How to Save Money to Travel

Many people dream of traveling the world one day, but it’s hard to save money to travel as often as you’d like to. If you want to begin saving for your dream trip or an upcoming vacation, it’s easy to get your travel fund started. You can kickstart your travel savings by cutting your expenses, budgeting your money, and choosing cheaper travel options and accommodations.

EditSteps

EditSaving Money Quickly

1. Deposit money from each paycheck into your savings account automatically. Decide how much you can afford to save, such as 5-10% of your income. Once you get paid, move that money from your checking account into savings so you can’t spend it. Be sure to commit to saving the same amount or an increasing amount each month to build your savings.^[1]
   
   • You may be able to file paperwork with your employer so that a certain percentage of your paycheck is “direct deposited” into your savings account, rather than your checking account. That way, you won’t have to transfer the money yourself.
2. Cut unnecessary spending to increase the amount you can save. Try to limit the amount that you spend on non-essentials, like entertainment, dining out at restaurants, or general shopping. Avoid going to clubs, bars, or cinemas until you have enough money for your trip- and if you do go the cinema, bring your own snacks and sit in standard seats; you don't need to pay extra to see the film in 3D or eat overpriced snacks in the premium seats. At the end of the month, transfer the money you didn’t spend from your checking account into to your savings.^[2]
   
   • For example, if you normally spend $150 per month on eating at restaurants, you can limit that to $50 per month and add the extra $100 to your savings.
3. Get a part-time job to fund your travel if you have spare time. If you have extra time in your day and aren’t able to reach your savings goal through budgeting, apply to work at a restaurant, bar, or retail store. These jobs normally have flexible schedules and pay a bit above minimum wage, which can allow you to save an extra $200-$500 per month, depending on the job and how much you’re able to work.^[3]
   
   • Jobs like waiting tables and bartending are popular for making quick money since you often get cash tips and can begin saving immediately. These jobs also allow you to work weekends and evenings if you have a day job.
4. Sell used books, clothes, and furniture to make extra money for your trip. Go through your items to see what you don’t want or need anymore. Look for places like consignment stores and used book stores to sell clothes and books. If you want to sell the items yourself, host a garage sale or post the items on an online marketplace, like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Gumtree, eBay or Amazon.^[4]
   
   • Make sure all items that you’re trying to sell are in good condition with no damage or missing parts.
5. Call your utility providers to see how you can lower your bill. Most utility companies keep track of how much gas, water, and electricity you use, and may have suggestions for lowering your costs. Try leaving the lights off, taking shorter showers, and programming your thermostat to adjust to a cooler or warmer temperature when you aren’t at home.^[5]
   
   • Try contacting your phone provider, as well, and opt for the cheapest plan available to save money. This might help you save an additional $30-$50 per month.
6. Take public transport or walk to cut the costs associated with driving. If you usually drive, check the bus or train timetable, and purchase a pass to use your city’s public transport. For close destinations, try cycling or walking to get where you need to go. By doing so, you can save on parking passes, paying for petol, and any mechanical issues. Depending on where you live, choosing public transport can help you save as much as $13,000 annually!^[6]
   
   • Normally, monthly transportation passes cost around $50-$100 and can be used to pay for multiple trips per day.
   • If you’re a student, check with your university to see if you can use your student I.D. for free or discounted passes.
   • Some employers provide a commuting incentive for employees who take public transport to cover the cost of the pass. Be sure to ask your manager if this is an option before you buy the pass!

EditBudgeting for Your Trip

1. Track your spending closely for 1 month to see where your money goes. Use an app to enter all of your purchases or write down how much you spend in a notebook. Be sure to keep track of everything and save any receipts so you can categorize where you’re spending most of your money.^[7]
   
   • If you don’t want to wait a month to start saving, try looking over your bank statements for the past month to see how much you’re spending.
2. Decide how much money you want to save for the trip. Start researching your expected expenses for the trip, like airfare, lodging, food, entertainment, and transportation in your destination. As a general rule, plan to save about $400 for spending money for each week of your trip, plus additional money for transportation and lodging throughout that time.^[8]
   
   • For example, if you were planning to take a month-long trip to a foreign country, you should save at least $1,500 for spending money plus the cost of a flight and a hotel room.
   • While you can get by with spending less, it’s better to have more than you need. When you come back from your trip, you can always put that extra money toward your next trip.
3. Create a detailed budget that includes saving for travel expenses. Take the information that you gathered from tracking your spending and break it into categories. Budget money for fixed expenses, like rent or a mortgage, utilities, Internet, transportation, savings, and insurance. Then, make a category for expenses that fluctuate, like shopping, entertainment, and eating at restaurants.^[9]
   
   • Remember to make savings a “fixed” expense, since you’ll need to commit to saving a certain amount each month for your trip.
4. Use rewards credit cards only if you can pay off the expense immediately. There are plenty of credit cards that offer rewards points and cashback for travel-related expenses, like airfare and hotel rooms. However, you should try to avoid going into debt for your trip, since high interest rates can negate the money saved from cashback or rewards points.^[10]
   
   • If you’re planning to use a rewards card to purchase something for your trip, transfer the money directly from your savings account to pay off the card as soon as possible.

EditSpending Less on Your Trip

1. Travel during the off-season to save on airfare and lodging. Most tourist destinations are busier during popular vacation times, like holidays and school vacations. Try to travel during less popular months, which can vary depending on the destination. Research online before booking your flight to see when the peak season for that location is.^[11]
   
   • If you’re looking to go to a seasonal destination, like a ski resort, try to plan for the very beginning or end of the season for the best rates.
2. Be flexible with your travel dates to get the best deals on airfare. When you’re searching for a flight, be sure to select the option for “flexible” dates. This means that you’d be willing to fly on any day of the week regardless of the length of your trip. Try searching for flights on aggregate websites, like Momondo and Kayak, which have flexible options.^[12]
   
   • If you need to depart or arrive on a certain date, try to make the other leg of your trip flexible to save some money.
3. Stay in a hostel rather than a hotel to save money on hotel rooms. If you’re going to a popular tourist destination, try looking for availability in hostels, which have shared sleeping and common spaces. If you’re comfortable sharing a room or bathroom with a stranger for a few nights, this is a great option.^[13]
   
   • Remember to look up reviews of the hostel before booking your stay, especially if you’re traveling alone. If previous guests have reported feeling unsafe or have had things stolen, opt for a different lodging arrangement.
4. Visit attractions and events that don’t have an admission fee. When you’re in a new city, visit places like museums and public exhibitions, which normally don’t have an entrance fee on certain days of the week. If you’re not sure where to go, try searching online for “free things to do” in the city where you’re staying.^[14]
   
   • For example, museums in New York City have a free admission day once per month. While they tend to be more crowded on these days, it’s a great way to see art, history, or science exhibits without using your spending money.
5. Search for discounts online before purchasing tickets to events or attractions. If you’re planning to visit popular tourist attractions, search the name of the attraction plus the word “coupon” or “discount” online first. Use sites like GroupOn or membership groups like AAA and AARP to find special discounts on tickets.^[15]
   
   • You might also be able to get discounts or rewards points for using a credit card to purchase the tickets. However, keep in mind that you should pay off the card as soon as possible to avoid interest charges.

EditTips

• Before you depart on your trip, make sure your bags aren’t too heavy. If they’re over a specific weight, you may have to use some of your money to pay for a checked bag fee!

EditReferences

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