How to Save Money While Traveling Abroad

Travel is often expensive, but smart planning and flexibility can keep costs low. Whether you’re booking flights, choosing lodging, or eating on the road, there are many ways to cut expenses without missing out on experiences. Below are practical tips for each travel category, blending short-term tricks (like timing a flight search) with long-term strategies (like earning rewards points). These approaches apply worldwide – for example, taking local trains in Europe, enjoying street food in Asia, or using global city passes. When relevant, we cite trusted resources and mention apps or platforms that travelers use to score deals.

Flights and Airfare

• Be flexible with dates and destinations. Shifting your trip by just a few days can dramatically cut airfares. For example, flying before or after major holidays often halves the cost. Airlines typically release better prices on midweek or off-peak flights. Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner’s calendar view to find the cheapest travel dates. Also consider nearby airports – sometimes flying into a different city (and taking a bus or train onward) saves money.

• Use points, miles and rewards cards. If you collect airline miles or credit-card travel points, you can “buy” free or heavily discounted tickets. Using rewards can be especially valuable when cash fares are high. Many travel credit cards offer large sign-up bonuses or miles per dollar that can quickly fund a flight. (Compare offerings on NerdWallet or The Points Guy for the best current deals.) Remember: don’t automatically use points if the cash fare is low – save them for times when they offer big value.

• Watch for fare deals and error fares. Sign up for flight deal alert services (like Going/Scott’s Cheap Flights, Secret Flying or The Flight Deal) to get emails when very low fares or mistake fares appear. These sites scour global routes and sometimes publish bargain business-class deals as well. Being willing to fly to a less common destination or book a separate ticket home can also save. Round-the-world or multi-city tickets can be cheaper than separate legs if you have many stops.

• Consider alternative carriers and booking tools. Low-cost airlines often have rock-bottom base fares (though they charge extra for baggage or meals). If you’re not checking bags, a budget carrier might be a steal. Always compare prices on multiple platforms (e.g. Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo, Kiwi) and check the airline’s own site. Make sure to pack light: avoiding checked luggage avoids fees and lets you fly with ultra-low-cost carriers.

• Travel off-season or shoulder season. Flying outside peak tourist season (summer, Christmas/New Year) usually means cheaper tickets and emptier planes. Shoulder seasons (spring or fall) often yield big savings on flights and on hotels too.

Accommodation

• Mix and match room types. Don’t splurge on every night. Save money by staying some nights in cheap lodging (hostels, guesthouses, budget hotels, or multi-person Airbnbs) and splurging on a nicer place occasionally. For instance, one traveler saved budget on a hostel in Ljubljana so he could splurge on a castle in Italy. Always compare rates on hotel aggregators (e.g. Booking.com, Agoda) and vacation rental sites (Airbnb, VRBO) before booking.

• Time your trip and location wisely. Travel during off-peak or shoulder periods for lower rates. Weekdays versus weekends can also flip prices: business hotels often drop rates on weekends, while leisure B&Bs can be cheaper on weekdays. Likewise, staying just outside the tourist center can halve the nightly price. A short walk or metro ride to attractions usually costs far less than inner-city rates.

• Use loyalty and memberships. If you frequently stay in a hotel chain, use their points to get free nights or upgrades. Also check for discounts via memberships you already have: AAA, AARP (US/Canada senior group), student unions, even Costco, often list hotel deals. Booking sites like Hotels.com let you earn a free night after ten bookings. Some travel sites (e.g. Booking.com Genius) give extra discounts for repeat bookings.

• Compare inclusions and hidden costs. Look carefully at what each rate includes. Free breakfast can save a meal cost, and free parking can save $20–50 per day in city centers. Conversely, be aware of resort fees, city taxes, cleaning fees (Airbnb) or other add-ons before booking. A cheap “bait” rate can balloon once all fees are added. Always check the “total price” before paying.

• Consider alternative stays. Hostels or guesthouses with communal kitchens can cut food costs. For longer stays, monthly Airbnb or apartment rentals often have big discounts. You can also score free lodging by house- or pet-sitting: platforms like TrustedHousesitters connect travelers to homeowners who need caretake. Another free option is work-exchange programs (e.g. WWOOF, Workaway, Worldpackers) where you volunteer a few hours daily in exchange for a bed and sometimes meals. These are most practical for longer trips.

