Angela Killian

Nobody wants to go on vacation and be on a tight budget. What’s the point in taking a vacation and eating ramen noodles the whole time? (For the record, I love ramen noodles.)

When I travel, I like to be thrifty in some areas so I can splurge in others. When planning my travel budget I consider how much money I spend on a weekly basis while at home. All of the money I spend on groceries, gas and entertainment at home can be applied to my travel fund and not cost me any additional money than what I would be spending at home anyways.

For example, my weekly budget is listed below:

Groceries- $100 USD

Gas- $50 USD

Entertainment- $50 USD

= $200 USD per week which can be used in my travel budget!

Naturally, travelling results in extra expenses such as plane tickets, car rentals, hotels, meals and souvenirs, but these can all be minimized if you do some planning and follow my 5 frugal travel tips below.

1- Plane tickets

Don’t be fooled by the low prices of discount airlines. Many of the base prices don’t include carry-on or checked baggage, which will cost you $30 USD – $100 USD extra. Once you calculate the additional baggage fees, the price isn’t so discounted.

In an effort to compete, large airlines offer competitive rates with the advantage of earning sky miles and the security of flying with a reputable company. Not to mention the slim possibility of being bumped to first class. I have flown Delta twice when they overbooked the flight, which is common practice for major airlines. I received a $300 USD voucher for giving up my seat. In both cases Delta put me on the next flight out, which was only a 1 – 2 hour wait. 300 bucks to sip Starbucks and read trashy magazines? Yes please.

I use Skyscanner and Kayak to search for the best airfares, but usually end up booking with airlines direct for ease of racking up sky miles, seat selection and meal customization. It’s easier to make modifications to your flight when you book direct as well. Most airlines have user logins where you can update your flight profile and preferences.

It’s also beneficial to be flexible with travel dates. Most airline websites and search engines will allow you to choose “flexible travel dates” and you can choose the cheapest departure dates that way.

Another way to potentially save on airfare is the infamous hidden city ticketing. I have never used this method personally, but allegedly there are flights available with multiple stops that are cheaper than buying a non-stop ticket. Example- Direct flight from DFW to MCO is $500 USD return. Flight from DFW to ATL with a layover in MCO is $400 USD return. You buy the cheaper, flight and don’t get on the last leg of your flight. There are several obvious benefits and problems with using this tactic. You can’t check a bag, as it will go to the final destination. It’s also technically against the rules with certain airlines and creates internal problems that in turn affects passengers i.e. holding the plane for 10 passengers who have no plans to make the connecting flight, increasing the airfare of the connecting flight for other passengers because the booking system shows there are few seats left, when actually there are a few + 10 additional seats from hidden city ticket passengers. I wasn’t aware of this insider trick until the recent story blew up in the news. So, thanks for the travel tip, United Airlines!

2- Transportation

Unless you are travelling to a large city, chances are, you’ll need a car rental or be forced to shell out taxi fare. My favorite part of traveling is driving around and looking at the scenery, so a car rental is a “must” for me. Car rental companies can be very expensive and some require large deposits. Avis in Scotland wanted to hold 1,000 Pounds on my credit card for opting out of the full insurance coverage. Avis in South Africa didn’t require any insurance or deposit, so it depends on the country.

In the US, there is a new car rental service called RelayRides. Basically, they give car owners the chance to rent out their vehicles enabling travelers to pay lower prices and car owners to make some extra money. This can be another way to roll over your everyday expenses into your travel fund – rent out your vehicle while you’re on vacation!

Avis offers car rentals for 1 week in DFW for around $80 USD per day, while RelayRides offers around $35 USD per day. Most vehicles have reviews written about them so you can be sure everything is in working order. It’s much like Airbnb, but for vehicles. The only possible downfall is that you must pick up and return to the same location, but this isn’t a problem unless you plan to drive cross country. RelayRides is super convenient as they offer car rental pick up at the airport in several cities across the US Check out the full list of available RelayRides car rental airport pick ups here.

3- Hotels

Airbnb has become my go-to for vacation accommodation. I can’t say enough positive things about it and believe they will take over the accommodation marketplace in the future because they are selling experience and locality, not just a room. I’ve only had 1 negative experience with Airbnb where the host cancelled 3 days before we were due to arrive, which is permitted in the policy. The host had no prior reviews and became difficult to contact near the arrival date. Read reviews, trust your instincts and remember that hosts CAN cancel on you! Full refund was provided including an additional credit with Airbnb to assist with booking a new place last minute. So, Airbnb still left me with a good impression.

Couch Surfing is the most cost effective accommodation because it’s FREE. Keep in mind that you will probably be sleeping on the floor or someone’s couch and have minimal privacy. It’s also a good idea to cook or clean for your host and possibly bring them a small gift from your hometown to show your gratitude. I have hosted several Couch Surfers, but do not “surf” myself. My favorite way to utilize the site is to meet up with locals, who will show you around town or give helpful advice.

4- Meals

Grocery stores are an excellent way to experience the local flair. I love wandering around foreign grocery stores and looking at what unique products they have. Most grocery stores will offer simple ready-to-eat meals, such as sandwiches and salads. I like to buy apples and oranges because they stay fresh without refrigeration. When you’re out sightseeing, all you really need is a quick picnic lunch. This will save you money, time and still allow you to sample the local food.

The older I get, the more important it is to BYOS (bring your own snacks). It’s not always convenient to stop off for an emergency bag of almonds to stave off low blood sugar. Plus, you never know what will be available in different locations. Save yourself the trouble and pack nonperishable snacks. Almonds, beef jerky and granola bars are my favorites.

Starbucks VIA instant coffee has saved my life more than once. It’s a pain in the ass to find a coffee shop early in the morning, especially if you are travelling with non-coffee drinkers. Most hotels offer hot water kettles and that’s all you need to prepare the VIA. If you want to get fancy, you can mix VIA with a packet of hot chocolate. Aside from combating potential caffeine headaches, you will also save $2 – $5 USD per cup!

5- Souvenirs

I never buy souvenirs for family or friends because in reality, they really don’t care about your trip. Buy souvenirs for yourself only and you will save a lot of money. Do YOU appreciate the cheesy t-shirt your sister got you in Florida? Do you actually use the shot glass or keychain your cousin got you in Munich? Sharing your travel photos with family and friends is enough, trust me.

The best souvenirs can actually be enjoyed. Home furnishings / decorations are always good choices because you will enjoy them on a regular basis. You can find reasonably priced local art all over the world.

Some other great souvenir options are food, beverages and condiments. I love returning from a holiday and revisiting the exotic flavors that spark memories. Love the local beer? Find some that are room temperature and take them home with you! You could even throw a dinner party to share your souvenirs with family and friends.

Save money by using these tips so you can splurge on things that really matter, like that glass of overpriced champagne in Paris, or the obligatory beer stein at Octoberfest.