Do you dream of places you’ve never seen and foods you’ve never tasted? Are you feeling stuck because your budget is tight enough without vacations? Trust me, I know the feeling.

I am passionate about traveling, and I’ve never really made a lot of money. But I’ve dedicated my time to seeing the world anyway, and now I want to share the wealth.

Here are some tips on how to take that dream trip without breaking the bank!

1. Travel during the off seasons.

Save money on plane tickets and lodging by avoiding peak tourist seasons. For example, I went to Portugal in Winter and saved a lot of money, and it was a wonderful time! The city was gorgeous, and the weather was still pretty nice.

Traveling during off season also means shorter lines, less crowds, and a more peaceful experience.

2. Stay in hostels.

Let’s be real: lodging costs can really add up. I know hostels aren’t popular in every corner of the world, but if you can stay in one, I’d recommend it. 

Hotels are usually upwards of $100 per night, and gone are the days of Airbnbs being a cheaper option. Hostels in Europe are usually around $30-40 per night, depending on the city. (I’ve stayed in even cheaper ones, too!) This can have a huge impact on your total trip cost.

Pro Tip: Always read the reviews. I like to use Hostel World to search, compare, and book.

Click this link to for more about Why You Should Stay in a Hostel.

3. Never pay for a checked bag.

For domestic U.S. flights, checked bags are $45 each way, and for international flights, they’re $75! That’s criminal!

Sometimes, you get a free checked bag depending on the airline or credit card benefits. But I would still try to avoid bringing one if possible, especially if you’re flying overseas. Bags often get lost or damaged, and you don’t want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe while you wait for them to find your things.

Plus, the less space you have for souvenirs, the less money you’ll spend!

4. Track your flights and buy at the right time.

Check flight prices as far in advance as possible. This will help you get an idea for how much you might be spending. If you use Google Flights, it will show you whether prices are normal, high, or low. You can then choose “track my flight” and set up email notifications to get updates when the flight changes.

Remember: the sooner you buy the ticket, the sooner you can start saving for the fun stuff. Don’t wait too long and end up overpaying!

5. Travel credit cards

Rack up those points and buy yourself some plane tickets, y’all! Seriously, I bought a plane ticket from Spain to the USA using only credit card points. I have also used my travel credit card to buy a few domestic round trip flights. Travel credit cards can come with a lot of benefits, like a free checked bag or discounted plane tickets for a friend.

Earn points with every purchase and save up for your next trip. Depending on the card, you may be able to use it for hotels and other travel perks too. Just be careful not to overspend in the name of earning points. With great power comes great responsibility…

Not sure if you qualify for a travel credit card? I used Credit Karma to search for cards I was interested in, and it gave an estimate on my likelihood of getting approved.

6. Book in advance.

Really the best way to budget travel is to book everything in advance. Plane tickets, hostel beds, hotels, etc… they all get more expensive if you’re booking last minute. Remember to track your flights and stay on top of things.

Booking in advance also helps you spread out your spending so money isn’t as tight when the trip comes. Budgeting a little bit of money each month and paying for the trip in bite sized pieces can help you feel a lot better about a big vacation. You can pay for a plane ticket one month, hotel the next month, then book tickets for any events the next month. You can also do a payment plan for some things if you book in advance.

If everything is already paid for before you go on the trip, then you can focus on saving for experiences, food, and souvenirs. This way you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend while out of town.

7. Cheap Souvenirs

Remember what I said about only leaving a little room for souvenirs?

My favorite souvenirs are postcards. Why? They’re cheap, beautiful, and I can always fit them in my suitcase. I have a collection of postcards that I add to every time I go somewhere new. I like to write myself a little note on the back about what I did during the trip, and then I can look back on it. The postcards can also double as wall art.

You can stick to cheap souvenirs or even just small, meaningful ones. If you only have a little room in your suitcase, you won’t be able to go overboard. This way you can focus on getting something important and special to you that commemorates your travels, rather than bringing home a bunch of junk that you’ll feel obligated to keep forever.

Of course eating in a new city is part of the experience, but eating out for every meal adds up quickly. I like to save money by eating 1-2 meals in the hotel each day. If the hotel has free or inexpensive breakfast: boom, easy choice. If not, consider getting some grab and go food like fruit, yogurt, granola bars, or bagels. For lunch, sandwiches are a great go-to as well.

I like to do a quick grocery shop on my first day in a new place so I can get foods that are cheap and easy. If you’re staying in the same place for a while and there’s a kitchen, you can also cook some meals. I love cooking a simple pasta dinner at the hostel or airbnb. Or if you really don’t feel like cooking or spending money, just get some instant noodles! (We certainly won’t judge you here.)

9. Travel in groups.

Traveling in groups can help you save a lot. You can split groceries, rooms, and even beds if you like them enough. If it’s a road trip, you can also split gas costs. 

I would recommend being selective with your groups, though. Group travel can be stressful at times, so you’ll want to be with people you can get along well with.

10. Consider different modes of transportation

Look at all of your transportation options. Consider buses, trains, and alternate routes.

In Spain, my friends and I wanted to do a trip from Córdoba to Granada. Train tickets were 40€ each way, while bus tickets were 8€. I use Omio to buy my tickets in Europe because it shows available bus, train, and plane tickets to your destination. Then you can compare times and prices, buy with the app, and have all of your tickets right there.

You can also take charter buses or amtracks in the United States. They are often much less expensive but take more time. Always compare your options and do what works best for you.

11. You don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe before a big trip.

This may be hard to hear, but you really don’t need to go on a shopping spree before a big trip. I know it’s tempting to get a new swimsuit for each day you’ll be at the beach or buy a new dress for the perfect Instagram shot, but you don’t need new clothes just because you’re going somewhere new. You probably have cute clothes in your closet that would love a trip to Italy!

If you really want to buy something, try thrift shopping before you hit the mall. Thrifting is more rewarding, and you can find unique and fun clothes for a fraction of the price.

12. Keep. It. Simple.

If your goal is to travel and see the world, start small. Instead of going on a huge road trip to see 5 national parks, start with just one. Maybe you can buy a cheap tent or borrow one from a friend and pack PB&Js for the weekend.

If you just want to get out of town, maybe you can spend the weekend with a relative who lives in another city. If you want a resort vacation somewhere, start closer to home rather than going overseas.

Figure out what is reasonable for your budget, and do what works for you. There is no right or wrong way to go about following your travel dreams.

Now, grab your piggy bank and start planning! Adventure awaits!