Imagine blue skies, cool water, a sandy beach, and a cold drink in your hand. Sounds dreamy. With today’s prices, the idea of a weekend getaway, much less a full-on vacation, seems far-fetched. But what if I told you it wasn’t? What if you could travel for cheap and soak in those glorious rays? Sip on coconut water…from the shell. Or laze on a beach towel and take it all in…with money still in your pocket.
The average cost of a one-week vacation in the U.S. is nearly $2,000 per person. Pricey, I know. But with a few smart hacks, you can stretch your money and still live your best vacation life. So, let’s dive into the savvy stuff that’ll have you strutting your fine self somewhere warm and far away from the office drama.
Book Flights for Less
Scoring a hot flight deal isn’t about luck; it’s about timing and tools. Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report reveals that booking domestic flights 1 to 3 months in advance can save you up to 25 percent. That’s like getting a quarter back for every dollar you spend!
For international trips, the sweet spot is booking 18 to 29 days before takeoff, saving you up to 17 percent.
What’s more? The day of the week also matters. And Sunday is the best day to book flights. That’s when domestic travelers save about 6 percent, and international travelers save up to 17 percent compared to booking on other days.
So, if you’re planning a trip soon? Check out Expedia’s deals tool and its price drop protection for flights you’ll want on your radar. Both perks are fantastic because they’ll help you find lower prices, saving you money. And if the price drops later, Expedia’s price drop protection helps you score a refund for the difference if your fare drops later.
Want to stretch your savings even further? If you collect Aeroplan points, head over to Points.com to top off your balance before booking. You can often buy or transfer points at a discount—perfect for snagging that flight with fewer out-of-pocket costs. Sometimes, using points for all or part of your trip is the cheapest move you can make.
Stay in Hostels
Don’t knock a hostel stay until you’ve tried one! These frugal accommodations have been gaining popularity over the years as a wallet-friendly alternative to hotels.
Hostels have come a long way from their bare-bones, backpacker-only days. Now, you’ll find stylish spots with private rooms, female-only dorms, and even rooftop bars. Some even offer yoga classes, bike rentals, or free walking tours.
The best part is the price. According to Budget Your Trip, the average cost of a hostel stay in the U.S. ranges from $38 for a dorm bed to about $40 for a private room. However, you can find hostels for less (or more) depending on where your travels take you.
Fun fact: Frugal Hen lives next to a hostel and has seen firsthand how friendly, budget-savvy, and downright fun hostel folks are. If you’re traveling solo or want to meet new people without breaking your budget, hostels are the way to go.
Use Public Transportation
Public transportation is a budget traveler’s best friend. In many U.S. cities, a one-way bus or subway ticket averages around $2.29, with some offering fares as low as $1.25.
While it’s best to travel for cheap within a single city, intercity travel is also affordable. For instance, the local fare in Portland, Maine, is $2 per ride (2025), and the intercity fare is $4. Beyond the wallet, public transit offers other perks. It’s 10 times safer per mile than traveling by car.
Quick Tips:
- Check if your destination offers day or weekly passes for unlimited rides.
- Use transit apps to plan routes and check real-time schedules.
- Consider off-peak travel times for a less crowded experience.
If you’re saving on transportation, why not stretch those savings even further? One of the easiest ways to do that is by skipping the tourist traps and eating like a local.
Cook or Eat Local
Eating like a local is one of the fastest ways to cut down food costs without sacrificing flavor. Skip the chain restaurants and overpriced tourist spots. Head to local markets, grab fresh ingredients, and cook up something simple.
Not into cooking? Street food, mom-and-pop diners, and neighborhood cafes often serve authentic eats for a fraction of what you’d pay at a resort restaurant.
In places like Thailand or Mexico, you can score full meals for just a few bucks. Even in the U.S., shopping at grocery stores and preparing your own snacks or meals can save you hundreds throughout your trip.
