How to Save Money on Travel in 2025 – 17 Ways!
Add them up. Add them all up.
Then, write down your discretionary expenses. You can include the money you spend on groceries, movies, drinks, shopping and coffee at Starbucks. You can track your spending for two weeks and see how much you spent. Then, add it all up. What did you receive? You probably got a lot of money. These expenses are called “phantom costs” by financial experts. We don’t know that they exist because they are so small. Many people lose money without even realizing it. Even a daily bottle of water or candy bar can make a significant difference over the course of a year. People tell me, “I can’t afford it,” because they have too many expenses. “I can’t afford it,” people say to me, “I have too many expenses.”
Most of us certainly have expenses we can’t cut (though remember when you travel the world long-term, many of those expenses disappear), but if we cut our phantom expenses, reduce our set costs, and find other ways to save we can build our travel fund much more quickly.
Cutting your daily expenses, being more frugal, and downgrading to a simpler way of living will allow you to save money for your trip around the world without having to find extra sources of income. The lower your income is, the longer you will have to save to go on a trip. But longer does not mean never. Over time, a little every day can add up to a great deal.
1. Track your spending
As we mentioned in the intro, the majority of people do not have a budget. The first step to saving money is to be aware of where you spend it. It’s easy not to think about our spending in an age when you can tap an app and have a car delivered. Use a spreadsheet, or these websites. Once you start tracking your expenses, you’ll be surprised to see where all of your money is going. Track your spending and continue to do so. This will help you find the easy-to-find money and cut it out. Set up a separate bank account
Financial experts have long recommended this for a variety of things. You won’t feel the need to spend money if you have a separate account. Out of sight, out mind? You can put as much money away in the account you want, but it will be away from your daily spending. Imagine this as a piggybank. Do not raid it. Let it grow. It’s your travel fund. Since I was getting ready to take my first trip, I have done this and earned hundreds of dollars extra thanks to interest. (And a little more while I traveled too as it sat there while the money was being spent). You can earn up to 4% interest on your savings account. Profit from this! Not from the US? Check out these websites for information:
Visit these websites to find out more:
3. A new credit card is a great way to get free money, rooms and flights. You can use your rewards and miles points to get free travel after you have accumulated them through your everyday purchases. You can earn huge sign-up bonuses when you get a new card. Check out my list of the top travel credit cards for more suggestions. Cut the coffee
Love Starbucks? Well, Starbucks loves your money. The little thing of coffee quietly drains you bank account, without your knowledge. This daily coffee will cost you up to $90 per month. ($3 for regular coffee and more if you choose a fancy Frappuccino). It’s hard to believe that $1,080 is spent annually. Switch to standard coffee or give up cappuccino. You can switch to tea or make your own. Folger’s might not taste as delicious as a venti triple mocha latte with whipped cream, but it’s a lot cheaper (and, let’s be honest, healthier).
Sure, giving up your cup of coffee seems like a “duh” thing. Yes, the time you save by buying one is worth it. This would normally be “small-minded” financial advice, not worth the effort or time. But, at this moment, you are trying to achieve a travel goal and every penny is important. Learn to cook.
Dining out is often the biggest discretionary expenditure for people, and it’s one of the easiest expenses to eliminate. Brown-bag your lunch and cook dinner after work instead of spending $30 on dinner. While I was saving for my first trip I spent $70 per week in groceries. I cooked for dinner once and had the leftovers for lunch the next day. Cooking can be intimidating, since we aren’t all Julia Child. Cooking was a valuable skill for me, not just because I saved money before my trip, but also because it is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce travel expenses. The more I cooked, the more I loved cooking. It was a bonus that I also became healthier by knowing what ingredients were in my food. The cost of groceries has increased since the mid 2000s. I spend about $125 per week on groceries. Here are some websites to start you off:
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6. Get rid of the car.
With insurance, loan payments, gas and repairs, owning a car is expensive. If you can, get rid of your vehicle. You can walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to work. You can save money by buying a cheap used car to use until your vacation. Buying a throwaway car will allow you to pocket the money from your more expensive car and put it toward your travels.
Additionally, with the proliferation of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services, it’s never been easier, even in small towns, to find transportation. It may be cheaper to take Lyfts to and from work than owning a car. You can also rent a car if you want to travel long distances.)
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7. Save Gas
Gas can add up! There are many ways to save money on gas. GasBuddy is a great app to use for finding cheap gas in your area. Sign up for the loyalty programs of all major gas stations. By default, they save you around 5 cents per gallon.
Shell’s Fuel Rewards is the best because you attach it to a dining program leading to savings up to 50 cents a gallon. GasBuddy credit cards can also be linked to loyalty programs at gas stations for an extra 25 cents a gallon. Costco offers huge gas discounts if you join their membership program. Cut your streaming
Cutting the cord was supposed to save us money, but with so many subscription services out there, it feels to me that we are paying more than we did with regular cable. How many streaming services are we really going to need? Try rotating your subscriptions rather than signing up for all of them. After a few weeks, I binge watch all the shows I want on one service. I then cancel that service and sign up for another. You can binge-watch what you like without paying for multiple services at once. Sign up for travel newsletters
No one likes to clutter up their inbox, but by signing up for mailing lists from airlines and travel companies, you’ll be able to get updates about all the last-minute sales or special deals happening. I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) if it wasn’t for the American Airlines mailing list.
