced.
Tourists are less likely to know where good restaurants are, and they are not likely to be aware of typical pricing structures. Also, there is a perception that it is OK to splurge on a vacation.
To travel cheap and save money on food, always eat at least four blocks from the main tourist spots.
As a general rule:
- Avoid restaurants in tourist areas.
- Avoid restaurants with enormous glasses of drinks.
- Avoid restaurants with endless menu selections in dozens of languages.
- Avoid restaurants with attractive people enticing you to enter.
- Avoid restaurants full of touristy-looking people.
- Eat in restaurants at least 4 blocks away from the major tourist sites.
- Research your restaurant choices beforehand. Check at least 2 or 3 review sites.
- Don’t ask the hotel concierge what restaurant she recommends. Instead, ask her where SHE eats.
- Look inside a restaurant. If the people look local, chances are it’s good.
Eat your main meal in restaurants during lunch rather than dinner
Many restaurants throughout the world have lunch menus where they basically offer a meal very similar to dinner but at a lower price.
Europe, for example, has a “menu of the day” lunch with two or three courses at a reduced price.
Having your big meal at lunch and lighter fare for dinner is a great way to save money on food while traveling.
Eat outside.
Have a picnic! Pick up one of the local specialties; cheese in France, cured ham in Spain, or cold noodles in Japan at a local grocery store, convenience store, or supermarket and eat it in a park or plaza while you people watch.
Wandering a local supermarket in a new destination can be a very interesting travel experience and an innovative way to save money on food while you travel.
By the way, if you’re ever in Japan, don’t miss the opportunity to pick up a meal at a 7-Eleven convenience store. The place is squeaky clean, and the food is amazing.
How to save money while traveling using local transportation
Use local transportation to and from the airport to your accommodation
This is a major issue with me. The cost of taking a taxi from the airport to your accommodation can be high.
It is also an opportunity to get ripped off by unscrupulous car service providers. Why put yourself in that situation?
Some tips to save money traveling from an airport to your destination include researching transportation options from the airport to your destination BEFORE you arrive.
Many cities in more developed countries have excellent local transportation, be it buses or metros direct from the airport to the center city at reasonable prices.
Many less developed countries have kiosks inside the airport where you can buy your car fare and just give the driver a voucher.
This guarantees you pay a fair, established and advertised price and avoids having to negotiate with the driver.
Contact the hotel you are going to and ask or research how to travel from the airport to the hotel. Do they have a shuttle? Is it free? What public transportation is available from the airport?
Use local transportation in your destination
Learn the metro/bus system of the city you’re in. Download a metro or bus map. You don’t need to know the entire system, just the main areas where you will be visiting.
If you will be in a location for more than one or two days, check to see if there is a multi-trip metro pass. This will save you money and allow you to go through train/bus stations more easily and faster.
It may be more economical to buy a pass than to buy individual tickets when you use public transportation. These can usually be purchased at the metro ticket booth or bus stations.
Embrace public transportation! This will save you a ton of money vs rideshares, taxis or a rental car. Use an app like Google Maps to navigate by toggling to the public transportation icon after entering your destination.
Google Maps often provides an estimate of what a rideshare price would be for the same trip for comparison. Other public transit map options include Moovit and Transit.
In places with seriously good public transportation like Europe and Japan, for example, you can save money by choosing to take the train between destinations instead of flying.
What about an eVehicle?
Yes, electric cars are a thing now, and renting one can help you save money on transportation. Big time.
In some European countries, a gallon of gas can cost up to US$10.00. Choosing electric automobiles is another way to save money.
This works well if you’re in a city with many charging stations, but not as well in areas like the countryside. If you do decide to go that route, use a website like Chargemap, Electromaps, and PlugShare, which focuses on EVs and charging stations.
Make sure to check EV regulations for particular nations and areas before making a reservation.
