Travel has become really expensive. Post-COVID, the entire world seems to be traveling again and prices just keep rising. I am astonished at how high they have gotten. But it’s a product of rising costs and out-of-control demand. Everyone just wants to travel. We’re all looking for an escape.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad. Airfare has started to go down again, there are more deal-finding websites online, free walking tours in more cities, and more opportunities to bypass the traditional travel infrastructure and connect directly into the local way of life via the sharing economy.

As we navigate the post-COVID world of high prices, I want to share some tips and tricks on how to travel on a budget this year!
 

1. Change Your Mindset

Changing your mindset might not be a traditional budget tip, but it’s important nonetheless. Constantly remind yourself that travel is possible while taking concrete steps to make it a reality. Action begets action — even if it’s just baby steps.

Start with a “yes, I can” mindset. Don’t think “I can’t travel” — think “What’s one thing I can do today to make my trip closer to reality?”

Life is a mental game. Do one thing every day that gets you closer to your trip and you’ll find yourself building unstoppable momentum.
 

2. Come Up with a Savings Plan

Unless you’re Bill Gates, we all need to save more money. But how do you do that? While life is expensive, I do believe there are always ways to save a little more. There’s always something you can cut. A little bit of savings adds up a lot over time.

First, start by tracking your spending. Write down everything you spend money on for a month. Groceries, rent, eating out, Netflix — everything. You can’t figure out where to save if you don’t know where your money is going.

Next, start a savings account specifically for travel. That way, you’ll have a dedicated space for your travel fund and you can watch it grow. That progress will keep you motivated. Even if it’s just a few dollars a week, every penny counts. The more you save, the more you want to save.

Finally, start cutting. Maybe it’s going to Starbucks, maybe it’s saving on gas by carpooling to work or cutting back on eating out. We all have things we can cut. Find yours.

Here are some posts on how to save money:

• 23 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have Money for Travel
• The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Cheap
• How I Find the Money to Travel

3. Score a Flight Deal

One of the things that people always tell me holds them back from traveling more is the cost of flights. But, let me tell you, there are a lot of deals right now.

All the airlines are trying to fill planes and are offering a lot of deals for summer and fall travel right now. After all, they need to make up for a lost year and are desperate to get people on planes.

The key to finding a cheap flight is to be flexible with your dates and your destination. If you have your heart set on “Paris in June” you’ll be forced to pay whatever the flight costs. But, if you open that up to “France in the summer” — or even “Europe in the summer” you’ll be able to find much cheaper flights since you’ll have a lot more wiggle room to test dates and destinations.

I like to use Google Flights and Skyscanner to browse my options. I type in my home city and then pick “everywhere” as my destination. I then base my plans around where I can fly to for the least amount of money.

Both websites also let you sign up for price alerts so you’ll get an email if the price for your ideal trip happens to drop.

And if you really want to find amazing flight deals, consider joining a flight deal site like Going. It’s the best website for finding flight deals from the US and has saved me a fortune over the years. It’s not free, but new users can get 20% off a Premium membership with the code NOMADICMATT20.

Other helpful flight deal sites are:

• The Flight Deal – Incredible deals for flights all around the world.
• Secret Flying – Another site with amazing flight deals from around the globe (they find a lot of Asia/Africa/South America deals not found elsewhere).

4. Get Points!

Collecting points and miles is a great way to travel on a budget. By getting point-yielding credit cards and using a few simple techniques, you can get hundreds of thousands of miles — without any additional spending (you can even earn points just by paying your rent!). These points can then be cashed in for free flights, free hotel stays, and other travel rewards.

I’ve earned countless free flights, upgrades, and hotel stays from my points and miles. By optimizing my spending and paying attention to which cards earn the most points where, I’ve saved thousands of dollars — and you can too!

Here are some resources to help you begin:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• How to Earn Points By Paying Your Rent
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card
• The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles

Even if you aren’t American, you still have options, as points and miles have gone global:

• Points Hack (Australia/New Zealand)
• Head for Points (UK)
• Prince of Travel (Canada)

Once you have points, use platforms like point.me (for flights) and Awayz (for hotels) to manage them. These platforms help you maximize your points and miles so you earn more free flights and hotel stays.
 

5. Use the Sharing Economy

The sharing economy has led to a plethora of new money-saving and community-building platforms that have made travel even more affordable, personal, and accessible. It’s never been easier to get off the tourist trail, connect with locals, and experience their pace of life. I live by these websites when I travel! You should too.

Here are some of the best sharing economy sites to help you get started:

• Trusted Housesitters – The most comprehensive website to find house-sitting gigs. You watch a place on vacation while the homeowner is on vacation.
• EatWith – Allows you to eat home-cooked meals with locals (it’s the Airbnb of food). It always leads to interesting encounters, so it’s one of my favorite things to do.
• BlaBlaCar – A ridesharing app that pairs riders with verified locals who have a spare seat in their car.
• RVShare – Allows you to rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.

6. Find the Free!

The world is awash with amazing free travel resources (like this website) that can help you travel on a budget. No matter where you are going, there’s probably a blog post on what to do and see there for free or cheaply. Someone has been there and they’ve written about it! Make the best use of all of them to help you plan your trip.

My favorite search term is “free things to do in X.” You’ll always get a result!

Additionally, don’t be afraid to walk into a hostel — even if you aren’t staying there — and ask them what to do for cheap. Their clientele is budget-sensitive, so they always know what to do and where to go for little money.

Local tourism boards will also have tons of info on free things to do as well (more on that below).
 

7. Stick to Public Transportation

If you’re on a budget, skip the taxis and rideshares like Lyft or Uber. Unless you can lower your cost by sharing a ride with other passengers, public transportation is going to be the most cost-effective way to get around. Not only will it save you money but you’ll get to see how the locals travel too.

Google Maps usually can give you a basic overview of the public transportation options and prices available. You can find information about day passes and/or multi-day passes from your local hostel/hotel staff (as well as from local tourism offices). For cheap intercity travel information, check out Rome2Rio.
 

8. Use Local Tourism Offices

Local tourist offices are a wealth of knowledge. They exist solely to provide you with information on what to see and do. They often have tons of discounts not found anywhere else and can also keep you updated on local events, free tours, and the best spots to eat. They can help you find public transportation discounts and/or multiday passes too.

Don’t skip the local tourist office! They are a severely underutilized resource.
 

9. Get Cheap Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs travelers have, so reducing that cost can lead to big savings on the road. I’m sure many backpackers would sleep in a barn if it were the cheapest accommodation they could find! Heck, I’ve slept in hammocks in national parks to save a buck!

Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money on the total cost of your trip. Stay in hostels, use Couchsurfing, stay in empty university dorms, camp, or try an Airbnb.

Since there are a lot of ways to cut your accommodation costs, here are my posts on how to get accommodation deals:

• How to Find the Perfect Apartment Rental
• How to Find Cheap and Free Accommodation
• How to Crush it on Couchsurfing

10. Eat Cheap

Other than accommodation, food is one of the biggest travel costs. After all, everyone needs to eat. But there are lots of ways to eat on the cheap:

• Go grocery shopping and prepare your own meals
• Shop at local markets
• Use apps to find deals (Yelp, Seamless, LaForchette, TasteCard

Also, use the five-block rule. There seems to be this magical wall that surrounds tourist areas. Most people don’t go past it. It’s been my experience that if you walk five blocks in any direction from a major tourist area, you end up losing the crowds and finding the local restaurants.

In my experience, tourist restaurants don’t care about quality since those tourists aren’t coming back. Residents do care so places catering to them need to be better — and more affordable – or they go out of business. Those are the places you want to eat at. Use the above resources to find where the locals eat and avoid crappy food!
 

11. Travel Like You Live

The majority of people in your destinations don’t spend lots of money per day like tourists do. Neither do you in your day-to-day life. So take that mentality with you. Walk, take public transportation, grocery shop, spend a day in a park, and look for deals. Do the things you do at home every day to keep your costs down.

Too many people get into this mindset that when they go on the road, they just have to spend, spend, spend, spend. That’s not true at all. There’s no law that says you have to spend more. Be smart with your budget — just like you are at home. That will help you save money and prevent you from going home early (and broke).
 

12. Work & Volunteer to Lower Your Expenses

If you’re a long-term traveler, consider volunteering or doing a work exchange to lower your costs. There are tons of options out there such as farm stays, working in hostels, teaching in schools, and more.

You’ll usually need to commit for a week or more, however, these opportunities enable you to get a much deeper and more nuanced travel experience. Here are some websites to help you find suitable opportunities:

• Worldpackers – Worldpackers offers travelers a chance to find volunteer experiences overseas. In addition to hostels, they can help you find experiences with NGOs, homestays, and eco-projects all over the world!
• WWOOF – WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a program that connects you with farms all around the world where you can work in exchange for room and board.
• Helpx – Like Worldpackers, Helpx offers exchanges such as farmstays, homestays, B&Bs, hostels, and sailboats.
• Workaway – Workaway is a lot like HelpX, except it has more paid job opportunities (though it has volunteer opportunities too).

All you have to do is take that first step. Remember, action begets action. Once you start moving, everything else gets easier. So don’t wait!

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. 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!

The post How to Travel on a Budget appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Most people aren’t born savvy travelers. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.

In the beginning, you’ll make a lot of travel mistakes.But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes (and I often make a lot of them), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.

I’ve learned these tips over almost twenty years of being a nomad.

These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler.

