Most people think assume you need months and years of saving before you can even think about a trip abroad. In reality, that’s not the case. There are plenty of small ways to cut down expenses and still have a great time.
Travel doesn’t always demand a fat wallet. Imagine yourself wandering through a mountain village or stretched out on a sunny beach — it doesn’t have to empty your bank account to get there.
I mean when I backpacked across Europe for 2-months, a few years ago, I did not spend a fortune. I planned things in advance, use volunteer networks like Workaway and ended up spending a lot less. Read this article on Europe travel tips and you will find a lot of tips that I am going to briefly discuss later in the article.
In developed countries, especially, you can try discount cards to save heaps. Anyway, here are my proven…
Top Budget Travel Hacks For Travelling Abroad
Plan Ahead and Be Flexible
If you want to save money on flights, don’t wait until the last minute. I usually start checking weeks ahead, sometimes even months, just to get a feel for the prices. Google Flights and Skyscanner are good for that — they show you which days are cheaper. Booking early has saved me quite a bit, and it often means I get better routes too.
Another thing: timing matters. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often way less expensive than a Friday night. I’ve also noticed that going just before or after peak season not only cuts the price but also spares you from the big tourist crowds. Sometimes I’ll even land at a smaller airport nearby — yes, it takes a bus ride, but the savings are worth it.
And then there are the surprise deals. Airlines love throwing out flash sales, and I’ve scored a few bargains just by keeping alerts on my phone. If your dates aren’t fixed, you can jump on these discounts as soon as they pop up.
Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations
Travel costs vary a lot depending on where you go. Spend a week in Western Europe and your wallet empties fast, but in parts of Southeast Asia or South America the same money can last much longer. A plate of street food in Vietnam might cost less than a coffee back home, and buses there are cheaper than most metro rides in big Western cities.
So obviously, the second most important budget travel hack while travelling abroad remains: CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION CAREFULLY. I mean you cannot be visiting Las Vegas if you are spending frugally. You are going to end up sleeping on streets.
If you’re the type who likes checking numbers, sites like Numbeo or Nomadlist are handy. They’ll give you a rough idea of daily costs. I remember being surprised at how affordable Guatemala was compared to Europe — hostels, meals, even day trips were all budget-friendly. The same goes for India, where trains are cheap and the food is both good and inexpensive.
In the Philippines, for example, travelers sometimes come across a 100 free bonus casino no deposit Philippines which adds a bit of extra fun without touching the budget. Though I don’t recommend such things as it can also lead to monetary loss, offers like this can be a nice bonus, giving you extra entertainment while keeping your trip affordable.
Top 5 Cheap Countries to Visit:
- Vietnam – Delicious street food and low-cost transport.
- Georgia – Mountains, friendly locals, and free visa for many.
- Guatemala – Lush nature, lakes, and affordable hostels.
- India – Great food, cheap trains, and rich culture.
- Hungary – Castles, countryside, and affordable city stays.
Save on Accommodation
Finding a place to sleep is usually the biggest bite out of a travel budget. But there are workarounds. Hostels are often the go-to for budget travelers. Some are basic dorms, others have private rooms, and quite a few throw in extras like breakfast or a free walking tour.
If you don’t mind meeting strangers, Couchsurfing is still around. You crash on someone’s couch or spare bed for free, and in return you usually get a taste of real local life. Another option that’s become popular is house sitting — looking after pets or a home while the owners are away. Sites like TrustedHousesitters have whole communities built around this.
Of course, there are the usual booking sites — Hostelworld, Booking.com, Agoda — where you can compare prices. One small tip from experience: if you’re staying a week or more in the same spot, ask directly about a discount. Lots of hostels or guesthouses are happy to shave something off the price if you’re not just passing through.
Read this article for more tips on how to find cheap accommodation wordwide.
Eat Like a Local
Eating is often one of the highlights of any trip, but paying for three restaurant meals a day drains your budget fast. I usually avoid the obvious tourist spots — they’re overpriced and not always that good. Instead, I look for little family cafés or grab something from a street vendor. It’s cheaper, often tastier, and it gives you a more genuine feel for the place.
Markets are another favorite stop. You can grab fresh fruit for breakfast, try a hot snack for a couple of coins, or even pick up a ready-made meal. If your hostel has a kitchen — most do — cooking a few simple dishes saves a lot. Even throwing together pasta or rice makes a difference compared to paying restaurant prices three times a day.
The nice part is that eating this way isn’t just about saving cash. It’s also how you actually taste the country, rather than just the tourist version of it.
Use Public Transport and Walk More
Taxis and rental cars sound easy, but they’ll drain your cash in no time. I remember landing in Prague once and paying almost as much for the cab as for the hostel. Since then, I stick to buses and metros whenever I can. They’re cheaper, and you actually get to see how locals move around.
I’ve learned to check transit apps before I land somewhere new. Moovit once helped me figure out the crazy bus system in Mexico City, and Rome2Rio gave me just enough info to hop between towns. They’re far from flawless, but both saved me from being completely lost.
And honestly, nothing beats walking. It’s free, it’s healthy, and you stumble across things you’d never notice from a taxi — a mural, a hidden café, a street musician. In plenty of cities, there are even free walking tours where locals show you around.
Track Your Spending and Set Limits
Keeping track of money while you travel isn’t as hard as it used to be. These days I just use apps like Trail Wallet, Spendee, or TravelSpend — they let you log every little thing, whether it’s lunch, a bus ticket, or a museum entry. After a few days you can see exactly where your money is going, which makes it easier to stay in control.
I usually set myself a daily or weekly limit. If I come in under budget one day, I’ll let myself splurge a bit the next. It also shows me patterns — like when I’m spending way too much on coffee or taxis. Seeing the numbers laid out makes it easier to cut back.
And always, always keep a bit aside for the unexpected. Plans change, buses get canceled, phones break. Having a backup stash means you can deal with it calmly instead of stressing.
Final Tips for Budget Travelers
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean the trip has to be boring. Honestly, it’s more about knowing when to spend and when to hold back. In most places I’ve been, there’s always something free to do — a park where locals hang out, a stretch of beach, maybe a hiking path with a great view. And museums? Quite a few of them have free days or cheaper hours if you know when to go. It’s worth checking, because those little things add up fast.
If you’re a student or under 26, keep your ID handy. I can’t count how many times I’ve saved a few euros just by flashing a student card. Some cities also sell passes that bundle several attractions together, which can be a good deal if you plan to see a lot.
And don’t skip travel insurance. It feels like an annoying extra cost until something actually goes wrong. A doctor’s visit or lost luggage can easily run into hundreds, even thousands, and insurance can take the sting out of that.
A few budget travel apps worth having:
- Skyscanner – good for spotting cheap flights.
- Hostelworld – easy to find and compare hostels with reviews.
- Moovit – helps you figure out public transport routes.
- Trail Wallet – simple way to track daily spending.
- Maps.me – offline maps that save you when Wi-Fi disappears.
Conclusion
Traveling on a shoestring can actually be the best way to see the world. Some of my favorite memories came from trips where money was tight — because you pay more attention, you improvise, and you end up in places guidebooks don’t even mention.
The idea isn’t to deny yourself. It’s about making smart choices: grab street food instead of another pricey restaurant, walk through neighborhoods instead of always taking transport, check museum schedules for free days. Those little tricks stretch your budget without killing the fun.
What surprised me is how much longer you can stay on the road when you spend like this. More time means more experiences, more people you meet, and more stories to bring back. And the truth is, most of the world is cheaper than we imagine — it just takes the courage to go and find out.
