Inexpensive Ways to Travel

Overview: This article goes over how to travel inexpensively.

Destinations

Some countries are less expensive to travel to than others.

Generally expensive:

  • Western Europe especially Scandinavia

  • Singapore, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Israel, New Zealand, US

Generally inexpensive:

  • Many countries in Central and South America

  • India, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Hungary, Greece, Dominican Republic

Notes:

  • Some flights to places can be very expensive though the stays and food are not expensive.

    • Example: Argentina and Brazil

  • Coastal cities in the US are generally more expensive but are better to travel to

    • Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle and DC are similar to Copenhagen prices

    • New York and San Francisco are similar to Zurich and Singapore prices

    • Denver is similar to Berlin prices

Google Flights

I use Google Flight tracker to send me notifications of inexpensive flights. As flight dates get closer, airlines get more desperate to sell seats. They send out notifications of flights that have a lowered cost.

Tip:

  • Overnight flights are great for sleeping, if you can manage to sleep. It’s not easy to acquire an overnight flight with this method (purposely) but it’s nice to have if it happens.

  • Click here for instructions to set up Google flight alerts.

Utilizing Layovers

One Layover

Option 1: Sleeping in the Airport

The airport seems like a lawless land; it’s a Wild West of claiming charging outlets, sleeping on the floor and taking suitcases into public bathrooms. It’s not uncommon to sleep in the airport and it’s generally considered socially acceptable.

If you can manage being uncomfortable, cold, hungry, sore and consistently woken up by foot traffic or paranoia that some other weary traveler is going to steal your things, then sleeping in the airport is for you. Like most things, there’s a website all about it:

  • Sleeping in Airports

  • Other things this website covers:

    • Airport Guides

    • Airport Hotels

    • Airport Reviews

    • Things to do on a Layover

    • Airport Layover Sightseeing

If your layover is during the overnight:

  • Arrive 9-10 PM and depart around 3-4 AM

    • I would likely sleep in the airport

  • Arrive around midnight and depart around 5-6 AM

    • I would likely sleep in the airport

Option 2: Stay in a Hotel or Airbnb

The closest and cheapest stay is always better. I typically choose hotels instead of Airbnbs when I’m near the airport. The only accommodations needed are a bed and a shower. You will need enough time to get there, get ready for bed, sleep, get up, get ready and then make your flight.

  • Check the cancellation policy

  • Free breakfast is nice when in a hurry but not required

If your layover is during the day:

If your layover is during the day and long enough, go on a day trip and explore the closest largest city. Walk around, eat foods from that city or county and then sleep on the plane when you board.

Things to note:

  • Layovers on the way to your destination

    • Travelers can be generally hyped up

  • Layovers on the way back

    • Travelers can be generally more weary and may want to catch up on sleep

If your layover is during the night:

Sleep in the airport or stay at a hotel or Airbnb for the night so you can sleep.

When is a stay worth it?

  • 6 hours or less

    • Typically not worth it

  • 8 hours

    • Generally worth it (if not during day)

  • 10 hours

    • Could be worth (if not during day)

Two Layovers

Don’t

  • Not worth the extra time or extra money that can go towards your trip

Delays

Sometimes you will experience a delay. If it’s during the day, you can explore the area or eat somewhere. I recommend eating food from that country just to try new things. If you completely explored the entire city or area (like we did in Copenhagen), you can do the following:

  • Kill 3-4 hours at a museum or 1-2 hours at a cinema

  • If you still have access to your stay, there’s always sleep

Nice to Know

If your layover is in Iceland and you are flying Icelandair

  • Icelandair allows a free stopover for up to 7 days due to Iceland promoting tourism

    • Check out Reykjavik if you can

      • There is an option to buy bus tickets from the airport to Reykjavik on an Icelandair flight

    • Keflavik is a nice option too

    • Blue Lagoon is near the airport

      • Hot springs with geothermal seawater surrounded by volcanoes

      • Will not be open at times due to volcanic activity

Luggage

Tips:

If possible, bring only one personal item

  • That is if the airline allows for a decently sized item

    • You will need to check their requirements

If needed, do one carry-on

Don’t ever check luggage

  • I avoid doing this so I can leave the airport right away and not have to wait for baggage

  • I avoid potential baggage complications including delayed or missing baggage

Stays

TIP: Generally, hotels are more expensive than Airbnbs and Airbnbs are more expensive than hostels.

Airbnbs

Generally Airbnbs will be less expensive than hotels. Some may be centrally located. Some may be in a really cool neighborhood you may not have found while staying at a hotel.

WARNING: Airbnb hosts can cancel your reservation with little notice.

  • If this happens:

    • Notify Airbnb immediately

    • Select the cancellation reason as: “host needs to cancel”

    • Seek credit or a refund with Airbnb Support as well as a new stay

TIP: Airbnb costs will be less expensive when you:

  • Message a host and ask if they would come down on the price before you reserve

    • If they agree, they will send you an offer via link

  • Book a longer stay

    • 2 to 4 weeks (possibly longer) can come with discounts

  • Book closer to the check-in date as prices can go down though not guaranteed

Hotels

Hotels will be more expensive than Airbnb; they usually have more amenities and are more centrally located.

WARNING: Hotels can overbook and (rarely) may not have a place for you to stay. In this case, they will likely direct you to a hotel nearby.

TIP: There’s usually a way to get breakfast on-site and this can be useful for when you need coffee or food right away. I typically go out and get breakfast to experience the city though.

Hostels

I’ve only used hostels in Europe (aside from the US) so I can only recommend those. Hostels are the least expensive out of the three and are perfect if you’re social and want to meet other travelers.

WARNING: Hostels in the US are not recommended:

  • Not super traveled like in Europe

  • Generally not well-kept

  • Can have sketchy characters living out of them

  • Good hostels may be found in NYC but research recommended

  • There may be exceptions but research recommended

TIP: Hostels can vary from bumping party houses with live music to quiet but bustling atmospheres that double as meeting space for local professionals.

Budget & Personal Expenses

Transportation

You generally have to pay full price for this so prepare accordingly. Trains are generally more expensive than buses. Buses take longer than trains.

[insert article: transportation in the US for travelers]

Food

Food in touristy areas is generally more expensive, go where the locals go.

  • Noting it is worth paying for covered marketplaces featuring stalls with local food and drinks

Souvenirs

Try to find a flea market or any open air market to get souvenirs as they are much more unique and less expensive.

Activities

Plan ahead for things. You might be able to get activity packages online or locally, depending on where you are visiting.