Don't give up on your travel dreams just because you may be tight on cash. There are so many cheap ways to travel!
With today's sharing economy, global connections, and access to online travel deals, it's easy to take a trip for practically nothing. Especially if you are flexible on your travel destination and window.
Keep reading to learn about 20 cheap ways to travel and start planning your next dream vacation!
1. Stay in Hostels
Hostels offer shared dormitory-like rooms at extremely low prices. Most of the time, you can find a hostel for half the price or less than a hotel room.
When it comes to cheap ways to travel, hostels are the way to go. Look for hostels in your destination or close by. Hostels provide shared bathrooms and kitchens, too. So, you will have the opportunity to cook your own food and save even more money.
2. Find Rooms to Rent from Locals
Another way to find cheap accommodation is through staying with locals. Websites like Airbnb and Vrbo offer rooms to stay in for very low prices. Most of the time, these types of accommodations will include the use of the house amenities such as the kitchen, bicycles, etc.
Couchsurfing and Global Freeloaders are other cheap accommodation platforms. They will offer you a couch, air mattress, hammock, or a place to put up a tent at a low cost or for absolutely free.
The best part about choosing to stay with a local is the opportunity to meet people and gain local knowledge. Local hosts can tell you about the best and most affordable places to eat, attractions and activities you don't want to miss, and other free ways to spend to your time.
They will know what museums and parks are free, what parts of the city or trails you should take, and how to get around most efficiently. Plus, sometimes they will even cook for you!
3. Only Bring a Carry On
The costs of checking a bag can really add up if your airline doesn't offer free baggage check. Plus, you risk losing your luggage and then having to buy items to make up for the loss.
Instead, fit everything into a carry-on. Many hotels and hostels have laundry services. Bring just enough outfits and your essentials for one week, and then find places to do laundry if your trip is longer.
4. Collect Free Flights
If you have the credit to do so and your trip is a ways away, sign up for credit cards that offer rewards miles. All you have to do is use the card up to a certain amount and the miles will add up quickly.
Many rewards credit cards also offer a large number of free miles just for signing up. Do this, and you will quickly have a free flight!
5. Use the Sharing Market
One of the more modern cheap ways to travel is utilizing the sharing economy. Sharing rides, tours, and even homecooked meals is an excellent way to save money on your trip. Check out BlaBlaCar and Uber Share for carpooling options.
Tours are cheaper with more people. Use Vayable or Airbnb to find local group tours that you can join. The best part is that the tours are usually conducted by local people as a part-time gig. This means you will get some of the best knowledge and advice and meet fellow travelers, too.
Mealsharing.com offers cheap meals in the homes of locals. It is a great way to save money, especially in touristy areas. Touristy spots significantly up their prices. Instead, save money, meet locals, and enjoy home-cooked meals you won't be able to get in any restaurant.
6. Explore by Walking (for Free)
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to simply walk around. You can see and find so much by just walking the city streets, village, or forests.
Walking is also a great way to be objective in your exploration. Instead of using Yelp or Google, follow your nose and eyes to find restaurants, places, and attractions.
Additionally, walking is great exercise and will help you burn off all the yummy food and drinks.
7. Find Free Attractions
Cheap ways to travel include finding free attractions and activities. If you take the time to look, they are everywhere!
Look at community calendars and events on Facebook and on community websites. You will be able to find free things going on when you are visiting, such as markets, festivals, and more.
If you want to indulge in nature or history, visit the parks and rec department website and the state tourism website. There you can find free parks, heritage sites, and museums. Also, a visit to city hall is always a fun experience and free.
Another tip is to check out local college and universities. Many offer free classes, tours, and events such as plays, festivals, art shows, film showings, and more.
When walking around, look for event flyers posted around the city. We have found some of the best live music shows through posted flyers.
8. Housesit
Housesitting offers you free accommodation while exploring a new city or area. Websites such as House Carers and Trusted House Sitters offer free stays for people who can watch their home and sometimes their pets and plants.
Seriously, why wouldn't you take up this offer if you're looking for a place to stay for a week or more. You will have free accommodation, kitchen access, and a truly local experience. Plus, you may also have the company of pets!
9. House Exchange
Another way to stay in a locals home is to do a house swap. Home Exchange is a website where you can find people who want to visit your city or state. After you sign up, you contact potential swappers and work out an arrangement for the dates. Then you swap houses for the determined time.
