As a backpacker, I’m a great advocate of cheap travel.
I’ve gone to Europe and back without touching my primary savings account, but I didn’t deprive myself either. I ate mussels and waffles in Brussels, flew from Prague to Athens to save time, and even splurged (based on my standards) by going to Santorini.
Yes, you can really travel cheaply in Europe, but even if you don’t have concrete plans (yet) of going there, you can save up and prepare for your first Eurotrip in advance.
I used to travel like this!
I’ve been to Israel, the United States, and Japan, three of the most expensive countries I’ve ever visited so far. And yet, I was still able to keep within budget.
Indeed, even if you’re on PG mode, you can still travel. The secret is knowing how to spend as little as possible while still enjoying yourself to the max. Here are my tried-and-tested tips to travel cheaply, but well.
Sunset at Doha airport.
Most of my friends and colleagues wonder how I can travel so much in and outside the country.
The secret? Cheap airfare!
Since the budget airline industry exploded in the market a few years ago, I have flown to various destinations paying only a fraction of what the ticket usually costs.
So check out the websites of your favorite airlines, and if there’s an option available, sign up to be sent alerts when there are scheduled seat sales. The reason is simple: cheap seats are usually limited in number.
By the time you read it in the newspaper in the morning, all the allotted seats will already be taken. Be one of the first to book and you’ll be guaranteed a slot! (My Coron, Palawan return ticket next month cost me P500, and it was only booked last month.)
Yes, you will be surprised to know that there are walking tours that are free (tips-based). I was in Budapest when I learned this, and despite being free, it was very well done.
In the Philippines, there’s also a monthly tour of the heritage buildings in Manila which will include the beautiful Metropolitan Theater and Manila Post Office. You can also check out the local groups in Couchsurfing. There are always members there arranging tours and meet-ups.
Welcome to Times Square!
I’m all for saving money when I travel, but I also make sure not to miss out on some experiences just because they’re paid. Don’t be too cheap!
Yes, there’s such a thing as being too cheap. It’s nice to think primarily of your wallet, but not at the expense of experiencing something memorable. I was in Athens, for example, when I thought of going to Santorini. I initially rejected the idea, thinking it would be very expensive, but then, I asked myself: I am so close already, do I really want to go home without ever seeing it, just because I didn’t want to spend a hundred dollars?
New York City is also an expensive place, but I had always wanted to watch a Broadway show. I found ways to get cheap Broadway tickets and loved watching The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, Les Miserables, and Finding Neverland.
Outside my “cave” in Santorini.
If you’re not comfortable staying for free on someone else’s couch (because of course, the purpose is more on interaction rather than just a free bed), you can stay in hostels rather than hotels. Dorm beds are so much cheaper; you don’t need your own room, anyway, as you’ll be out most of the day. Read my tips for staying in hostels.
When I was in Kota Kinabalu, I stayed at a backpacker hostel which cost only US$6 per night. The dorm room was small, and there were a lot of beds, but it was comfortable enough. I met people there whom I later went out with to drink the night away while watching the championship game of the World Cup.
The best hostel I’ve stayed in though, was Caveland Hostel in Santorini. There was only me and a young guy in a huge room, and when he left, I had the whole room to myself! At only US$22 per night, it was a great deal, given that there was also free breakfast and airport transfer.
Cat sitting pretty Monet (and Spunky) in Brooklyn.
Another surefire way to save on accommodation is to house or pet-sit. The concept is simple: when house owners go on vacation, they look for someone to stay in their house to take care of the property and any pets they have. I stayed 2 weeks in New York by looking after two cats!
They don’t expect to pay house sitters, and house sitters don’t expect to pay for their stay. It’s an arrangement that’s mutually beneficial and it’s something that I have done as well in my travels. There are a number of housesitting websites you can join, just make sure to compare which one fits you best. Here’s a guide to the best housesitting websites nowadays.
So, yes, it’s possible to travel cheap. You can forgo some pleasures while traveling to help stretch your budget a bit more. But remember, money can be earned. There are some experiences that are worth paying for, and you shouldn’t miss out on those just because you can’t break your budget.
How about you? What are your tips for travel cheap?
28 Comments. Leave new
I am so envy seeing your photos and yet less expensive. My dream place is to visit sintorini and rio de janeiro in brazil.. I am planning to visit batanes but I am still waiting for cheap fare in pal express. Hoping to see batanes soon… thanks for sharing your tips and wonderful experience. Throughly breath taking and anyone else dreamt.
Thank you for your ideas. It really helps a lot to enjoy travelling. God bless.
