How to afford travel has to be the most asked question people wonder about frequent travelers. Having the money to afford travel is one of the biggest obstacles readers share with me in their emails.
I travel a lot and I started doing so on a teacher’s salary. I didn’t hit the jackpot or get an inheritance to make my travel dreams a reality. Instead, I spent a lot of time researching different ways to travel more for less and found what works.
So, in this guide, I’ll share with you my tips and strategies for how to afford to travel more, including how to get a return on your everyday spending and how to travel for less.
How I Afford to Travel
The majority of people (myself included) are just regular people with jobs, bills to pay, and groceries to buy. Saving for travel can easily feel like an impossible task!
Now, many of you know, how I afford to travel is by redeeming travel credit card, airline, and hotel miles and points for just about all of the trips I take. These award travel bookings have allowed me countless free travel opportunities.
If you’re a miles and points skeptic, let me assure you I am proof that you can travel the world for way less than you might ever imagine when you earn and maximize travel rewards points and miles.
But, I also put the time and effort into learning the ins and outs of miles and points and how to redeem them for the best value. (If you’re interested in learning more about this, get started with my free basics course.)
So, I totally get that many people don’t have the time or the interest in applying for travel credit cards and studying airline award charts. This doesn’t mean all hope is lost when it comes to travel bucket lists, though! There’s never just 1 path to success.
How to Afford Travel Without Points and Miles
I’ve also seen firsthand 2 strategies for affording travel without miles and points.
First is having a long-term strategy that includes making the money you already spend on bills and everyday things work harder for you so you can afford more travel in the long run.
Second is knowing how to save money when you book flights, hotels, and rental cars, as well as how to penny-pinch things like activities, tours, food, and local transportation. These costs can add up quickly if you’re not prepared or don’t know better.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at both of these strategies.
How to Afford Travel: Making Your Money Work Harder
Don’t you just get so annoyed when you see a bit of travel advice telling you to skip your morning coffee so that you can afford that trip to Spain?!?
A lot of advice about affording travel includes giving up simple pleasures or never again going out on a Saturday night. Like diets and New Year’s Resolutions, this just isn’t entirely realistic!
However, I’m also not naive. I realize money doesn’t grow on trees and having a tight budget is a real thing.
Prioritize Your Money for Travel.
There’s certainly no denying that budgeting money for travel instead of eating out or making an impulse buy will help your travel savings grow. I don’t spend carelessly and I focus on needs versus things I want because I’d much rather be in Italy than carrying the trendiest bag.
The compromise is finding where you can cut back without feeling deprived.
Let’s say you set a goal to eliminate $50 worth of spending each month and then deliberately and automatically put that money in a travel savings account. Out of sight and mind and at the end of each month, you could see your extra money become $600 by the end of the year without even realizing it.
And while it may not seem like a lot, $600 (or more) goes a long way in many different countries. Depending on your destination and when you want to travel, that money could even be enough to pay for your flight.
Get a Return on the Money Your Spending.
But prioritizing your money only goes so far. That’s why I like to think of it as the icing rather than the cake.
For most of us, we have apartments, houses, cars, kids, and pets. We need to cook something for dinner, feed the dog, buy household goods and furniture, pay for school supplies, do home repairs, and pay for everything else that comes with daily life.
So, why not have the money you’re spending earn cashback rewards on every dollar?
This transforms “how do I save for travel” into using what you’re spending on everyday goods to simultaneously build a travel fund.
I’m all for throwing spare change in a jar, but what I’m getting at is making the money you already need to spend work harder for you. It’s a simple habit shift to spend your money smarter. Once you start doing this, it turns the idea of traditional ways of saving money for travel on its ear.
You don’t need a travel rewards credit card or a cashback credit card to get started or do this. (although one will only supercharge this strategy) A debit card will also work, too, so not worry if you’d rather use that.
You do need a Rakuten account and the willingness to make a few extra clicks when you shop online. Both are free.
Ready to see how?
How to Earn Money for Travel (with the money you already spend)
The premise is simple.
In case you’re not familiar with Rakuten, it’s an online shopping portal that lets you earn cashback for the money you already spend at many of the stores where you probably already shop. But don’t misinterpret the words “shopping portal” as a place to spend on things you don’t need.
On the contrary, it’s about spending smarter, not spending more.
Here’s how it works.
- Sign up for a Rakuten account.
- Go to Rakuten when you need to make a purchase online.
- Select the merchant where you’d like to shop.
- Click on the merchant and be redirected to their website.
- Shop normally as you would have if you had just gone directly to the merchant’s website.
And if you’re not a big online shopper, no worries.
You can still sign up for a Rakuten account. Then, using the website or the app, browse in-store cashback offers and link them to the debit or credit card you plan to pay with. You can buy what you need in the store and still earn cashback rewards.
Depending on each merchant’s cashback earn rate, which fluctuates all the time, you’ll earn a percentage back on every dollar you spend.
Imagine if every time you bought things like paper products, pet food, clothing, makeup, and home improvement products you earned cashback rewards. Instead of simply buying that bag of dog food and a new pair of sneakers and getting nothing back, a percentage of what you spent is set aside in your Rakuten account.
