25 Scrappy Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget

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When I hear the term “budget travel,” not the best image comes to mind.

I’ll admit it – I tend to associate the term “budget travel” with grungy, dreadlocked backpackers sharing a smelly hostel room with 20 other people.

That’s not me, and with the exception of our first night’s stay on the Camino de Santiago, that’s probably never going to be me. That ship sailed a long time ago.

But there truly is an art to maximizing one’s travel budget, and contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a five-star experience even when you’re on a two-star budget.

What’s better than a great trip? More great trips, and by implementing some scrappy tactics, tricks and mindsets you can stretch your travel budget further than you’d think.

I’m not here to tell you that Tuesdays are the best days to book cheap flights, or that you should sleep on a stranger’s couch for the night to save a few bucks.

I’m talking about how to travel to the big ticket, bucket list destinations without shelling out your life savings or promising your firstborn to the credit card company.

And how do I know all of this? These are the methods Travis and I have used over the years – in particular this past one, where we’ve traveled more or less constantly for the past ten months.

Whether you’re traveling for a few days or a few months, it is possible to indulge and enjoy yourself without throwing your budget to the wind. You’ll need a plan, some creativity and a little self-discipline, but it can be done and I’m here to tell you how.

Intrigued? I present to you… 25 Scrappy Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget.

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1. Chase shoulder season.

Heading to Greece in August? So is everybody else, and the prices reflect that.

There’s a reason that this tip is first – traveling during shoulder or even the off season is the most effective way to cut the costs of a trip.

Visiting either just before or just after the majority of tourists is a great way to still hit the hot destinations without breaking the bank.

By heading to a place during shoulder or off seasons, you’ll find that just about everything is cheaper.

A sunny Thanksgiving Day in Positano, Italy

Not only are flights and hotel rooms rates are significantly less, but your dollar goes farther with the little stuff that can really add up.

When the crowds are gone, everybody from store clerks and tour guides to cab drivers are more willing to negotiate on prices.

And don’t be deterred by the farmer’s almanac warnings on weather. If you’re willing to be flexible and be prepared, it can be worth rolling the dice.

People may have questioned our intentions when we traveled to Middle East in the heart of the summer. Was it hot? Of course, but our sweatiness was rewarded by the amazing deals we scored, not to mention we avoided the masses of tourists that flock in the cooler months.

Or there was that time that we went to Italy in late November, supposedly the rainiest month of the year. And what happened? It didn’t rain a drop during our ten day trip, and we had many big attractions all to ourselves.

Traveling during shoulder season is well worth the risk, and your wallet will thank you later.

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Braving the 115ºF heat at the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt

2. Don’t blow your wad at the airport.

If you’re not careful, the airport can be a total vacuum for your precious travel funds.

We’ve all been there. Just when you think you’ve packed everything, one thing leads to another and you’ve spent $29 on water, Swedish Fish and a trashy magazine.

Watch out for these post-security boobytraps that are notorious for taking your cash. Airports are shameless on marking up the prices of just about everything due to the whole “you’re trapped here” factor.

My favorite workaround to unnecessary airport spending is Priority Pass. This membership-based service provides you with access to lounges in almost every major airport around the world.

Waiting out your flight in a lounge not only allows you to escape the mayhem of the main terminal, lounges often come equipped with all the free food, drinks and WiFi your little heart could desire.

Save your precious cash for when you actually arrive at your destination.

3. Know the tipping customs.

Americans are notorious for over tipping.

And understandably so, as the United States is one of the few countries where restaurant staffs’ wages are based primarily on tips.

But in other countries? Not necessarily. Research the tipping customs ahead of your trip, and stick to it.

While it may seem like only a few bucks here and there, tipping more than the socially-appropriate amount over the course of a trip can really add up.

Not sure how much tip to leave? Check out this global tipping guide which features gratuity customs for many countries worldwide.

