Let me guess — the last time you planned a trip, you searched for how to save money on travel and spent hours hunting the cheapest flights , maybe scored a decent hotel deal, and still came home wondering where all your money went.

You’re not alone. Most travelers focus all their travel budget on flights and accommodation because they’re the biggest, most obvious expenses. But here’s the truth: it’s rarely the flight that destroys your vacation budget.

It’s the $14 cocktail at lunch.
The rideshare because you didn’t feel like figuring out the bus.
The “quick souvenir” that turned into a $60 shopping spree.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to save money on travel by breaking down the real cost of travel and giving you actionable budget travel tips for each expense category..

So let’s break down how much a trip really costs—and more importantly, how to save money on travel in each category.

How to Save Money on Flights (30–40% of your travel expenses)

Flights usually take the biggest chunk of your travel expenses, which is why people obsess over them. But the biggest money-saving trick isn’t a secret hack — it’s flexibility.

If you can shift your travel dates by even a few days, you can save hundreds. Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner let you compare prices across an entire month so you can spot the cheapest options instantly.

Cheap travel tip:
Set fare alerts and compare one-way tickets on different airlines instead of defaulting to round-trip fares.

Budget Travel Accommodation Tips (25–35% of a trip cost)

Hotels are convenient, but they’re rarely the best value if you’re trying to travel for cheap.

Hostels today often offer stylish private rooms for a fraction of hotel prices. Aparthotels and short-term rentals work well for groups, and house-sitting platforms like Trusted Housesitters and Nomador can even give you free accommodation.

Budget travel tip:
Book a place with a kitchen. Cooking even half your meals can cut your food costs dramatically and if you are traveling with a family, you also get more space as well.

Cutting Food Costs While Traveling (15–25% of your vacation budget)

Food is the silent budget killer. Eating out three times a day in tourist areas adds up fast.

You don’t need to skip good meals to practice affordable travel. Just eat where locals eat. Ask a driver, hotel staff, or shop owner for recommendations. Street food, markets, and local lunch spots are usually cheaper and better.

Cheap travel tip:
Make breakfast at your accommodation, eat your main meal at lunch, and keep dinner simple. Seek out local markets and eat your lunch there as you will not only be saving money but also experiencing the culture.

Local Transportation (5–10% of travel expenses)

Taxis and rideshares can quietly inflate your trip cost. Most cities have reliable public transportation once you spend a few minutes figuring it out and these can cut your transportation costs drastically.

Budget travel tip:
Download the local transit app before you arrive—and walk whenever possible. It’s free and often the best way to explore.

Activities and Attractions (10–15% of your travel cost)

Tours, museum tickets, and excursions can stack up quickly.

Look for free walking tours, free museum days, or city tourism cards that bundle attractions at a discount.

Cheap travel tip:
Search: “free things to do in [destination]” before your trip. Use sites like TripAdvisor or go to the local tourism boards of the destination you wish to travel to.

The Hidden Travel Costs (about 5%)

These are the small expenses most people forget when planning a travel budget:

ATM fees

Currency exchange charges

SIM or eSIM costs

Travel insurance

Visa fees

Tourist taxes

Individually they seem minor, but together they can add $100 or more to your trip.

Budget travel tip:

Use a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, and consider an eSIM provider like Airalo for affordable data abroad.

The Bottom Line: How to Cut Your Trip Cost in Half

You don’t have to be cheap to practice budget travel. You just need to understand where your money is actually going.

Eat like a local

Walk more

Use public transit

Book flexible flights

Cook some meals

Small changes in each category can cut your total travel cost dramatically.

If you want a trip designed around your exact budget, working with a travel agent can help you build a well-balanced itinerary without overspending.

Next time, we’ll talk about why traveling in the off-season is one of the easiest ways to save money on travel.

Happy travels.

 

FAQ

• What is the biggest expense when traveling?”
• “How much should I budget for a week-long trip?”
• “How can I travel for cheap without sacrificing quality?

ANSWERS

What is the biggest expense when traveling?

Flights are typically the biggest expense, taking up 30–40% of your total travel budget. Accommodation comes in second at 25–35%, followed by food and drinks at 15–25%.

How much should I budget for a week-long trip?

Budget around $500–$800 per week for budget travel, $1,200–$2,000 for mid-range, and $2,500+ for more comfort (not including flights). Break down your budget by category: flights (30–40%), accommodation (25–35%), food (15–25%), transport (5–10%), and activities (10–15%).

How can I travel for cheap without sacrificing quality?

Eat where locals eat, use public transportation, book accommodation with a kitchen, and walk whenever possible. Focus your spending on experiences that matter to you while going budget on things like transport. Quality travel is about spending smart, not spending more everywhere.