So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world:

1. Always pack a towel.
It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking — and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag.

Make sure it’s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favorite (use the code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase)!

2. Use a small backpack/suitcase.
By purchasing a small backpack (I like something around 35–45 liters), you will be forced to pack light and avoid carrying too much stuff. Humans have a natural tendency to want to fill space. Even if you pack light initially but have lots of extra room in your bag, you’ll end up going, “Well, I guess I can take more” and fill that space.”

You’ll regret it later as you’ll be carrying around a bunch of stuff you don’t need as well as more weight on your shoulders. This article has more tips on finding the best travel backpack for your needs.

The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you’re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one.

I also recommend packing cubes, which are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase.

3. Pack light.
Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won’t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need…you won’t need as much as you think. It’s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row.

I love Unbound Merino, as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look stylish too. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever! (I wrote a review of the company here.)

But bring extra socks! You’ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this.

For a complete list of what I pack, click here to read my post.

4. Stay in hostels.

They are cheap, organize events, you’ll meet a lot of people, and they are just tons of fun! Plus, hostel bars sell cheap beer. Hostelworld is the best hostel-accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and highest availability. I use it for all my hostel bookings.

Here’s my list of all my favorite hostels around the world broken down by city.

If you’re planning on backpacking Europe, it’s worth getting HostelPass, a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money, and they’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off.

5. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you
Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn’t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money from me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive. Here are some helpful articles on banking:

• How to Avoid Banking Fees While Traveling
• 20+ Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have Money for Travel
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card

6. Make sure to use no-fee bank and credit cards.
Don’t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up! This article will tell you how to do that.

7. Don’t always fly direct.
When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to your final destination. To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination.

My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner. This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss.

8. Travel by yourself at least once.

Solo travel teaches independence and confidence. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. Traveling solo taught me how to fend for myself, talk to people, and handle unfamiliar situations with ease. It can take some getting used to if you’ve never done it before but do it at least once. Make yourself uncomfortable and surprise yourself. You’ll learn valuable life skills when you push yourself! Here are some helpful articles on solo travel:

• Why I Travel Alone
• The Joy of Solo Travel
• Travel: The Ultimate Personal Development Tool
• How to Overcome Being Alone

9. Always visit the local tourism information center.
This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. They are staffed by locals who can tell you all the ins and outs of their city and where to eat or drink that aren’t filled with tourists.

Plus, they often offer city tourism cards that can get you into multiple attractions for one set price, saving you a lot of money if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing.

10. Take free walking tours.
Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. And, in the last few years, they have exploded in popularity and now most cities around the world have one!

This page here lists all my favorite walking tour companies, broken down by city.

If you’re looking for paid tours, Walks is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can’t get elsewhere. For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe.

You can also use Get Your Guide to find plenty of unique day tours.

11. Don’t be afraid to use a map.
Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one!

12. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost.
Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across.

13. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there.
Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.

14. Sign up for flight deals.
When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first.

The best websites for finding travel deals are:

• Going.com – The BEST for upcoming US flight deals.
• The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals.
• Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals.
• Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world.

15. When you go out, take only what you need.
Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD.

16. Always carry a lock.
Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed!)

17. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents.
Don’t forget to email a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen, having a copy will come in handy for your police report.

18. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination.
The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried. Here are some tips on how to learn a language.

19. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald’s.
Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don’t eat the food at McDonald’s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too.

20. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines.
They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!

21. Never get behind families in airport security.
They take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while.

22. When you check in to the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade.
They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Oftentimes they can accommodate you if the hotel isn’t full. Just be super nice!

Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card. You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too!

23. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites.
Lunch time is one of the best times to visit historical sites. You’ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It’s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You’ll have even the most popular places to yourself!

24. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction.
I don’t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There’s an invisible line at this area: tourists don’t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that’s when you want to start looking.

Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you’ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren’t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience.

Use websites like Yelp or Google Maps to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you.

25. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you.
Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!

26. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch.
Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel. I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here.

27. Pack a headlamp.
This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.

28. Carry a basic first-aid kit.
Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’re going to need it and you can’t always get it when you travel.

You can either assemble a first aid kit yourself (here are some tips for doing so), or purchase a pre-made kit online.

29. Don’t believe the cheap flight myths.
Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It’s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week or if you search in an incognito window. To learn how to actually find a cheap flight, check out these two posts I wrote:

• 5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight Online
• How to Always Find a Cheap Flight

My favorite company for finding cheap flights is Skyscanner. I start all my searches there.

30. Use technology to meet locals.
These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win — and I use these resources all the time when I travel.

Here’s an article on how to use the sharing economy (and what websites to use) when you travel.

31. Be open to strangers.
Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends.

32. But keep your guard up.
Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don’t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid.

33. Avoid taxis.
They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too!

34. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate.
Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can — you’ll save money and help the environment. If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw.

35. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes.
If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you.

36. Carry emergency cash.
Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania when I couldn’t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens!

37. Get vaccinated.
Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun — and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to.

Here is an article on how to stay healthy on the road.

38. Learn to haggle.
Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It’s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market. Just don’t argue over pennies — it’s not worth it!

39. Use points and miles for free travel.

You can go a lot further in the world when you don’t have to pay for it. Learn how to collect points and miles through your everyday spending so you can get free flights, accommodation, train tickets, and other forms of travel. It’s what all expert travelers do to lower their travel costs and something you should do too!

Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• The Best Travel Credit Cards

40. Eat street food!
If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture. Don’t be scared. If you’re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, it’s safe for you.

41. Get travel insurance.
Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It’s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip.

You may think you’re superman/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn’t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance.

My favorite companies are:

• SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have great customer service, and make it easy to make a claim. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing!
• Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old.
• Medjet – This is a membership program that provides emergency evacuation coverage should you get into a dire situation while traveling and be hospitalized. Medjet is meant to supplement your regular travel insurance.

42. Be patient.
Things will work out in the end. No need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination.

43. Be respectful.
Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep your cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll end up just looking like an asshole tourist.

44. Don’t over plan your trip.
Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s my advice on how not to over plan your travels!

45. Be frugal — but not cheap.
Don’t be penny wise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and don’t waste money, but don’t miss out on great experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely.

46. Take earplugs.
Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. Snorers are everywhere and you need your sleep. Even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping well if your accommodation is located on a busy street, or for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless — be prepared!

These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises.

47. Remember that you’re not alone even if you’re traveling solo.
Traveling alone never means you’re really alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You’ll make lots of friends and tons of memories.

If you’re not sure about traveling on your own for the first time, you can always join a group tour, such as those we offer at The Nomadic Network. I’ve designed all the itineraries myself to ensure they cover the highlights, get you off the tourist trail, and connect you with friends and locals.

48. Take photos of and with people.

When you do make those new friends on the road, take photos. Lots of photos. Years from now, you’ll want to look back on those nights you can’t remember and the people who made them memorable.

49. Pre-book your tickets to attractions, activities, and excursions online.
If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. Not only that but you’ll be able to pay with a credit card, giving you some extra protection as well as more travel points!

Many major attractions also allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. Always look online to see if this is an option. This will help you avoid wasting time in multi-hour lines and go right in. I’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, London Churchill War Rooms, churches, temples, historic fortresses, and more. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, get to see more during your day!

Get Your Guide is my favorite place to book activities in advance. It’s a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions, with tons of options in cities all around the world, including skip-the-line attraction tickets, cooking classes, walking tours, and more!

50. Avoid TripAdvisor.
TripAdvisor is fine when you need opening hours or an address, but when it comes to reviews I ignore it completely. People always leave a negative review when something bad happens but rarely leave a positive review when something good happens so the reviews tend to be skewed.

On top of that, it’s very easy to create fake reviews and make a place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to artificially inflate their reviews on the platform. Additionally, TripAdvisor has been known to take down reviews that are overly negative as well as reviews on sexual assault. Use TripAdvisor with caution. Or better yet, don’t use it at all.

51. Finally, wear sunscreen.
For as the Baz Luhrmann song “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” goes:

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. 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!

The post My Best 51 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Finding the best travel deals is a matter of timing.

A lot of people think travel is just expensive, but in reality, there are incredible deals happening all the time. They often don’t last too long, and you have to act quickly. That can sometimes be a problem when a deal requires jumping on a plane tomorrow (how many people can do that?).

Fortunately, most deals are for months in the future, giving you ample time to plan your schedule.

Often I will book a flight and then figure out my plans.

Since you can usually cancel a flight within 24 hours without incurring a fee, I lock in the deal and then figure out if I can make it work. Sometimes I can (like the $1,200 USD business-class flight from LA to Stockholm round-trip); sometimes I can’t (like the $400 USD New Zealand flights I had to cancel).

I am always looking out for deals.

Today, I want to tell you where I go for travel deals, tips, and expert advice. After all, these resources focus solely on this one aspect of travel, so why not use them? I can’t know everything, so I rely on specialists. If travel were a hospital, I would be your general practitioner.

Here’s a quick look at the top companies I use and suggest:

Quick Overview: Best Travel Deals

For a full breakdown of each company and what they are best for, click on the links below to jump to that section:

Where to Find the Best Flight Deals

When it comes to finding flight deals, I use these four websites for last-minute deals. There are always finding new (and tempting) last minute flights — often for a fraction of what you would pay otherwise.

My go-to website for cheap flight deals is Going.com. Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights, this is an awesome resource for finding flight deals from the US. They offer free flight alerts, and with a premium membership you get access to even more deals as soon as they find them. (New users can get 20% off Premium with the code NOMADICMATT20.)