4. Seek out favorable exchange rates.

It’s no coincidence that we elected to spend a few months Eastern Europe on the first leg of our sabbatical travels. European nations like Croatia, Hungary and Serbia that have held out from converting to the Euro can offer a great bang for your buck.

My advice: Seek out destinations where your home country’s currency is strong. Your money goes farther, and you’ll receive a better deal on everything from lodging to bus tickets to beer.

Think outside of the box and check out some emerging destinations. While a place may have experienced political turmoil a generation ago, often these days it can be a perfectly enjoyable, interesting and safe spot to visit… And one that your friends probably haven’t been to yet.

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The beautiful, budget-friendly city of Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

5. Play the points game.

It’s no secret that credit card reward points are a very real and effective way to subsidize travel. Heck, we’ve paid for entire trips on points.

You’re leaving free money on the table by not hopping on board with at least one reward credit card. When used responsibly, travel reward cards can open up a lot of doors… And hotel rooms.

That room with a view of the pyramids at the Marriott Mena House in Cairo? Booked on points.

Or that suite overlooking the Vatican at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome? Yep, also booked on points.

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Coffee with a view at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo, Egypt

We’re big fans of the American Express Platinum Card, whose benefits extend past flights and hotels points to Uber and airline credits, Gold Status with Marriott and Hilton, and even a Priority Pass membership.

Another crowd-pleaser is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. At a lower annual fee than the AmEx Platinum, this one’s a bit more stomach-able if you’re new to the rewards card game. Chase Sapphire’s points are both versatile and valuable due to their travel partnerships with the likes of Hyatt, United and Marriott.

For more on maximizing credit card points, head over to the experts at The Points Guy and The Mad Fientist.

Points are the perfect excuse to splurge and upgrade your experience from what you would have normally sprung for out of your own pocket. Do your research, use them responsibly and reap the rewards.

6. Avoid the foreign transaction fees.

Speaking of credit cards… Imagine you’ve just returned home from a trip to find that literally every time you used your card, whether it was withdrawing cash from an ATM or buying a croissant, your bank has added three percent.

Three percent?! No thanks, I’m good.

If you’re traveling abroad, beware of sneaky foreign transaction fees that can creep up on your credit or debit card.

Many cards have them, so seek out one that waives the fees as an incentive. Both the AmEx Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve waive the foreign transaction fees… Just sayin’.

Soaking it in at Krka National Park in Croatia

7. Pay in the local currency.

“Would you like to pay in Euros or dollars?”

While this may sound like a trick question, when paying by credit card you’ll often be given the option to pay in either the local or your home currency.

Always opt for the local currency, as the merchant’s conversion might not be up to date.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have my bank do the math over whatever the small mom-and-pop establishment I’m frequenting at the moment.

8. Skip the souvenirs.

Some souvenirs last a lifetime, evoking joyful memories of your vacation every time you look at them.

And some souvenirs collect dust, are never used and are given away as gag gifts in a White Elephant gift exchange years later.

Call me cynical, but unless something’s extremely unique, timeless and takes up little to no space in my carry-on suitcase, you won’t find me buying them.

Pictures are free, and not splurging on souvenirs will free up some space in your travel budget for other things.

The dreamy cathedral doors in Cusco, Peru

9. Get scrappy on flights.

If you’re not careful, the price of a flight can eat up more of your travel budget than necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, booking your tickets 10 months in advance when a flight first hits the books isn’t always the path to a cheap fare.

These days it’s easier than ever to catch a cheap international flight, thanks to both lower fuel prices and the influx of low-cost international airlines.

Start your search on GoogleFlights. Cast a wide net by searching not only by specific destination but by general region (ie. “Europe” or “Asia”) and fare calendar.

Following GoogleFlights, head over to SkyScanner to cross-reference the fares.

When in doubt, set up a fare alert and you’ll receive an e-mail if and when the price drops.

Catching sunrise and an early-bird flight to Lisbon from Madrid

Still not seeing a reasonable fare?

Searching each flight leg individually can yield drastically different (and cheaper) results than the traditional, round-trip destination search.

