Think travel has to be expensive? Think again. In this post, we’re sharing how to travel on a budget in 2025—including smart cheap flight hacks, affordable road trip planning ideas, and proven ways to travel on a budget without missing out. Whether you’re planning a low-cost vacation, trying to find the cheapest flights, or looking for budget-friendly destinations, these travel hacks will help you save money and make the most of every trip.
How to Travel on a Budget in 2025
- How to find cheap flights
- Budget accommodation hacks
- Are road trips more cost effective?
- Budget packing tips
- How to create a travel itinerary for free
- Budget hack for booking attractions
- How reduce your traveling expenses
How to find cheap flights
Use an incognito browser
When you search for flights, websites use cookies to track what you’re looking at, and sometimes they’ll actually raise the prices if you keep checking the same route. Using incognito mode keeps your searches private and helps you avoid that.
Install a VPN
Another trick is to use a VPN and switch your location to a lower-income country—flight prices are often adjusted based on where you’re browsing from, so this can make a real difference.
You can also try searching on a different version of Google, like google.es instead of .com or .co.uk, depending on the country you chose. That alone can sometimes bring up cheaper results.
Be flexible with your travel dates and times
Flying midweek (like on a Tuesday or Wednesday) can save you a lot.
It might seem like a smart move to book the cheapest flight—which is usually super early or late—but make sure to think it through. If you land at night, will public transport still be running? Is the car rental desk open? Will someone be there to check you into your accommodation, or is there self check-in?
Sometimes the cheaper flight ends up costing more in stress (or taxi fares), so just make sure you’re factoring in the full picture.
Budget airlines might not always be the best option
Of course, we love them, they’re great, but a lot of the time they fly to airports that are further from the city centre, meaning you need to spend extra on transport to get to your accommodation or the city.
What do we mean by this? For example, on our trip to Brussels, we booked a budget airline that flew into Charleroi (not Brussels Airport) so we ended up having to pay extra for a Flibco bus just to get into the city, like we mentioned in our Brussels post. It was cheaper this way and we had the time.
Compare the price of landing in different airports. Sometimes the cheaper flight isn’t that cheap once you add in the extra transport—and time.
If you’d rather watch than read… we’ve got you covered.
There’s a YouTube video that goes along with this post! Sometimes seeing everything in action just makes it all click better.
Booking separate flights over single tickets
Sometimes, booking separate flights can be cheaper than buying a single ticket. Meaning you add a layover instead of booking a direct flight.
That said, it does come with a few risks. If your first flight is delayed, the second airline won’t wait for you, and you could end up missing your long-haul flight. You might also have to recheck your bags and go through security again, which adds stress.
If you’re flexible and build in plenty of time between flights, it can work—but for most people, it’s usually safer and easier to stick with one ticket for the whole trip. It’s just something to keep in mind.
Return flights are often cheaper, but it’s always worth checking one-way flights with different airlines. Sometimes it works out more affordable that way.
Google Flights vs Skyscanner
In this post here, we go over the benefits of google flights vs skyscanner and which part of the planning process to use them so definitely go check that out.
Pay for travel expenses with reward programs
Avios is a travel rewards currency used by several airlines, most notably: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club & Vueling Club.
You earn Avios through flights, credit card spending, hotel bookings, car rentals, shopping portals, and partner programs like Revolut’s RevPoints (we’ll talk about what revolut is later on for those of you that haven’t heard of it).
Once earned, Avios can be redeemed for various travel-related perks. Like, paying for flights in full or part (called Part Pay with Avios), seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals.
Basically you sign up for, for example, British Airways Executive Club, which is free, and the simplest ways to start earning Avios is by purchasing things you already would through British Airways’ shopping portal or by paying for flights with Revolut and then converting your Revpoints to Avios.
Use a coupon browser extension
Another easy way to save money is by using browser extensions like Honey or Coupert.
They search for discount codes and apply them for you at checkout—we use both and they’ve actually saved us quite a bit. Just a heads up: the extensions only work on desktop, not on your phone or tablet, but both have an app where you can search for coupons.
Budget accommodation hacks
Book a room with a kitchen
First tip when booking accommodation: try to get one with a kitchen. You’ll be surprised how much you save just by making a few meals yourself—especially if you’re traveling with kids.
But honestly, even without kids, it can be really fun to hit up a local supermarket, try cooking something from the region, and then head out later for a drink to soak in the evening vibe. Way more budget-friendly than eating out every night.
If you want to know our best hack for finding accommodation on a budget, consider checking out this video where we show you exactly how we do it.
Are road trips more cost effective?
Road trips are usually more budget-friendly than flying, but like everything, there are pros and cons. We actually have a whole video comparing the two. That said, when it comes to price, road trips let you see so much more (you can stop in all the cute little towns along the way) but don’t forget to factor in tolls and petrol (or gas, if you’re in the US).
We recommend using the Waze app for navigation. It not only warns you about traffic and speed cameras, but also shows you how much tolls will cost and other super useful information.
Budget packing tips
There are a few smart things to pack that can help you save money—and a couple tips to avoid those annoying extra luggage fees.
A) First, make sure you don’t forget any essential toiletries at home. They’re usually more expensive at your destination, and if you already have them, why pay double?
B) To save space, use vacuum bags or compression packing cubes. They make a huge difference and might even let you skip checked luggage and just bring a carry-on—saving you money. Also, wear your bulkiest items (like jackets or boots) instead of packing them.
C) If you love reading on holiday, a Kindle is 100% worth the investment, despite the initial cost upfront. It saves space, weight, and luggage fees—and Kindle books are usually way cheaper than paperbacks. This will save you money in the long run. You could also try downloading audiobooks or podcasts on your phone.