Additionally, consider signing up for a website like Going.com. You can get deals delivered to your email for free. You can also subscribe to their premium service which offers even more deals. You’ll probably find some great deals!
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10. Replace your light bulbs
Electricity costs money and, since every penny counts, using energy-efficient light bulbs will cut down on your utility bills. Due to energy-efficiency initiatives in some states, you can also get a rebate from your electric company if you purchase LED bulbs. Check out the rebates that your local energy provider offers, no matter where in the world you are. You can save money by going green! Check your local government or utility company’s website for information.
For US readers, check out EnergyStar or the DSIRE database. Check out the Canadian government’s page for readers. Check out your local utility or government website! Buy second-hand
Why pay full price when you can pay half? You can find discounted books and electronics on websites such as Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. You can find clothing and other items at thrift shops like Goodwill in most towns. Plus, you are helping the environment by preventing waste from ending up in landfills. Clip coupons.
You can save money at the checkout by using the Entertainment Book, Groupons, Grocery coupons and loyalty cards. You may feel like a grandmother at 80, but coupons are a great way to save money. Many grocery stores offer electronic coupons that are based on the shopping habits of their customers. You can also lower your grocery bill by signing up for the loyalty program at your local supermarket. Discounts are sent to you via email, or directly added to your loyalty card. If you prefer, you can get American Express Membership Reward points instead of cash. This service is my go-to for all of my shopping and hotel bookings, as many travel agencies are included. You can tie a credit card to your Rakuten and receive cash back at physical stores. They offer many deals and I always check this website before making any purchase.
When you combine Rakuten with coupon codes you find on the web, you have a very powerful combo to save money.
13. Sell your stuff
Before starting my long-term trip, I looked through my apartment. I saw a lot of things I no longer needed: TVs and couches, tables and stereo equipment. Instead of storing it (which would cost money), I decided just to get rid of all of it. I sold everything and used the money for travel. It’s not like I need my couch to eat pasta in Rome. Sites like Craigslist, Amazon, and Gumtree are excellent places to sell your unneeded consumer goods.
Personally, I love the app OfferUp. It’s simple to use, and the people on OfferUp are more honest than those on Craigslist. (And they won’t try to haggle with you as much.) Consider having a yard sales if you have a lot of things. As you downsize, consider selling your extra clothes and other items for cash. You can make money by selling your unwanted items on sites like Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace. Stop drinking alcohol
Alcohol is expensive. Your budget will be affected if you reduce the amount of alcohol that you consume. This may not be for everyone. However, if you are carefree and like to go out on weekends with friends, this is something that might work. You can either drink before going out to the pub or not at all. It’s easy to save money by reducing the amount of alcohol that you drink. Stop snacking
An occasional snack not only increases your weight, but it also drains your wallet. They are so cheap that we don’t pay attention to them, but over time they can add up and drain our savings. If you want to snack on something, plan ahead and bring your own snacks. You can save money by buying cheaper snacks and avoiding expensive junk food like chocolate bars and chips. TaskRabbit allows you to do things that other people can’t. This includes cleaning, moving, research or helping out with errands. Fiverr, Upwork, and Yoodlize allow you to take on professional roles such as assistants, editors or designers. Check out these sites to make extra money for your next trip. Be sure to check them out as a way to earn extra money for your upcoming trip.
Additionally, you can become an Uber or Lyft driver, teach a skill on the side, or rent out a room on Airbnb. There are many ways to earn extra money in the age of “side hustles.” Get creative!
Here is a full list of sharing economy websites you can use to earn some extra cash on the site.
17. Buy a reusable water bottle
Single-use water bottles are not only harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to your wallet. At $1 USD per water bottle, one or two bottles of water a day will amount to $30 USD in a single month. With $360 USD per year, you could spend a week in France! You can spend a week in France with that much money!
Instead of plastic, buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. Buy one now, and start using it. You’ll need one on your trip. Lifestraw is my favorite because it has a built-in water filter.
These tips can save you thousands and make your dream vacation seem more real. Some of these tips are obvious, but we often overlook them.
The most important thing to do is track your expenditures. Everyone’s situation will be different. The biggest “Wow!” moment for me was when I bought my e-scooter. Lyft, and e-scooters were the two things that made me say “Wow! Track your spending to keep track of what you are spending discretionary money on. You’ll find that the more you save, the faster you can get out on the road. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. Skyscanner is my favorite search engine, because it searches all websites and airlines in the world.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. Booking.com is the best option if you don’t want to stay in a hostel. It consistently offers the lowest rates for hotels and guesthouses.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. This is comprehensive coverage in the event of an accident. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel Credit Cards allow you to earn rewards that can be used to redeem for free flights or accommodation. Discover Cars offers affordable international car rentals. They’ll find you the best rental car for your trip, no matter where you are going! Ready to book your trip?
Check my resource page to find the best companies for you to use. Here are all the companies I use to travel. You can’t go far wrong with them. They are top-of-the-line and the best you can get.
