How to travel on a budget: A solo adventurer’s guide
I’ve been travelling for a while now and over time, I’ve learned a lot about budget travel and making money stretch without sacrificing experiences. For the first half of my travels, I relied on my savings until they ran out, then worked for a while before hitting the road again. The second half looked a bit different. I was working remotely, getting paid monthly, which meant I was working with a much smaller budget. I had to be smarter about budgeting and stretching every dollar as far as it could go.
Through trial, error and a fair few “oops” moments, I’ve come up with some tried-and-tested cheap travel tips and solo travel tips that really work. So, here’s a breakdown of how I travel solo, see the world and stay on a travel budget.
Bigger savings on accommodation, flights and tours
Sometimes, big savings come from making a few small sacrifices. With transport for budget travel, this often means taking overnight buses, awkward flight times or long layovers. And yes, it can be uncomfortable, but it’s worth it if you do it safely.
For example, when I was travelling through regional Australia, I saved over A$1,000 by taking overnight buses instead of flights. Sure, it meant 26-hour journeys, but it also became one of my favourite experiences. Long bus rides give you time to reflect, meet people and see the country from a different perspective. Night buses in Asia are also cheap and character-building; you’ll thank yourself later! The bonus is that many of these options drop you off right in the city centre and include baggage, saving you money across the board. However, one thing I am really careful about is flight times. I am very careful about arriving at airports really late at night or early in the morning. Especially if I have never been there before. I don’t want to be navigating my way to a hotel or hostel late at night. I will either pay more for the flight, or see if there are sleep pods or lounges in the airport I can check into until more sociable hours.
Accommodation is another area where you can make big savings. Cheap accommodation for solo travellers is usually found in hostels. But don’t overlook hotels; sometimes you can find amazing deals. Booking non-refundable rooms can be a lot cheaper, but it comes with risk. A safer way to save is to stick to one booking platform and rack up loyalty points. Booking.com has Genius rewards, Hotels.com gives you free nights after a certain number of bookings, and platforms like Agoda and Kayak also have deals. Hostelworld is reliable too, though it doesn’t have a rewards system. Revolut also has a points system on its paid accounts. You can claim these on booking accommodation and tours through the app, or purchase air miles or lounge passes with them.
I never personally tried it, but many travellers I met worked for accommodation, helping out at hostels in exchange for a bed. This can cut your biggest cost significantly, especially in places like Australia. Just make sure you’re not being taken advantage of. Sometimes you’re better off getting a paid job if you can. There are also house-sitting and pet-sitting platforms, which are great options if you want to stay somewhere longer. Just always remember to prioritise safety with these arrangements.
Tours are another place to save. If you have flexibility, booking group tours last-minute can save you a lot. I ended up getting £400 off my Japan tour simply by keeping an eye on prices. If you have a tour company in mind, then follow them on social media. They usually post when they have discount codes or sales. This can be an easy way to stay on the ball. I always think it’s better to book direct for bigger tours. Usually, you end up paying a lot less. It’s easier when you have questions or want to book additional accommodation before and after the tour, as well as activities.
However, for smaller tours and day trips, sometimes you can get some great discounts on websites like GetYourGuide and Viator. Just the other day, I received 20% off a day tour in Scotland because I checked on ChatGPT for Viator discount codes. These websites also have point systems too. So again, try to stick to one. I stuck to Viator in Australia and managed to get a few day trips free because I saved my points.
Smaller everyday savings
Big savings are great, but money-saving travel hacks for everyday life add up quickly.
Airport transport is one of the sneakiest ways to spend a lot of money. Because you end up feeling like you have no choice. Arriving in a new city can be stressful, and sometimes the first person who shouts “Taxi? SIM card?” seems like your only option. But taking a minute to check buses, trains, or group transfers can save you a surprising amount. I am currently planning a trip to New York and with just a few minutes of research, I found out about Uber Shuttle and the AirTrain.
Booking accommodation with breakfast is another small hack that pays off. One less meal to worry about saves money and hassle. Some hostels even include dinners or free BBQs, which is a fun way to meet other travellers and try local food. This not only saves you money, but it really feels like a win. One of my favourite meals ever was a Kamayan feast served at a hostel in the Philippines for free and it was absolutely insane.
Eating like a local is the easiest way to eat cheap food while travelling. Street food, local markets and small eateries are cheap and authentic. If you’re not hungry, convenience stores can be lifesavers. 7/11 toasties are underrated and in Japan, I regularly got three-course meals from 7/11 for around £5. For breakfast, a simple bag of cereal and milk works anywhere, and 7/11 coffee is shockingly good for cheap caffeine. When you’re travelling in areas like Australia and New Zealand, the best way to live cheaply is through cooking your own meals in the hostel kitchen. I have lived in hostels on a few different occasions now. I preferred to make larger meals and eat them over a few days. It was a good way to save money and it meant I only had to cook a few times a week. Because trust me when I say there is a special place in hell for hostel kitchens, especially on the East Coast of Australia. This isn’t because they’re gross; it’s more because there are just so many people in them.
Other small hacks include:
- Reusable water bottles to avoid buying drinks constantly. This is a must in airports.
- Laundry hacks like washing clothes in sinks or handwashing delicate items to avoid expensive laundromats.
- Free entertainment like walking tours, museum free days or hiking trails. There are always free things to do in most cities. TikTok can be your best friend when finding these activities.
Even little savings like these add up over time, letting you travel longer without stress.
Building a travel budget
During my remote work travels, I followed a strict solo travel budget that worked really well. I divided my money into portions:
- Accommodation
- Everyday spending (food, small purchases, public transport)
- Transport, tours and activities
- Savings for special trips (like my New Zealand tour)
This structure meant that if I ran out in one category, I wasn’t stuck. It also really helped me to save a big chunk of money for New Zealand. I always had enough for a hostel or the next essential. You can adjust your budget depending on the country. Australia was stricter, whereas Asia was cheaper, giving me more flexibility to enjoy my money.
Me being a cheap backpacker
I really think backpacking changes your mindset with money. And I’m not ashamed to admit it: I’ve been a cheap backpacker. Some habits probably didn’t save me tons, but they made me feel thrifty and kept the adventure alive. It’s also a fun topic of conversation to have with other backpackers; not only do you learn from them, but it’s a good laugh too.
Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were often refilled from free hostel dispensers. Eventually, I had to stop refilling shampoo and conditioner because my hair was struggling, but I still refill my little shower gel bottle whenever there’s a dispenser.
Tea and coffee sachets are another classic hack. I always grab them when I see them, especially 3-in-1 coffees. In South Korea, every hostel gave out Maxim Gold coffee, which lasted me months. Simple, cheap and water-only convenience.
On my travels, I keep an empty Tupperware container in my backpack. This makes it easier if you do have leftovers. Not only are you not wasting food, but you’re also able to keep food for later, which ends up saving you money too. It’s also good for storing snacks too.
Travelling on a budget as a solo traveller doesn’t mean missing out, it means being smart, creative and sometimes a little flexible. From overnight buses to hostel breakfasts, every little cheap travel tip counts. My biggest advice is to find what works for you, embrace the thrifty moments, and still indulge when it matters because experiences are the real currency of travel. Just don’t be stingy. After all, you are spending a lot of money to travel, so don’t waste it or restrict yourself. It’s great to cut the cost of meals, transport etc, but don’t cut your experiences short.
