You know my motto: the more money I save, the more I can travel. But where to start?

Here are my tried and true tips for saving money while traveling. The bonus of most of these is that you can learn SO much more about the culture, food, and experiencing a place like a local than you might otherwise. Let's dig in!

Travel to smaller cities

Of course, this depends on what you want to do on your journeys. Often, you can find similar experiences for much less cost when you explore smaller cities. Everything will be less expensive: attractions, accommodations, food, transportation, etc. If you're intent on exploring the best of a big city but can't afford to stay there, find a town close by that is on a transportation route. You can have the best of both worlds, with a much smaller price tag.

Viterbo, Italy

Travel in the shoulder season

We rarely travel during high season...I'm just not that into tourist congestion OR summer season prices. Instead, travel during the shoulder seasons! These are named thusly because they are on the shoulders of summer: spring and fall. While you will still have mostly good weather, you will have WAY less travel stress from crowds, financial stress from increased tourist prices, and can experience a place more peacefully and easily. 

Autumn at Loch Assynt, Scotland

Use an eSIM

We LOVE being connected while traveling: sharing photos with friends and family, using maps to find the places we want to go, texting and calling via WhatsApp or Signal, and more. It can be expensive, though.

Plan ahead with your connectivity by using a global eSIM with unlimited data, and pay just for the amount of days you will need. Install the eSIM on your device one day before your trip, then activate it once you're abroad. If you need to work on your laptop, you can also set up your eSIM as a mobile hotspot. 

Staying connected in Reykjavik

Have one base

When we travel, we pick a central location and secure a home rental, when possible. Having one base means you live more like a local (see below!), have a wide variety of towns to visit, and don't need to haul your luggage around. You can also choose a rental with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, if that's your thing.

Finnish summer cottage

Live like a local 

When you are able, try to live like a local. What does this mean, and how do you do it? 

Food: shop at your local grocery stores and markets. I LOVE asking people for recipes (such as our family favorite fish chowder, from a fishmonger in Kenmare, Ireland one fall - see the fish I bought?).

You can also ask advice on produce, local offerings, and what's in season. This doubles as souvenir shopping, as you can often find delicious gifts to bring home to loved ones (spices, coffee, or regional chocolate, I'm looking at you!). 

Spices in India

Events: do your research to find local newspapers, tourist boards, online magazines, and event listings. You can often build an ENTIRE stay with plenty of entertainment around one local newsletter (such as our local one, NowKalamazoo, which has quite a robust events calendar, in addition to local news). Look at actual bulletin boards at libraries, churches, and other buildings for upcoming free events. I will never forget one summer when I was working in Europe, with over 30 free concerts, mostly in cathedrals and parks. It was an extraordinary musical interlude in my life!

Art: many art galleries and museums are free! As well, look for public art and murals when you travel; they are one of my favorite urban discoveries. Here's what we found while we were getting ice cream in Minneapolis:

Eating out: ask around, but also look at where the locals eat (and when). You can save a lot of money by grabbing breakfast at a bakery, dining at local favorites instead of tourist restaurants, and perhaps eating dinner later (or earlier, depending on the culture) for a more relaxed dining experience. This can double as the nightly entertainment, if it's a pub with music or tapas bar!

Tartlets and cakes from Acland street sweet shops, Melbourne 

Transportation

Depending on where you are staying and what you're doing, you have many options to save money on transportation. Here are a few:

Rent a car or van, especially if you are doing long road trips, have accessibility needs, or are traveling with a family or group. This can be truly cost-effective!

Public transportation is an inexpensive option, especially if you are staying in one place for more than a few days and can use a discounted fare weekly or monthly transportation pass to easily get around big cities via metro or bus. This is also a GREAT way to learn about the people and culture of a place!

Public bike rental is often available in most larger cities, and can double as sightseeing, as you're heading out and about much more than walking.

Tokyo train station

Talk to your bank

Before you leave, talk with your bank and credit card companies about any fees associated with using your cards while you travel. You don't want to be surprised at the ATM fees for withdrawing cash, or fees for any card usage while out of country. 

Withdrawing Brazilian Real from the ATM