Looking for the best solo travel budgeting tips that actually work? Traveling alone can be expensive as hell if you’re not smart about it.
But here’s the deal, I’ve done it broke and bougie, and either way, it’s always worth it. The trick? Planning like you mean it. If you want to make solo travel sustainable (and not end up calling your mom to wire you cash), keep reading.
1.) Start Planning Earlier Than You Think
If you’re working with a budget, the best thing you can do is research the hell out of your trip in advance. I’m talking:
- How far is the airport from where you’re staying?
- How much is transport (Uber, bus, rental bike, etc)?
- What’s the average cost for coffee, lunch, dinner?
- What activities cost money and which ones are free?
Throw all of that in a spreadsheet. I always pad my budget by 25% to cover surprises. Then I stalk Pinterest and Instagram for inspo like “free things to do in [destination]” or “photo spots in [city].” Works every time.
2.) Travel During Off-Seasons and Weekdays
Cheap flights = smart planning. Ask yourself:
- Is this destination packed in summer or during holidays? Go just before or just after—hello, shoulder season.
- Are there extreme seasons? Go in spring or fall.
- Is it a warm-weather place? Look into wet season deals.
- Is it easy to get to? The easier it is, the cheaper the flight.
Don’t let winter or a little rain scare you off. Fewer people, better prices, and sometimes the best damn vibes.
Tools I use: Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner, and Momondo.
3.) Sign Up for Airfare Deal Alerts
When I lived in Europe and now the United States, I subscribed to every cheap flight site I could find and scored insane deals because of it. I recommend the following:
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
- Dollar Flight Club
- Jack’s Flight Club (Europe-based)
- DailyDrop Flights
Stick with the free plans or wait for a New Year’s deal to upgrade to premium. Pro tip: Travelzoo and Groupon sometimes have crazy good bundles—but read the fine print.
4.) Be Smart About Where You Sleep
Hostels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs beat out fancy hotels, unless you find a deal. I always:
- Check aggregator sites for rates, such as Expedia, Priceline, Booking.com
- Then call the hotel and ask them to match the price directly. Works more often than not.
Also, if you’re using points or miles, don’t forget you can use them for stays, not just flights.
5.) Plan Meals Carefully
Food is a black hole for money if you’re not careful. I make a casual hit list of spots on My Google Maps I want to check out:
- Instagram, local blogs, and publications like The Infatuation, Thrillist, and CN Traveller are my go-tos
- Google things like “best cafes in [city]” and scroll to the bottom for related searches
A few standout meals are worth it but balance it out with groceries or easy breakfasts in.
6.) Plan and Budget for Extra Spending
Sh*t happens. I usually take the cost of airfare and then plan for $100–$150/day on top, depending on the destination. If I don’t use it, great. That’s my future trip fund.
Also, use credit cards wisely. If you can’t pay it off in full, don’t charge it. Use cards that give you travel points or cashback.
7.) Pack Smarter, Not More
I hate packing. But knowing your destination = packing like a pro. Here’s my rule:
- Beach trip? Bigger carry-on, swimsuits, sandals + walking shoes. Don’t forget a bag to pack wet clothes and suits into!
- Winter trip? 40L bag and check it. Layers, boots, bulky stuff.
- Adventure trip? One bag for gear, one for everything else. Checked.
Know your airline’s baggage policy ahead of time, and don’t be the person repacking at the gate.
Travel solo. Travel smart. Travel often. And do it in a way that doesn’t wreck your savings. Let me know if you want links to my favorite deal trackers; I’m happy to share the goods.
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