• Negotiate or ask. When booking directly, don’t hesitate to ask the hotel or host for a better price, especially for longer stays or last-minute bookings. Being polite and friendly (and showing you can be a good repeat customer) sometimes nets a deal.

Food and Dining

• Eat like a local. Dining at tourist-trap restaurants can double or triple your food bill. Instead, venture a few blocks off the main sights (“Five Block Rule”) to find cheaper eateries. Try street food vendors and local markets: these serve authentic meals at very low cost. In many cities (Bangkok, Mexico City, Istanbul, etc.), a delicious street-food dinner can cost just a few dollars. Not only is street food cheap, it’s often among the safest and most memorable meals.

• Use food apps and local tips. Apps like Yelp, TheFork or HappyCow can point you to budget-friendly local favorites. Ask locals (staff at your hostel/hotel or friendly shopkeepers) where they eat – their recommendations avoid tourist premiums. In many cities, travel guides or locals’ blogs list the best cheap-eat areas (e.g. izakaya alleys in Tokyo, mercados in Madrid, hawker centers in Singapore).

• Take advantage of deals. Look for lunch specials or set menus. Many restaurants in Europe and elsewhere offer “business lunch” deals, often 30–40% off dinner prices. Similarly, early-bird dinner menus or happy-hour drink + appetizer combos give discounts. City tourist passes or discount cards sometimes include restaurant coupons. For example, an iAmsterdam or Vienna Card may give you 10–25% off some eateries.

• Pack snacks and use a refill bottle. Carrying protein bars, nuts or jerky (checked if needed) saves small purchases. Also bring a reusable water bottle with a filter (e.g. a LifeStraw bottle). That way you can drink tap water safely almost anywhere and avoid buying bottled water daily.

• Cook or picnic. When possible, prepare at least one meal yourself. Staying in a place with a kitchen lets you shop at local groceries or markets for cheaper ingredients than restaurant prices. Even making sandwiches or a picnic (bread, cheese, fruit from a market) can fill you up and give a local experience.

• Split and share. In many countries, restaurant portions are large. Sharing a dish or ordering a few small plates to split can reduce waste and cost. If you’re on a group trip, consider family-style dining where each person gets one entrée and everyone shares appetizers.

Local Transportation

• Prioritize public transit. Taxis and ride-hailing services add up fast. Instead, use buses, subways, trams or trains whenever possible. Almost every major city has an efficient, low-cost transit system. For example, transit passes (unlimited rides for a day/week) can be cheaper than buying individual tickets. In Germany, the Bayern-Ticket allows a group to travel all day for one low price. Apps like Citymapper or Rome2Rio help plan routes and compare taxi vs transit.

• Walk or bike. Many neighborhoods and sights are closer than they seem. Walking not only saves money but also lets you see more. In cities with bike-share programs (Citi Bike in NYC, Santander Cycles in London, Vélib in Paris, etc.), renting a bike for a day or using e-scooters can be a cheap, fast way to get around..

• Share rides when needed. If public transit isn’t practical (late at night or rural areas), share costs. Look for rideshare/carpool apps or websites (BlaBlaCar, Hitchhikers) where drivers heading your way can split fuel costs. Even sharing a taxi with another traveler can halve your fare. Before you go, find out if there’s a local Uber/Lyft equivalent and grab any new-user promo codes.

• Overnight travel saves both time and money. On longer stretches (like continent crossings), overnight buses or trains let you sleep instead of paying for one night’s lodging. You’ll reach your destination by morning and effectively get 2-for-1 travel. It’s common in Europe, India, South America and more.

• Local vehicle rentals (with caution). If renting a car for a day or two, book early for discounts and compare sites. Look for one-way or repositioning deals (e.g. car or van rentals that need to be returned elsewhere) which can be much cheaper. In some countries, consider cheap scooter or motorcycle rentals for short trips. Always factor in fuel and insurance costs.