Here is a blog post on saving money on travel. That being said it still does cost money to travel. I love to travel because it makes everlasting memories. It is important to me to save money as well. Here is how to smart travel on a budget.
Eat in when you can
- When we head to the beach, our first stop is usually Costco—it’s a great way to save money. I’ll admit, staying in a house makes it easy to save by eating in, but we still like to eat out occasionally. On average, we’ll dine out about five times during the week. Even when we went to Maui, we made a Costco run for breakfast supplies. If there’s a Costco or Sam’s Club nearby, I always recommend going early in the trip since they sell bulk items. Even in a big city like Chicago, popping into a local grocery store is an easy way to stock up.
- I’m all about experiencing the local food scene, so I try to eat out at least once a day, especially if we’re staying in a hotel. Ideally, I’ll book a place with a free breakfast to save even more. And of course, grabbing snacks at the grocery store is essential for keeping everyone satisfied between meals!
- Links: if room bring snacks with you. Pop Corners, Looking for a hotel with a free breakfast
Use discounts/award points for flights and accommodations when possible
- I have a blog post about using points, and for years, I mainly used Marriott points to get one free night here and there. I also fly primarily with American Airlines, and occasionally, I can score a flight using points. However, due to my work schedule, I tend to fly during peak times. When it comes to booking flights, I recommend using Google Flights to track prices and find the best deals. To save even more, try to travel during off-peak times, as this can help you save on both flights and hotels.
Look at low-cost or no-cost activities
- It really depends on where you’re traveling, but no matter the destination, there are always ways to save. On our beach vacations, we tend to keep it simple—staying on the beach, taking walks, and enjoying the natural surroundings. In larger cities, a city pass can be a great way to save money on attractions and tours. This is where pre-planning really pays off—researching your destination ahead of time helps you understand the costs and prioritize what you want to do. For example, on our Chicago trip, I mapped out how long each activity would take, so I knew exactly how much we could fit into each day.
- links: tours
Plan packing ahead of time
- I know some people can just toss things in a bag and go, but for me, planning ahead really helps prevent overpacking and unnecessary purchases. I like to start packing a few days before the trip so I can make sure I don’t forget anything—this way, I’m not scrambling to buy something when I get there. Since I’m a visual person, I even map out what I’m taking on my computer with pictures. For our upcoming summer trip, my kids received items for Christmas that tie into the vacation, like hiking boots, which helps us be prepared in advance.
- Links: example of me mapping out packing, Travel Essentials
Souvenirs that don’t break the bank
- For a while, collecting stickers was a big trend, though it seems to be fading a bit now. I still enjoy grabbing a sticker from time to time, but I’ve started leaning more toward pins or patches from places I visit. I try to keep souvenirs to a minimum and usually ask myself, “Do I really need this?” or “Is it something useful?” At the end of the day, the best souvenirs are the memories and photos from the trip itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this is how you smart travel on a budget. No matter what, traveling is going to cost money but hopefully, saving in these five areas will help you save on your vacation.
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