The same premise goes for searching by one-way flights – this can also yield a less expensive fare.

Say you’re heading to Europe – search for flights to a hub city like London, Frankfurt or Paris. Once you’re across the pond, hop on a connector on a low-cost regional airline like EasyJet to your final destination. Although it can sometimes be the exact same flight pattern as you saw in the pricier bundle, the fares can differ significantly.

Eyeing a big trip and don’t want to miss any deals? Look no further than Scott’s Cheap Flights. For $39 per year, you’ll receive real, live international flight deals from the airports of your choosing directly to your inbox.

You’ll be alerted of daily bargains that result from flight sales, friendly competition between airlines, or even the unicorn of flight deals – a mistake fare. Scott’s Cheap Flights doesn’t miss a beat and will quickly pay for itself in the hundreds of dollars you can potentially save.

10. Bid for the upgrade.

Never will I ever pay full retail price for a first or business class plane ticket.

And you don’t have to either.

Did you know that many airlines auction off unsold business class seats? In the few weeks prior to your departure, look out for an e-mail or check the airline’s website to see if you’re eligible to bid for an upgraded seat.

Place your bid online, and if you’re lucky you could end up with a coveted place in the premium cabin – for just a fraction of the normal price.

We’ve had success with this on overseas flights on both Alitalia and Norweigan Air, where we placed the minimum bid of around $200 and were rewarded with a premium cabin seat normally valued at a few grand.

11. Book your ground transportation in advance.

There are often big savings to be had when you book train and bus tickets in advance, sometimes upwards of 50 percent.

In lieu of rolling up to the station a few minutes before departure and buying a ticket from the window, check online or even in-person a few days out.

Cost savings aside, you’ll thank yourself later for planning ahead. Travel days are stressful enough, let alone if that train from Barcelona you were banking on is sold out.

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Waiting on a train to Sarajevo in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

12. Don’t pay up for tours.

There’s a time and a place for a premium for a tour guide. Visiting the Sistine Chapel in Rome, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or exploring the Lost City of Petra – those guides are worth every penny.

But your average city walking tour? Eh, not so much.

And thanks to the internet creating competition amongst tour operators, most major cities around the world now offer a smorgasbord of free tours, like those available through FreeTour.com.

Their philosophy – everyone should be able to experience the city, regardless of your budget. The guides work on tips, so you’re encouraged to pay what you can afford.

We’ve done this everywhere from Dubrovnik to London, and each time we end up learning a lot, immersing ourselves into the city and even meeting other travelers in the process.

I’m not sure which is scarier – the Jack the Ripper tour in London or my “scared” face in this picture…

13. Book excursions and activities on-site.

When it comes to booking excursions, more often than not the prices listed online are way more expensive than what you can find when you’re on the ground.

Not only are the initial prices you’ll be quoted in person cheaper, we always have better luck negotiating live.

Unless it’s a rare circumstance that requires a permit that sells out in advance – think the Inca Trail – just wait until you get there.

Make friends with everyone from your Airbnb host to your cab driver – chances are they have a friend who offers the type of activity you are looking for. The prices will be friendlier as well.

14. Go out to lunch.

I’m not ashamed to say it – I love to eat.

Food is a major motivator for me, and I know I’m not alone when I say that embracing the local cuisine is my favorite way to take in a culture.

I’m always on a mission to seek out the best culinary experiences, but if you’re not careful, eating out is a surefire way to blow your travel budget.

The good news – many restaurants open up for lunch, offering a very similar (or even the same) menu… Just significantly cheaper.

If they’re not open for lunch, ask if they serve food in the bar. You’ll still experience the magic of the food and the ambiance, but at a fraction of the price.

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A swanky lunch at London’s Dean Street Townhouse / Tapas from heaven at Central in Lima, Peru

Like that time in Lima, Peru when I had my heart set on a meal at Central, the Michelin-starred spot at the time that was revered as the second best restaurant in the world.

