How to Travel on a Small Budget?

English Forum Community 🤔 Q&As: Ask the community
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We all know that HomeExchange already helps us save a lot on accommodation. But when it comes to the rest: transport, food, activities, and day-to-day expenses, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down too.

Many members travel more affordably by choosing trains or buses, cooking at home, staying longer in one place, and focusing on free or low-cost activities like walking, hiking, local markets, and exploring the local area. Hosts’ local tips often make a big difference as well!

Now we’d love to hear from you :backhand_index_pointing_down:
What are your best budget travel tips?
Whether it’s a transport hack, a favourite affordable destination, or a simple habit that helps you save money while travelling, share your ideas with the community!

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If people are flexible on dates and/or destinations, there are very good bargains on flight tickets.
For instance : we paid 520€/people to fly to La Réunion instead 900€ at the same season last year.

At first , we did not plan to go there but it was an opportunity.
And here we go!

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You hit most of the key ones but there are other organizations to network with day hosts for activities of interest to you. There is camping or weekend trips that take less travel cost. some attractions are free. for example art shows or walking the art district of a city.

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We bring a water bottle. It can easily be filled up - in most European air ports there are filling stations on the inside of security. So just bring an empty bottle.

In countries where buying water is necessary, look for the affordable water that the locals buy - buy in bulk and fill your bottle.

We bring snacks and packed lunch. For longer travel and on the go, it is really nice to have some nuts, hard bread or similar options on hand. Often bring it just in case - with delayed travel or long time to a meal it could save your low bloodsugar situations and keep up the good mood!

Bring a packed lunch from home. If you want it to stay fresh longer - you can make sandwiches with cheese, meats and similar and pop it in the freezer. Take them from the freezer when you leave and it will be thawed and fresh when you need it. Greens should normally not be included in the freezer as they will wilt, but you can bring them separately from the fridge. Last day we also make the leftovers into sandwiches like this. If you have greens, eggs over you can make an omelette for your lunches.

For activities - search “free things to do in :location:” and you might get many tips on fun things you haven’t thought of.

See the area.

Learn the language and give yourself little tasks. Saying hello, thank you and good bye, learn to ask for a bag or a bus ticket. Learning outcome and so much more fun to be a part of the community.

Look up! Lot’s of great architecture!

Church services can offer nice musical and cultural experiences.

Check if it is special days and celebrations. There could be public celebrations, parades and similar not to be missed - true cultural immersions.

Museums might have certain days with free admission (sometimes these occur only off season). Or splash out and avoid those dates, as they can be busy. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Check out if there are something you can contribute to as a volunteer. Sometimes you can contribute to local charities, animal rescues, nature preservation or similar. Great experience, get connected with the community and make memories making an impact - make the location you visited just a little better after they had a visit from you! :smiling_face: It could just be an easy thing like bringing a bag and pick some litter (or :poop:), sweeping or visiting a charity contributing, buying a coffee to support or similar.

Use public transport to sightsee. Getting a bus card is often quite affordable. Make it more than transportation - make it the experience! See the surroundings, the nature, how people live, how people interact. I’m from an introvert country - it is really special to experience how in some countries all passengers from the back door would say “have a nice day!” to the driver up front before they go off. Something to inspire us to be more attentive to one another.

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Some great tips thank you! I am the queen of packed lunches when we travel :grin: The best thing is that HomeExchange homes - more often than not have tupperware, which makes it so much easier to take lunches/snacks out with you.