Redeem Points for Travel
Don’t let your travel rewards sit idle! That’s like leaving money on the table. Nearly 70% of rewards credit cardholders have unused cash back, points, or miles. And many of them are sitting on $100 or more without realizing it.
Those points don’t last forever, and the longer you wait, the more value you might lose. If you’re going to use a credit card with a points or miles perk, then use them.
That’s where Points.com comes in. You can transfer points, redeem them for travel, or even gift them to someone else — Points.com makes it super simple. It’s a smart move if you want to squeeze every last drop of value out of your rewards without the headache of juggling multiple programs.
Travel for Cheap During Off-Peak Season
Traveling during off-peak times is another fantastic way to save money. But it also enhances your entire travel experience. Flights and accommodations are often more affordable. Flight prices can drop by up to 30% during the fall vs. summer.
But let’s dive beyond the savings, though. You’ll also enjoy fewer crowds, shorter lines, and a more relaxed atmosphere at popular destinations. That means more authentic interactions with locals and a deeper connection to the places you visit.
Off-Peak Perks:
- Lower prices on flights and accommodations
- Fewer tourists and shorter lines
- More authentic local experiences
- Greater flexibility in travel plans
- Reduced environmental impact
Got San Antonio on your travel wish list? Downtown is packed with frugal-friendly fun that won’t torch your wallet. Check out my go-to guide to downtown San Antonio for the best cheap thrills and hidden gems!
Looking for even more ways to combine adventure with savings? If hitting the open road sounds like your kind of freedom, check out these smart tips for saving money while living the RV life.
Embracing off-peak travel not only benefits your wallet but also contributes to more sustainable tourism.
Volunteer for Stays
Here’s another tidbit: you can travel for cheap by trading a few hours of your time for free lodging and meals. That’s the kind of frugal travel magic I love. Wondering where to find these volunteer-for-stay opportunities? Like everything else, there’s a platform for them.
Check websites like Workaway and Worldpackers. They connect travelers with hosts worldwide. And they offer a variety of opportunities.
- Assist in the hostels
- Help on farms
- Work on community projects
All this is in exchange for accommodation. Volunteering is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in local cultures, learn new skills, and make meaningful connections.
Volunteer-for-Stay Highlights:
- Free accommodation and meals in exchange for a few hours of work
- Opportunities to learn new skills and languages
- Deep cultural immersion and meaningful connections
- Access to a global network of like-minded travelers
Cheap thrills, sunny escapes, and smart savings — my spring break guide dishes out everything you need to travel big and spend small, any season of the year.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a new adventure? Volunteering for stays can be your ticket to affordable and enriching travel experiences.
Amazon Picks for Travel
Before running out the door and heading to the airport, there are a few smart buys that I recommend to up your travel game. You know, go from chaotic to calm, and all without blowing your budget. These travel essentials are compact, practical, and Frugal Hen-approved for keeping your trip smooth and stress-free.
Amazon Travel Must-Haves:
- Packing cubes
- Toiletry organizer set
- Digital luggage scale
- 6-port USB-C charger
- 32oz insulated water bottle
- Travel neck pillow kit
- Hidden money belt
If you’re packing smarter, you’re already saving. Now, let’s wrap things up and bring this game plan home so you can get ready to travel for cheap and live your best!
Start Your Adventure Today
You don’t need a platinum card or a trust fund to see the world — just a little planning, a few clever hacks, and your frugal brain switched to adventure mode. Travel doesn’t have to mean splurging. It can be smart, intentional, and just as thrilling without the financial drama.
So pack those cubes, Girlfriend! Check out my handpicked guide to the best girlfriend getaway destinations that are fun, fabulous, and frugal-approved.
Then, grab your neck pillow, and hit ‘book now’ on that off-peak flight. You’ve got everything you need to travel for cheap, and you’ve got the sass to do it in style. Now go chase sunsets, snag those savings, and live your best!
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