Budget Travel Hacks: Save Money on Every Trip

With the holidays right around the corner, many of us are planning our annual holiday trips and spending Thanksgiving with family out of town. Christmas in New York, why not? Bought tickets to spend New Year’s Eve in London? The ultimate dream.

While being on a trip, whether it is for the holidays, an annual trip you take with your family, or just a spontaneous weekend trip, sounds exciting, saving money while traveling is just as important.

Here are eight ways you can save money and still enjoy your trip. Unlike some budget travel bloggers, I’m not going to make you pinch for every penny.

Here are practical ways to save money while still enjoying your trip.

1. Be flexible with your dates and destinations

Unless you must visit your in-laws in Virginia for Thanksgiving, get creative with your travel plans. I love Kayak because it has this feature called Explore, where you can set your dates, budget, and even your destination, and it’ll give you a list of places you can fly out to for cheap.

Remember, domestic flights will be cheaper than international flights.

Apps like Kayak, Hopper, Trivago, Expedia, and many others are great for booking airline tickets and hotels because they show dates when prices are lower than when they are higher, which helps a lot with travel planning, especially during the holiday season.

I do want to mention that when using travel apps, make sure they are legit and that the prices they show you make sense. I’ve been using Kayak and Hopper to book all my flights, so I’m familiar with them, but if I had to use a travel website I’m unfamiliar with, the first thing I would do is check whether the Better Business Bureau accredits it.

Before you book your tickets (whether domestic or international), shop around and compare prices to find the most affordable option.

If possible, book your airline tickets in advance. 1-3 months for domestic and 2-8 months for international.

Airline tickets are cheaper midweek than on weekends. Traveling off-season is another way to save on travel costs.

2. Saving on Hotels

When it comes to saving money on hotels, I prefer a 3-star hotel. I mentioned in my blog How to Create a Travel Budget: Smart Planning Tips for Every Trip, " that I need a hotel with a comfortable bed and a midsize bathroom that is well-lit and offers complimentary breakfast.

Explore your options; sometimes a B&B can be cheaper than a hotel. If staying with family, look into suites with a kitchenette that you can utilize during your trip. B&Bs, apartments, vacation rentals, and even hotel suites are great for more extended stays because they help you save money on food.

Speaking of hotels, always book ones with free cancellation. Yes, it will cost a little more when you book, but the advantage is that if something happens and you must cancel your trip, you won’t be charged a cancellation fee. I always opt for the free cancellation option.

Also, look for hotels that offer discounts, especially for AARP and AAA members.

3. Travel Credit Cards

Since my sister introduced me to travel credit cards, it has been a game-changer for me. Travel credit cards are another excellent way to save money, especially on airline and hotel expenses. With travel credit cards, not only do you earn points for booking airline tickets and hotels, but some cards, such as Capital One Venture, offer discounted hotel rates.

You can use your travel credit cards for everyday purchases and earn points, which you can use later to buy your airline tickets. 

There are three kinds of travel credit cards: generic ones, such as Capital One Venture, Discover Miles, and Chase Sapphire, and many more. There are also airline- and hotel-specific credit cards; for example, Hilton, Marriott, and IHG offer their own. In the same way, Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, and even international airlines have their own credit cards.

The benefit of having an airline or hotel-specific credit card is that you can use it for everyday purchases and earn points. You can also earn loyalty points when booking with that airline or hotel. The drawback is that you can only use the points for that airline or hotel.

My personal preference is generic travel credit cards because they give me the freedom to use points wherever I want.

Invest in a travel credit card and start earning points (just be sure to make your monthly payment or pay off your balance if and whenever possible). There are travel credit cards that will give you bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount after getting your credit card. You can either save those points and let them accumulate or use them for a trip.

4. Let’s Talk Loyalty

Just as hotels and airlines offer credit cards to earn points, they also offer loyalty programs that do the same. I love loyalty points because they cost nothing yet provide great rewards. All you have to do is sign up with an airline or hotel you often fly or book with, and every time you book, you earn points that you can use later.

Make sure it is a hotel or airline you use often; otherwise, there is no point in signing up for loyalty points.

5. Transportation

If and whenever possible, opt for public transportation. Buses, trains, subways, and trams are much cheaper than taxis. If public transportation is not an option, opt for ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. Another way to save money on transportation is to travel locally and drive your car.

6. Mealtime

The best way to save money on trips, especially long ones, is to cook your own meals. I know the last thing anyone wants to do is cook their own food, especially on vacation, but sometimes this is the best way to save money. Another way to save money on food is to carry snacks and portable water bottles. Salty snacks will make you thirsty. Opt for snacks high in protein and fiber, as they will keep you fuller longer.

Also, carrying snacks is a fantastic way to avoid buying that overpriced pastry that looks good, but when you take a bite, you instantly regret it. Another good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: Do I really need it?

When it comes to portable water bottles, I’d say the 40-oz is excellent because, unless you are going on a 10-mile hike, chances are that bottle should last you the entire day. Fill it up in your hotel room; you can attach cross-body straps or use a water bottle carrier bag for your water bottle or tumbler.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to eat out. Opt for restaurants that are not in heavy tourist spots because they will be more expensive than the ones on the outskirts. Also, look at the menu online (many include prices) before you decide on a restaurant; this will help you choose one that is more affordable. Lunchtime will be much cheaper than dinner. Ask your hotel receptionist for recommendations; they will suggest wonderful places to eat.

7. Visit Local Marketplace

Markets are not only a fantastic way to save money on food, but also an excellent way to experience local foods and the culture firsthand. Many local marketplaces have eateries or even small stalls, which will be much cheaper than eating at a restaurant. 

8. Activities and Excursions

Plan your itinerary. Itineraries are a great way to save money while traveling if you plan and book your activities in advance.

Creating an itinerary will also help you look for activities that are either cheap or free. Also, if you are traveling in a group, opt for shared expenses for activities. Some tourist attractions might offer group discounts; also, see if they offer senior discounts (if you are a senior traveling).

Before any trip, I always search for “Things to Do” in the destination I am traveling to, especially museums, and pick ones that are either $20 or less or free. Occasionally, I’ll spend on an activity if I genuinely feel it’s worth it.

These are some of the ways you can save money while traveling. Not only will you save money, but you will also enjoy your trip while staying within your budget.

“No matter the destination, let these tips guide your travels and turn them into stories worth telling.”