Traveling cheap means saving money on money
Travelers don’t always think of it but there are several ways to save money on money while traveling. Some traveling cheap money tips:
- Get a credit card with no foreign exchange fee. I like Chase Saphire Reserve but there are plenty more out there. These fees can add up.
- When paying with your credit card in a foreign location, if you are asked if you want the payment in your own currency or the local currency, select the local currency. That way your own bank – rather than who knows who -will determine the exchange and probably get a better rate.
- In descending order of preference, the worst places to exchange money are currency exchange airport kiosks, then banks, and, finally, hotels. The most favorable exchange will be from an ATM that services your bank.
- Don’t use ATMs in dodgy-looking locations. Look for clean, professional-looking locations like a bank’s lobby.
- By the way, you can use ATMs in Japanese 7-Eleven convenience stores. I know, I know…that goes against every instinct, but trust me on this. These stores are reliable, safe, convenient and efficient, like most things in Japan.
Saving money on accommodations
There are so many money-saving tips regarding accommodations that one barely knows where to start, but here are the top tips for traveling cheap with accommodations.
Become a member of a hotel awards program
If you are a member of a hotel awards program, depending on your status and the program, you can get little welcome gifts like extra points, snacks or a free drink at the bar at check-in.
The hotel will also do its best to get you a better room. The more nights you stay at one of the member hotels, the closer you get to a free night.
You can also pay for a hotel night with a combination of points and cash. Some of the brands are higher-end in case you want to splurge and still accumulate points.
You should try to stick to a hotel group that has enough hotels/partners in destinations where you are likely to stay.
One of my favorite award programs is IHG whose brands include, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental, Candlewood Suites and many more.
Another award program is Hilton Honors. There are many. Check your region to see what makes sense for you.
You don’t have to stick to hotels
Of course, today there are many more options beyond staying in a hotel. You can stay in a bed-and-breakfast type environment like Airbnb or VRBO which could save you money on accommodations.
A website like booking.com will list various different properties from hostels to regular hotels to bed and breakfast establishments to luxury properties all on one site which is why this search engine is my favorite for accommodations.
You’ve got lots of options for traveling cheap with accommodations.
Booking.com (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = ‘text/javascript’; s.async = true; s.src = u + ‘?v=’ + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, ‘script’, ‘//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js’);Let’s talk about hostels
Many veteran travelers avoid hostels because they remember when hostels were just large dorm rooms with rows of beds and clotheslines strung across the halls. No more.
Many hostels have gone upmarket and now offer private and semi-private rooms with private bathrooms in pleasant environments for much less than a regular hotel room.
They don’t have the fancy hotel amenities but if you love traveling cheap on accommodations, this is a great option.
Check out Hostalworld.com for accommodation options around the world.
Other accommodation alternatives
Other options include opportunities to stay in a home in exchange for minding pets or simply housesitting. Sites that offer this service include Trusted Housesitters, and Mind My House.
One last option for budget accommodations is Couchsurfing. Here you stay in someone’s house for free. Of course, it is very important to read the reviews before committing to this option.
Research your accommodation location before booking
Here is a traveling cheap tip I learned the hard way. I once found a great deal on a hotel within my awards program at a very competitive price. I booked immediately.
When I got there, I discovered the hotel was quite a distance away from all the sites I wanted to see. That means I had to take transportation every day back and forth, an unnecessary cost and hassle.
Now I always see where hotels are on a map relative to what I want to see and do. It is much nicer to have attractions within walking distance of your accommodation.
Here is a good example of how to select your hotel to help maximize your trip. WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND DO.
Avoid hotel laundries
Don’t use the hotel laundry. Bring a little bag of laundry detergent or laundry detergent sheets with you on a trip and rinse out some of your clothing in the sink.
Hang it up in the shower or the window and that’s the end of it. Don’t use a hotel laundry because it is expensive, and you may not get your clothes back in time.
Save money on entertainment while traveling
Visit the local tourist office
There are many entertainment venues vying for your patronage and willing to discount and promote to get it. If you want to know which they are, go to your nearest tourist office.
