6 Tips for Saving Money While Traveling

Do you want to travel more but think it’s too expensive? Here are some things we do to lower our travel costs.

1. Cook some meals in. We like to cook our own breakfast instead of going out each morning, which is possible when we rent an Airbnb with a kitchen. Food is an important part of exploring a new culture, but you can learn a lot from checking out the local grocery store and seeing what locals eat and how they shop. We’ve also saved by buying local wine and beer we wanted to try at the store instead of going out to bars.
2. Walk, bike, or take public transportation. It can be tempting to Uber or Lyft a lot when you travel, but it can be more fun and cost effective to get around like a local. In Amsterdam we rented bikes for a day to explore the city, in Athens we walked everywhere, and in Tokyo the train system was the most efficient. However, Uber/Lyft can still be cheaper than renting a car and paying for parking, which is what we did to get around San Diego where driving was necessary.
3. Do free stuff. Some of my favorite tourist attractions are free: Notre Dame in Paris, The British Museum in London, the High Line in New York City… and I could keep going. We’ve also enjoyed attractions from the outside but opted not to pay to go in, such as the Dubai Aquarium and the Atomium in Brussels. In Amsterdam and Bruges we did free walking tours that were fun and informative, and the pressure to tip was much less than some paid tours I’ve been on.
4. Pack light. If you’re flying a budget airline or with a basic economy ticket, you probably have to pay extra to check a bag, or even for carry-ons that need overhead space. For a round trip flight that can add up, so I’ve learned to travel with just a backpack that can fit under the seat when necessary. However, a way around this may be to get airline credit cards that come with free bag perks.
5. Skip the souvenirs. Unfortunately, souvenirs often turn into clutter that we don’t use or look at. I have a few things from my travels on my desk that make me smile, but for the most part we don’t bring stuff home. If you feel the need to collect things from your trips, I recommend something small and inexpensive like postcards. Our memories, photos and videos are our favorite souvenirs, and those are free.
6. Travel with points. One of the best ways to save on travel is to use credit card points or airline miles to pay for your flight and hotel. Not sure where to start? Read this beginner’s guide to free travel.

What about saving on flights? Read 4 Ways to Find Cheap Flights.