How to travel on a budget

There are ways to travel on a budget without completely draining your bank account — but you might have to let go of the over-the-top luxury travel images you see on Instagram. In this episode, we'll help you travel with intention, save ahead and maximize travel tools to get the best deals and savings on the trips you want to take. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Speaker 00

  This message comes from the Southern Environmental Law Center. No one voted for dirty air and water. That's why S E L C is fighting back to defend the healthy environment everyone depends on. Because it's not political, it's fundamental. Learn more at S E L C dot org.

• 0:17Marielle Segarra?

  You're listening to Life Kit from NPR.

• 0:25Marielle Segarra?

  Hey, everybody. It's Marielle. In 2018, I went to Greece for two weeks. I remember the trip vividly. The beginning was like a dream. We did a food tour in Athens, stayed on a gorgeous, small island with crystal blue water and no cars. We went running by the beach, watched the sun set. But we reached a point, about 10 days in, when things took a turn. Our string of beautiful weather ended. Now there was torrential rain every day. And our last stop was kind of a dud. We hadn't done enough research on the area and there wasn't much to do. Also, I started having some digestive issues. So I just remember being stuck in the hotel room, watching American political news on TV with an upset stomach, wishing I was home.

• 1:09Marielle Segarra?

  And we still had four days to go. Changing our flights at that point would have just been too expensive. It was like we'd overstayed and overspent by half a week. Nishan Lenata is a financial advisor at Kraft Wealth Services.

• 1:23Speaker 02

  And honestly, the worst feeling is going on a trip feeling completely dissatisfied or that you didn't hit the mark on what you wanted or that you overspent.

• 1:33Marielle Segarra?

  Or both. And what I learned from that trip in Greece was, first of all, two weeks, usually too long for me to be hopping around from one international city to another. Also, spending more time in a place and more money on the trip doesn't necessarily add up to a better experience. The truth is, you can have fulfilling, restorative, life-changing travels without draining your bank account. Though your trip might not look exactly like the photos you've seen on social media.

• 2:02Speaker 03

  Comparison is the thief of joy. So get off of social media and stop following travel bloggers that don't pay for their own stuff, because that's a real trap.

• 2:11Marielle Segarra?

  That's Chrissy Whalen. She and her teenage son Zephyr have been traveling the world since 2019. They've traveled to 40 countries, including Argentina, Norway, Singapore, Morocco, Vietnam, France. And they do it on a budget, spending maybe $60 to $80 a night on hotels and $20 a day on food in expensive cities like London. Chrissy does have an Instagram account called Single Mom Budget Travel, but she travels without the help of sponsors and pays for everything: flights, food, hotels, all of it. She says social media can be part of the problem, and it's one reason we end up overspending on trips.

• 2:47Speaker 03

  We do, especially with social media, have champagne dreams and beer budgets. And I'm just like, first of all, we're going to come back to planet Earth, and then we can explore the Earth in a way that works for us and is realistic.

• 3:02Marielle Segarra?

  On this episode of Life Kit, how to travel on a budget. Journalist Amelia Edelman, who's a longtime budget traveler herself, talks to Chrissy, Nishan, and another expert, and brings you their best tips.

• 3:17Speaker 04

  Stay tuned for the following announcements and messages from our sponsors.

• 3:21Speaker 00

  This message comes from Whole Foods Market. Host Thanksgiving with industry-leading quality standards from Whole Foods Market. There are no antibiotics in their meat department, ever, so carve up turkey and spiral-cut ham with peace of mind. Shop organic sides like stuffing mix and cranberry sauce from 365 Brand. And all their delectable pies are made with no high-fructose corn syrup. Gourmet Thanksgiving flavors with the quality you want, only at Whole Foods Market.

• 3:47Speaker 04

  This message comes from Bombas. It's officially your sock drawer's favorite time of the year, when soft merino wool and cashmere yarns meet chunky knits. A time for playful prints and festive patterns, perfect for all of your holiday party looks. So stock up on the coziest pairs you'll wear all season long. Visit B-O-M-B-A-S. And use code NPR for 20% off your first purchase. Support for this podcast and the following message come from the Southern Environmental Law Center. No one voted for a dirty air. No one voted for polluted water. That's why S E L C is fighting back to defend the healthy environment everyone depends on, just as they've done for 40 years. Because clean air, clean water, and a healthy

• 4:32Speaker 04

  climate aren't political, they're fundamental. Learn more at S E L C dot org.