Instead of splurging for the chef’s tasting menu who’s price rivaled a compact car payment, we chowed down on small plates in the bar for one-quarter of the price. Heavy on the experience, but lighter on the wallet.

15. Share, share, share.

Speaking of food – always, always share. And if you’re still not sure what to order, share something.

Okay, I know that sounds a little extreme, but splitting a meal with your travel buddy is one of the easiest ways to cut daily costs on a trip and stretch your travel budget a bit further.

In our experience, we’ve never left a restaurant regretting having shared a meal. Both your waistline and your wallet will thank you later.

16. Keep your housing simple.

Let’s talk about lodging.

Like with life in general, the amount that you spend on housing can make or break your budget. Traveling is no different, and keeping your lodging costs down will help maximize your travel budget.

Ten years ago, budget lodging options lied somewhere between a grimy hostel dorm and an averagely appointed, but still expensive hotel room.

Fortunately for all of us, times have changed. Thanks to sites like Airbnb, it’s no longer mandatory to have to fork over an arm and a leg for a decent place to stay.

Airbnb offers everything from entire houses and apartments to private rooms with shared common areas. New to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off your first listing. You’re welcome!

An Airbnb gem in Budapest, Hungary for $55 per night!

And these days, “hostel” isn’t necessarily a dirty word. Many hostels feel more like a small hotel, offering private rooms with private bathrooms.

Not convinced? Check out hostelworld.com and filter by ensuite rooms, and then we’ll talk.

My advice: Keep your housing simple but functional, and opt for a central location over more space. A cheaper place that’s further out may seem like a great idea before you arrive, but once you factor in the extra transportation costs it takes to get to the city center, it may not have been worth it after all.

17. Be flexible.

If you can stomach the uncertainty of the unknown, there are some serious last-minute hotel deals to be had.

Sites like HotelTonight feature last minute deals on hotel rooms that will impress even the most budget-conscious travelers. Plus with the recent news of Airbnb acquiring HotelTonight, the site’s not going away anytime soon, and you can look forward to even more to come from these innovative platforms.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Here’s how it works.

Hotels list unsold rooms at steeply discounted rates on HotelTonight’s platform. As the hotel’s check-in window closes, the rates continue to plummet, sometimes as high as 75 percent if you play your cards right.

A last minute hotel score in the Latin Quartier in Paris

Don’t believe me? One summer evening we went to Paris on a whim, landing in France without a place to lay our head for the night. HotelTonight gave us the hook-up on five nights’ worth of hotels at seriously discounted rates… Hotels we would never have sprung for otherwise.

Want more on Paris? Check out my Complete Travel to Paris here.

Our Euros went much further than if we had booked in advance, and we also ended up exploring some areas of town we otherwise might not have seen. And we never slept on the street.

My advice: If you’re up for an adventure and are looking to save some cash, leave part of your lodging plans open-ended. Have a reservation lined up for when you first arrive, then negotiate the rest when you get on the ground. You never know what kind of deal you’ll end up with.

18. Buy a day pass.

There are few things in life that I love more than a good old fashioned, fancy hotel… Particularly one where I can take advantage of its amenities without paying up for the hefty nightly rate.

Many hotels offer day passes that give you access to their pool, spa and overall facilities.

Soaking in the amenities at the Dead Sea Marriott in Jordan

If you’re a rewards member for the hotel chain, call ahead to ask if they offer day passes as a benefit, like we did at the Dead Sea Marriott in Jordan. We were able to take a dip in the Dead Sea and take advantage of the hotel’s amenities – without actually staying there.

Wondering which hotels offer day passes in the States? Check out the new ResortPass platform that features day passes to hundreds of hotels and resorts starting at $20.

19. Take a walk.

Skip the metro or the city bus and use your own two feet to get from point A to point B. Within reason, make it a habit to walk everywhere you go when you’re exploring a new place.

While public transportation is super handy, the ride costs can creep up on you.

Not only will you see even more of the place you’re visiting, you won’t feel guilty about that daily scoop of gelato.

