Traveling can be expensive, but just because it can be doesn’t mean it has to be. Whether you’re on a budget, saving for something else, or just wanting to travel for longer, here are some tips on how to save money while traveling and keep costs low.
Pack Your Food
One of the biggest costs of traveling comes down to something we all need to do – eat! It’s so tempting to try out a new restaurant for every meal, but that can really eat up your budget.
Instead, plan meals ahead of time and pack groceries like you’d be doing if you were making meals at home. A cooler (or fridge) can take up space, but they really maximize your options. Things like salads, sandwiches, and even “leftovers” from prepared meals can be stored easily. If you have access to a stove, campfire, or camp stove it further increases your options. One of my favorite camping meals is chili cheese dogs. It’s easy to just put the can of chili into the fire to heat it then throw on some cheese and onions and voila – you’re set! Just make sure you have tongs to pull the can out of the fire so you don’t burn yourself.
If you’re like me and one of your favorite things about traveling is trying new restaurants, all hope is not lost. Focus on trying one or two of your desired eateries as well as planning portions. If you’re eating with a group, its usually cheaper to share multiple entrees than it is for each person to get their own. If you’re eating solo, those leftovers can make a great meal for the next day.
Shop Around for Campsites
Another cost for traveling that doesn’t ever seem like a big cost is campground fees (or RV parks, hotels, Airbnb, etc.). While its relatively cheap for one night, staying multiple nights can quickly add up. My most recent campsite was $25. For one night, that’s affordable, but when you multiply it for two weeks, you’re looking at $250. That’s more affordable than two weeks at any hotel, but when that’s in addition to food, fun, gas, and the mortgage or rent you have at your home, it can be a lot.
This is an expense that can be eliminated very easily with the right planning. There are many places you can camp for free. Think National Forest, boondocking, free campgrounds and the like. The night after my $25 campground I spent the night at a free campground. There are several apps you can use in addition to a Google search to help you find these. With the extra planning, you can decrease your overnight expenditures and keep some of that hard-earned money in your pocket (or spend it on something more exciting than sleeping).
Get the Annual Pass
Annual passes can seem pricey up front, but if you know you’re going to be visiting the same type of park multiple times over the course of the next year, annual passes are invaluable! National Park fees vary by location and they can be pretty pricey, so usually just 2 visits to National Parks will pay for the price of the America the Beautiful Pass. State parks passes are even more valuable as they are often cheaper but also more accessible than many National Parks.
If you don’t want to splurge on an annual pass, check out your local library to see if they have one you can borrow. More and more libraries are offering these passes that you’re able to check out like books. The best part? Libraries are completely free! When you’re trying to figure out how to save money while traveling, this is an oft-overlooked resource.
Skip the Souvenirs
Now this may be hard to hear, but think hard about if you really need those souvenirs! Do you regularly wear t-shirts? If not, its probably best to skip buying the shirt proving you were there. Do you buy stickers with the best intentions and inevitably just lose them? Skip it. The same can be said if you’re buying souvenirs for others. Plushies/stuffed animals are always tempting because they are so cute, but they are often a quickly discarded toy.
Instead of spending on pricey souvenirs, take some photos and then print them out. They don’t take a lot of space and they are pretty cheap to print.
Think About Fuel
While its not particularly exciting to think about the logistics of traveling, like the cost of fuel, it can really make or break a budget. Obviously, if you’re looking to road trip then a plane isn’t going to be the right call, but if your destination is the reason for the trip, its worth comparing prices. We often think driving is the cheaper option and often times it is, but certain flights can really surprise you. Larger airports tend to have cheaper prices, so if that’s a feasible option, check there first.
Fuel-efficient cars, hybrid, and electric cars can also really decrease fuel costs. If you’re a multi-car household, you might consider swapping out the roomier car for the more fuel-efficient one to save some extra dollars. It also helps the environment and decreases our reliance on fossil fuels so its a win-win-win!
Save Money, Travel Longer
At the end of the day, if you’re trying to travel on a budget, there are a variety of ways to save money. By no means do you have to implement all of these, or even some of these fully. Simply cutting back on restaurants and limiting the number of souvenirs you’re buying can make a big difference! What it’s all about in the end is being able to enjoy traveling and spend more time doing it. Traveling should also be accessible to everyone, and these are some great ways to navigate cost.
Do you have any other tips on how to save money while traveling? Sharing is caring!
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