• 4:39Speaker 05

  So what's the secret to budget travel while adulting, exploring, and still having a relaxing or even somewhat luxurious vacation? Let's start with something fundamental. Deciding what kind of trip you want to take and why. That's takeaway number one. Define the purpose of your trip to guide your spending. Why is this such an important first step when traveling on a budget? Because to clearly curtail your spending, you need to get clear on why you're traveling in the first place.

• 5:07Speaker 02

  When you plan a trip, it's important to define the purpose of your trip and what matters most to you.

• 5:14Speaker 05

  That's Nishan. She says defining your trip is all about planning and prioritizing. Is the trip's main purpose exploration, learning, family connection, relaxation, or something else entirely?

• 5:25Speaker 02

  You can start to apply a proper budget to those different items based off of, I know what the purpose of this time is, this vacation, this trip, this exploration, and then being able to adjust from there. When you have that purpose, it really helps clear up your priorities pretty quickly. So if you're adventure or activity oriented, then you're probably going to save more money on your accommodations by choosing a budget-friendly option to be able to allocate even more towards expenses or even food.

• 5:59Speaker 05

  But if your trip is more about relaxation, maybe you'd spend a bit more on staying in a nicer place, but look for deals or discounts on flights to balance that out. Or if your goal is to immerse yourself in local culture, like Chrissy Wayland's and her son's is, you might prioritize affordable accommodations or focus more on free or low-cost. ...activities like visiting museums, hiking, or checking out local events. Chrissy says many of these are totally free.

• 6:25Speaker 03

  I can't think of a better thing to do for carnival season than to go to Via Reggio in Tuscany and go on the beach. And it's the biggest carnival in all of Europe with the most amazing floats. The entire town of Via Reggio is dedicated to making floats. And it is like one of the best free experiences I've ever had.

• 6:44Speaker 05

  Another purpose oriented tip, during your trip planning, once you've decided on the vibe you're looking for, can you find a destination dupe that's more affordable? Destination dupes or duplicates are about finding a cheaper lookalike for a dream destination. One of my dupe recommendations for US travelers, for example, is Quebec. If you're a Francophile but can't afford a transatlantic trip to ever expensive Paris, try a shorter flight or a road trip from the US Northeast to Montreal or Quebec City for culture and crêpes and to pratiquer votre français.

• 7:17Speaker 06

  Another dupe that I like is the Finger Lakes region in New York.

• 7:22Speaker 05

  That's travel writer Brittany Oliver. She says the Finger Lakes are a great alternative for a trip that will set you back a fraction of the price of one in Tuscany or Napa.

• 7:32Speaker 06

  So if you can't make it out west and you're looking for like a wine experience, that area is really nice, really cute Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts that you can stay at and really affordable wine trails.

• 7:49Speaker 05

  Yeah, that's a great. And you can also like go skiing around there and be like, it's basically the Alps. It's upstate New York. It's fine. Defining your trip's purpose early on in your planning process will help determine whether there's a destination dupe out there that might serve you better for cheaper. That purpose will also help guide and stem your spending once you're on the trip. But planning ahead isn't just a mental exercise when it comes to traveling on a budget. You also need to physically start saving your trip funds. The earlier the better. That's takeaway number two. Save ahead and save more than you think you'll need. Start saving at least six months before a trip if possible. Nishan says this gives you plenty of time to set a realistic budget and to build up a travel emergency fund.

• 8:30Speaker 02

  I often work with folks to set up a dedicated travel fund and contribute to it consistently, even if it's a small amount each month. So it can be a revolving travel fund. Say you know you're gonna take five trips every year, or you know you spend at least $6,000 every year. Well, we know if we're spending $6,000 every year, we probably need to save at least $500 a month.

• 8:55Speaker 05

  Even before you save, you've got to know your numbers. Sit down and track your spending over the next few months. Where can you cut back? Maybe you stopped eating out so much, or you canceled that subscription service you don't use anymore. These small changes add up. Chrissy says you should decide.

• 9:10Speaker 03

  What is it that you totally need versus what you want? And if the travel thing is what you want more, you will make concessions.

• 9:18Speaker 05

  But it's not just about saving enough for your trip. Nishan says you should also build in a financial cushion for any emergencies, whether that's unexpected medical expenses or an extra night at a hotel after a canceled flight.

