LAST UPDATED: 3/20/26 – Tips for Making Travel More Affordable

Traveling can be an amazing experience that expands your horizons and helps you grow as a person. It can also be incredibly expensive if you don’t know how to find the best travel deals. We have all been in a situation where we wanted to take a trip but couldn’t find a way to make it work within our budget. Believe me, you are not alone.

The travel industry, like any other industry, is competitive. Because of that, there are deals to be had. With the right information, there are easy ways you can make travel more affordable. All you need to know is where to look and what to do (and not do) when making your travel plans.

In this article, I am going to share the wealth of travel experience I have gained over the last two decades with you. I have made more than my fair share of mistakes, and I have learned from each and every one.

I have been fortunate to have others share their wisdom to help me, and now I want to pay it forward. Using the tips I give you in this guide, you will be able to make travel more affordable to you.

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How to Save Money on Airfare

Airfare is often one of the biggest travel expenses, and prices can shift dramatically based on season, demand, and airline strategy. Because of that, saving money on flights isn’t about finding one perfect trick—it’s about following a simple, flexible process that helps you avoid overpaying.

Flexibility is the key. Being open to different travel dates, airports, and even flights with layovers gives you far more opportunities to find lower fares. Tools like Hopper can show you the cheapest times of year to fly, while apps like Kayak can track prices and alert you when deals appear. Even checking one‑way prices across different days can reveal the most affordable round‑trip combinations.

It also matters where you search. Some flight engines consistently uncover better deals, especially for budget carriers, multi‑city itineraries, or extended layovers. Sites like Momondo, Skyscanner, Kiwi, Airwander, and Airfare Watchdog are especially useful for spotting savings that don’t show up everywhere else. Booking early enough—without waiting until the last minute—also helps you avoid the steepest prices.

Long‑term strategies can make flying even more affordable, from joining airline loyalty programs to using the right travel credit cards or watching for fare sales. These approaches can earn you miles, perks, and even valuable travel vouchers. If you want a deeper breakdown of all these methods, I’ve linked my full guide, “15 Simple Tips That Will Always Save Money on Flights,” below so you can explore each strategy in more detail.

How to Save Money on Hotels

Hotel costs can add up quickly, especially on longer or international trips, which is why learning how to save money on accommodations is essential for making travel more affordable. One of the most effective strategies is flexibility—traveling during off‑peak seasons or staying just a few blocks away from major attractions can dramatically lower nightly rates. Reaching out to hotels directly can also uncover discounts or perks that aren’t always listed online.

It’s equally important to understand the true cost of a stay. Hidden fees like resort charges, parking, Wi‑Fi, or early check‑in can turn a great rate into an expensive surprise. Exploring alternatives such as Airbnb, VRBO, or even hostels can offer better value, more space, or access to areas without traditional hotels. Extended‑stay properties with kitchens can also reduce both lodging and food expenses.

Rewards programs and credit cards add another layer of savings. Hotel loyalty programs—Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt—each offer different strengths, from elite perks to high‑value point redemptions. Pairing them with co‑branded credit cards, cash‑back portals, or club discounts like AAA or AARP can significantly reduce out‑of‑pocket costs and help you earn free nights faster.

Smart booking habits round out the strategy. Checking online travel agencies for last‑minute deals, monitoring prices even after you’ve booked, or using blind‑booking options can unlock surprisingly low rates. If you want a deeper breakdown of all these techniques, I’ve linked my full guide, “The Ultimate Guide to Save Money on Hotels When Traveling,” below so you can explore each strategy in more detail.

How to Save Money on Transportation

Another way in which you can make travel more affordable is to find ways to save money on transportation. You would be surprised how quickly these costs can add up when you travel.

After flying to your destination, you then have to determine how you will get around when you are there. This can mean renting a car, using a taxi or car service, or using public transportation to get around. No matter which option you choose, it will cost money.

By using these tips to save money on transportation, you can use that money on other travel-related things you will enjoy. Every dollar saved on transportation can be used for a nice dinner out, a souvenir, or an excursion you want to book.

