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“You have to be rich to travel.”
This is a frequently circulated statement that I hear when it comes to the topic of travel affordability. However, I’d argue that travel can be quite inexpensive… that is, with appropriate money-saving travel tips, knowledge, and spending habits.
While yes, there is the side of travel that is characterized by first-class airplane tickets, all-inclusive resorts, and 5-star dinners, most travel destinations do offer low-cost alternatives for travelers looking to explore the world without breaking the bank.
In less than a month, I’ll be turning 23 and solo traveling full-time, which will end up costing me less money than living and working in the United States. I’ll share more on this later, but for now here’s my go-to ways to save money while traveling that allow me to travel more while spending less:
7 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHILE TRAVELING
HOSTELS
When traveling solo, there’s no one to split costs with and nights can get lonely, so hostels are a great solution. Sleeping in a dorm-style setting with strangers may take some getting used to at first but will save you loads of money and give you opportunities to socialize with other travelers. As a hostel guest, you can rent a bed for an average nightly rate of $10-$40, which also gives you access to the amenities and on-site facilities.
I always search for hostels through Hostelworld, however have found gems through Booking.com as well.
WORK EXCHANGES
Low-cost accommodation is ideal, but staying anywhere in the world for free is even better! In a nutshell, work exchanges are mutually beneficial opportunities for travelers to stay rent-free, oftentimes with additional perks such as free meals and amenities, in exchange for providing a part-time commitment doing a variety of tasks. This may include reception or housekeeping at a hostel, practicing horticulture on a farm, or teaching language or yoga classes at an eco-village. The opportunities are truly endless.
There’s thousands of work and volunteer exchange opportunities around the world and they can be found on sites such as Hostel Jobs, through membership programs like Worldpackers, or by contacting properties directly. I’ll soon be participating in my first work exchange experience with a hostel in San Juan, Puerto Rico and will be actively sharing my experience on my social media and here on my blog, so be sure to follow along and check back to learn and see more!
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
By doing some research ahead of your travels to understand the public transportation routes and schedules, you’ll save yourself costly taxi and/or rideshare rates. Taking public busses, trains, or metros might be a slightly slower route than a direct car ride but will allow you to live the more local lifestyle and become more acquainted with the area. If you’re in a walkable area, you can also alternate between walking and using public transportation, however I do suggest that female travelers avoid walking alone at night as a safety precaution.
When I was traveling within the Yucatan Peninsula, I took public busses for as little as $0.25/ride and was always able to get to my destinations reliably and timely! As another option, overnight transportation can provide a low-cost route to your next destination while omitting the need for accommodation costs! Just be sure to double check the route schedule and destination arrival time to avoid getting to an unknown city at an untimely hour.
FREE / CHEAP MEALS
A sure way to cut back on costs when traveling is to take advantage of free meals or find ways to get quality meals at a lower price. After all, eating three meals a day, plus the occasional salty snack or sweet treat can add up if you’re always eating out at restaurants. This said, I like to book hostels or other low-cost accommodation which offer free breakfast. This takes away the hassle of finding a place to fuel up before a day of exploring first thing in the morning while minimizing the amount you need to allot in your budget for food costs.
In addition to free breakfasts, some hostels offer occasional group dinner events as a socializing opportunity as well as nightly happy hours. You can even utilize communal kitchens to cook a meal after a trip to the market. Alternatively, explore the street food scene wherever you’re traveling! This is one of my highly suggested ways to learn more about and savor local cuisine while supporting the local economy and spending less compared to upscale or chain restaurants.
SHOULDER SEASON
Visiting a country during its peak travel season correlates to paying the highest prices for everything from plane tickets to accommodation, food, and even excursions. Instead, traveling during shoulder season, or the time between peak and off-peak seasons, will have you getting the most out of your money and letting you stretch it further. Although peak travel season is popular for reasons such as ideal weather conditions, traveling during shoulder season will give you the additional benefit of fewer tourist crowds.
SPLIT COSTS
Even if you’re traveling solo, splitting costs with other travelers is almost always an option! For example, you could split food costs to make a group dinner with your hostel bunkmates or contribute your share for a taxi fare across the city with other travelers. Odds are you won’t be the only one looking to save money and perhaps you’ll make a new friend out of the exchange!
‘EXPERIENCES’ OVER ‘THINGS’
Whether you’re actively traveling or at home planning your next trip, costs from spending money on material goods add up quickly. Although souvenirs, unique décor, and clothing from around the world are fun ways to remember a trip, I’d argue that, at the end of the day, nothing quite captures special moments and brings back memories like a photo or video.
While I support everyone’s decisions to spend their money as they please, I am keen to save my money for once-in-a-lifetime experiences and traveling to new places!
So, travel is not as expensive as people think. At least, it doesn’t have to be.
Have you ever tried any of these money-saving travel tips?