• 9:30Speaker 02

  When you plan for the unexpected, you have the ability to kind of take the pressure off of yourself. So the most obvious approach for managing those unexpected costs or emergencies is to build up a contingency fund, and that's usually around like maybe 10 to 20% of your total.

• 9:51Speaker 05

  There are also travel grants available from nonprofits that you can use to augment your savings. World Strides and Travel Niche offer grants for families, and Wish of a Lifetime offers them for folks who are 65 and older in the US, for example. Chrissy recommends giving these a shot.

• 10:06Speaker 03

  And maybe you're only gonna get 500 bucks, but man, the thing you could do with $500 is something. You know what I mean? That's a whole week of accommodations somewhere.

• 10:14Speaker 05

  As for accommodations, where you stay can eat up a lot of your budget. So where are you going to stay? Takeaway number three, be creative and flexible with where you stay and when you go. A little outside the box thinking will save you serious travel cash. Flexibility is everything when it comes to flight booking. First off, use flight comparison tools. They allow you to track prices over time, so you can look for deals and book when prices dip.

• 10:40Speaker 06

  The two tools that I use are Google Flight Alerts, as well as this third-party app called Hopper.

• 10:48Speaker 05

  Chrissy also uses a lot of these different tools.

• 10:50Speaker 03

  And I like Skyscanner app to like, set alerts for things that I'm, you know, I always say three to six months in advance, you should really start thinking. And then setting a travel alert for the places that you really, really want to go. And then, subscription services like what used to be called Scott's Cheap Flights, which is now Going, and Matt's Flights, those are really good because you can get free subscriptions and they just throw stuff at you. And you're like, hey, oh my God, $500 flights to Paris in February? Like, I'm in.

• 11:18Speaker 05

  Booking aside, be flexible with your travel dates. You'll save a ton of money if you can be a little bit less precious about your travel timing.

• 11:25Speaker 03

  If you want to travel, A, and have a better time, first and foremost, but if you want it to be cheaper, you've got to do off-peak.

• 11:32Speaker 05

  I experienced this firsthand when I brought my entire family to Santorini in January and February. It's no small trip, four flights just to get from our hometown of Nashville to the Greek island, but because we went during the low season, it was just $500 per person round trip. Accommodation prices were also super low and the gorgeous island was much quieter. Also, avoid flying on Sundays and Mondays, which tend to be the most expensive due to weekend trips and business travelers. As for accommodations, don't make any assumptions about what you think might be cheapest without doing your research. Travelers often assume that a vacation rental like Airbnb or VRBO will be cheaper than a hotel, but Chrissy says that's certainly not always the case.

• 12:14Speaker 03

  The fees are insane. Yeah.

• 12:15Speaker 05

  It used to be like 2008, R I P 2008 Airbnb's. That was always the cheapest option, right? Meanwhile, plenty of discount hotels are cheap and clean and even have some amenities that might save you money elsewhere.

• 12:28Speaker 03

  So many people rent Airbnb's because like I want to buy food and I'm like, hey, man, you know that the Ibis Hotel has a microwave and a mini fridge in the room?

• 12:35Speaker 05

  And while you may think of hostels as crowded spots filled with college age backpackers, a little creative research will help you find the ones that are anything but.

• 12:43Speaker 03

  Don't skip on checking out family hostels. They are not like the hostels from your 18-year-old youth.

• 12:49Speaker 05

  Bad bugs.

• 12:49Speaker 03

  They're really, yeah, they're really amazing and clean and safe. And I'll tell you, I've never felt safer as a single mom. And I love a family hostel. I've done them in Spain and Germany and Finland and Norway, and I have never regretted it.

• 13:06Speaker 05

  But there's a fine line between deals and discomforts. One thing you should never compromise on to save a few bucks, your own safety and peace of mind. Here's Brittany.

• 13:16Speaker 06

  And so for me, like the hostel, I don't think I'll ever do that just for me because I wouldn't feel safe.

• 13:25Speaker 05

  Brittany also takes care, not just with accommodations, but where she decides to travel.

• 13:30Speaker 06

  That is so important because as a black woman, there's a lot of places that haven't really seen a lot of black people. And so we're just rare, unique when we go in those spaces. And that can cause safety risk. A lot of places also have biases, right? That poses safety risk.