Three other great websites to use are:

• The Flight Deal – This is a great resource for finding cheap flights from the USA. If you’re based in the States, start your research here!
• Secret Flying – This cheap flight website finds “error fares” (when airlines make pricing mistakes) to and from destinations all around the globe.
• Holiday Pirates – No matter where you’re based this is a great cheap flight website so be sure to always check here for more deals.

If you’re simply looking to book a flight, check out the search engines below. It’s important to remember that there is no one best online booking website. All the search engine websites have blind spots so it’s important to search a few different places before you book your flight.

Generally, the BEST booking sites are the following:

• Skyscanner – I always start my searches with Skyscanner. It’s a very intuitive platform that searches booking websites and airlines all around the world to ensure that no deal is missed. If you’re not 100% sure where you want to go (or when) then start your search with Skyscanner.
• Google Flights – A good all-around flight search website to include in your cheap flight arsenal.

Where to Find the Best Points & Miles News

When it comes to finding the latest in airline and frequent flier news, I turn to these sites. They give me the latest on the changes in the industry and loyalty programs, and any points and miles news that might be important:

• View from the Wing – This is where I go for airline and frequent flier news.
• The Points Guy – A great resource for credit card and points & miles news and information.
• One Mile at a Time – This is a great website for credit card, in-flight experiences, and frequent flier news.

For Australia and New Zealand, visit Points Hack.

For Canada, use Prince of Travel.

For the UK, Head for Points.

As a very, very, very avid traveler (and while I have my own special tricks and tips), when you’re overseas a lot, it’s hard to stay up to date on your own so I use these three sites to keep me in the loop.

READ MORE:

• Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card

Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals

In my mind, there is only one cruise deal website worth following: CruiseSheet. This site consistently has some of the lowest rates out there, and its interface is beautiful.

If I don’t find anything on CruiseSheet or want to double-check a price, I go to the second-best website, vacationstogo.com.
 

Where to Find the Best Transportation Deals

If you’re looking for budget transportation, these are the websites you’ll want to check. Cheap buses, trains, and rideshare apps can help keep your transportation costs low, giving you more time on the road. Here are my favorites:

• FlixBus – A budget-friendly bus company routes all across Europe and parts of the USA.
• Trainline – Offers a variety of discounted train passes for both individual countries as well as entire regions of Europe, including passes for the entire continent.
• Rome2Rio – A helpful resource for finding and comparing budget transportation options.
• BlaBlaCar – A rideshare app that pairs travelers with local drivers who are looking to pick up passengers for a small fee.
• RVShare – A sharing economy platform for renting RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
• Turo – A car rental app that enables you to rent cars for short periods of time from locals.
• Japan Rail Pass – A budget-friendly train pass exclusively for Japan. Comes in 7, 14, and 21-day passes.
• Discover Cars – A comprehensive rental car aggregator for destinations all around the globe. I always find the best car rental deals here.

READ MORE:

• A Complete Guide to the Japan Rail Pass
• A Complete Guide to the Eurail Global Pass
• How to Find a Cheap Rental Car

Where to Find the Best Accommodation Deals

From hotels to hostels to camping, there are tons of great websites out there to help you find deals and save money. Here are my suggestions to help you get started:

• Booking.com – This is the best website for finding hotels no matter where you are in the world. I usually start my search for hotel rooms here.
• Campspace – This app connects you with locals renting out plots of land, RVs, cabins, and camper vans ranging from rustic to glamping.
• Trusted Housesitters – Helps travelers connect with locals looking for house and pet sitters. Great for slow travelers/long-term travelers.
• HomeExchange – A network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. They have over 200,000 members with houses in 155 countries, making it an amazing platform for finding house swaps around the globe.
• Hostelworld – They are hands-down the best resource for finding budget-friendly hostels around the world. I use them every time I travel and you should too!
• HostelPass – This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money and it’s constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use the code NOMADICMATT to get 25% off too!

READ MORE:

• How to Find a Cheap Hotel Room: Sites to Use and Sites to Avoid
• How to Start House Sitting
• How to Pick a Good Hostel

Where to Find the Best Tour Deals

For tours and excursions, I keep an eye on the following companies by subscribing to their emails:

• The Nomadic Network (TNN) – I created this global community for travel lovers in 2019. While I no longer run it (they’re now run by Lisa, a long-time TNN community member), they’re great group tours for people who want to travel — not simply vacation!
• Intrepid Travel – This is my favorite small-group tour company. They hire local guides and are great for both solo travelers and couples/groups.
• Walks – Walks operates small group tours with local guides in some of the best cities around the world.
• Devour Food Tours – My go-to food tour company, with tours all around Europe and the US.
• EatWith – Allows you to eat home cooked meals with local cooks. Everyone sets their own price (so prices can vary wildly depending on the cook) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
• Get Your Guide – A huge activity aggregator where you can find and book all kinds of activities, from cooking classes to walking tours to multi-day local excursions.
• Worldpackers – Worldpackers organizes group tours centered around volunteer experiences. It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers while giving back to local communities.

READ MORE:

• How to Pick the Best Tour Company
• My Favorite Walking Tours Around the World

Where I Find the Best Travel Insurance Deals

I never travel anywhere without travel insurance. After dealing with injuries and emergencies abroad (and knowing plenty of other travelers who have been injured or robbed on the road) I always make sure I have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before I leave home. Here are my recommended companies for finding the best travel insurance:

• SafetyWing – This is my go-to travel insurance company. They offer affordable monthly plans with a deductible. Great for digital nomads and frugal travelers!
• Insure My Trip – If you’re over 70 and looking for insurance, this is the best place to find it!
• Medjet – Medjet is a good option for people who are going to be far from home and want added evacuation coverage. It’s great for solo travelers and super affordable.
• World Nomads – The first company I ever got travel insurance with, World Nomads is best for adventurous travelers. They cover a lot of adventure activities that other companies don’t, and now even offer annual travel insurance.

READ MORE:

• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Do You Need Medical Evacuation Coverage?
• A Complete Guide to Buying Travel Insurance

While I think my site is amazing for your on-the-ground tips, tricks, and advice needs, for when you need travel deals to get you to where you want to go, use the companies above. They’re what I use, and they’ve never steered me wrong! They’ll save you the most money!

The post Where I Find the Best Travel Deals appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Get out a sheet of paper and write down all your set expenses: rent/mortgage, car payments, cable/streaming bill, cell phone, insurance, school payments, etc. Tally them up.

Then write down all your discretionary spending. This is what you spend on food, movie nights, drinks, shopping, that daily coffee from Starbucks, your daily midday snack, and other similar things. If you don’t know what you spend money on, go track your expenses for a two-week period, see what you spend, and come back.

Add that all up. What did you get? Probably a large sum of money.

And I bet there will be many expenses you didn’t realize were there. Financial experts call these “phantom expenses” — we never know they are there because the expenses are so small. People bleed money without realizing it. A dollar here and a dollar there…it adds up. Even a daily bottle of water or candy bar can make a substantial difference over the course of a year.

What does this have to do with travel?

Well, one of the main reasons why we think we can’t travel the world is money. “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. Of course, the lower your income, the longer it will take to save enough to travel. But longer does not mean never. A little bit every day adds up to a lot over a long period of time.

Here are some simple and creative ways to cut your expenses, make money, and get on the road sooner:

1. Track your spending

As mentioned in the introduction, most people don’t have a budget so the first thing you need to do to save money is to know where you’re spending it. In an age where you tap an app and a car arrives, it’s easy to not think about how much we spend. You can use a spreadsheet or one of these websites. You’ll probably be surprised at where your money goes once you start paying attention. Start tracking your expenses — and keep doing so — so you can keep cutting out the low-hanging fruit and find where you’re spending money.
 

2. Set up a separate bank account

Financial experts have long recommended this for a variety of things. When you set up a separate bank account and have money automatically deposited into that account each pay cycle, you don’t have the urge to spend it. “Out of sight, out of mind”, right?

This works for travel. No matter how much you put away there, putting that money in a separate bank account means it’s away from your spending and you won’t overspend. Think of this like a piggy bank. Don’t raid it. It’s your travel fund. Let it sit there and grow.

Just make sure that the account is a high-yield online savings account. I’ve done this since the time when I was preparing to go away on my first trip and I netted hundreds of dollars in extra money thanks to interest (and a bit more while I was traveling too as the money was sitting there while it was being spent down). Interest rates are very high these days and you can earn around 4% on your savings account! Take advantage of that! Here are the current best rates:

Not from the US? Check out these websites for information:

• Canada
• UK
• Australia
• New Zealand

3. Get a new credit card

A travel credit card can give you free money, free rooms, and free flights. After accruing miles and rewards points with your card on everyday purchases, you can redeem them for free travel on your trip. Travel credit cards are a big weapon in a budget traveler’s arsenal. You’ll even earn huge sign-up bonuses when you get a new card.

For more credit card suggestions, check out this list of the best travel credit cards.

And, for more information on travel credit cards in general, here is my comprehensive guide on how to pick a good travel credit card.
 

4. Cut the coffee

Love your Starbucks? Well, Starbucks loves your money. Coffee is the little thing that quietly drains your bank account without you ever noticing. That daily coffee can cost you $90 per month ($3 for a regular coffee, more if you want some fancy Frappuccino). At $1,080 per year, that’s a lot of money.