House exchanging offers a free place to stay, a local experience, and all the extras a home can provide (kitchen, pool, vehicles, etc.). If you keep an open mind about where you want to travel to and when it's easy to find someone to house swap with.
10. Cook Your Own Food
When you arrive, purchase groceries and cook your own food during your trip. While it is tempting to try out all the local restaurants and bars, the costs of doing so will add up quickly.
Instead, treat yourself to two or three meals out, and eat in the rest of the time. You will save money, avoid being trapped by high tourist prices, and also spend more time exploring or relaxing. Some of my favorite moments when traveling was drinking the local wine or beer while relaxing on the deck or patio of our Airbnb.
11. Bring Your Own Food Aboard
Another tip for cheap ways to travel is to bring your own food on the plane. Check with your airline to make sure you can pack food in your carryon. If so, then do it!
If not, then buy food at the airport once you get through security. Even though airport food can be more expensive, it will still cost less than buying food on the plane.
12. Work Abroad
Get a job to either earn money or to earn a place to stay while you're traveling. Websites like WWOOF, Work Away, and Help Exchange connect travelers to locals who need a helping hand. Whether it's helping on a farm, babysitting, or doing household chores, you can earn a free stay and get the local, cultural experience.
Many of these contracts provide food, too. It truly is one of the best cheap ways to travel as you'll be helping others while wandering.
Another option is to teach English abroad with the TEFL program. You will earn a wage and a place to stay while living in abroad.
13. Take Public Transportation
Trains and buses can be the least expensive ways to travel, especially compared to renting a car or taking an Uber. Do some research before your trip to find out which transportation options will be the most affordable. You can also ask the locals when you arrive.
14. Choose Cheap Destinations
Don't be picky about where you travel. Destination costs will change based on the season and economy. Choosing cheap destinations will not only mean a cheaper flight but also your dollar will be worth more and stretch farther.
Skyscanner's everywhere tool will show you the cheapest flights from any airport. Just choose the airport you want to fly out of and then in the "destination" box choose "everywhere". This will show you the cheapest flights from that airport during the dates or month you choose.
You can also choose which airport to fly into based on the lowest costs by clicking "nearby airports" or simply putting a country in the destination box rather than a city. Stay flexible with your destination and your departure location and you could really save a lot of money.
15. Travel on Cheapest Days
Most airline and travel websites will provide a graph to show you which days are the cheapest to travel to and from your destination. Use this tool and choose the cheapest options to save on your flight costs. Again, when it comes to cheap ways to travel, the more flexible you are the more you'll save.
16. Take Your Time
Travel slowly from place to place. Express trains and buses will cost more. Flights, no matter how short the distance, will always cost more as well.
Instead, take sleeper trains or travel short distances at a time. Getting off and various places will make the ride less expensive and also offer you more opportunities to explore multiple places.
17. Camp
If you're traveling during warm months, then bring a tent or rent a car and find places to camp rather than paying for hotels or hostels. Your daily camping expenses may be $10, but it will save you so much money in the long run.
Most campsites will have showers, bathrooms, and grills for cooking. Plus, there isn't a better way to see the local wildlife and beauty than camping.
18. Stay Local
If it's touristy, it's more costly. Stick to places where the locals go. Find "hole in the walls" or places "off the beaten track".
Also, while it can be tempting to stay in a large city such as Paris or Berlin, you will save money if you stay outside of the touristy areas and hubs. Instead, take day trips to the tourist sites and then spend your evenings and nights in the suburbs or countryside.
You will save money and get a more cultural experience.
19. Fly Indirect and Overnight
Flying indirect is one of the best cheap ways to travel. Nonstop flights cost much more. Plus, layovers can give you time to take a break from the plane and explore a city while on route to your destination.
If you choose overnight flights, you'll save even more. Plus, it makes it easier to sleep while traveling.
20. Tourist Discount Cards
Many touristy areas offer discount cards to visitors who want to see various attractions. You buy the card and then gain discounted access to different museums, sites, and tours.
You can find package deals on almost any type of experience from food and beverage tours to historical landmarks. If you're planning on visiting all the hot sites on your trip, then you should definitely purchase a discount card or tour package.
Cheap Ways to Travel and More
Follow these 20 cheap ways to travel and you fulfill your wanderlust. You don't have to give up on your travel dreams just because you don't have a lot of money. Remember to stay flexible and do your research and you'll find a cheap trip in no time.
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