I love to travel, but I also love to save money. Unfortunately, the two don’t go hand in hand. No matter what airline discount websites you visit, you still have to shell out some money to buy a plane ticket. And don’t expect beachside hotels, guided mountain hikes, or meals at five-star restaurants to come cheap either.
I hate being stuck at home and not exploring the world, so I started trying other ways to save money while traveling. Here are some methods that have worked for me:
1. Packing cubes
Given the choice between checking luggage or only carrying it on board, I choose to carry it on. I want to keep all my belongings within sight for a few reasons: I want to avoid waiting at baggage claim, I want to avoid the stress of losing my luggage, and I don’t want to pay checked baggage fees.
Featured Offer: Save money while paying off debt with top-rated balance transfer credit cards
The average cost for one checked bag is $30-35 one way. If you’re flying round trip, having a checked bag will cost you an additional $70. Meanwhile, you can purchase a set of compression packing cubes for under $20 and pack it down small enough to fit into your carry-on.
That’s a savings of $50 per trip, and these bags will last for years if you take good care of them, meaning you could save hundreds of dollars on checked baggage fees.
2. Laundry soap
Another tip for packing less on a long trip is to wear items multiple times so you can stuff them into your carry-on bag instead of taking half your closet. One very affordable way to do this is to pack laundry soap. This small investment can save you $70 round trip on checked baggage fees.
I bought the laundry bar about a year and a half ago for about $12 and it still lathers well. It’s easy to pack in your luggage and allows you to hand wash some of your clothes while traveling, making your pack lighter. It’s also great for spot cleaning small stains and spills while traveling so you can eat your heart’s content with tacos al pastor smothered in salsa.
3. Google Maps
Affordable is great, but free is even better. Before I leave on a trip, I like to save an offline version of Google Maps for the area I’m traveling in, so I can search and navigate without having to pay for Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Last summer, I spent a week driving around the south coast of Iceland and Google Maps saved me money. Instead of paying $10 a day to my cell phone service provider, I downloaded Google Maps of the area in advance and saved $70. I was even able to get directions to a crepe truck next to a glacial lake where there was no cell signal. Technology is amazing.
4. Library Travel Guidebook
I interned for a travel guidebook publisher one summer, and I still have a love for using books to plan trips, but I don’t like buying entire guidebooks that I’ll probably only use parts of and maybe even once.
My husband came up with the idea to borrow travel guidebooks from the library to do our research before our trip. Not only do we get tons of hand-picked travel tips and detailed maps for absolutely no cost, but we also support our local library. It’s a win-win!
5. Rewards Credit Card
I don’t have a ton of credit cards in my wallet, but I do have a very targeted collection: I chose two travel credit cards that not only earn me points, but also offer rewards that I can use while on vacation, and that fit my spending and travel habits.
I have a co-branded credit card with the airlines I frequent that offers perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and two annual airport lounge passes that save me a ton of money each year. I also have a general travel credit card that gives me bonus points on all travel-related spending. I can earn extra reward points to redeem for future trips, making vacations cheaper.
Many rewards credit cards have an annual fee, but depending on how many rewards you redeem, they can end up being a great deal.
Save money without spending a lot
If you want to travel more but are finding it hard to do so on a budget, try some of these tips: Save on checked baggage fees, take advantage of free planning options, and make good use of rewards credit cards so you can get out and explore the world without worry.
Note: Our top-rated cash back card offers 0% introductory APR through 2025
This credit card isn’t just good. It’s so good that our experts personally use it. It features a long 0% introductory APR period, up to 5% cash back rates, and no annual fee. Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.