15 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Who doesn’t like to save money when possible? Traveling can be expensive, but with a bit of strategizing you can bring down the cost.  Try these 15 tips on your next vacation and your wallet will thank you.

15 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Look for free activities

 You’ll be surprised at how many free activities you’ll find if you do some research. Look at community calendars to see what is going on in town while you are there. Libraries often offer free library passes if you are a member.   Find a self-guided walking tour or create one yourself.  Museums often have a “pay what you want” day once a week and even have free admission after a certain time of day.

Shop at farmer’s markets and local stores

Besides being a great way to learn about the local culture, a farmer’s market can help you save money while traveling. Time your visit because farmer’s markets often lower their prices at the end of the day. Local stores allow you to taste local cuisine without having to pay the price of a restaurant.  Buy some local fish and vegetables and cook it up at your condo.

Book a room with a refrigerator/microwave or kitchen area

Many people might not like to cook while on vacation, but I don’t mind making breakfast in my room.  I love eating breakfast in my pj’s, but room service can be very pricy. I’d rather eat in for breakfast and lunch and then splurge on a fancy dinner.  A microwave and fridge could also be helpful for reheating leftovers.

Before you book, research the location 

 Transportation can add up quickly, so you may want to stay in a central location.  Ideally, somewhere you can walk everywhere would work best. If you’re staying in a city, will you be near a subway? Do they have a bus you can use? Does your hotel offer a free shuttle?

Carry snacks/water during outings

Kids will need a snack while you are exploring, and it drives me crazy to spend money on expensive snacks.  I put some granola bars in my bag and pull them out when the kids need to refuel.  Don’t even get me started on how much I hate spending money on bottled water when I can buy an entire case for the same amount.  I always carry bottled water from home. However, splurge when it comes to treats that are known to that location.

Use points or miles

We have Hilton and Marriott points and they are great to use for a free overnight stay.  When traveling for business, my husband tries to stay at those hotels and fly the same airlines to build our points.  Ask your hotel is they have any incentive programs.

Don’t get the best room

If you have a full itinerary, how much time are you actually going to use your room?  Will you just be sleeping there? Do you really need a room with a good view or so much extra space? Will you need the amenities, such as a pool or a fitness room? Getting a less fancy room will help you save money while traveling.

Look for city tourism cards

Depending on the card, you can gain free entry to top visitor attractions, discounts at restaurants and shops, skip-the-line options at busy attractions, free public transportations, boat rides, and even free guidebooks.  Depending on your itinerary, it might be worth the money.

Be flexible when flying

If you are not on a tight schedule, can you be flexible with the time of day you fly, the number of stops, or your seat selection? Do you mind having a long layover? If possible, check the dates of your trip and see if the price would go down if you tweaked the dates a bit.

Rent an apartment instead of getting two rooms

 My friends with three or more kids are often complaining how expensive it is to stay in a hotel because you may need to get two rooms.  An apartment or condo is often much cheaper.  I love to use VRBO, HomeAway and have even used TripAdvisor.

Stay outside a city

You often pay for location, and it’s sometimes cheaper to stay away from areas with big tourist attractions. You can always do the attractions and then go back to your room to sleep.  I love to find unique rentals that let us enjoy nature and gives us privacy.

Go off-season

You can usually find cheaper plane tickets and hotel rooms by going off-season, and there may be more availability. You will not have to deal with large crowds and tour groups, so if yopu hate crowds this might be perfet for you. Attractions could also be cheaper at that time and you won’t have to wait in long lines. Although this will help you save money while traveling, make sure things are open while you’re there.

Have a big lunch

 Restaurants often offer lunch specials and lunch prices are usually much less expensive. You could also buy extra food at lunch and have it for dinner later.  Aim for the more expensive restaurant for lunch and then find a cheaper option (or dine in) for dinner.

Don’t eat in areas close to tourist destinations

In some cities, walking just a few blocks can slash prices at restaurants. I try to never eat at attractions because they tend to raise the price to their captive audience. If staying at a hotel, you may want to bot use the hotel restaurant because they often have high prices, especially for meals like breakfast.  Do you really want to pay $20 for scrambled eggs?

Create a budget and stick to it

Know when to save and when to splurge. We always eat at a nice restaurant on our last night of vacation.  Look for ways to save money but also treat yourself during the trip. Having a budget is a wonderful way to keep yourself on track. If you don’t create a budget and stick to it, you will be throwing away money!

What are your tips for saving money while traveling?

13 thoughts on “15 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I agree. It’s amazing how much the jack up the price of snacks. And it’s so easy to just throw some in your bag.

  1. Solid tips. I always look for free activities and lunch is typically my biggest meal as well. I don’t enjoy grocery shopping too much at home but when I’m abroad, I’m fascinated with the markets and enjoy that activity thoroughly.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      How funny. I never thought of that but I’m like that too. I hate grocery shopping when I’m home but I think it’s so fun to go into a local market when I’m abroad. I especially love farmer’s markets.

  2. Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie

    Really great tips! We always try to save money when traveling too. Love your idea to look for an apartment instead of 2 hotel rooms, especially since it’d probably have a kitchen too, which would save even more money!

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