Be Strategic in Where You Stay

The best advice I can give you to save money on transportation is to be strategic in where you stay. The closer you book your accommodations to what you want to see, the less money you will spend getting around.

Typically, I will map out the things I want to see at my destination, and then start my search for accommodations near the center. I have included a map below that I used in my travel planning for my Sydney, Australia trip. As you can see below, the first thing I did was mark what we wanted to see on a map with circles.

Then, I put circles of various diameters on the map and try to include as many of those things in them as possible. The Red circle is an area with a 10-mile diameter, blue is a 5-mile diameter, and purple is a 2.5-mile diameter. Finding a hotel in the Purple Circle would be ideal because it would get us as close as possible to the most attractions.

Know Where to Go for Car Rentals

If you have to rent a car, there are car rental tips you should follow to make travel more affordable. The most important tip to save money on transportation is to rent from the right place.

By far, the best place to go for car rentals is autoslash.com. They have been around for a long time and have a history of generating great prices. In fact, their prices are so great that car rental companies once revolted and tried to stop taking their reservations.

Their dispute with the rental companies has forced them to stop doing instance pricing, but their prices are still unmatched. Using their site, they will email you a quote on any car rental that you want to reserve. If you are serious about making travel more affordable, this is the site I would recommend for car rentals.

Use Ride Sharing Apps

An easy way to make travel more affordable is to try and avoid renting a car when you travel. If you need to get around but can survive without a car, a ride-sharing app can save you money on transportation. Ride-sharing apps, such as BlaBlaCar, allow you to share a ride with someone else. The app uses a trusted network of drivers and passengers, so it is safe. And it allows travelers to share the cost of traveling between cities.

It is a bit different than other apps such as Uber and Lyft, in which you are hiring someone to drive you to a destination with their car. Those apps can be good ways to save money on transportation too. However, with ride-sharing apps such as BlaBlaCar, you are sharing the transportation cost with other travelers, not just your group. This allows you to save considerable money and make traveling more affordable.

Take Overnight Trains and Buses

For those looking to save significant money while traveling, there are outside-the-box options you can look into. One of these options that can really save you money is to take an overnight train or bus between destinations.

This will allow you to avoid having to spend money on accommodations for a night. As you can imagine, this can be a big cost saver. Not only in money but also in the amount of time you have to sightsee.

Granted, some overnight transportation options are more comfortable than others. With some overnight trains, you have access to a free sleeper car. However, other transportation options, like most buses, only have seats for you to sleep in. So, I would suggest doing your due diligence to understand the accommodations before booking overnight transportation.

Walk Where You Can

Arguably the best way to save money on transportation when traveling is to walk wherever you can. If you aren’t in a hurry and feel safe in the area, it can go a long way in making travel more affordable. Every taxi or Uber ride you forgo in favor of walking is money you can spend on other activities. Not only can this be a huge money saver, but it is great for your health.

This is why it is important to book your accommodations in the right place when traveling. If you book your hotel or hostel correctly, you won’t have to walk far. Sometimes, booking a cheaper hotel that is further away from what you want to see isn’t the money saver you think it is. Something you may want to keep in mind when looking for accommodations.

How to Save Money on Food and Drinks

You may not think that food and drinks will cost you a lot when traveling, but you’d be surprised by how fast these expenses add up. This is especially true if you like to go out for nice dinners or enjoy the nightlife.

Now, I am not saying you should avoid going out for nice dinners or enjoying cocktails when you travel. These are some of the things that make travel so enjoyable.

However, if you are strategic in how you spend your money on food and drink using these tips, it will certainly help in your efforts to make travel more affordable.

Use the Six-block Rule

The six-block rule is a travel guideline that suggests that you not eat at any restaurant within a six-block radius of popular tourist areas. The premise of this rule, which I have found to have merit, is that establishments around popular tourist areas tend to charge more.