• 13:53Speaker 05

  Brittany does a lot of solo travel and relies on the usually cost-free online travel communities and affinity groups where she can connect with other travelers of color. Groups like this also exist for LGBTQ travelers, disabled travelers, and more. And if you'd feel more comfortable traveling in a group, Brittany recommends doing group travel with companies like Travel Noir. Plus, planning and communication are free.

• 14:16Speaker 06

  Just let people know where you are.

• 14:20Speaker 06

  And then think about if you want to go solo, think about places that... Are recommended.

• 14:26Speaker 05

  Other non-hostile ways to stay in top recommended destinations for cheap are house sitting, pet sitting, and house swaps. With sitting, you stay in someone's home for free while they're away in exchange for providing pet and plant care and the like. With swapping, you go full on the holiday and exchange homes with someone. Here's Chrissy.

• 14:44Speaker 03

  I know that trusted house sitters and trusted pet sitters is a fantastic way to do a trip for very cheap or almost free. Like you can do a home swap, or you can do house sitting, or pet sitting, and literally cover your accommodations.

• 14:59Speaker 05

  I've done all of these before myself, using the sites Chrissy mentions, as well as the sites Kid & Co. and Home Exchange. Membership to each site costs in the $100 to $200 per year range, and you build a profile, browse around the listings, and apply for a sitter swap somewhere you like. Then, the homeowners can review your application and reach out to you if you feel like a fit. It's a lot like online dating, but for houses and dogs. Another great approach Brittany recommends to finding free accommodations is actually taking friends and family up on offers of, hey, come visit anytime, the guest room is open.

• 15:31Speaker 06

  A lot of us have, you know, friends who take jobs abroad, or just happen to move abroad, and when they're like, come visit, do it. If you're comfortable staying at their house, using the couch, using their spare bedroom, and being able to travel and do the things that you want to do.

• 15:51Speaker 05

  And once you're there, getting creative and not being married to the major sites and Michelin star restaurants can help you save on food, activities, and more.

• 15:59Speaker 06

  I also suggest people going off the beaten path, right? So a lot of times, we tend to go to like the popular city centers, right? At Times Square, or Hollywood in LA, or you know, that's where you're going to spend all your money, right? But when you go to the neighborhoods, the outliers. That's where you can find really great cheap eats and really fun free activities.

• 16:28Speaker 05

  So take the train out to the banlieue, the suburbs of Paris, or ride the one train in New York to the very last stop, where I grew up in the Bronx, and walk around and get such great affordable food from so many cultures. And that's true of many cities. The outskirts is where a lot of food cultures really thrive. So saving, purposeful planning, and creative brainstorming are all well and good. But then how are you actually paying for these deals in a way that makes sense for your budget? Takeaway number four: be smart about credit versus cash. There are ways you can maximize both to benefit your budget. If you're a frequent traveler, don't overlook credit card points as a potential to pay your way, or at least part of it. Brittany uses her credit card for large purchases pre-travel, particularly items that earn the most points,

• 17:12Speaker 05

  like entertainment and dining out.

• 17:14Speaker 06

  Before you even start your trip, just to see what kind of points it will take to get to this type of hotel.

• 17:23Speaker 05

  But it's also important to keep your spending aligned with your goals. If you're going to earn points, make sure you're using them strategically, like booking flights during off-peak times or for longer haul trips where points stretch further. Don't waste points on something that could be cheaper out of pocket. Also, be aware of annual fees with some travel credit cards. Sometimes the fee outweighs the benefits, unless you're really maximizing the card's perks. Brittany also says that if you or your partner or another travel pal have corporate benefits that allow travel discounts on certain hotels, that's a smart way to steer your spending without involving credit. Using cash, on the other hand, can be an excellent way to physically limit your budget. When it runs out, it's out. Of course, stay smart about carrying cash when you travel.

• 18:08Speaker 05

  Keep most in your hotel safe and batch out what you need for your day in a money belt or front-facing fanny pack. Brittany started traveling with cash only for food, inspired by one of her friends who did the same.

• 18:18Speaker 06

  She came to New York and she brought cash. And she was like, this is all I'm spending on food. That's why I have the cash. And I have to make this work. And that was how she budgeted because when you have your card, you just swipe. You just swipe, you swipe, you swipe.