So, what’s more important: your daily cup of Joe or spending more time on the beaches of Thailand or exploring the jungles of Borneo? Give up the coffee, or switch from the cappuccino to a standard brew. Move to tea, or brew your own cup. 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. And, yes, there is utility in the time saved from buying one. Under normal circumstances, this would be “small thinking” financial advice that isn’t worth the time or effort.

But, right now, you have a travel goal to reach and every penny counts.
 

5. Learn to cook

Dinner out is usually someone’s biggest discretionary expense—and it’s also one of the easiest to eliminate. Instead of buying $20 lunches and $30 dinners, brown-bag it to work and cook dinner at night. When I saved for my first trip, I was spending $70 per week on groceries. I cooked once for dinner and ate the leftovers the next day for lunch. Sure, cooking can be intimidating since not all of us are Julia Child in the kitchen. However, I found cooking to be an invaluable skill, not only because it saved me money before my trip but because it’s also one of the easiest ways to cut down expenses when you travel.

The more I cooked, the more I loved cooking. And the more I saved. (I also got a lot healthier because I knew what was in my meals, which was an added bonus.)

Of course, grocery prices have gone up since the mid-2000s and you’re likely spending a lot more than $70 on groceries (I currently spend around $125 per week). But cooking is still cheaper than eating out or getting your food delivered via an app.

Here are some sites to check out to get the ball rolling:

• Food52
• Deliciously Ella
• Bon Appétit
• Jessica in the Kitchen

6. Lose the car

Between insurance, repairs, loan payments, and filling your tank with gas, cars are crazy expensive to own. Get rid of your car if you can. Learn to love the bus, take the subway, bike, or walk. It may take longer to get to work using public transportation, but you can use that time to plan your trip, read, write, or do other productive tasks.

I understand that this tip may not be feasible for everyone, especially those in smaller towns that don’t have an extensive public transportation system, but an alternative is to sell your car and buy a cheaper used one, which you will only need until you leave for your trip. 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. Do the math on it but it may be cheaper to get Lyfts around town than to own a car. (Plus, if you need a car for long distances, you can easily rent one.)
 

7. Save on Gas

Gas adds up! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on gas! First, use the app GasBuddy to find cheap gas near you. Second, sign up for all the major gas station loyalty programs. 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. Moreover, use GasBuddy’s credit card, which can be tied to any gas station loyalty program for an additional savings of 25 cents per gallon. Most supermarkets also have loyalty programs that offer gas savings.

If you sign up for Costco, they have huge savings on gas, too.
 

8. 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. I mean, how many streaming services do we really need!?

Rather than subscribe to all of them at once, try rotating which ones you are using. I watch everything I want to watch over the course of a few months on one service, cancel it, sign up for a new service, and repeat. By doing this, you are never paying for more than one service at a time while still being able to binge watch what you want.
 

9. 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. They hunt down deals and send them directly to your inbox — for free! They also offer a premium service that offers more (and better) deals but at the very least join their free newsletter. Chances are you’ll find some awesome deals!
 

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. Moreover, due to energy efficiency initiatives in certain states, many electric companies will give you a rebate if you buy LED bulbs. Be sure to check out which rebates your local energy company offers no matter where you live in the world. Going green can save you green! Check your local government or utility company’s website for information.

For US readers, check out EnergyStar or the DSIRE database. For Canadian readers, check out this page run by the government. For everyone else, check your local government or utility company’s website for information!
 

11. Buy second-hand

Why pay full price when you can pay half? Use websites like Amazon (discounted books and electronics), wholesale websites, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Towns big and small usually have thrift stores like Goodwill where you can pick up clothing and odds and ends.

Sure, you don’t want to buy everything used, but you can definitely buy most things used! (Plus, it’s good for the environment since you’re giving stuff an added use life rather than having it end up in a landfill!)
 

12. Cut coupons

The Entertainment Book, grocery coupons, Groupon, and loyalty cards all reduce the price you pay at the register. Clipping coupons might make you feel like an 80-year-old grandmother, but the goal here is to be frugal and save money, and coupons definitely help with that.

Many grocery stores also offer electronic coupons based on your shopping habits. Sign up at your local grocery store for their loyalty program and you can lower your weekly grocery bill with discounts either sent via email or added directly to your loyalty card.

Also, use Rakuten, which is an app and web browser extension that gives you cash back on purchases that range from 1–20%. You can also get American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. I use this service for all my shopping, including all my hotel bookings since many travel companies are on the service. You can also tie a specific credit card to your Rakuten account and get cash back in physical stores, too. 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 I started long-term travel, I looked around my apartment and saw just a lot of stuff I had no need for anymore: TVs, couches, tables, stereo equipment. Instead of keeping it in storage (which costs money), I decided to just get rid of everything. I sold it all and used the money to travel. After all, I’m not going to need my couch while eating 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 easy to use and people are less flaky than on Craigslist (and they don’t try to haggle you down as much). Definitely check it out.

If you’ve got a ton of stuff, consider having a yard sale. That’s the fastest way to clear out your house and make a few bucks in the process.

As you downsize your life, sell your clothes and extra stuff for cash. Sites like The Real Real, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace all provide an opportunity to get rid of your unwanted stuff and make some decent money.
 

14. Stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol is expensive. Cutting down the amount you drink is going to have a big impact on your budget. While this might not apply to everyone, those of you who are carefree might go out with your friends on the weekend. Drink before you go out to the bar or simply don’t drink at all. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume is considered low-hanging fruit — an easy way to save money.
 

15. Stop snacking

A snack here and there not only adds calories to your waistline but also empties your wallet — another example of phantom expenses. We don’t think much of them because they cost so little, but they add up over time and eat into our savings. Eat fuller meals during lunch and dinner and avoid snacks.

If you do want to snack, bring snacks from home and plan your snacks in advance. That way, you can buy cheaper (and healthier snacks) and avoid buying chips, chocolate bars, and other expensive junk.
 

16. Earn extra money on the side

The rise of the gig economy has made it easier to earn extra money on the side. TaskRabbit lets you do tasks that people don’t have time for—from cleaning to moving, doing research, or helping with errands. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to be people’s assistants, editors, designers, or a host of other professional roles, while Yoodlize allows you to rent out your unused stuff for money. These sites can provide an easy way to earn money on the side. 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. In the age of the “side hustle,” there are lots of ways to utilize your proven skills for extra cash. 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. One or two water bottles a day at $1 USD per bottle will add up to at least $30 USD a month. That’s $360 USD a year! 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. You’ll want one for your trip anyway, so buy one now and get in the habit of using it. I like Lifestraw as it also has a water filter.

The most important thing you can do though is to track your expenses as everyone’s situation is different. For me, the biggest “Wow! I can’t believe I’m spending money on this” were Lyft and e-scooters. Hundreds of dollars a month were being wasted on those two things with me realizing it.

Track your spending so you can keep cutting what is discretionary spending. The more you do that, the more you’ll save money, the quicker you’ll be able to get on the road!

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. 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!

The post 17 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have More Money for Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

As much as I love hostels, there is something nice about the luxuriousness of a hotel: the clean room, comfy bed, desk, iron, strong shower, and bottled soap for the taking (errr…I mean borrowing). They are a quiet, relaxing respite from the world.

But luxury comes at a price.

Hotels aren’t cheap and I hate spending money on a room I am only going to be in for a few hours. Often, even at my age, I would much rather stay in a hostel (private room though!), which costs less, has more social interaction, and doesn’t make you feel as removed from the destination you’re staying at. I always feel hotels are isolating, like a concrete bubble keeping you out of the place you’re visiting.

That said, the older I get, the more I use hotel points, and the more I travel for work, the more I find myself staying in hotels, especially if it’s a short trip.

I’ve spent years looking at websites trying to find the best ways to get the best rates on hotel rooms because the budget traveler in me hates spending a lot of money. Post-COVID, hotel prices have increased a lot and it seems there are fewer and fewer bargains these days.

But there are a lot of ways to actually get a good deal and stack deals on deals to lower the cost of your room.

Let me show you how.

How to Book Cheap Hotels

Here is how to find the cheapest hotel in one simple step:

First, go to Google and type in where you want to go. For example, “New York City hotels.”

That’s it. Google will pull results from all the major booking websites and tell you what site is the cheapest. You just go there and book your hotel. That’s why it’s the best booking site because, rather than searching every website individually, you can just go to Google, find which website has the cheapest rate, and book there. It saves a lot of time!

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Click on the “View hotels” button at the bottom of the first result section to go to Google’s hotel searching hub.

Next, put in your dates and filters to narrow your search until you find a hotel you like in your price range. You’ll be able to sort by lowest price and look at the map to book by location. You can even see typical pricing trends for your dates by clicking on “what you’ll pay.”

Click on the “view prices” button for a hotel and you’ll be presented with all your booking options. Find the lowest price and head to that website. Just keep in mind that the top results are usually ads, so scroll down to make sure you aren’t missing out on any deals.

Once you’ve found the lowest price, book at that website!

But, before you actually book the room, there are a couple of other tips you need to know about to ensure you get the best price possible:

1. Contact the hotel directly

Find the hotel, call them up, and ask them to match the offer (they usually will since it saves them on commission). If they are a big global brand, the big benefit to direct bookings is that you only earn loyalty points and status when you book direct, so if you love earning points and miles, don’t book their rooms elsewhere!

2. Use points

The best way to save money on a hotel room is to not have to pay for it. Collect hotel points through branded credit cards or transferring them from a Chase, Capital One, etc., and book a free room. I save thousands upon thousands of dollars a year doing this. Here are my favorite hotel cards to get you started.

