10 Travel Hacks That Will Save You Money on Your Next Trip

This generation has reignited the love of travel. Even McKinsey says so! According to a 2023 study by McKinsey & Company, Millennials and Gen Zers take an average of five trips per year, dedicating around 29% of their income to travel. Now that’s what wanderlust is, right? The urge to travel, explore, and learn. 

Almost everyone dreams of traveling to exotic places, but financial constraints might sometimes hold you back. But it’s alright! You can always travel on a budget. Try to save money wherever you can. And remember, every penny saved on the trip can be put towards the next trip. So, let’s get into it and learn the travel hacks that can actually save your money. 

Be flexible with your destination 

When traveling on a budget, be open to a variety of destinations. If you are planning a trip to London, Europe, but do not have the budget for it, try out cheaper destinations in Europe like Albania or Poland. This way, you get a taste of your destination without spending a lot of money. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a destination. 

• Use Google Flights while picking a destination. Check the prices of flights from your city and find places that have cheap tickets. 
• If you are traveling internationally, check the exchange rate of the currency and also find out the cost of living. So, you prepare well for your trip, so you don’t end up spending more than necessary. 
• Travel during the off-season so you get cheap tickets and cheaper accommodation. Be flexible with the dates. 

Get an eSIM for your trip

Traveling without internet can be frustrating. But paying $10/day for your normal plan (roaming fees) is not done. Let’s be honest, it is an unnecessary expense. And if there was any way around it, wouldn’t you take it? Many experienced travelers prefer to get an eSIM before their big trips. It works well, it’s affordable, and it keeps you connected. 

eSIMs may be cheaper than buying an international plan, but they are expensive than getting a local SIM card. If you want to save even more, get a local SIM card the moment you land in your destination. In the case of eSIM, check your plan and whether the SIM works at your destination. Nomad eSIM, get eSIM, and Holafly are a few websites you can check if you want to get an eSIM for your trip. 

Hot Tip: If you want to save more money, save your data. Use WiFi whenever possible. Download the offline map of your destination so you don’t have to depend on internet connectivity for access.

Book accommodation with free cancellation 

Sometimes our travel plans are tentative. We aren’t sure whether the leave will be approved or our friends will back out. In such cases, it is always smart to book accommodation with free cancellation. So, even if you do not travel due to certain unforeseen circumstances, you won’t lose out on the money. 

OTA websites like Booking.com and Agoda offer free cancellation of selected properties. While searching for accommodation on the website, you can filter out properties based on “Free Cancellation,” as shown below. In case you don’t end up traveling, you can cancel the stay before the fixed date. Read the terms of cancellation before booking the property. 

Hot Tip: If you want to get the bang for your buck, choose properties that offer complimentary breakfast. So you can save on your food costs as well. Want to save more? Try out these verified coupons by Agoda to get huge discounts on your bookings.

Travel overnight 

Travelling overnight is a smart travel hack. But it only works for people who can pull it off. You can travel overnight to your destination using buses, flights, or even trains. But sometimes it can be a little inconvenient. In case of flights, it messes up your sleep schedule, and overnight bus journeys can be tiring. But if you want to save some money, then traveling overnight will help you save not only money, but also time. You can start your trip by checking into your accommodation the next day. You save on your stay as well. 

Hot Tip: Night flights are often cheaper. Especially flights scheduled for the early morning, like 5 AM to 8 AM. If you are a morning person, you can book an early morning flight as well and get cheap flight tickets. People don’t prefer inconvenient hours, but if you can make it work, you can save more during off-peak times.

Utilize credit card points and miles

You may not even know, and your credit card points would be going underutilized. Major credit cards do offer special travel offers that you can use, or credit card points that you can use for booking your flights and stays. Go to your credit card portal and look for the benefits & rewards section (it may be different for various cards). Explore all the benefits you have and the points you have earned. You can also transfer your credit card points to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program for better value. 

Hot Tip: If you travel often, you can get airline credit cards just for travel purposes and get points or miles as a sign-up bonus. American Airlines (AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® ) and Alaska Airlines (Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card ) offer some credit cards with great value.

