Best Cheap Ways to Travel If You Have Big Wanderlust (But a Small Budget)

Do you love traveling, but don’t have a big travel budget? Here are 11+ cheap ways to travel, including some ideas you might not have thought of (but that can save thousands!). Travel hacks for traveling cheap to the US, abroad, by car, long distance, and more!

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Love Travel but your Budget Doesn’t?

Travel is something that most people want to do, but not everyone can afford.

But what if there’s a way to see parts of the world at a fraction of what you might expect it to cost?

I have traveled a lot over the years, including those years where I was making less money than I am now.

Because I have a wandering soul, I didn’t want to let lack of funds stop me from exploring.

Let’s get into the best cheap ways to travel to satisfy your wanderlust without blowing your budget.

Related post: 18 Best Budget Travel Ideas to Explore the Whole Wide World

Cheap Ways to Travel: Getting There

With a destination within driving distance, whether hours or days away, you can travel cheaply by carpooling and sharing the gas purchases.

Using a college billboard, the classified section of your local newspaper or an online travel site can provide you with a way to find others also traveling where you want to go.

Even if you can only carpool one way, you’ll save a lot of money over going it alone.

However, it’s important to be careful when choosing a travel mate this way. Spend some time with the person, check references, and work out all the arrangements in advance.

If you plan to travel abroad, consider working as a crew member on a ship or yacht headed where you want to go.

Not only will you get free passage out of the deal, but you’ll make some extra spending money for your time overseas.

Here is a site that offers good deals on cruises if you like cruising.

Related post: Road Trips on a Budget: 10 Awesome Tips for a Kick-As(phalt) Road Trip

Cheap Ways to Travel: Staying There

When it comes to accommodations, there are several cheap ways to travel to save money on lodging.

Finding a house sitting gig is a free way to put a roof over your head, although it does come with some responsibility.

If you rent your own house out while you’re gone, you can offset the cost of a hotel room for the duration of the trip.

Hostels and camping sites are both cheap accommodation options that can also be fun and social (if that’s your thing!).

You could even apply for combined pet sitting/house sitting gigs at your destination.

This gives you a place to stay, and a pet to cuddle and care for while you are on vacation.

Apply for pet sitting/house sitting gigs here.

Volunteering as a Cheap Way to Travel Abroad

Choosing to volunteer where you’re visiting can pay for your entire trip, or a good portion of it.

On top of getting free transportation, in some cases, and accommodations in many cases, you can expect to engage in a rich experience that you will probably never forget.

You shouldn’t expect the trip to be all fun and games but you’ll have plenty of down time to be able to appreciate your surroundings.

Teaching English, working with families, and conservation are just a few of the opportunities you could try.

I once volunteered with a fisheries group in California while on vacation and had a blast, plus got to see some amazing places for free!

Cheap Ways to Travel in the US or Abroad: Go as a Group

If you want the usual travel amenities you’re used to like car rentals, airplane tickets, and a hotel room, you can put together a group trip in order to keep he costs down.

This will save you money on things like cab fare and sleeping accommodations, so the plane ticket is the only thing you might have to pay full price for.

You can even get great group rates for tourist attractions and events.

Here is an awesome site that’ll save you money on tours.

Related post: Cheap Beach Vacations: The Best Frugal Tips to Save Money on Beach Holidays

Pick your Days to Travel for Cheap

There are certain days of the week that are busier for flying than others.

Choose the days that are not so busy and it can make a drastic difference in the price you pay for your ticket.

For flying, cheap ways to travel is often choosing the middle of the week slow days such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

This is when the business travelers are at their lowest right along with the fares.

Business travelers usually get their week started on Mondays and return from out of town on Thursdays or Fridays which gives you two days to take advantage of the low fares.

All planes want their seats filled on every day of the week regardless of how low they have to reduce their tickets.

Cheap Ways to Travel Long Distance: Choose Off Season

You can fly to your dream vacation at a discount price.