3. Use discount rates like AAA or AARP

If you are part of the AARP or AAA you can get special rates that are cheaper. Fun fact: Anyone can join the AARP. I’m a member. They have amazing travel benefits (including deals on hotels and British Airways flights). It’s well worth the membership.

4. Use Mr.Rebates or Rakuten

If the lowest rate is through a major booking site like Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com, go through Mr. Rebates or Rakuten. By using their links, you’ll get 1–10% back. It’s a little extra savings that can add up over time. I never do any online shopping without going to these sites (they have deals for everything).

5. Book a mystery deal

Both Priceline and Hotwire offer cheaper rates on hotel bookings where you don’t get the full reservation details up front. On Hotwire’s Hot Rates and Priceline’s Express Deals, you’ll see the general neighborhood as well as star rating of the property and amenities offered, just not the exact hotel itself. With Priceline’s Pricebreakers deals, you’ll be guaranteed one of three hotels that they group together (you just won’t know which one until you book). You can save 30–60% off with these deals if you can tolerate a bit of the unknown!

6. Sign up for Booking.com’s loyalty program

Booking.com offers members 10–20% off bookings. They definitely helped a lot. Before you sign up for their loyalty programs before you book with them!

7. Get discounted gift cards

You can book major hotel chains with hotel gift cards. Check out a website like Giftcardgranny.com for discounted gift cards and use it to book your hotel. (Gift card purchases also count toward point earnings and status.)

8. Buy someone else’s reservation with Roomer

Often people can’t go on a trip and can’t cancel the reservation, so rather than lose the money, hotels put these rooms on Roomer, where they sell it at a discount to earn some money back. I’ve never used this website, but I’ve heard good things about it.

Hotel pricing is a lot more set than airline pricing and tends to fluctuate less. I wouldn’t spend hours searching hotel websites or days tracking prices like people do with airline prices. I’d spend, at the most, 30 minutes on booking a hotel.

Just follow the steps above to get a cheap hotel by using my favorite (and what have been shown to be the best) hotel booking websites listed here so you get a good deal and enjoy your trip quicker.

And if you find yourself staying in a lot of hotels, it might be worth looking into getting a hotel credit card so that you can start earning points towards free stays (free is always better than cheap)!

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The post How to Find Cheap Hotels (And Which Sites to Use!) appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love hostels. Even after over nineteen years traveling the world, I still stay in hostels because they’re the best way to meet people and the cheapest accommodation option in much of the world.

But what makes a good hostel?

And how do you avoid a bad hostel?

After staying in over a thousand hostels since I first started traveling the world, I’ve become adept at figuring out very quickly if the hostel owners know what they are doing or if they just randomly woke up one day and said, “Let’s open a hostel. It sounds like fun.”

While hostels are all about the people, management can do a few things to make their hostel the perfect framework for making your experience better. Certain features make a hostel memorable (common rooms, group activities, kitchens) while others can make them forgettable — or worse (push-button showers, general filth, unknowledgeable staff).

All of my favorite hostels share common traits that make them some of the best in the world.

Here’s a breakdown of what I would look for in a hostel to help you pick the best one for your next trip:

1. Is There a Common Room?

I love meeting new people when I travel. Since I usually travel solo, I need to go out of my way to meet people if I want to be social. Common rooms in hostels make that easy. They help me find people to chat with, get tips from, do activities with, or even travel with.

Plus, they’re good for just having fun. They usually have pool tables or video game consoles, TVs/movies (perfect for rainy days), foosball, ping pong, and comfy couches (comfy couches are a must!). If you want to be social, make sure you stay somewhere that has a decent common room (or several). It’s the best place to easily connect with other travelers.

In warmer destinations, a common area outside is also a big plus. Rooftop bars, patios, BBQ areas, a pool — any social outdoor space is a must.

2. Is It Centrally Located?

Location, location, location. Whenever I’m looking for a new hostel I make sure that it’s near the things I want to see. I don’t want to spend all my time commuting when I get somewhere new. For that reason, I always make sure my hostels are in a central location and that they’re close to public transportation. That way, I can get around easily and don’t need to worry about having to waste money on taxis.

This is especially important in large cities where things are spread out and when you’re on a shorter trip and time is of the essence. Yes, they might cost more money, but you’ll save money on transportation. Plus, the more centrally-located hostels are usually the more popular ones, making them better places to meet people.

Don’t waste your vacation in transit; book somewhere central!

3. Is It Clean?

Sure, budget travelers like things cheap — but that doesn’t mean we like things dirty. While hostels have come a long way in recent years, there are still many that are poorly maintained and in need of a thorough scrubbing. Since it’s easy to get sick on the road, avoid dirty hostels. Gross bathrooms and showers (as well as the increased risk of bed bugs) aren’t worth the risk — even if the hostel is cheap. Invest in yourself. You deserve a clean room!

Since the photos hostels post on their website and social media can be misleading, make sure to specifically read reviews on sites like Hostelworld for hints on cleanliness. If just one person complains, maybe it’s not a big deal. But if numerous reviews mention the lack of cleanliness, take that as a cue.

4. Did You Read Reviews?

Always read reviews before you book. Is the hostel quiet or noisy? Is it a party hostel or more laid back? Are the mattresses comfy? Are the bunk beds squeaky? You can usually answer all of these questions (and many more) by reading reviews.

Websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com have tons of reviews to help you find the hostel that best suits your needs and budget.

While you’ll want to take them with a grain of salt (people love to complain), they are definitely helpful when it comes to picking the best hostel. Make sure you leave reviews too — good reviews help hostels grow and bad reviews can warn your fellow travelers so they don’t make the same mistake.

Additionally, make sure you only stay at hotels with lots of reviews. A hostel might have a high rating on Hostelworld but if it only has 10 or 20 reviews then I’ll likely stay away from it (it’s easy to fake ratings like that). However, if a hostel has hundreds (or thousands) of reviews and still has a rating of 8 or 9 out of 10 then that’s a good sign it’s a solid place to stay.

Generally, I try to only book hostels with a rating of 8 or higher on Hostelworld.

5. Do they Organize Group Activities?

If you plan on staying at a social hostel and want to meet people, choose a hostel that offers group activities. These could be walking tours (my personal favorite activity), pub crawls, trivia nights, cooking classes, or BBQs. These events are a great way to meet other travelers and learn about your destination.

My favorite hostels are always social hostels that organize events. It just makes your stay much more fun and lively!

6. Is There Late Checkout?

Never stay at a hostel with a checkout time before 10am. The best hostels have 11am checkout times, and the really good ones let you check out at noon. Sleep is valuable on the road because you’ll rarely get enough of it. Hostels with late checkout times understand this and are often more relaxed environments. There’s just something wrong about a hostel asking you to be packed and out so early in the morning.

7. Is There a Bar?

Bars are not deal breakers and there are a lot of wonderful hostels without them, but they make for a great place to socialize with other hostel guests. Usually if a hostel has a bar, they put a strong emphasis on making sure the people staying there are having fun, interacting, and being festive.

If you’re looking to be social and meet people, you’ll want to stay somewhere with a bar.

8. Do They Have Lockers?

It’s surprising, but I’ve actually been in hostels that don’t provide lockers or will charge you for them. In this day and age, lockers should be standard. You should never pay for security. This is a deal-breaker for me (especially since I travel with electronics). Always bring a lock with you as well, so you can use the lockers when they are provided.

9. Is There a Kitchen?

Try to look for hostels with kitchens since you can then prepare your own food, lower your food budget, and share a meal with your new friends. Nothing binds people closer together than a shared meal (and a few glasses of wine).

10. Do They Offer Breakfast?

Look for a place with a decent breakfast (i.e., more than bread and cheese) or at least one that begins and ends when people are actually awake (breakfasts that start around 8:30am usually go late). Breakfast is also a great way to load up on snacks for the day, cutting down your food budget.

11. Do They Have Pod-style Beds?

Gone are the days of sleeping on creaky, metal bunks. Whenever possible, look for a hostel with pod-style beds. These beds provide much better privacy and dampen the noise around you so you can sleep better. They usually have curtains too, which are always a big plus in my book.

12. Are There Individual Lights & Outlets?

Before you book, find out if the dorm bunks have their own outlet and light. Not only will this ensure you can charge your devices without having to fight for space, but it means your fellow travelers can turn on their own small lamp instead of the room’s main light. (I hate it when people turn the lights on in the middle of the night. Use your bed’s lamp or a flashlight!)

I don’t need a hostel to have all these things, but a truly wonderful hostel that understands what travelers are looking for has the majority of the things listed above.

Additionally, as more and more people shift to remote work, hostels have started to accommodate long-term travelers who work on their laptops. If you’re a remote worker, these hostels are great places to stay as they have fast Wi-Fi and make it easy to connect and network with other digital nomads. However, if you’re not working online while traveling, avoid these hostels since most people will just be on their laptops working and that’s kind of boring if you’re not doing it too. Instead, stay at a hostel that caters to backpackers. It will be much more enjoyable and you’ll have an easier time meeting people.

In the end, what really makes a good hostel are the people and even the worst hostels will be great if you meet good people. But removing the people from the equation, I look for hostels that have some of the above qualities in them. Hostels that know what you want as a traveler are there to enhance your travel experience, not simply take money from you in exchange for a bed. I would rather stay at a place that is looking to make sure I have a good time.

