Best Budget Travel Hacks for Saving Money

Travelling on a budget isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about making smarter choices. Whether you're planning a solo escape, a family holiday, or a multi-country adventure, there are countless ways to stretch your funds without sacrificing experience.

From booking flights to finding hidden gems in local neighbourhoods, these hacks help you travel better, not just cheaper.

Book Flights Like a Pro

Airfare is often the biggest upfront cost, but it’s also the most flexible if you know where to look. Booking midweek—especially on Tuesdays or Wednesdays—can yield lower fares due to reduced demand.

Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to compare prices across airlines and dates, and their fare alert features notify you when prices drop. For deeper savings, platforms like Going.com and Dollar Flight Club specialize in mistake fares and flash deals, often uncovering transatlantic flights for under $400 or €350 depending on the route.

Travel influencers such as Chelsea Dickenson and The Travel Mum frequently share real-time flight hacks and booking strategies on Instagram and TikTok. Their content includes tutorials on using VPNs to access regional pricing and leveraging credit card points for free flights

Stay Smart with Accommodation

Accommodation doesn’t have to eat up your budget. Booking directly with hotels can sometimes unlock perks like free breakfast or late checkout, while platforms like Booking.com and Hostelworld offer flexible cancellation and last-minute deals.

For longer stays, Airbnb and VRBO allow you to negotiate discounts with hosts, especially if you’re staying a week or more.

House-sitting is another underrated option. Sites like TrustedHousesitters connect travellers with homeowners looking for caretakers—offering free accommodation in exchange for pet or property care.

Stephanie Claire from Big World Small Pockets and Patrick & Loie Robertson of Slow Travel on a Budget often share stories of house-sitting across Europe and Australia, turning luxury homes into zero-cost stays.

Eat Like a Local

Food is one of the easiest areas to overspend—but also one of the most rewarding to save on. Instead of dining out for every meal, shop at local markets and prepare simple dishes in your accommodation.

Many hostels and rentals include kitchen access, and cooking even one meal a day can dramatically reduce costs. Street food and family-run restaurants offer authentic flavours at a fraction of the price of tourist spots.

Travellers like Siddhartha Joshi and Alea Simone highlight budget-friendly food experiences across Asia and Latin America, often sharing market tours, cooking classes, and local dining etiquette. Their content proves that eating well doesn’t mean spending big.

Get Around for Less

Transportation within cities and between regions can add up quickly, but public transit is often the most affordable and immersive option. Apps like Rome2Rio and Maps.me help you navigate local systems and compare routes across buses, trains, and ferries.

Many cities offer multi-day transport passes or tourism cards that bundle unlimited rides with discounted entry to attractions.

Walking and biking are not only free—they’re often the best way to discover hidden corners and local culture. Claire & Peter from The Budgeteers document their slow travel journeys by foot or bike, showing how low-cost movement leads to deeper experiences.

Maximize Free and Discounted Activities

You don’t need to spend a fortune on entertainment. Many cities offer free museum days, open-air concerts, and walking tours led by locals.

Platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator list discounted activities and bundle deals, while GoCity and CityPASS offer attraction passes that can save up to 50% on entry fees.

For spontaneous travelers, last-minute group tours often come at a discount compared to private bookings. Matt Kepnes (aka Nomadic Matt) and Yosh Dimen & Vins Carlos of The Poor Traveler regularly share itineraries packed with free experiences, from hiking trails to cultural festivals.

Use Tech to Your Advantage

Smart apps and browser tools can save you money before and during your trip. Hopper predicts flight and hotel prices, helping you book at the right moment. Airalo offers affordable eSIMs for mobile data abroad, eliminating roaming fees.

Currency apps like XE and Wise help you avoid poor exchange rates and hidden fees.

For online bookings, browser extensions like Honey and cashback platforms like Rakuten can apply discount codes or earn you money back on travel purchases.

Many influencers now include affiliate links to these tools in their content—so following creators like Triphackr or Stephanie Claire can lead you to exclusive deals and promo codes.

Travel Timing and Strategy

When you travel matters just as much as how. Shoulder seasons—spring and autumn—offer lower prices, fewer crowds, and pleasant weather. Avoiding peak holidays like Christmas or summer school breaks can dramatically reduce costs across flights and accommodation.

Slow travel, where you stay longer in fewer places, also helps reduce transport expenses and deepens your connection to each destination.

Some travellers even combine transport and lodging by renting campervans or joining work-exchange programs like Workaway, where volunteering a few hours a day earns you free room and board.

These strategies are frequently featured by Chelsea Dickenson and The Travel Mum, who show how families and solo travellers alike can explore Europe on a shoestring.

Final Thoughts

Budget travel is less about sacrifice and more about strategy. With the right mix of tools, timing, and inspiration, you can explore the world on your own terms—without overspending.

Whether you're navigating metro lines in Tokyo, cooking pasta in a Tuscan farmhouse, or house-sitting in Sydney, these hacks help you travel smarter and deeper.