D) Bring a reusable water bottle. Most European cities have safe, drinkable water fountains, so you can refill for free instead of constantly buying bottles of water. If you’re tight on space, we recommend a foldable one—or what we’ve been using lately: BPA-free (BPA is a plastic that doesn’t contain a chemical called BPA, which can be harmful if it gets into food or drinks) bottles with built-in filters. That way you can safely refill from any tap, no worries about water quality.
E) Prepare a travel-sized laundry kit. Bring some travel-sized bottles filled with laundry detergent and/or fabric softener. You can also get a travel clothesline, so you can hang it anywhere, like in the shower.
How to create a travel itinerary for free
We know using ChatGPT can be a bit controversial. And of course, if you have the means, we definitely recommend supporting professionals or small businesses—like our own shop, where we offer ready-made budget itineraries.
But if you’re traveling on a tight budget and have super specific needs, tools like ChatGPT can honestly be a game changer. Just give it as much detail as possible—who’s traveling, what you like (and don’t like), must-see spots, your budget, all of it—and it’ll build a custom itinerary just for you.
Pro tip: treat it like it’s playing a role. Instead of saying “make me a 3-day itinerary,” say “you’re a travel expert who designs budget-friendly itineraries,” and go from there. The difference is huge.
Budget hack for booking attractions
We pretty much always book our attractions through GetYourGuide, and here’s why. First, they sometimes have discounts that make it cheaper than booking through the official site. But even if the price is the same, GYG usually includes free 24 hour cancellation—which is a lifesaver if your plans change last minute. You can cancel and get a full refund, no stress, no wasted money. And they’ve got another really handy feature we’ll show you later in the video.
If you’ve learned anything new from us so far, consider signing up to our newsletter where we share European budget travel tips with a touch of luxury.
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How to Travel on a Budget – Tips While You Are Traveling
Download Offline Maps
There’s nothing worse than being in a new city without any data and no idea where you’re going. Luckily, you can download Google Maps to use offline. Just open the app before your trip (while you’ve still got Wi-Fi), type in the city or region, tap the name at the bottom, and hit “Download.” You can adjust the area if you need to. Once it’s saved, you can still get directions and search spots even without signal.
Get an eSim
Another way to avoid the whole no-data struggle is by getting an eSIM. We recommend Airalo—they’ve got super affordable options for 42 countries across Europe, or you can just get a Europe-wide eSIM that covers them all. It’s perfect if you’re road-tripping or hopping between countries. You can get unlimited data for around 32€ for 10 days, which we think is totally worth it.
Choose the local currency when paying
Choosing the local currency when you pay usually gets you a better exchange rate. If you pick your home currency, the store or machine chooses the exchange rate—and often there are extra fees without knowing. Always go with the local currency to avoid hidden costs.
Revolut
This is a great tool for saving money while travelling for multiple reasons. Revolut can help you avoid many exchange rate fees, but it’s not entirely fee-free. With a Standard account, you can exchange up to $1,000 per month without extra charges.
Get a physical or digital travel card that will allow you to pay and draw money from ATMs while reducing the high foreign conversion fees that banks usually add. If you prefer a physical card, request it before your trip and it should arrive in a few business days, so definitely don’t leave it for the last minute.
Revolut also has budgeting tools for those who really want to track their expenses while travelling or during the planning phase.
Revolut offers travel insurance. Click on the umbrella icon under Revpoints, and you can purchase affordable travel insurance with the Metal and Ultra subscribtion.
Get a multi day travel card
If you’re staying in one city for a few days, definitely look into getting a multi-day transport pass—it’ll save you way more than buying single metro, bus, or tram tickets every time.
Here’s a little bonus tip: check if gyg offers a city pass that includes transport for your destination. Sometimes you can get both bundled together, which is super convenient and usually a better deal.
Free museum days
Always check ahead to see if your destination offers free entry to attractions on certain days. For example, in Paris, museums are free on the first Sunday of each month.
Yes, it usually means bigger crowds and longer lines, but if you’re on a budget and really want to see something specific, it can be worth it.
Eat at street markets
Street markets are such a fun (and affordable) way to try local food. Everyone gets to pick what they want—so no debates about where to eat—and it’s usually way cheaper than sitting down at a restaurant.
For example, like the Time Out Market. They have locations all over the world and some in Europe as well, so definitely find out if there’s one in your destination or find something similar.
Do a supermarket run for snacks beforehand
Not only is this a great money-saving trick, but honestly, we find it really fun to explore supermarkets in Europe.
Every country has its own unique products/brands, and it’s always interesting to see what you can find that you probably won’t see back home.
Citymapper & Moovit
Citymapper and Moovit are great tools for budget travel because they help you avoid unnecessary costs and make the most of public transport. Here’s how:
Compare Transport Options: Both apps show you the cheapest routes using buses, trains, trams, ferries, or walking—helping you skip pricey taxis or ride-shares.
Real-Time Info: They give live updates on delays and disruptions, so you don’t waste money on last-minute alternatives or miss a connection that forces you to rebook something.
Fare Details: Citymapper (in many cities) shows estimated costs for each transport option. Moovit sometimes includes fare calculators or local ticket info, which helps you plan within your budget.
Offline Access: Both let you download routes or maps, saving you from roaming charges when you’re out and about without Wi-Fi.
Travel Pass Suggestions: Some versions suggest travel cards or passes if they’ll save you more than single tickets—especially useful in cities like Paris or London.
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