Thinking back on how I travel I realize that I’ve develop a set of principles for ways to travel cheap and keep costs low.

These are only general rules of thumb and all are subject to being broken.

Recent trip costs

Two weeks in Europe France -> Switzerland -> Germany $2500
(~$105 / day without flight)

One week in Alaska $800
(~ $40 / day without flight)

One week in Europe Poland -> Slovakia $1,800
(~$150 / day without flight)

One week in NYC $1,700
(~$97 / day without flight)

Three weeks in Japan $3,000
(~$60 / day without flight)

Ways to Travel Cheap

Pick an affordable destination

1. Look up food cost
2. Look up lodging cost
3. Look up transit cost

Airfare

1. Be flexible with departure dates, use an app that shows nearby date prices.
2. Google Flights
3. Hopper App
4. Hipmunk App
5. Chepoair
6. Book Directly with airline
7. Max out your carry on (Check as few bags as possible)
8. Don’t buy things on the airplane or at airport
9. Don’t upgrade your seat, your only on the plane for a few hours
10. Some airlines charge to pick your seat, don’t pick a seat.
11. If a company is paying for flights, extend the days.

Attractions

1. Book online, sometimes there is a deal / coupons
2. Pay as a group
3. Share audio tours – makes it more social
4. Consider a multi-attraction pass
5. Stop by a hostel (even if you’re not staying), sometimes there are deals on attractions & tours
6. Don’t buy the all access pass if you don’t have time to see everything
7. If you are a student, pay student pricing
8. Check if you get discounts with AAA, Your Credit Card company, AARP, etc.

Food

1. Minimize eating out
2. Street food / Food carts are generally affordable and good
3. Bakeries
4. Grocery stores
5. Cook
6. Snacks
7. Refill a water bottle instead of buying beverages.
8. Eat 2 blocks away from tourist destination.
9. Pack and bring lunch to tourist destination,
10. Pick cheep food destination.
11. Share entrees
12. Keep and eat any leftovers instead of tossing
13. Check local customs on tipping. You might not need to tip, even though it may feel odd.

Lodging

1. Couchsurfing
2. Stay with friends, or friends of friends. (ask facebook)
3. Hostel (book directly if possible or by phone, avoid sites that add a fee)
4. AirBnB
5. Camping
6. Call other hotels and talk them down by comparing prices
7. Use your AAA membership discount if you have it

Transit

1. Rail deals (tourist pass)
2. Split cost between travelers (car, group train ticket)
3. Compare bus vs Train
4. Spend time reading and understanding a city’s light rail & bus passes to find the best fit for your visit.
5. Don’t drive the toll ways
6. Park a little ways away
7. Consider alternatives
8. Walk / Bike

Currency

1. Don’t get the currency before you leave (ok maybe a little)
2. Don’t get currency at a cash exchange (terrible exchange rate)
3. Withdraw cash at ATMs with a debit card
4. Use a Credit Card with no foreign transaction fee.
5. When given the option always charge the transaction in the local currency, it will convert with fewer fees.
6. Prefer credit card to cash if possible

Phone

1. Check what is free with your current provider. For instance texting both photos & videos is free internationally with AT&T, but calling and cell data costs.
2. Disable all cellular data on your phone to avoid fees. Only enable on a per-app basis as needed.
3. Download offline maps & language translations to reduce data use.
4. Don’t check your voicemail.
5. Bring an unlocked cell phone, and buy a local SIM, takes research.
6. Call home using WiFi with VoIP. Like Google Hangouts, Skype, Whats App, FB Messenger, etc.

Other thoughts

1. Don’t buy souvenirs, find souvenir (rocks, snacks, etc)
2. Research Global Blue
3. Check behind you and don’t loosing things – replacing items costs
4. Check if you need to buy travel insurance

Did I miss something? Do I have something wrong? What ways to travel cheap do you know? Leave a comment, I’m always updating this list with more ideas / corrections!