Could those cashback rewards help you afford a flight? How many nights could it get you in a hotel? Maybe that cashback could pay for your rental car or the cost of meals or activities on your next trip.
After all, cash is travel in your hands for wherever you want to go, whenever you have the time off to travel.
Every time you buy the things you would normally buy without earning a return on what you’re spending is like washing money down the drain. You work hard for your money and it should work hard for you.
And remember, if you already have a cashback rewards credit card (again, not necessary), these cashback earnings from Rakuten would be in addition to the cashback earnings from your card.
Consider the average American family has a household income of between $65k and $80k and spends, on average, $1500 a month on food, household goods, personal items, and other everyday needs. This doesn’t even factor in housing, transportation, or healthcare costs.
The bottom line is every penny counts, especially when you’re hoping to afford more travel.
Yes, I use miles and points to treat my travel bug. As a result, I don’t spend any money without first seeing what I can get as a return in the form of travel rewards. For me, I use Rakuten to earn rewards, but instead of cashback, I earn American Express Membership Rewards points. I have an Amex travel rewards credit card so I have the choice to choose between cashback and points.
However, you can do the same without an Amex card and earn cashback for every dollar you spend on everyday goods by shopping through Rakuten.
So, think about the money you spend every month on unavoidable daily life stuff, and then think of the places on your travel bucket list. You could be on a flight heading there sooner than you think, especially when you can earn upwards of 15% back on every dollar you spend.
How to Afford Travel: Finding the Best Deals
The second strategy for affording travel is to learn how to save money on flights, hotels, rental cars, activities, local transportation, and food. All of this adds up and can be the difference between affording a trip and not.
If you want to save money on your travel costs, it’s important to remember that flexibility is the key! It’s THE differentiator among people who spend less on their travels. So, be flexible with everything you can, from dates to airports, time of year, and even destination.
Search for Cheap Flights.
Use airfare aggregator sites like Google Flights, Momondo, and Skyscanner to compare prices across airlines and online booking platforms. These flight search tools pull in all the data and display the results based on the best options for your itinerary.
Follow cheap flight websites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal to catch deals as they happen or even take advantage of a mistake airfare. You can even join a cheap flights service, like Matt’s cheap flights. You’ll get emails with cheap flight alerts in real-time so you can snap up a good deal right when it comes along.
Remember to be as flexible as possible with your dates or airports. It’s the easiest way to manufacture potential savings and afford travel.
Read more about how to find cheaper prices on flights in this Best Websites for Cheap Flights guide.
Let the Destination Pick You.
Were you thinking of going to Rome but a bargain airfare came up for Madrid instead? Book it!
You’ll either discover a new destination or you can figure out how to cheaply get from Madrid to Rome.
I’ve changed my destination several times after seeing a flight deal or stumbling upon available award seats for a destination I didn’t initially search for. This is one of the best ways to “afford travel!”
Tools like Google Flights, Momondo, and Skyscanner all have “explore” features that allow you to search regions like Europe or Asia. You can also view prices across a map and, in some cases, choose a theme like beach or city.
It’s a great way to save money by taking advantage of the best prices while still planning a trip to somewhere exciting and new.
Choose a Destination with a Favorable Currency Exchange.
Affording an international trip comes with an added budget challenge. You’re at the mercy of the local currency’s exchange rate. Yet, one way to get ahead of this is to travel to countries where you get more for your money.
Places like Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe are full of amazing destinations no matter what type of trip you’re looking for. And the best part is you can find cheap accommodation that’s still quite nice, as well as eat and enjoy local sights for a lot less.
On my first trip to Thailand and Cambodia, I couldn’t believe how cheaply I could eat (street food and otherwise) or get around on local transportation. My money went so much farther than it would have in other places. Even experiences like my cooking class in Chiang Mai were half the price it might have been in a western European country.
Know How to Land Hotel Deals.
Hotel stays can add up to more than the plane ticket depending on where you want to stay. But there are a few strategies to help you save money on travel.
Of course, you could choose to stay at hostels or budget hotels. These can often be booked for little money and often come with the option of dorm rooms or a private room.
However, if you want a hotel room with more than just a few basics, search for hotels in your price range. Be flexible with your dates because sometimes just a simple change by a day or so can save you hundreds of dollars.
Most importantly, book a fully refundable rate. This lets you feel comfortable that you have a place to stay but if you find something cheaper, you can cancel and rebook at the lower price.
You can also look at price breaks at mystery hotels. Online booking sites like Priceline or Hotwire offer these types of deals. The risk is you don’t know the hotel beforehand and these rates are typically not refundable. The upside though could mean saving a good amount of money.
Take advantage of hotel loyalty programs to get access to members-only pricing. Look at memberships like AARP and AAA that have discounted hotel pricing for their members.
And remember, if you’re booking through the hotel chain directly (i.e. Hilton, IHG, etc) or an online booking site (i.e. Expedia), go to Rakuten to see if the merchant participates and earn cashback on your reservation.
Look at Apartment and Home Rentals, too.
