Solo travel has so many perks, but it can also be expensive. Rather than splitting hotel rooms or rental cars with friends, those expenses are all yours. They can add up quickly! Thankfully, there are many ways to cut costs and stretch your dollar. Here are my top 8 tips on how to save money while traveling solo!
Travel in the Shoulder Season
“Shoulder Season” is the term to define the bookends of “Peak Season” in a given destination. Shoulder season is without a doubt my favorite time to travel to destinations. In addition to cheaper prices, you’ll also find fewer crowds and have a more comfortable trip! Prices for flights and hotels are all based on supply and demand, so of course everything is going to be more expensive in peak seasons. In Europe, peak season is typically in the summer months from May-September. In the winter, demand for the Caribbean skyrockets. If you’re unsure when peak season is for your destination, do a quick Google search!
Being flexible with your travel plans and traveling outside of the peak times is the easiest way to save money. Hotels, flights, and even attractions discount their prices during these seasons to try and drive more people in. Plus, you may get cooler weather which, in my opinion, is always favorable.
Tip: Make sure you do a little research to ensure the attractions and sites you want to see are open outside of peak season! I ran into some setbacks when I traveled to Banff in May.
Utilize Points and Miles
This is a topic that is constantly changing, and one that could be talked about for hours. In the interest of keeping it brief, before you book any flight or hotel with cash, make sure you explore your points and miles options to see if you can get a better deal. Check all your credit card transfer partners and cross check airline alliances. I personally use the app that The Points Guy recently released. I find it really helpful! If you do end up paying cash, make sure you are using a card that will give you a maximum return on your purchase (no less than 3x/dollar)!
Several loyalty programs (such as Hilton and JetBlue, among others) also give you the option to combine cash and points. While this could be a good way to save money, make sure you do a little math before checking out. The cash:points ratio is often very uneven and could leave you with a drained points account and very little cash saved. Sometimes it’s “cheaper” to pay the full amount in cash and save the points for when you can redeem them for something in full!
Stay in Airbnbs or cheap(er) hotels
Note the importance if the “(er)” in this. The distinction between cheap and cheapish makes a big difference. Nothing can ruin a trip more than a bad hotel will! I once spent the night in Indianapolis on a night where there was a huge sports tournament in town. Therefore, all moderately priced hotel rooms in the city were virtually wiped out. I decided to book on the cheaper end, since I would be checking in late and out early, and didn’t need anything fancy. Let me tell you, these 12 hours were some of the worst I’ve experienced while traveling. The entire room smelled (and the smell got into my suitcase and all my clothes), I felt dirty even sitting on the bed or walking on the floor, and it put such a damper on the trip.
Airbnbs can also be a great option when looking to save money and get a more authentic experience. In smaller cities, you can find some amazing properties to stay in for cheap. I’ve stayed in a beautiful apartment in Memphis for $40/night, an amazing beach bungalow in Charleston for $60/night, and a gorgeous penthouse suite in Puerto Rico for $75/night. Be mindful: the cleaning and service fees (and depending on location- taxes, too) can add up quickly. Make sure you take these into consideration and plan for them accordingly.
Follow the “4 S’ Rule”
I follow the “4 S’ Rule” when it comes to accommodations: Shit, Shower, Sleep, Safety.
For me, that’s all you need when it comes to accommodations. After all, you didn’t come all this way to spend all your time in the room, did you?! You’ll spend most of your time out exploring, so all you need is a clean and safe place to take care of your basic needs. With regards to hotels, I find myself usually looking at the 2-3 star range (think Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard by Marriott, etc.). All reputable chains that cover all your “S’s”! I also avoid hotels with external doors as much as possible, for an added level of safety and piece of mind.
Don’t eat out for every meal
Not necessarily a hard and fast rule, but it’s something I try to be mindful of during my planning. Eating out is often one of the best parts of exploring new places, but can also be one of the most expensive. During my planning, if there are restaurants that are on my “must-do” list, I’ll plan ahead and try to break them up into separate days or spread them out (which also helps make it feel more special).