• 18:36Speaker 05

  After all, credit cards can be great because points, but they can also set you up for budgeting failure by making you blissfully unaware of how much you've actually spent. So stay aware of what you tend to spend on and maybe delegate a limited cash fund for your most frequent culprits, whether that's food or souvenirs or the spa. And be honest with yourself and any travel companions about how much things are actually costing. That's takeaway number five. Have open budget conversations with all your travel partners, including kids and with yourself. Nishan recommends certain apps to help you track your spending and stick to your budget both before and during your trip to keep yourself accountable.

• 19:16Speaker 02

  It can allow you to log and track expenses in your budget in real time, but you could also use split expense apps like Splitwise if you're traveling with others.

• 19:26Speaker 05

  Sometimes, though, the very best hacks are the analog ones.

• 19:29Speaker 02

  Writing in a money planner would be helpful or even just having, if you're a tactile learner and you need something tangible, writing everything down. A little old school, but it works and it actually holds me accountable and I actually feel like I can do some reflection when I'm writing things down.

• 19:51Speaker 05

  Open conversations about budget have multiple purposes here. If you're traveling with kids, talking honestly about the costs of travel and involving them in planning teaches them valuable financial lessons. Research shows that talking to kids openly about money, in an age-appropriate way, of course, is associated with positive financial outcomes for them later in life.

• 20:10Speaker 02

  I feel in the world where it's give me, give me, give me, I need, I need, and need, particularly with kids, it's kind of cool to be like, well, what do you really need and what do you really want and how can we work together to earn that?

• 20:20Speaker 05

  Involving kids in travel budgeting starts by not just giving the kid a task, but giving them a responsibility. That's how Chrissy does it with her teen son, Zephyr.

• 20:29Speaker 03

  Zephyr knows what we have to spend. He is a part of the budget and the planning and the spreadsheets from the jump.

• 20:35Speaker 05

  Of course, for younger kids, maybe it's just about giving them a small souvenir allowance and letting them choose how to spend it. Meanwhile, if you're traveling with a partner, friend, or any other adults, the recommendation remains, discuss your budget openly and honestly, says Nishan.

• 20:50Speaker 02

  At the end of the day, you're taking a trip with somebody that at least you like, know, and trust to some degree, right? So if you're going to have a relationship with this person or this other party, then communication is really essential. And it's important to communicate, okay, what is my purpose for this trip? What's your purpose for this trip? To be able to set expectations and priorities upfront.

• 21:15Speaker 05

  So to recap, here are our five takeaways for how to travel on a budget. Takeaway number one is to define the purpose of your trip and let that guide where you spend and where you don't. Takeaway number two is to save in advance and save more than you think you need. Takeaway number three is to be flexible and get creative when it comes to flight timing, accommodations, activities, and all the rest. Takeaway number four is to use both credit and cash smartly. Takeaway number five is to have open, honest budget conversations with any travel companions, including kids. With a little saving, creativity, and purpose-oriented planning, you're ready to make your travel dreams happen without breaking the bank. And remember, budget travel doesn't mean not spending your money.

• 21:59Speaker 05

  It's about doing a little extra prep upfront so that you spend it intentionally and get the best bang for your buck. Not just being like, cool, my dream trip is Paris. I'm going to put it on the credit card and then I'm going to figure it out. You know, like, because then you're paying interest and you're losing money long term. Like, do it the Brittany Oliver way.

• 22:19Speaker 06

  Start now.

• 22:20Speaker 05

  Not the 22-year-old Amelia way. Don't do that.

• 22:25Marielle Segarra?

  That was reporter Amelia Edelman. For more Life Kit, check out our other episodes. There's one on how to pack for a trip and another on how to deal with travel frustration. You can find those at npr.org/lifekit. And if you love Life Kit and want even more, subscribe to our newsletter at npr.org/lifekitnewsletter. This episode of Life Kit was written and reported by Amelia Edelman. It was produced by Claire Marie Schneider. Our visuals editor is Beck Harlan, and our digital editor is Malika Gharib. Megan Kane is our supervising editor, and Beth Donovan is our executive producer. Our production team also includes Andy Tagel, Margaret Serino, and Sylvie Douglas. Engineering support comes from Neil Tevalt. I'm Marielle Segarra. Thanks for listening.

• 23:16Speaker 04

  Stay tuned for the following announcements and messages from our sponsors.