Booking an apartment or entire home can be more economical than a hotel, particularly with families and larger groups of travelers who want to avoid booking multiple hotel rooms.
Apartment and home rentals also allow you to buy food at the local grocery store and cook meals at the rental. Even preparing just breakfast each day can save a lot of money. Here are a few of my favorites when booking apartment and home rentals.
- Booking (They’re not just hotels! They have lots of apartments & homes, too!)
- VRBO
- Homes & Villas by Marriott (Earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for rentals.)
- Plum Guide
You might even consider becoming a housesitter with a service like TrustedHousesitters, where you can stay in places around the globe for free in exchange for watching the house and, usually, a pet. This slow travel style comes with the upside of getting to immerse yourself in a new place and free accommodation!
Only Rent a Car When Needed.
It rarely makes sense to drive around big cities so plan to do your sightseeing on foot or with the help of public transportation. Many places have trains and buses that connect cities and towns.
Check for subway ride cards that last for a set number of days and let you take an unlimited number of rides during that time. In some modernized metro systems, tap-and-go payment systems are not only very convenient but also will cap the amount you’ll pay on any given day. Meaning the more you ride, the more you save.
If you need a rental car, use Kayak to compare prices and only rent the car for the days you need. Don’t rent a bigger car than what you need and pass on any of the extras like GPS or a toll responder. And always choose to return the car with a full tank instead of having the rental car company charge you for refueling.
Learn more rental car tips in this guide. Plus, I share my best rental car hack that saves me money nearly every time I rent a car for a trip.
Activities and Tours Don’t Have to Break the Bank.
When something in a destination is free, it makes it that much easier to afford travel! So, take advantage of free tours, activities, and events when you travel.
- Most cities have free walking tours where just a tip is appreciated at the end.
- Museums often have free days and times during a given week or month.
- Check local tourism websites before you travel for information on free events like concerts or theater in the park.
Of course, not everything is free, especially admission tickets to popular places. But in most places, preparation and research can make all the difference to your bottom line.
Remember, the travel industry is banking on your lack of knowledge about a new place and knows that you don’t want to miss out on something good. Attraction and tour representatives will try to sell you tickets for tourist sights like the Statue of Liberty or the Tower of London. It’s easy to feel pressured if you haven’t done your homework.
Before you travel, look at Groupon for your destination to check for local deals on sights and activities.
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, don’t buy separate tickets for each place. Bundle these costs with a city sightseeing card instead. Not only do you get entry to many popular sights, they often come with other discounts and skip-the-line privileges.
For example, CityPASS can help you save money in New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Franciso, Seattle, and more. Go City passes bundle costs in cities like Paris, London, Stockholm, and others.
Have a Food Plan.
Food costs can quickly add up if you’re not careful.
One of the biggest reasons is that restaurants in touristy areas are usually a lot more expensive than other neighborhoods.
Instead, explore the area on foot and choose cafes and restaurants that are at least a few blocks from popular sights. (i.e. Don’t eat in Times Square or across from the Colosseum in Rome.) And, try not to wait until you’re starving! You’ll be tempted to grab the first thing you see.
Look for food trucks and food carts. They can be a cheap and quick option. Shop at local markets for snacks and prepared foods so you have them with you and don’t need to eat out for every meal.
Lastly, think about how your hotel can help offset or add to your food costs. Places where you can cook or even hotels that provide free breakfast can be a good deal.
But it’s also worth it to check your hotel price without breakfast included to see what premium you’re paying. You might discover it’s quite high and breakfast at a local cafe will be much better for your travel budget.
Look for Unique Travel Opportunities.
In addition to visiting the cheapest destinations, there are a lot of opportunities for free travel if you’re willing to work or volunteer. You typically still need to pay for your flight but a place to stay and sometimes meals are included or come at a very low cost. (Think $10 a night cheap.)
For example, I’ve used Volunteer Latin America to find volunteer opportunities in South America. My nephew and I stayed with a local family in a small village in Ecuador while helping to build a hostel. On weekends, we had time to set off on fun excursions like visiting the cloud forest in Mindo.
But there are other platforms like WWOOF where you can volunteer at organic farms around the world in exchange for room and (possibly) board. You might be interested in teaching English abroad or even working aboard a cruise ship. Vaughn Town in Spain, for example, welcomes Native English speakers as volunteers to help people there practice their conversation skills.
With an opportunity like one of these, you can not only afford to travel but also experience a place in a way that’s totally different from a typical tourist. In some cases, you can stay for a long time or hop between experiences to travel full-time.
How to Afford Travel Bottom Line
It’s absolutely possible to afford to travel with the right strategies.
Get a cashback return on your everyday spending with Rakuten. Consider pairing it with a cashback or travel rewards credit card to maximize your earnings. Prioritize your spending on the things that you need and see what you might be able to set aside in a travel bank account.
Save money on your travel expenses with research and preparation. In the same way you’d look for deals, comparison shop, and use promo codes and coupons back home in your daily life, apply this same logic to your trip budget and your travel mentality to save as much as possible.
How do you afford to travel?
Like this post? Please share it on social media using the share buttons below.