@ Koen: I’m relieved haha I thought I had really mentioned it and forgotten! 😀
@ Sharon: Nope. Did some research and although “cheap” sounds weird, it seems to be the correct one to use hehe. I also didn’t push thru with the PO tour last Sept. Hope there’s another one next month!
@ Koen: Ummm…I don’t have the American dream on my bucket list. I don’t know where you got that idea.
Well u just mentioned in ur earlier comments…check;-)
Just noticed it was south america u mentioned…misunderstanding…
Great piece Aleah, as always…hope you can live the american dream very soon… I know it’s on ur bucket list…
Ayaw mo sa “cheaply”? 😀
I signed up for the PO walking tour but wasn’t able to push through with it.
@ Dave Briggs: Thanks so much. I hope to add some more tips here 🙂
@ Christian: True. To have fun as a traveler, we must be flexible. A lot 🙂
I agree, choose your battles, there are times that you really have to spend. bawi na lang ulit the next day 🙂
I just want to congratulate you for a great site! I love these travel tips as well, as saving money wherever possible when out travelling helps to make the trip a longer one!
@ Jen: Yeah, been dreaming of So America for some time now! Tara let’s! Don’t know where you’re based though.
Lei!!! :). Let’s go side by side next time! :), Rio de Janeiro? PM me if u found a promising rate for this 🙂
@ Fifi: In Europe, I also walked around A LOT. Eurail is expensive though so I just took local buses, or regional trains which are slower but much cheaper.
@ Premier Award Bookings: Lovely idea! I don’t know if it’s available in the Philippines though.
Hello,
How about finding air tickets using award miles from credit card sign ups/ award points accumulated via travelling?
A round trip ticket between the US And Europe only 55,000 miles!
when i am traveling, i prefer to walk as much as possible in order to see the locale well, unless some areas require taxi or bus or train. erail train pass is fun, as well. subways. i have never stayed at hostels, but i have stayed at apartments, condos, and motels where you have to share the bathroom with everyone on that floor.
@ Shamis: I only began traveling internationally when the major budget airline here started operating. I couldn’t afford the tickets before they did 🙂
@ Arianwen: Yeah, free walking tours are the best!
Free walking tours are a great way of getting to know the area, as well as meeting other travellers! There should be more of them!
Great tips to travel cheap, Aleah! Budget airlines are the best way to travel for cheap. Airline tickets used to be so high before they came. Looks like you got some amazing hostel deals. That Belgian Waffle looks delicious! 🙂
@ Jeffrey: Thanks! I have to travel more in the Philippines too, maybe start my goal of seeing all the provinces. We’ll get there 🙂
Ikaw na talaga ang Backpacker, Great tips Aleah! your photos, your journeys and travels makes me more inspired to explore and continue travelling:)(sa pinas na lang muna jejeje)
@ Red: I’m guilty of being a passive traveler haha I like your tips of balancing expenditures though. Will definitely use that the next time I travel.
@ Theresa: Thanks. Solo travel is not for everybody. Yeah the waffle was yummy, but no longer after the 3rd or 4th bite. The toppings make it taste so rich.
@ Wander Shugah: Naks naman, thanks. 🙂 One day, you will!
you will always be my inspiration sa eurotrip! You rock it aleah! 🙂 One day, ill get there <3
Hi Aleah,
How brave you are to be able to travel solo! I’m just a scaredy cat and I prefer going with someone experienced or with a group.
Travel is definitely in my future plans. I’ll keep your tips in mind especially those deals and airline sales you mentioned.
I love your Belgian Waffle photo! Yummy!
Our tip is to balance expenditure by mixing freebies (like self-guided walking tours, beach walks and hikes etc), cheapies (like museums, National Park entry fees etc) and splurges (like a helicopter flight or a great meal). We also read up on where we’re headed to see what’s on offer and compare prices. The key is to be an ‘active’ traveller who seeks out experiences rather than a ‘passive’ one who waits for the experiences to come to him/her!
@ Claire: I’ll keep on the lookout for coupons to Boracay. I’m sure it would be a good deal because I know it’s expensive to go there.
@ Mary: Yeah it’s difficult to find inexpensive accommodation if you’re traveling as a family. In these cases, those short-term rentals will be valuable right?
Great tips, Aleah! I am always in awe at the prices people in Asia or Europe pay for those bargain airfares. Those are unheard of in the US. Our version of couchsurfing and hostels as a traveling family is renting an apartment. I totally agree about the splurging once in awhile for those wonderful and memorable experiences – even my cheap husband will agree to that 🙂
I agree with all, especially your tip on the coupon sites! =) I was finally able to visit Boracay last year because of a great deal inclusive of airfare. It’s hard to book cheap airfare to Boracay, since it’s one of the first seats gone during seat sales.