You do not have to give up all of your travel dreams just because you are looking to cut expenses in your life. While there is no doubt that you will need to budget carefully to travel on the cheap, you can still have a great trip while keeping your spending in check. Here are a few proven ways to cut expenses while traveling.

 

Early Bird Gets the Worm

There is no substitute for early planning when it comes to travel. Researching fares and comparing prices will empower you to pull the trigger when the price is right. Once you have your travel booked, it is also important to be early for your flight. Running late may force you to have to make costly decisions such as booking a ride share rather than taking public transportation. You will also avoid surge pricing if you give yourself plenty of time to work around the highest prices.

 

Travel Light

In today's travel climate, it has become commonplace for airlines to charge for every piece of checked luggage. You will naturally save more money if you are intentional about packing light. In addition to saving on baggage fees, you may also be able to get away with a smaller ride share vehicle if you are traveling light. Or, better yet, take public transportation. Lastly, taking a smaller piece of luggage will also help you to resist the urge to buy too many souvenirs to haul home.

 

Book Accommodations with Complimentary Breakfast or Happy Hour

Do not discount the amount of money you can save if you book accommodations that offer a complimentary breakfast. This is particularly true if you are traveling as a family. Many suite hotels also offer happy hours for their guests. Look for a complimentary happy hour that also provides light snacks. If you time it right, you may be able to get away with eating a big breakfast provided by the hotel, splurging on a mid-day meal while out and about, and then making a light dinner out of the hotel snacks and drinks.

 

Shop at Local Grocery Stores

You can also cut your food expenses by booking an accommodation with a kitchen. Preparing as many meals as possible yourself will drastically cut your overall travel budget. Take this idea further by shopping at local grocery stores for your provisions. As a bonus, shopping at the local markets will enhance your travel experience. This is even more enlightening if you are on an international trip.

 

Travel During Off-Season

Savvy travelers understand the value of planning trips during the off-season. Not only will you avoid peak crowds but you will also avoid peak pricing on everything from plane tickets to hotel accommodations. You may have to sacrifice by accepting less than ideal weather conditions or reduced operating hours for some tourist attractions. However, these sacrifices can pay off big dividends for your travel budget.

 

Find Free Attractions

Actively searching for free or inexpensive attractions can help to significantly cut your overall expenses. Many major cities offer a number of free museums and parks that make great stops on your trip. Or plan a trip that revolves around the great outdoors. For example, a trip to the beach will likely cost less than a theme park vacation.

 

Understand Your Priorities and Honor Them

Every traveler has a different list of priorities that mean the most to them. Understanding what will make your trip the best personal experience and honoring these preferences will lead to a better adventure. For example, foodies will want to earmark more of their travel budget for prime dining experiences. Shopping enthusiasts will want to leave room in the budget for more souvenirs even if it comes at the expense of more expensive meals. Only you can determine what your travel priorities are so that you can plan accordingly.



Do not let your goal of saving money derail you from escaping the monotony of life with an epic travel experience. With the right approach and smart strategies, you can still check off destinations from your travel bucket list.