Tell the representative what you are interested in; theater (half-price Broadway tickets anyone?) tours, hop-on-hop-off buses, festivals…anything a tourist is likely to be interested in, and they will check to see if there are deals or promotions available.
Some of these tourist offices are better than others – Melbourne’s was awesome – but they are all worth a look-see when you first arrive. Plus, the bathrooms are usually clean!
Explore the passes to attractions
If you are going to be in a destination for several days and have a lot to see, consider passes for key attractions.
These passes are digital, they’ll save you money on entertainment, focus your time on attractions that are important to you and you’ll avoid long lines to get into the attraction.
Several companies offer these passes to attractions including sightseeingpass.com and GoCity.com. I usually go to the local tourism office and ask what passes are available.
Visit museums on free museum days
Museum admission can be pricy. But if you love museums, and you’re in a museum city, you really want to go.
Don’t break the bank. Save money on entertainment while traveling by identifying the free museum days.
Many, if not most, top museum cities, Rome, Paris, New York City, and Tokyo, have free days. Just Google “free museum days in X city” and plan your day around it.
Can you imagine seeing the greatest works of art ever created for free!
Take free walking tours
Many important and interesting cities have pay-what-you-like or free walking tours where you only pay tips. Check them out. There are several options including Free Tours by Foot and Freetour.com.
So, are these tours REALLY free? Technically, yes, but it is expected you will tip at least US$10 to $20 which is still a bargain.
These money-saving tips for entertainment can make traveling cheap a joy.
Other experience options that will help you immerse yourself in the local culture include Airbnb experiences. These experiences are operated by locals who really know an area or experience.
For example, you can learn how to make Chinese dumplings, tie-dye Indian textiles, and go club-hopping in Havana.
Enjoy the national parks with senior passes
If you’re planning a national parks trip, get the America the Beautiful Pass. This pass covers the entrance fee for any National Park Service park, as well as lands managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal organizations.
Travelers aged 62 and older can buy an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80, while a standard annual pass costs $80.
Love the parks and want to save even more? Volunteer with the park service for free park admission. Complete some volunteer hours and get a free park pass. Plus, it’s fun!
Check out free audio tours
Want to go even more budget-friendly? Check out podcasts or audio tours. Many travel experts, like Rick Steves, offer self-guided walking tours of major tourist destinations.
There are several apps that also offer self-guided walking tours like SmartGuide which provides audio guides, city maps, and insider tips. Another option is VoiceMap offering numerous walks, bike rides, and drives.
My personal favorite is GPSmyCity, an app that lets you create your own walking tours based on your interests.
Save money with your phone while traveling
Clearly you don’t want to use your phone with no support when traveling overseas because you will go broke. Here are a couple of options for traveling cheap with your phone.
Download maps before you arrive at your destination
Download maps for free before your trip so you can refer to them offline whenever you want. You can do this with Google Maps and Maps.me.
Use apps like WhatsApp and Facetime to connect with people back home. These apps are free. WhatsApp can help you text, call or video using the local Wi-Fi of wherever you are.
Get an international phone plan
Talk to your carrier or phone service provider about an international plan. This will allow you to keep your number and stay connected without having to pay a premium.
Prices and service vary per carrier but a typical plan can be $10/day for 512 MB in 130 countries. Note that 512 MB is not a lot – depending on your typical usage – so be aware of how much you are using.
Get a SIM card
Here is one of my favorite tactics for saving money on communication when traveling. Your best bet for using your phone abroad is to get a local SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module).
A SIM card lets you make phone calls in the country you’re in, surf the web, use navigation, and do everything you would do at home just as if you had a local phone.
Some years ago, I used a SIM card on a trip to Spain. I had hesitated to use a SIM card for a long time because I didn’t want to open my iPhone and insert a card.
A sales guy in the airport convinced me to try it and I never looked back. I was given a Spanish phone number.
I drove around using Google Maps and navigation used the phone to make restaurant reservations, called family at home, watched videos and more.
