It’s no secret that travel has gotten more expensive over the last few years. Post-COVID, everything feels like it has gotten more expensive. And, with the demand for travel surpassing even pre-pandemic levels, prices aren’t going to go down any time soon.
Besides making things more expensive, COVID changed how to travel. A lot of companies/hotels/hostels closed during the pandemic while old methods of saving money became obsolete and new methods came into being.
So much of travel has changed that I decided to write a book it called How to Travel the World on $75 a Day, a massive, massive update to my old $50 a Day edition. The book contains everything you need to know on how to save money on travel and have more authentic, local experiences.
Ultimate Guide to Cheap Travel and Authentic Experiences in 2025
Today, I want to share 10 things you can do to save money on your next trip – whether you are going away for two weeks, two months, or two years!
1. Collect points for free travel
Collecting points and miles is a great way to travel on a budget. By getting point-yielding credit cards and using a few simple techniques, you can get hundreds of thousands of miles — without any additional spending (you can even earn points just by paying your rent!). These points can then be cashed in for free flights, free hotel stays, and other travel rewards.
I’ve earned countless free flights, upgrades, and hotel stays from my points and miles. By optimizing my spending and paying attention to which cards earn the most points where, I’ve saved thousands of dollars — and you can too! This post can help get you started!
2. Use the Sharing Economy
The sharing economy has led to a plethora of new money-saving and community-building platforms that have made travel even more affordable, personal, and accessible. It’s never been easier to get off the tourist trail, connect with locals, and experience their pace of life. I live by these websites when I travel! There’s no aspect of travel that isn’t doable with these websites. Some of my favorite services are:
3. Find the Free
The world is awash with amazing free travel resources that can help you travel on a budget. No matter where you are going, there’s probably a blog post on what to do and see there for free or cheaply. Someone has been there, and they’ve written about it! Make the best use of all of them to help you plan your trip. My favorite search term is “free things to do in X.” You’ll always get a result!
Additionally, don’t be afraid to walk into a hostel — even if you aren’t staying there — and ask them what to do for cheap. Their clientele is budget-sensitive, so they always know what to do and where to go for little money.
4. Stick to Public Transportation
If you’re on a budget, skip the taxis and rideshares. Unless you can lower your cost by sharing a ride with other passengers, public transportation is going to be the most cost-effective way to get around. Not only will it save you money but you’ll get to see how the locals travel too.
Google Maps usually can give you a basic overview of the public transportation options and prices available. You can find information about day passes and/or multi-day passes from your local hostel/hotel staff (as well as from local tourism offices).
5. Visit the Local Tourism Office and Get a Tourism Card
Local tourist offices are a wealth of knowledge. They exist solely to provide you with information on what to see and do. They often have tons of discounts not found anywhere else and can also keep you updated on local events, free tours, and the best spots to eat. After all, they are staffed by people who live in the destination so they can give you a lot of tips on how to get off the tourist trail.
Moreover, most of them offer city tourism cards that can allow you to get you admittance into the major attractions for one low price. They are an invaluable way to save money if you plan to do lots of sightseeing.
6. Get Cheap Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs travelers have, so reducing that cost can lead to big savings on the road. I’m sure many backpackers would sleep in a barn if it were the cheapest accommodation they could find!
Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money off the total cost of your trip. Stay in hostels, use Couchsurfing, stay in empty university dorms, camp, or try an Airbnb.
7. Follow the Five Block Rule
Use the five-block rule. There seems to be this magical wall that surrounds tourist areas. Most people don’t go past it. It’s been my experience that if you walk five blocks in any direction from a major tourist area, you end up losing the crowds and finding the local restaurants.
In my experience, tourist restaurants don’t care about quality since those tourists aren’t coming back. Residents do care so places catering to them need to be better — and more affordable – or they go out of business. Those are the places you want to eat at. Use the above resources to find where the locals eat and avoid crappy food!
8. Travel Like You Live
The majority of people in your destinations don’t spend lots of money per day like tourists do. Neither do you in your day-to-day life. Take that mentality with you. Walk, take public transportation, grocery shop, spend a day in a park, and look for deals. Do the things you do at home every day to keep your costs down.
Too many people get into this mindset that when they go on the road, they just have to spend, spend, spend, spend. That’s not true at all. There’s no law that says you have to spend more. Be smart with your budget — just like you are at home. That will help you save money and prevent you from going home early (and broke).
9. Take Free Walking Tours
Want to learn about the city, get your bearings, and see the major sights? Take a free walking tour. You can find them in most major cities — just ask the local tourist office, your hostel staff, or Google “free walking tour (city name).”
You’ll get a solid introduction to the city while also getting access to a local guide you can ask questions to. I always start my visits to a new city with one. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end (that’s how they get paid). Here’s a list of all my favorite walking tours around the world (organized by city).
10 Become a Housesitter!
If you’re on a tight budget, you can pet and house sit for fellow travel lovers when they go on their own vacations! In exchange, you’ll get free accommodation while you’re watching their home and pets (animal care is involved 99% of the time).
This is a great way to travel long-term, with an important added bonus: you get a kitchen to cook your food (which saves you even more money!).
You will also often get access to a vehicle and sometimes will be left a tip or free groceries. It’s generally people who are well enough off that they can afford multi-month vacations, so you’re usually in pretty nice homes and apartments too! The best site for this is Trusted Housesitters.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
It may be a lot harder to travel on a budget but by being flexible, getting creative, and embracing the right mindset, you’ll be able to travel without spending a fortune. (And you can check out my book for even more tips!)