Typically one of my first stops after landing is to find a Wal-Mart, Target, or other large grocery store to pick up a few cheap essentials for the trip. Whether in town for two days or ten, grabbing some snacks, drinks, and other necessities will save you money in the long run. I will typically grab a box of granola bars or bananas to have for breakfast in the mornings. For the afternoon munches, a bag of chips or pretzels to keep in the car is ideal. Finally, a small case of water or juice boxes to keep in the car and take out during the day with you will also help save you money. Sometimes it’s hard to swallow landing in a new place and immediately dropping $50 at a grocery store. However, eating out for one meal alone can cost you $50 in itself!
Tip: Take advantage of the lunch specials!
Most restaurants offer their same menus for both dinner and lunch, but at different prices. Lunchtime is usually in less demand than dinner is, so they adjust their prices accordingly. Book a table for a later lunch (or “linner”) to help hold you over the rest of the day.
Take advantage of free events
Before your trip, take some time to google free upcoming events in your destination. You’d be amazed at how much comes up! Many cities advertise this information, and is fairly easy to find. For example, here is an example to New York City’s page where free events are advertised. Whether it’s street fairs, concerts in the park, or walking tours, you’ll feel great knowing you’re stretching your dollar. Plus, these events help immerse you into the culture of your destination!
Bundle car rentals and airfare
This is something that I discovered very recently. I could kick myself for all the money I’ve wasted in the past by not doing this! Normally when you book airfare online, one of the final stages is them asking about add-ons to your trip. The old me used to click past this page as fast as possible. I was convinced I could find a better deal on my own.
Turns out, these are often pretty good deals! Many airlines partner with rental car companies to give discounted rates when you book flights. Most of the time, you need to take advantage of these offers at the time of booking. However, sometimes you have the option to add them on through a link in your booking confirmation.
Tip: do a little research before you book your flight to see what websites like Priceline, Kayak, etc. are offering for rental cars on your dates so you know what to expect.
Buy tickets in advance
Top attractions tend to offer tickets to be purchased online in advance, and often at a discount. A 10-20% savings may not sound like a lot, but every dollar saved is a dollar you can spend on your trip in another way. While visiting British Columbia once, I wanted to ride their famous Sea-to-Sky Gondola. When I got to the window I realized that tickets purchased in advance could save $10. So I went back to my car, bought them online, and then immediately went to the line to board. It can really be that simple!
Tip: Always do a quick google search before checking out. Reputable sites like Viator, Trip Advisor, or even Groupon can offer the same experience (or even package deals) at a discount. I once saved $50 on a full day island tour in the Azores by literally google searching the exact name and company of the tour. I was able to book through Trip Advisor instead and save a good chunk of money.
Research your “On the Ground” Costs
A rule of thumb on every aspect of travel, but doing a bit of leg work up front can lead to some serious savings.
Learn about your destination before you book. Look into what the “on the ground costs” will look like before you book. While you may get a killer deal on airfare, it might not be always worth it if you are traveling to a notoriously expensive destination like Scandinavia or Switzerland. Rental cars on islands tend to be pricier as well, since they know your options are limited. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are famous for their high cost of living. Expect to pay more on everything from a bottle of water to a sit-down dinner in these cities.
Tip: Map out a rough outline of your trip, and consider the costs associated with it.
Did you find a great hotel deal slightly outside of town, but now you’ll need to take the train to and from the city? Consider the cost of the round trip train ticket every day. It may end up being cheaper to stay at a more expensive hotel in the city to save on daily round-trip tickets. Is something on your “must do” list a 30 minute drive away? Go on to Uber’s app and plug in your destinations to get a rough cost. It may end up being cheaper to rent a car for the day and drive yourself. Does your hotel charge $20 a day to park your car? If so, look into ditching the rental car and relying on public transportation.
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
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