Most travelers are looking for convenience. When you are near a popular tourist spot, many people will pay more instead of traveling further away to find cheaper prices.

So, if you are looking to make travel more affordable, and have the time to venture off the beaten path, you can save money. In addition to being cheaper, I think you will find some of the best local food available outside the popular tourist spots as well.

Eat Where the Locals Eat

This guideline goes hand-in-hand with the Six Block Rule, and the premise for this suggestion is the same.  If you eat where the locals eat, you will be avoiding the expensive tourist traps that tend to charge more.

This goes a bit further though in that eating where the locals eat means immersing yourself in the local customs and traditions, which includes the food.  Don’t just seek out a cheap restaurant with poor-quality food. 

Look for the restaurants that are the favorites of all of the locals.  These are the restaurants that will provide the best travel experiences.  And chances are, they will be cheaper than touristy joints as well.

Explore the Local Markets

Another great tip for making travel more affordable with your food and drink choices is to frequent local markets. Not only can this save you some money, but it is also a great way to experience the local culture. There is typically a bounty of freshly prepared food that you can enjoy, and often for less money than restaurants will charge.

How to Save Money on General Travel Expenses

I have covered some of my favorite tips on making travel more affordable by looking at airfare, lodging, and food and drink purchases. Now I would like to change gears and talk about some ways to save money on general travel-related expenses. You can use these tips to help keep your travel expenses low and your travel budget in line.

Time Your Travel Strategically

One of the very best general travel tips I can give you for making travel more affordable is to strategically plan when you travel. If you are traveling to a destination during prime tourism season, you are undoubtedly going to pay more. Not only will you pay more for airfare and hotels, but you will likely pay more for tours and restaurants as well.

That doesn’t mean you have to travel at the worst possible times. You don’t want to visit a destination when the weather is notoriously bad or when you are guaranteed to not see a wildlife event you’re hoping to see.

However, it may make sense to target the shoulder seasons. The shoulder seasons are the periods in between the off-season and the peak tourist season. These shoulder seasons typically have good conditions for visiting and are much cheaper.

For example, if you want to visit Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, you will pay an arm and a leg to visit during the summer. And unless you are visiting to go skiing, you probably aren’t interested in visiting during the winter. In this case, the best times to visit would be during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. This is when you will find the best rates and still have good weather.

Be Careful When Booking Online

This tip for making travel more affordable might sound questionable, but there’s enough evidence to suggest it’s worth doing. Before searching for or booking flights and hotels online, clear your browser cookies. Some travelers have reported seeing prices increase after repeated searches, likely because websites recognize your interest and assume you’re willing to pay more.

Cookies track your browsing activity, including what you search for, and are often used for targeted advertising—hence why shopping for shoes suddenly leads to shoe ads everywhere. While it’s unclear whether airlines and travel sites use this data to raise prices, the possibility exists.

Since clearing cookies only takes a few seconds, it’s an easy precaution that could prevent you from being shown higher rates. If you’re not sure how to do it, Google offers a simple step‑by‑step guide you can follow.

Always Withdraw Money Instead of Exchanging

An easy way to save money when traveling is to withdraw money instead of exchanging currency. If you are traveling overseas and need cash, the best exchange rate you will find is with your own bank.

To avoid paying a lot of money in fees, I would take money out in a few larger withdrawals. This way you will get the local currency you need, and not pay a lot of ATM fees. You will also get the better currency conversion rates that your local banks offer.

Use Skype or FaceTime to Call Home

The final tip I have for you on making travel more affordable relates to the calls you make while overseas. If you have ever had to make a call from overseas, you probably know how expensive it can be. Those charges can rack up fast. As an alternative, try signing up for a Skype package or use Facetime to call home instead.

You can find Skype plans for as little as a few dollars a month. It’s easy to do from a phone app and will save you a ton of money. Better yet, if you have access to free WiFi, using Facetime to call home will be free. Using Facetime or Internet calling uses a WiFi connection instead of your cellular service, so there is no charge to you.

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