How To Travel On Budget This Summer 2024

Updated on: 2 Jan 2026

Fond of scrolling through Instagram, looking wistfully at beautiful photos of people travelling the world? You’re not alone. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to partake in budget travelling and fulfil your travel dreams without burning through your savings.

However, you require the will and determination to stick to your budget for travel this summer, especially with the steep rise in prices. You need to be careful and diligent in your planning, and while it’s definitely not easy, it’s entirely possible.

With these smart tips, learn how to travel on a budget like a pro.

#1 – Do Your Research

Research is one of the most critical aspects of travelling on a budget. While spontaneous plans are certainly fun, they can be quite expensive, primarily due to their last-minute nature. Flights and hotels booked at the last minute are never cheap, and planning for any trip at least a few months in advance is a must.

Give yourself time to research the following:

The best time to visit the place
The most affordable places to stay in
The cheapest flight to take

Make sure to read reviews and talk to people before starting on your journey, because learning from other people’s experiences is one of the best ways to save money.

#2 – Join a Travel Rewards Program

If you are looking for ways to enjoy travelling on budget, you should always try to join a travel rewards program. Most airlines have frequent flyer programs, which are usually free to join. The more you travel, the more you earn through these programs, and if you have amassed enough points/miles, you can even travel for free once in a while!

Since air tickets are usually the most expensive part of travel, if you get these for free, you end up saving a lot. Of course, it’s not just airlines who have such programs nowadays; hotels have them too. These make it that much easier to earn points and eventually reduce your travel expenditure.

#3 – Find Affordable Stay

It’s a great experience to stay in a five-star hotel like the Taj and be treated like royalty throughout your stay. Unfortunately, doing that on every trip isn’t always feasible or smart. Resist the urge to choose luxury accommodation, and instead try and go for:

Dormitories and shared rooms as they cost much less than single rooms in luxurious hotels
Homestays because what better way to get a feel of local culture than staying with the locals?
You can also bunk with friends or relatives for a few days

#4 – Travel Slow

One thing you must remember is that slow travel is cheap travel. This is evident from the fact that flight tickets are often more expensive than train tickets, and travelling by express train tends to cost more than a slower train.

Moreover, slowing down is often more enjoyable because you get to truly savour the place and learn about its culture. Travelling by road or rail rather than air gives you the time to appreciate the beauty of the journey, making it doubly beneficial (in terms of cost as well as enjoyment).

#5 – Eat and Shop Where the Locals Do

Popular tourist destinations and spots often sell souvenirs and have great restaurants in their locality. But the best way to save money is to avoid these popular shopping places and restaurants completely as things tend to cost more in tourist hotspots.

Here are some tips:

Try out the street food (it’s always the cheapest)
Eat at restaurants the locals frequent

You’re also much more likely to find souvenirs and unique items at affordable costs if you shop at local markets instead of tourist shops.

#6 – Keep an Eye Out for Discounts

If you’ve started planning your trip well in advance, don’t make all the bookings too soon. Instead, subscribe to loyalty programs and look out for any promotional offers, which are not too hard to come by any more.

Leveraging these can help you lower the overall costs and travel on a budget without any major compromises. The promotional emails most companies send are annoying, but some offers are very useful. So, bear with them and cut down on your travel costs.

#7 – Walk or Rent a Bicycle

Travelling inside the city you visit by taxi can be expensive and adds up over time. Using public transport is a good way to keep your costs low. If you wish to save more, however, you can always rent a bicycle. Most major cities, especially in Europe, offer this as an option, and the rent is much cheaper than other modes of transport.

If cycling is not something you enjoy, you can always walk wherever you wish to go. It gives you a new appreciation for the beauties a place has to offer, and to top it off, it’s cheap, too! Walking is a great option, especially if you’re not alone. If you are alone, it’s better to hire a cycle or choose another public transport option.

#8 – Buy a Local SIM Card

This is vital if you are travelling internationally. Since the roaming costs are extremely high communicating with your loved ones or even your local guide can be quite expensive. The best way to avoid this and keep your costs low is to get a local number, which can also make communication easier and better.

#9 – Travel Off-season

There is always a ‘best time to visit’ any place, and at such a time, it usually gets swarmed by tourists. Travel companies tend to take advantage of the great demand during such times and the prices skyrocket. Similarly, school vacations are the prime time for families to head out for a holiday, making it the peak season for travel.

It is always wise to avoid travelling during such times. The best time to travel on a budget is usually the duration just before or after the ‘best time to visit’. This way, you won’t completely miss the wonders during the peak time, but you’ll successfully avoid the crowds and expensive tickets.

#10 – Choose Your Summer Vacation Destination Wisely

To save more on your trip for a summer vacation, select the destination after careful consideration. Look for a destination where your funds go the furthest.

Here’s how to do it:

Make a list of some places that you’ve always wanted to visit and check for local hidden gems.
Plan a visit to small cities and towns, which can be comparatively cheap
Club two or more destinations that are nearby to tick them off your bucket list affordably

#11 – Try Booking with a Travel Agent

When you plan your travel this summer, consider booking through an agent. As they’re in the travel industry, they can help you bag discounts and offers. Getting such discounts can be difficult on your own.

To get a travel plan well in your budget, communicate your budget limit to the agent and ask for a tailored plan. Mention your preferences too, and ask for a few options. Lastly, ask for extra input regarding your itinerary as this will help you explore the place to the fullest.

#12 – Take Advantage of Credit Card Benefits

You credit card can be your best tool when you’re travelling on budget when used right. There are several travel benefits offered by most issuers, and all are curated for these needs. With such a travel credit card, you can enjoy:

Discounts on hotel and flight bookings
Offers and discounts on dining at partner restaurants
Benefits by redeeming your accumulated reward points
Cashback on various transactions

You can also consider redeeming your points or leverage any other travel offers that can help you get a discount. Remember, even if it’s a small amount, it can make a big difference in the long run.

What Should You Include in Your Vacation Budget?

When you plan your travel this summer, add these pointers to your budget:

Expenses for travel and hotel or resort bookings
Transportation expenses, including flight bookings, taxis, rental cars, petrol expenses, etc.
Expenses towards food and drinks
Costs of activities and tickets for attractions and places
Expenses for getting souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones
An emergency fund for unexpected medical expenses, flight bookings, etc.

These tips will serve as your handy guide to travelling on a budget, and they’ll help you save a lot of money. However, if you’re still low on cash for any reason, you don’t need to cancel or postpone your plans. You can always take an Instant Personal Loan from Fibe at pocket-friendly interest rates. Through our online Personal Loan App, you can get the money in just 2 minutes for a stress-free travel experience.