I was surprised at the low cost and high efficiency and felt a little provincial for having waited so long to use a SIM card.
In Europe and Asia, you can get a local SIM card at kiosks in airports and SIM card kiosks throughout the countries. You can also buy one online or from your carrier.
Costs vary depending on the plan, country and other factors. Do some comparison shopping. The clerk who sells you the card can install it for you, but it is easy to install yourself.
Note that you cannot use SIM cards on locked phones. Most phones are unlocked today but check with your carrier just to be sure.
Even better than a SIM card – eSIMs, the next generation
I recently started using an AIRALO eSIM overseas; cheap, efficient and practical. It is a SIM card that is embedded electronically.
I don’t know how I ever traveled without it. Just download it from the Airalo app to your unlocked phone and you’re good to go. It’s ridiculously cheap! Download your own Airalo eSIM here.
Stay on top of your credit card discounts
Credit card companies frequently offer deals and discounts, but they are not so easy to find.
These can include travel credits, free companion passes, TV subscriptions, grocery savings, and ridesharing credits.
Make sure to check your account monthly to see what available deals are being offered.
Check out membership deals
If you are a member of AAA, Sam’s Club, or AARP, you may be eligible for car rental deals.
Before you book a rental car, check a website like AutoSlash, Expedia or Momondo sometimes incorporate your memberships to recommend the best rental-car deals.
If you’re just going to be in one city, consider renting a bike from one of the many bicycle shops that offer e-bike and regular bike rentals for a few hours or several days.
This will save you money on gas, parking, and car rental. It’ll also help you stay fit.
Be loyal, but maybe not too loyal
Being loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand when traveling can reap some cool benefits like free upgrades or additional bonus points at hotels. But know when to be loyal and why.
For example, select an airline based on the airport hub where you live. Loyalty benefits are by and large based on how frequently you fly. Maybe you’re more interested in flexibility than in adding up points to reach elite status.
Would you rather pay more or choose a less convenient flight route with a preferred airline? If not, don’t focus on loyalty, go for your convenience.
Always sign up for hotel loyalty programs too. Even the free ones have cool perks like early check-in, late check-out and more.
Invest in travel insurance
My single best travel tip ever is “Invest in travel insurance.” Seriously, don’t even go to the corner without it.
I know so many people who had to cancel trips and were never reimbursed because they did not have travel insurance. It is absolutely frightening.
I also know travelers, myself included, who canceled trips and were fully reimbursed.
For a small investment in travel insurance, you get:
1. Peace of mind, 2. Reimbursed in full if you need to cancel a trip due to illness or many other reasons and 3. You actually save money because one reimbursed trip can cover the cost of many trips throughout your travel lifetime.
Travel insurance is absolutely indispensable for any travel that involves non-refundable costs that could result in financial loss due to trip cancellations or disruptions.
This is especially true for international travel where expenses will always be higher.
Compare various travel insurance companies and policies here.
Buy “110 Best Travel Tips” on Amazon or get it for free by subscribing
“110 Best Travel Tips” is my book of travel advice and recommendations on saving money while traveling, staying healthy and safe, and most importantly, maximizing your travel experience.
It is for sale on Amazon, or you can get it for free when you subscribe to our newsletter.
This is the fastest way to become super travel-savvy in a short time. Take advantage of what I’ve learned from a lifetime of travel.
Traveling cheap takes a little effort, but it is totally worth it.
What are some of YOUR favorite tips for saving money while traveling? Let us know in the comments.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
- Research and book your flight with Skyscanner. I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
- For car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend Discover Cars.
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com. I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
- Protect your trip and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use Travelinsurance.com and have been very happy with them.
- Looking for a small group tour to unforgettable destinations with top professionals? Intrepid Travel is your choice.
- For more general tours to any destination or attraction, book with Viator. Check them out.
- Need a visa? Get your visa for all countries with Passport Visa Express.
- Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
- Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
- Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
- The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