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The post 12 Ways to Avoid Staying in a Bad Hostel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

We all want to travel more. Whether a vacation, career break, gap year trip, there’s some trip we are always thinking about. One of the things that keeps a lot of people from achieving that dream is money.

Saving money to travel can be an uphill battle but travel is not as expensive as you think. There are plenty of ways to save money on the road and lower your costs.

And you don’t have to be a backpacker to travel cheap. There are tons of ways to travel on a budget without sacrificing comfort.

One of the easiest ways to travel on a budget is to just go somewhere inexpensive. There are plenty of amazing places to visit that are still quite affordable. In fact, many of them are actually cheaper than day-to-day life back home!

And, while there are dozens upon dozens of inexpensive countries you can visit, in this post, I am going to share my favorite that I think are the best!

1. Thailand

Despite being a hugely popular tourist destination, Thailand has remained relatively cheap.

Outside of the popular island destinations, it’s easy to visit the country for around $50 USD per day if you’re backpacking. Hostel dorms cost $10 USD per night, you can eat on less than $10 USD per day if you stick to delicious street food markets, drinks are just a couple bucks each, and tours and activities don’t cost much more than $20-30 USD.

If you’re not looking to backpack around Thailand, you can still visit the country on a budget if you use points for hotels, stick to budget accommodation, continue to stick to street food vendors and public transportation. If you do that, you’d spend around $100 USD per day.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Thailand.

2. Mexico

I’ll be honest: I was late to the game on Mexico. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I finally took the time out to explore the country. The country is just incredible. Mayan ruins, stunning beaches, lush jungles, world-class food, picturesque cenotes, mezcal….I love the country.

The trick to having an affordable trip to Mexico is to get out of the tourist regions. Leave Tulum (it’s the worst place in the world anyway), Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, and all the other resort towns filled with American hotel brands and tourists.

Hostels cost between $10-15 USD per night, street tacos are $1 USD or less, other meals will set you back $5-10 USD, beer is around $1-2 USD, and even big-ticket sites like Chichen Itza are just $5-15 USD.

If you aren’t looking to backpack, you can still visit affordably. On a midrange budget of about $80, you can stay in a private hostel room or cheap hotel, eat out at restaurants serving cheap traditional cuisine, visit more attractions, enjoy a few drinks, and take the occasional taxi to get around.

For more information on how to plan a trip there, check out my guide to visiting Mexico.

3. Portugal

Portugal is not only one of my favorite countries in Europe but it’s one of the cheapest eurozone countries as well. Offering charming cities, stunning coastlines, and beautiful weather, this country has become much more popular in recent years. There’s a growing expat scene as well as a lively digital nomad community.

You can get by here for around $50 USD per day without missing out on the amazing food, fun activities, and delicious wine. On this budget, you’ll be staying in a hostel dorm room, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and sticking to free activities like free walking tours and enjoying the beaches.

While prices are a bit higher in popular Lisbon, you can easily offset that by visiting in the shoulder season or in the winter.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Portugal.

4. Central America

Central America is one of the cheapest regions of the world, with pretty much every country here an affordable place to visit. Because of that, I’m including the whole region!

In countries like El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala you’ll find the best deals, with budget hotels costing around $15 USD, meals for $3-4 USD, bus journeys for the same price, and beer for less than a dollar.

In the “expensive” countries in the region (Belize, Panama, Costa Rica), you’ll be spending closer to $50 USD per day, though you won’t be wanting for anything as street food costs under $5 USD and hostel dorms are $8-12 USD.

For more information on the region, check out my guide to visiting Central America.

5. Hungary

Hungary is an amazing, affordable country, the highlight of which is Budapest. I love Budapest. It’s a beautiful, historic city.

Hostels in Budapest start at $10 USD per night. Meals at the markets or at the plethora of kebab and sandwich shops are around $5-10 USD. Trains and buses were just a few dollars while a beer is less than $2 USD.

Unless you are going out for a big night of drinking or paying for lots of attractions and activities, $50 USD will give you plenty of room to enjoy the sites and sounds of the country. And the Budapest is a great alternative to more popular destinations like Prague or Vienna, offering just as much fun for a fraction of the cost.

For more information, check out our guide to visiting Hungary.

6. Peru

Home to the epic Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru is one of the most popular countries in South America. I absolutely loved my trip there. It’s a country I would go back to over and over again.

While hiking the Inca Trail will definitely burst your budget, everyday life in Peru is quite affordable. If you want to backpack Peru, I’d plan for $50–80 USD per day. On this budget, you’d be staying in hostel dorms, eating at typical hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cafés, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation and overnight buses, and doing a few paid activities and tours. If you’re going to party a lot, you’ll be on the higher end of this range.

And, if you do want to do some guided hikes but don’t have the money, try to book last minute. You can usually find amazing deals — including deals for hikes like the Inca Trail. While you might end up spending more than $50 USD per day, those once-in-a-lifetime experiences are worth it.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Peru.
 

7. Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. From the stunning views of Sam Mountain and Ha Long Bay to the man-made artistry of the sacred temples and pagodas to the rice terraces and beaches, Vietnam is stunning.

Hostels can be found for as little as $4-5 USD, with many including free breakfast and free beer (during limited hours). Food from street vendors can be found for under $1-2 USD, and buses around the country are incredibly cheap. Even activities here are cheap. The Cu Chi Tunnels (tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam war) are just $5 USD to visit while a full day of canyoning is just $20 USD.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Vietnam!

8. India

No budget travel list would be complete without India. India has always been an inexpensive place to visit, but the steep decline in the Indian rupee in recent years has made the country an even bigger bargain. You can travel well here for very little money, and increasing your budget by just a few dollars can often lead to substantial increases in luxury.

For example, on a budget of $30-45 per day, you can do the typical backpacker thing: guesthouses, cheap food, sleeper trains, and overland buses. In the larger cities of Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore as well as beach destinations like Goa, you can expect to spend around $45-55 per day.

But, if you doubled that, there’s virtually nothing you couldn’t do from private tour guides to three- or four-star hotels to opulent meals to internal flights. The country is generally just really, really cheap.

9. Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the most underrated countries in Asia. It’s super affordable, safe, clean, and has plenty of things to see and do.

You can easily visit Taiwan for $40-50 USD per day as food and accommodation are both super affordable. Hostels start around $10 USD while street food costs just a couple dollars (and is super tasty). There are plenty of markets, lots of hiking, convenient public transportation, and a fun nightlife. No matter what you are interested in, you can find it in Taiwan. You’ll get a lot of value here.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Taiwan.

By visiting some of these budget destinations, you’ll be able to stretch your budget and make your trip financially attainable.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. 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!

The post 9 Destinations Under $50 A Day appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love to eat.

In fact, eating is one of my favorite activities, and also one of my favorite aspects of traveling.

Food is such an integral part of so many cultures that to skip out on meals when you travel is to miss out on a part of the travel experience.

I’m always disappointed when I meet travelers who cook all their meals in a hostel kitchen or spend so much of their time just getting food at grocery stores.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, grocery stores and markets teach you a lot about a place. And you don’t need to eat out for every meal.

But why come to Italy to cook pasta in your hostel? Or skip a sushi dinner in Japan or paella in Spain?

Of course, eating out all the time is expensive. Imagine if you ate out every day while at home — your food budget would be astronomical! And, when you are traveling long term (or just on a tight budget), you have to think about making your money last.

Additionally, many people have dietary concerns that prevent them from fully embracing new foods. And many travelers are vegan or vegetarian, as well, which might impact their options.

To make sure I can eat out without breaking the bank, I have had to learn how to balance eating 99% of my meals out while still finding a way to save money. Here’s how to eat out on a budget while you travel the world:

1. Follow the Five Block Rule

I live by what I call The Five Block Rule. I don’t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There’s an invisible line at this area: tourists don’t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that’s when you want to start looking.

Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you’ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren’t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience.

2. Use Local Knowledge

If you are unsure of where to eat (and don’t like the idea of randomly wandering into restaurants), try apps where locals post reviews. I use them often to find recommendations for food in the cities and towns I visit. You can also ask the tourist office or the staff at your hostel/hotel or taxi drivers, who tend to eat at cheaper food stalls. They will have good recommendations. After all, local workers aren’t going to eat in the tourist area!

My two favorite apps are Yelp and The Fork. For vegan and vegetarian recommendations, check out Happy Cow.

3. Ask The Right Question

Be sure to ask locals the question, “Where do you eat?” not “Where should I eat?” If you ask people the second question, most people will think to send you to the popular restaurants tourists visit because that will be what comes to mind. They’ll think, “Hmmm where do visitors go eat? What’s popular in town?”

However, by asking where they eat, you will get recommendations for more local restaurants because they will tell you all the hole in the wall spots they eat at on a day-to-day basis. Small word change, much better results.

4. Eat Street Food

In most places around the world (and especially in Asia), the streets are lined with little food stalls and areas where food is cooked openly on the street. You grab a plate, sit down in a little plastic chair, and enjoy a delicious meal. Street food is some of the best food in the world. Meals at street stalls and vendors cost just a few dollars (if that) most of the time and are a great way to really experience the local cuisine.

While in Sweden, I lived off these types of vendors. In Amsterdam, FEBO and their croquettes kept my stomach full. In Costa Rica, the empanada seller filled me up for a dollar and I bought local food from vendors at markets for mere pennies in Madagascar.