This can be done by going off season.

The same attractions are going to be there and all you have to do is dress for the climate and you are good to go.

Some of the most popular destinations can be accessed more cheaply by traveling off season.

If travel packages are offered do not overlook these there are plenty of deals that can add to your vacation especially if they are offered at the last minute to fill up the seats of the plane.

There are many ways to enjoy travel to a popular vacation destination for a lot less than you would normally think.

Research the days you fly, the type of packages that are offered and the seasons that will bring you the cheapest price.  

When these are combined you will have the vacation of your dreams within your reach and within your pocket book.

If you fly on an off season it is possible to save hundreds of dollars compared to peak seasons.

This means you do have to be flexible but it certainly can be done.

Spring and summer may be the peak seasons for your destination so travel either during the fall or winter months.

All you have to do is swap the time of year you will travel and it could be the ticket that will get you there.

Related posts:

• Travel For The Holidays: 10 Tips for Flying on Christmas Day (or around Christmas)
• 6 Tips You Need for Air Travel with a Baby

Cheap Ways to Travel in the U.S.

Planning a vacation is a lot of fun, but sometimes the financial strain can take the wind out of your sails.

If you are planning a trip across the United States, being frugal is simple if you do a little bit of research beforehand.

Whether you are planning a short trip or long journey, there are cheap ways to travel through the U.S.

For discount theme parks, check out Undercover Tourist for deals on Disney Parks, Universal Studios, and more.

The best way to get good deals while traveling across the U.S. requires a little bit of leg work. By doing some preliminary planning, you can find specials on just about anything, including hotels, restaurants, activities, cruises and air fare.

Booking.com is a site I use all the time for booking accommodations, and sometimes flights.

Save Money on Methods of Transportation

Calculate the cost efficiency of flying versus taking a road trip.

Driving usually ends up being cheaper, even with the high cost of gas (here are 7 tips to save money on gas).

Travel with friends and split the cost of fuel and lodging.

There are also commuter trains that run throughout the U.S.

Trains can often be a cheaper alternative to driving or flying. Amtrak most likely has a station near you.

The benefit of traveling by train is that you can sleep during your trip, read a book or even get some work done.

You will travel faster than you would by car.

The downside is that you will not have a vehicle once you get to where you are going.

A train trip from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle will cost $197 per person for a reclining seat, or $490-$880 for a “roomette” with two beds.

Places to Stay for Cheap

Explore your adventurous side and go camping (here’s a camping checklist so you don’t forget the essentials).

If camping is not your style, swap houses with someone.

HomeExchange.com offers members the chance to swap houses anywhere in the world.

You can also stay with friends or family if you have any in the area you want to go.

One last option to consider is a hostel.

Hostels are best if you are traveling without a family member since you may share a room with other people.

If you book ahead, there are often one or two rooms that are more like suites, and will fit a couple or family that wants more privacy than a shared room.

Hostels are usually less than half the price of a hotel, sometimes a quarter of the price.

For example, the City Hostel Seattle costs $28 per night and includes things like free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

The average hotel in Seattle ranges anywhere from $70 to over $300 per night.

Hostels and home exchanges are two of the best cheap ways to travel.

Ways to Offset the Cost of Travel

If you own your home and plan to travel for more than three months, rent out your home to cover your bills and some of your travel expenses.

You can also pick up side jobs along the way while you travel.

You can work on an organic farm, a fishing boat or a restaurant. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a unique opportunity to work on a farm for free lodging and, often, food.

There are WWOOF opportunities in every US state, including a 1,000-acre coastal farm in Half Moon Bay, California, where you would milk cows, care for chickens and maintain their gardens.

You could also have a yard sale to make some extra money before you go (here are tips on how to make $500 this week while decluttering).

Related post: How to Save Money on Travel – 6 Smart Hacks for Budget Travelers.

What are your favorite ideas on cheap ways to travel?