We often associate keeping costs down with sacrifice. We think that to spend less means to get less. But this is not always the case. Some of the ways in which you can keep costs down when traveling can actually lead to more wholesome and immersive experiences.
The key is to be able to keep your costs down so that you can do more of what you like, or stay on the road for longer. It’s a classic discussion, but in this article we want to show you how to keep costs down without assuming you want to stay in a two-man tent on the moors.
Be Flexible With Travel Times
If you’re planning a long term trip, it doesn’t take much effort to be flexible, and you can save literally hundreds by flying on certain dates.
And be prepared to fly at off-peak times. Travelling throughout low season will not only save you money on flights, but will mean you avoid the tourist crowds, and can have a more immersive, local experience.
This also applies to local travel within the country. There might be off-peak train and bus times to be aware of, which can save pennies without really affecting your experience overall.
Volunteer For Bed and Board
Here’s where you have the opportunity to try something new while saving your pennies. Ditch the hotel, ditch even the hostel bunk-bed, and take a look at some openings for volunteer programs.
There are different ways to go about this without paying for programs. Arriving in the country and looking for ways to help locals or further a humanitarian cause is never a bad idea.
You could also try out volunteering on organic farms or homesteads, as in Wwoofing or Workaway. Both offer bed, food and good company, in exchange for a few hours honest work per day. Not only is this inexpensive (sometimes free), but it is also an awesome way to experience local life, and to give back to local communities.
Choose Activities Wisely
Cash on the road works a lot like cash at home. It only disappears when you spend it. If you can afford your travel costs, and have your accommodation and food taken care of, the rest of your budget is likely to be spent on activities of some kind, be it hanging out at beach bars, or touring famous museums.
If you want to keep your travel costs down, choose your activities wisely. Hiking can cost next to nothing. Anything in nature requires no more spending than the occasional refreshment.
If you prefer the city life, why not reserve your spending for the iconic landmarks that you really want to see? Sighseeing is free.
Live Locally
Residents of popular tourist destinations tend to live for cheaper than travelers. One of the key ways you can save money then, and also enrich your travelling experience, is to aim to live like a local.
Ask people you meet along the way about their life, and try to eat and shop locally. Go out to local nights. This can be a really fun way to travel, and also benefits the local economy more directly.
The Sharing Economy
Anyone who has done a lot of travelling will start to understand that people in the world are generally pretty helpful. There are a lot of options for the open-minded adventurer who is willing to welcome the gesture of a kind stranger, or to connect with others using one of many social apps.
For example, you can try out bla-bla cars for lift sharing, couchsurfing for accommodation, and EatWith for meals. If you feel safe in the country that you are in you could always try hitchhiking too – another great way to get around and meet people.
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- Some of the ways in which you can keep costs down when traveling can actually lead to more wholesome and immersive experiences.
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- Some of the ways in which you can keep costs down when traveling can actually lead to more wholesome and immersive experiences.
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13 Comments
I’ve never dared to hitchhike although I did think we might have no other choice and our recent trip to Yangpyong ski resort. Great tips
Useful recommendations. We can definitely keep our travel costs down. We can search for free access days to museums, for instance. And also make a list with all the free things to see/do in a city – to include them on our itinerary :)
I always use skyscanner and try to be flexible with my dates to keep costs down. I’ve saved quite a bit so far which means more time on the road :)
Thanks for tip on workaway, I’m yet to try it but hope to when I visit South America later this year. What types of workaway experiences would you recommend?
I hitchhiked in France in my younger years! Met some sweet people that way.
Totally agree that often the ways of saving money can also help you find a more interesting experience, and connect with locals more too.
I do a little of this but want to do more actually.
Great tips, I always try to do as much as I can to keep costs low especially when it is on my dime. One of my favorites are the free tours with locals done in various cities for free – well maybe just a tip to the guide.
I know in Australia, you don’t have the same credit card opportunities, but the way we keep our travel costs down (cough: free, minus taxes and fees) is travel hacking via points and miles. I just love that no matter where you live, if you WANT to travel, you just have to find ways to make it happen. $$$ Shouldn’t be an excuse
Sharing economy certainly help push costs down during a trip. These are some great tips everyone should use. I think many people dont even think they can save so much money this way.
Travelers always look out to ways and means to optimize on the costs of travel. This in turn helps them to travel more. These are practical and sensible suggestions to keep the costs down. The one about being selective when it comes to activities is very important. Many a time we may ignorantly end u[ shelling out a lot of money for something which later turns out into a damp squib.
Love this My hubby and I always try to keep costs down, especially since we area family of 5! We love to live local and for sure a great idea to watch the tours you take and pic wisely. Great advice!
We always try to keep our costs down, but I draw the line at hitchhiking and I’ve never really liked the idea of couch surfing. There are ways and means to keep costs down though, and I’m always on the lookout for a bargain! Skyscanner has been my go-to flight tool for years!
@Vicki Louise
Did you even tried Couchsurfing? CS is not about sleeping for free but about meeting locals and experience things you would NEVER experience by yourself …
People show you the cool places, they introduce you to their family and friends, they teach you how to cook their food, they share their culture with you.
That’s just awesome :D (I did it roughly 25 times)
Some really great tips here for keeping costs down! I think living locally is not only cost-effective but super fun and you get more of a ‘real’ experience while travelling.
I use Skyscanner all the time! It’s so much easier to plan the dates. And I’m currently volunteering in exchange for food and bed. This is my first and I’m just loving it. And you are so right about mingling with the locals. This not only helps you save money but you get to travel like a local, which I love the most!