20. Don’t get admission fee’d to death.

In a big city like London, Amsterdam or Budapest, it’s easy to get caught up trying to check off every tourist attraction in the guidebook.

But what’s actually inside? Do you actually want to see it, or is it just on your list because you feel like it’s a mandatory part of visiting that city?

In my experience, sometimes just walking around the exterior of a monument or attraction is just as enjoyable.

Skipping the line… and the interior at the Tower of Belem in Lisbon, Portugal

My advice: Prioritize. Make a list of all of the experiences and attractions you want to do in a place, including costs. Rank them in order of interest, and do a little homework to see which are actually worth the admission fee.

Most major cities also sell cards featuring bundled, discounted admission fees to the major attractions – think the London Pass or Lisboa Card.

But look through this carefully – if you’re actually going to use it within the set timeframe, it can be a great deal. On the other hand, if you’re only going to hit one or two spots you’re likely better off just buying tickets à la carte.

21. Hang on to your student ID.

If you do end up paying admission to an attraction?

Most museums and attractions offer discounted admission rates to students. Bring your student ID card from college with you, and collect on the discounts whenever possible.

Particularly in Europe with many countries offering subsidized education, university isn’t limited just to those fresh out of high school. I brought my student ID on our recent trip to Europe, and it yielded discounts of all shapes and sizes.

I swear I’m still in college…

22. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

Mastering the art of polite negotiation can save you big time.

It never hurts to throw out a lowball offer, and if done correctly it can stretch your travel budget a bit further.

Vendors expect you to haggle a bit, and often the negotiated rate is already built into the price.

Within reason, don’t be shy about bartering on the price of everything from tuktuk rides to souvenirs. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

23. Pack light.

After traveling for five months through Europe and the Middle East with only a carry-on and a backpack, I can confidently say that packing light is the only way to go.

Not only will you be more light and nimble in transit, you’ll save money on pesky luggage fees that can add up over the course of a trip.

Stick to a carry-on or a backpack. Anything larger than that and you’ll be facing extra baggage fees for every flight, needing a larger car for transport, or even being held back from taking public transportation all together if your suitcase is too large.

For more on packing light, check out How to Pack for 6 Months of Travel in a Carry-On

Packing light while hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain

24. Get out of vacation mode.

I get it. It’s normal for the urge to treat yo’ self to hit the second you put up your “out of office” message on Outlook.

However if you’re traveling on a budget or for an extended period of time, this mindset just isn’t sustainable.

Get out of “vacation mode,” and treat your spending with the same discretion that you do when you are home. Be deliberate, be sensible and it’s okay to tell yourself no.

If you want to truly maximize your travel budget, don’t throw it to the wind just because you’re on vacay.

25. Travel slowly.

“The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home – and the slow nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries.”

Rolf Potts, Vagabonding

Potts says it perfectly in one of my favorite travel memoirs, Vagabonding. Slow travel is not only the best way to truly experience a destination, it’ll stretch your travel budget in the process.

During our recent five month trip through Europe, we found that our largest unanticipated expenses resulted from changing locations too frequently.

Even seemingly cheap flights and train tickets add up, and with that you forgo the weekly or monthly discounts you would otherwise have qualified for if you stuck around longer.

Traveling at a slow pace allows you to immerse yourself in a place, its culture and the reasons why you wanted to go there in the first place.

Our new rule – stay in a place for at least one week. This allows you to get into a routine, not have to cram everything in, and to have a more local experience.

Even if you only have a week, aim to do a deep dive on one or two places. You’ll leave feeling like you actually know the place, versus having spent your trip moving around from city to city.

You can’t see and do it all, and coming to this realization will free up your holiday to be present in the moment, the destination, and the people that you’re with.

Waking up to catch the sun rise in Šibenik, Croatia

 

I hope that this guide has been helpful and has inspired you to get scrappy and think outside of the box on ways to stretch your travel budget. I want to hear from you – what is your go-to travel hack?

 

Cheers,

Meredith

 

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