Many places, like Thailand and Vietnam, for example, wouldn’t be the same if the street food disappeared. (And yes, it’s safe. The locals wouldn’t eat it otherwise.)

5. Eat Fast Food (Sometimes)

Fast food isn’t the best food, but it is another option if you want a cheap meal in inexpensive parts of the world. For as little as $5 USD (more in expensive countries like Norway, home of the $13 Whopper), you can get a filling (and hugely caloric) meal.

Sure, it’s not the greatest food, and I am going to skip the philosophical debate about traveling around the world only to eat McDonald’s to say that it’s cheap and just another way to help you rein in your spending.

6. Stick to Local Ingredients

When you’ve been traveling for a while, it’s only normal to crave a taste of home every now and then. That means that sure, sometimes I get sick of Greek food when I’ve been traveling there for a bit. Other times, I can’t eat any more Thai food and just want a burger. And that’s OK.

However, non-local food is almost always more expensive than local cuisine. For example, in Vietnam, a bowl of pho is less than a dollar, but a burger is about three times as much (or more!). Try to stick to the local cuisine as much as possible and also try to avoid any food that is imported as that will increase the price of your meal too!

7. Find the Lunch Specials

Many restaurants, especially in Europe, offer lunch specials, where items on the dinner menu are offered at a huge discount. You can get an amazing afternoon meal for a fraction of the cost you’d pay for the same meal in the evening.

I usually tend to eat my “nice” meal during lunch, because lunch specials and plates of the day are about 30–40% off what I might pay at dinner. The options will usually be more limited, but the savings more than justify it.

Sadly, there is no one website where you can find all the restaurants in the world that offer lunch specials. They vary from city to city and region to region. What you can do other than wander aimlessly around the city in hopes of finding a place (though I have done that) is to ask the tourist office or the staff at your hostel/hotel if they know where to find lunch specials. They are usually very aware of what places have specials.

8. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

As you walk around and sightsee, you need to stay hydrated. But buying a bottle of water every day is not only environmentally wasteful, it also makes foolish budget travel sense. Carry a refillable bottle of water (with a filter) with you instead and just use the tap water. I suggest a Lifestraw bottle. It ensures your water is always clean and safe — even if the tap water isn’t.

9. Cook 50% of Your Meals

I don’t cook a lot on the road as I don’t like hostel kitchens. They never have everything I need, and I hate traveling with a portable kitchen so I can have all the ingredients I want. Yet when I am in one place for a while (or if I’m Couchsurfing), I cook a few meals.

Cooking is one of the best ways to keep your travel costs down, and supermarkets are also great places to go see what the local people eat. The only place where cooking your own meals isn’t the most economical option is Asia, where street food is usually cheaper.

As I mentioned, I’ll often go out for a nicer meal at lunch when I can find a good deal. That will usually mean for dinner I’ll be cooking my own food. That way, I’ll still get to try the local cuisine but I’ll also get to keep my budget intact. Double win!

10. Have a Picnic

Another good option is to picnic. This is something I do a lot for lunch if I’m somewhere where the weather is nice. I usually head to a local food market, pick up a bunch of food, and go picnic in the park. Not only am I saving money (sandwiches aren’t expensive), but it affords me a good chance to watch the locals scurry about their daily lives.

If you’re staying at a hostel, this is a great ice-breaker for meeting new people. Just invite everyone along to join you and you’ll be making new friends in no time!

11. Use Tourism Cards

Most people think of tourist cards like the iAmsterdam card or the Oslo Pass as just a way to save money on transportation and attractions. But these cards also offer discounts at many restaurants. Typically, discounts are around 15–25%, but sometimes lunch specials can be up to 50% off.

Visit the local tourism office when you arrive and ask what food discounts are included. Chances are you’ll be able to save even more money if you just take the time to learn about the tourism pass. It’s a worthwhile investment!

12. Get Free Breakfast

If you can find hostels or hotels that include breakfast, you’ve already eliminated the cost of one meal. Plus, if you have a huge breakfast that fills you up for most of the day then you don’t need to eat as many meals out. Moreover, many hostels around the world also offer free dinners, free coffee and tea, and other food-related perks. Search them out to save money and lower your food costs.

13. Eat Where the Students Do

Where there are universities, there are students, and since students are usually broke, that means there are likely cheap places to eat nearby. Check Google Maps for local post-secondary institutions and see what you can find in the nearby area. Many bars in the area will likely have cheap drinks and happy hours too, so you can save even more.

Additionally, use Google to search for places. Type in “Student friendly restaurants in [X]” to get lots of suggestions on where to eat. You can also ask your hotel/hostel for information too.

14. Use Supermarket Deals

In many countries, supermarkets offer lunchtime specials for workers in the surrounding areas. These usually entail fresh sandwiches or some soup or salads. Additionally, many supermarkets also discount food that expires soon, including bread, baked goods, meat, and produce. For example, pre-made meals in Japan are often 50% off right before the grocery store closes because they can’t keep it overnight. Tight food laws in Scandinavia also mean that food that has “expired” is discounted too. (And, since food, especially imported meats, are so expensive in those countries, most locals buy the “expired” food).

Buy groceries in the evening and you can likely find yourself some discounted (but still totally safe and edible) food.

But, by using the tips above, I can afford to keep my costs down while still being able to afford a quality meal every so often.

And that’s what is really important — finding the right balance.

Because if you can manage to balance eating great food with saving money, both your wallet and your stomach will thank you.
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. 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!

The post How to Eat Cheap Around the World appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Finding the money for travel is one of the biggest challenges people face when it comes to taking a trip. It can take years to save up for that dream trip!

And, when people finally save up enough and hit the road, what do most of them end up doing?

They throw money away on avoidable bank fees!!

Banking overseas is more than just putting your card in an ATM and taking out money. When you travel on a budget, it involves knowing how to avoid bank fees, exchange rate penalties, and making your money work for you.

I know too many people who travel abroad and end up paying obscene bank fees when they travel.

And, these days, there’s absolutely no need to do that. You didn’t save up all this money in order to give it to the banks, right? I know I didn’t. I want to keep it all for myself because every avoided fee is more money for food, drinks, and activities on the road!

Here is how you eliminate ALL bank fees when you travel in 5 easy steps:

1. Eliminate ATM Fees

ATM fees can really add up — especially if you’re traveling for weeks or months at a time. Let’s think about it: while you’re on the road, you might withdraw money from an ATM twice a week. If you withdraw money from an international ATM with your regular debit card, you’ll be hit with three different fees:

• Your bank’s fee for using an ATM outside of their network (usually $2.50–5 USD)
• The ATM’s fee (usually $3–5 USD)
• An international conversion fee (usually 1–3% of the transaction)

As you can see, these fees very quickly add up. Fees vary around the world, but let’s say that you end up paying around $7 USD per withdrawal. That is $14 per week, $56 per month, or $672 per year! Do you know how many days you could spend in Southeast Asia for that amount? Almost three weeks!

Even if you only use the ATM once a week, that’s still $364 USD per year. And most travelers I know go to the ATM even more than twice a week, which only increases the amount in fees they pay. Why give banks money you need for travel? You worked hard saving your money — don’t waste it by giving it to a bank.

To help you avoid fees, here are four things you’ll want to do on your next trip to eliminate those pesky fees:

First, you could join a bank that is part of the Global ATM alliance, the principal international banking network. The banks listed below have agreements with one another wherein if you belong to one bank, you can use the ATMs of all the other banks without being charged an ATM fee:

• Bank of America
• Barclay’s
• BNP Paribas
• Deutsche Bank
• Scotiabank
• Westpac

Note: Bank of America charges a 3% transaction fee on all non-USD currency withdrawals, even for banks within the alliance. (Tip: Often, if you call Bank of America, they will refund most or all of this transaction fee.)

Beyond these banks, individual alliance members have additional partnerships. For example, Bank of America also waives ATM fees with TEB in Turkey, UkrSibbank in Ukraine, and China Construction Bank in China. And Westpac has an agreement with CIMB, a bank in Indonesia and Malaysia.

It’s important to note that some country subsidiaries of the above banks might not be included in the ATM Alliance. For example, if you have Bank of America, the BNP Paribas waiver only works for its France operation (not anything else) while Westpac only works in Australia and New Zealand but not Fiji.

But, in my opinion, the best U.S. bank is Charles Schwab. While Charles Schwab doesn’t have deals with any banks overseas like those mentioned above, they don’t charge any ATM fees and will reimburse any ATM fees from other institutions at the end of each month. You will need to open an individual checking account to qualify, but there is no minimum deposit required and no monthly service fee.

You’ll never pay a fee with Charles Schwab, and their ATM card can be used in any bank machine around the world. If there isn’t a branch near you, you can open an account online by going to their website. To me, this is the current BEST ATM card to have. I never, ever think about fees because of it.

Here are some suggested ATM cards for non-US travelers:

• Canada: Scotia and Tangerine are both part of the Global ATM Alliance.
• Australia: ING, Citibank, or HSBC have no fee cards.
• UK: Starling lets you avoid ATM fees abroad. Monzo has fee-free international transactions for your first 200 GBP withdrawn every 30 days.

2. Avoid Credit Card Fees

The next major fee we need to get rid of is the credit card foreign transaction fee. Many credit cards charge a 3% fee on purchases made overseas. That can add up since most of us use our credit card for everything. It’s become a lot more common for credit cards to have “no foreign transaction fees” so it’s unlikely you’ll have a card that does but be sure to ask.