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Get travel insurance 

Traveling is not all rainbows and unicorns. Sometimes, unexpected accidents may happen that may ruin your trip and finances. So, it is better to be prepared for all contingencies. Get travel insurance before your trip so all your bases are covered. 

• You can get a travel insurance plan that covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical expenses.
• If you are renting a car while traveling, get a car rental insurance (just in case)
• Also, get health insurance to ensure you get medical treatment when required. 

Hot Tip: In case you are going on an international trip, it is smarter to get an international travel insurance plan. This covers your overseas trips. Pick a plan that covers personal liability, medical emergencies, flight delays, cancellations, baggage loss, and loss of a passport.

Eat right while traveling 

You can’t go to expensive restaurants every day when you are traveling. But you need to find creative ways to eat on a budget. Here are a few things you can do rather than starve:

• Book a place that offers a complimentary breakfast and load up on good food. 
• Skip breakfast and get brunch. So you pay for one meal but stay full longer. 
• Pick up ready-to-eat items like bread, bagels, dips, and spreads so you can eat whenever you are hungry. 
• Stay at a place that has basic cooking amenities like a kettle or stove. So, you can cook for yourself.
• Do not fall for tourist trap restaurants that are hyped up on social media. Instead, ask locals about their favorite places to eat and try them out. Local places usually have lower prices and serve authentic cuisine. 
• Avoid spending money on alcohol/drinks. If the prices are affordable, go for it, but these costs can usually add up. 
• Carry a steel water bottle and fill it up every chance you get. Do not spend money on buying water. 
• Opt for more filling meals when you are traveling, like protein + carbs, so you are full for a longer time. 

Public transport is king 

In terms of transport, you can use public trains/metros and buses since they are not as costly as hiring vehicles or taking cabs. Get a public transport pass if it is available to save on your daily commute. 

For the brave ones who have no social anxiety (or fear), hitchhiking is a free way to get from point A to point B while traveling. If you still want to rent cars, then look for rental providers that offer discounts, so you can save on them. 

Other ways include walking or biking, which not only saves money but is a fun way to get around the city. Be mindful of the choices you make, and you can enjoy your destination without spending much. 

Pack light and buy what you need

Remember, when traveling, you have to bear your own baggage (or carry your own cross!) So, keep it light. Do not overpack. No, you do not need that “what if” outfit or “just in case” shoes. If you overpack, you have to pay for it, so keep things light. Here are some tips that can help you pack smartly:

• Carry only 2 pairs of shoes that go with everything. Shoes take up space and weight, so only pack shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits. 
• Pack plenty of tops/t-shirts and a few bottoms, and make sure everything goes with everything so you have at least 18-20 combo outfits. 
• You do not need that large lotion bottle; you can carry travel-sized essentials and buy new ones when you run out. 

The before-trip shopping costs are rising, and the best way to avoid them is just to wear what you have, get creative with your outfits, and only buy essentials when traveling. 

Hot Tip: Carry a mini first-aid kit with you containing band aids, pain relievers, Benadryl, allergy meds, fever meds, antibacterial cream, bug spray, and more. Having these meds at hand can be a lifesaver, plus these things don’t take up much space.

Opt for free and cheap fun

You don’t have to spend money to have fun! The delight of traveling is that you can find loads of fun things to do for free. Have you ever visited a place that was hyped up on Instagram, and when you visited it, you felt underwhelmed? That has happened to many of us, yet we keep falling for it. 

Rather than visiting the “must-see” places and just clicking a picture there, you can visit underrated places. How do you find it? 

• Ask local friends, ask your host, Reddit it, and explore on your own. 
• Go where the locals are, and you will not only spend like them but also enjoy like them. 
• Visit places you usually visit in your city: art galleries, flea markets, hiking trails, thrift shops, and other local options.

Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s not fun! So hunt for things you can do for free or cheap when traveling. Save money and create memories. 

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Wrapping up

“Travelling on a budget” is a wildly popular phrase. Hardly does anyone stick to it. Once you are in a destination, you start spending like a king, even if you don’t earn like one. But this phrase truly means spending mindfully when traveling. Not going overboard, but also not starving yourself. So, plan your trip carefully, make smart financial decisions, and save money while traveling. Happy traveling and happy savings!