Everyone dreams of seeing the world, but for many, the cost of travel feels like the biggest roadblock. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Once you know how to save money while traveling, you can unlock unforgettable experiences without draining your bank account. Whether you’re jetting off to Paris, exploring Southeast Asia, or planning a local road trip, smart travel is all about knowing where—and how—to spend.
This ultimate guide is packed with practical strategies, budget tools, and expert insights. You’ll also discover the value of platforms like Viator, where you can find affordable and memorable experiences wherever you go.
And if you’re specifically focused on accommodation savings, don’t miss our in-depth post on how to get the best hotel deals.
Let’s dive in and make every dollar stretch further.
✈️ Be Flexible with Travel Dates and Destinations
Flexibility is your wallet’s best friend. Flights and hotels can vary drastically in price depending on:
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Day of the week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually cheapest)
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Season (Off-peak months save you 30–50%)
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Destination alternatives (Try Budapest instead of Paris, or Colombia instead of Costa Rica)
Use tools like Google Flights’ “Explore” feature to see the cheapest destinations based on your chosen dates—or the cheapest dates based on your chosen destination.
📱 Use Travel Apps for Instant Deals
If you’re not using apps to plan and book travel, you’re missing major savings. Here are a few must-haves:
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Skyscanner or Hopper: For flight price tracking
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HotelTonight or Booking.com: For last-minute hotel deals
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Rome2Rio: For the cheapest transit options between cities
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Xe Currency: To ensure you’re not overpaying abroad
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Viator: To book affordable and verified experiences on the go
Browse Travel Experiences on Viator
🧳 Travel Light to Avoid Baggage Fees
It sounds simple, but packing light can save you hundreds of dollars on checked baggage:
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Fly low-cost airlines with strict weight limits? Use a carry-on only.
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Bring versatile clothing items that mix and match.
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Use travel-sized toiletries and compression packing cubes.
Bonus: Traveling light makes spontaneous itinerary changes (like hopping on a train or a budget airline) way easier.
🏨 Stay Smart with Accommodation Choices
Hotels are often the largest single expense of a trip, so picking the right one matters:
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Use incognito mode when searching rates.
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Compare across multiple booking engines.
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Consider boutique hostels, guesthouses, or apartment rentals.
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Book hotels with kitchens to cook some meals.
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Choose accommodations that offer free breakfast, airport transfers, or public transport proximity.
Want even deeper insights? Explore our blog on how to use Viator for discounts.
🥗 Eat Like a Local
Dining out three times a day quickly adds up. Instead:
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Eat where locals eat, not where tourists gather.
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Visit street food markets and grocery stores.
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Use apps like TheFork or TooGoodToGo to find discounted restaurant meals.
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Book Viator culinary experiences that offer a full meal (and culture) for a fixed price.
Some of the best meals are the ones you’ll find in alleyways, night markets, or local homes.
🚇 Use Public Transportation
Taxis and Ubers can blow your budget fast. Instead:
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Learn local bus and train routes
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Purchase daily or weekly metro passes
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Use bike rentals or walking tours
In cities like London, Paris, and Bangkok, public transit is clean, safe, and reliable—and you’ll save up to 80% over rideshare alternatives.
🎟️ Pre-Book Attractions to Lock in Discounts
Buying entry tickets at the gate is often more expensive. Instead:
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Book online in advance
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Look for combo passes (museums, tours, transportation)
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Use Viator for skip-the-line, early bird, or discounted multi-activity bundles
It also saves you time—which, when you’re traveling, is worth just as much as money.
🌍 Travel in Off-Peak or Shoulder Seasons
Avoid traveling during:
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Summer holidays
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Major festivals (unless that’s the purpose of your trip)
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New Year, Christmas, or Easter
Instead, travel in:
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March to May
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September to mid-November
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Early December
These months often bring cheaper airfare, hotel stays, and smaller crowds.
💰 Budget Daily and Track Your Spending
Apps like Trail Wallet, Mint, or TravelSpend can help you:
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Set daily limits
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Track spending in real-time
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Categorize expenses (food, lodging, activities, transport)
By monitoring your money daily, you avoid the panic of “I’m broke on day 4 of 10.”
👨👩👧 Travel in Groups or Share Costs
If you’re comfortable, splitting expenses makes everything cheaper:
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Share hotel rooms or Airbnbs
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Split Uber fares or car rentals
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Group activities often offer discounts for parties of 3+
You don’t need to travel with a group the whole time—but teaming up for part of the journey helps you save significantly.
🧾 Claim Tax Refunds (Where Applicable)
Some countries like the UK, Japan, and parts of the EU allow tax-free shopping for tourists:
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Look for shops with the “Tax-Free” sign
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Present your passport during the purchase
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Submit refund forms at the airport before departure
You’ll get back anywhere from 5% to 15%, depending on the country.
🔑 Book Free and Low-Cost Activities
Not everything needs a ticket:
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Museums with free entry days
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Self-guided walking tours
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City parks and scenic viewpoints
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Local markets and free festivals
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Public beaches and hiking trails
Use Viator to complement your free activities with curated, budget-friendly experiences in between.
✨ Final Tips: How to Think Like a Budget Traveler
It’s not just about spending less—it’s about spending smarter. Here’s a mindset shift:
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Quality over luxury
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Experience over excess
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Freedom over fixed schedules
Planning with tools like Viator, using budget-friendly hacks, and staying flexible gives you the freedom to enjoy travel—without financial anxiety.
Whether you’re going solo, with friends, or as a family, learning how to save money while traveling empowers you to see more of the world—more often.
So next time you’re planning that weekend getaway or global adventure, remember: a small strategy shift can lead to big savings and even bigger memories.