My favorite no overseas transaction fee cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One, and Citi Premier, but there are tons and tons of options and you should pick the card that not only doesn’t have a fee but is good for earning points too.

For more suggestions on credit cards, including best current offers, you can find all my favorite travel cards here.

For non-US citizens, check the following websites that list cards that might not charge any overseas fees:

• Australian Frequent Flyer (Australia)
• Credit Cards UK (UK)
• Prince of Travel (Canada)
• Credit Cards Compare (New Zealand)

3. Minimize the Exchange Rate “Penalty”

Every time you use your card overseas, your local bank converts the transaction into your local currency for billing purposes and takes a little off the top for doing so. Thus, the official rate you see online is not what you actually get. That’s the interbank rate and, unless you become a major bank, you’re not going to get that rate. All we can do is get as close to that rate as possible. To do so, you need to:

Use a credit card -Credit card companies get the best rates. Using a credit card will get you an exchange rate closest to the official interbank currency rate so avoid an ATM or cash if you can.

Use an ATM – ATMs offer the best exchange rate after credit cards. They aren’t as good as credit cards since commercial banks take a little more off the top, but it’s much better than exchanging cash. Money exchange offices offer the worst rates because they are so far down the food chain, they can’t get the best exchange rate (plus, they usually charge a commission as well).

Don’t use ATMs in weird locations – Using those ATMs you find in hotels, hostels, local 7-11s, or some other random place is a bad idea. They’re convenient, but you’ll pay for that convenience. They always charge high ATM fees and offer horrible conversion rates. Skip those ATMs and find a major bank.
 

4. Don’t Change Money at Airports

Most exchange bureaus in airports are so far down the financial food chain they don’t have the clout to offer good exchange rates. The rates you see at airports are the worst — never, ever use an exchange bureau there unless you absolutely have to.

Another tip: avoid using the company Travelex at all costs. They have the worst rates and fees. Never, never use them. Avoid their ATMs too!
 

5. Always Pick the Local Currency

When you use your credit card abroad, you will often be given the option to be charged in your home currency (i.e., instead of being charged in euros, they will charge you in US dollars). Never say yes. The rate at which they are converting the currency is always worse than the rate your bank will give you.

Pick the local currency and let your credit card company make the conversion. You’ll get a better rate and save some money in the process.
 

6. Don’t Get Currency at Home (and Skip Foreign Currency Cards!)

While buying currency at home might seem like a good idea, you’ll end up getting a worse exchange rate. Unless you are 100% sure you’ll need cash right on arrival, avoid exchanging money in your home country.

Airports all have ATMs where you can withdraw money if you desperately need it. (However, I suggest you wait until you get to your destination and withdraw money downtown/from an ATM away from the airport. You’ll get a much better rate and pay a much lower fee. Use your credit card on arrival and then get cash later.)

Additionally, avoid any “foreign currency cards” where you can pre-load money and lock in the exchange rate. Seems like a good idea, right? Wrong! You are basically trying to predict the exchange rate and betting you can beat the market. You’re saying this rate is not going to get worse, but what if it gets better? You don’t know! (And, if you do know, you should be placing bets in the market.) Moreover, these cards come with a lot of fees that don’t make them worth it. Just avoid them.

Bonus: Make Your Money Work For You

Saved a bunch of money for your trip? Have it earn extra money! Interest rates are around 4% right now so you can have your money earn something while you’re away. It’s not like you withdraw it all at once, right? I keep my money in a high-yield savings account rather than in a big bank! Here is a list of some of the current highest yields you can get:

Be smart and bank smart. I haven’t paid a bank fee while traveling the world in over fifteen years and you shouldn’t either.

And, with these simple tips, you’ll never have to again.

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The post How to Avoid Paying Bank Fees While Traveling appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home?

That’s what house swaps promise.

House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb.

But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb).

House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place.

The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange.

And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swap and help you decide if HomeExchange is right for you.

What is HomeExchange?

Founded in 1992, HomeExchange is a network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. The company actually started as a mail-ordered printed directory before moving online. Today, there are over 200,000 members in over 155 countries. It’s the biggest and most popular house swap platform.

Currently, it costs $220 USD per year for unlimited swaps.

It’s easy to use too. You just have to make a free account, fill in your profile (including plenty of photos and detailed descriptions of your home), verify your identity, and pay the fee.

Once you do that, you’re ready to start looking for exchange opportunities.

You can find home exchange opportunities by simply browsing the website (there’s a handy map function so you can see where opportunities are) or narrowing your search by using the website’s filters. You can filter by the number of bedrooms, if it’s pet friendly, accessibility, and amenities (like swimming pools).

When you find a home you’re interested in, all you need to do is reach out via HomeExchange’s secure messaging system, express your interest, and get the conversation rolling.

Here’s what one of my readers has to say about using it:

We have been members of this service since 2005 and have enjoyed over 60 exchanges all over the world. It is an absolutely wonderful way to explore the world and we have been to so many great places. You enjoy the comfort of a home and explore more fully the areas you are staying in at just the cost of your yearly membership. We thoroughly recommend it. – Lyn and Jed

Now, one things to keep in mind is that there are two types of exchanges: what HomeExchange calls “The Classic Exchange” and an “Exchange with GuestPoints”.

Classic Exchange
The Classic Exchange is probably what you think of when you think of a home exchange: you stay in someone’s home, and in exchange, they stay in yours. This can be at the same time or at different times, but the main point is that it’s reciprocal.

But what if you want to stay in someone’s home and they’re not interested in coming to yours? That’s where GuestPoints (GP) come in.

What are GuestPoints?
GuestPoints (GP) are HomeExchange’s point system. You’ll get 500 when you sign up and you earn more by hosting members at your home.

If you want to stay somewhere that doesn’t want to do a classic exchange, you can give them GP to stay in their home. They can then use those points to stay in someone else’s home.

The number of points required varies per stay, but it’s generally between 100-320 GP per night. That means with your bonus welcome points you’ll be able to give the platform a try right away!

Is HomeExchange Safe?

Staying in a stranger’s house can feel odd. I get it. But using HomeExchange is very safe. Much like sites like Airbnb, users have to verify their identity and submit proof of address and create a profile, so you can see photos of where you are staying before you go.

Additionally, you have to pay a $500 USD deposit when you book a home. That means that if you accidentally break something in the home you are renting, the homeowner can use that deposit to recover the cost. HomeExchange also includes damage coverage up to $1,000,000 USD, which means you really don’t need to worry about damage to your house.

Additionally, HomeExchange has a Compliance Guarantee that states that if the accommodation does not meet the initial home description, they will offer an alternative solution.

On top of that, if your swap cancels last minute, HomeExchange will provide compensation of up to $840 USD/week if you cannot find a replacement.

But perhaps most importantly, every guest on HomeExchange is also a host. That imbues the system with mutual respect and trust. Members treat homes how they want their own home to be treated, which ensures that the community stays respectful and considerate.

So, in short, it’s a safe platform that you can use with confidence. They also have 24/7 support in case you have questions or run into a problem or emergency.

What I Liked About HomeExchange

For me, the main draw for using HomeExchange is that it lets you live like a local. It’s like a mix between Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Homeowners can share their favorite things to see and do, give you personalized suggestions on where to eat, and so much more. You’re able to get all kinds of insider tips and advice that you wouldn’t otherwise, and I think that is vital for getting off the beaten path and deepening your travels.

Another great perk is their private Facebook group. It’s another awesome way to connect with fellow travelers and get travel tips and advice that you won’t find elsewhere. I’m a big fan of travel Facebook groups as you can really get a ton of great tips and info from them.

Also, if you don’t find a swap in your first year, HomeExchange waives the fee for the second year. That’s a nice bonus and something that I think new members who don’t travel a ton will really appreciate.

Plus, I also love that homes are available in 155 different countries and there are over 200,000 members so you do get a lot of options. There’s 24/7 customer support and they will help you out financially if your swap cancels so you aren’t left in the lurch and stuck in a new city!

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Exchange

Can I do a home exchange if I rent (not own) my place?
Yes! You just need to verify the guest policy in your rental agreement/lease. When in doubt, let your landlord know so there aren’t any surprises.

Can I do a home exchange if I have pets?
Yes! Just be sure to list your pets and their needs in your profile. If you have pets that will be staying at home, be sure to detail their needs and communicate clearly with the member who may be staying there. If you live with pets but they are traveling with you, you’ll still want to list their presence in case of allergies. If you want to travel somewhere and stay in another member’s home with your pet, again you need to be clear about this when arranging a potential exchange.

Can I host people in my spare room as an exchange?
Yes. Just be sure to indicate that this is the situation in your listing by selecting “private room” rather than “whole unit.” Also, communicate clearly when arranging the exchange so everyone knows what they’re signing up for!

Is there a minimum number of nights required for an exchange?
There is no site-wide minimum number of nights, though you will find that many hosts do set their own minimums (generally 3-7 days). If you’re traveling for an exchange though, you’ll likely find you’ll want to stay at least that long!

HomeExchange is a great platform for people who want the perks and comforts of a private home in a local neighborhood but on a budget. Additionally, this is a great way to connect with a family. I think sharing a home creates a sense of intimacy and you might make some friends out of it. It’s like adult Couchsurfing and I made a lot of friends when I used that.

It’s a cool platform that can help you have more unique, affordable travels while also connecting you to interesting locals who can share their tips and insider advice.

Click here to learn more and sign up today!

The post The Best Website for House Swaps? My HomeExchange Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.