Traveling the world doesn’t have to break the bank—in fact, with a little planning and some smart strategies, you can explore new places while keeping your budget intact. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a long-term adventure abroad, knowing how to stretch your dollars can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll dive into my practical, tried-and-true tips to help you save money on everything from flights and accommodations to food and activities. 

Let’s Talk About Flights

I have a confession…I am a Delta snob.

While some may get turned off by their price tag, there are many cost effective ways to fly with them. My all time favorite Delta hack is the difference in fare reimbursement. If you purchase a ticket (Main Cabin or Above) and the fare drops, Delta will reimburse you with either money back to your card or an “e-credit” to be used at a later date. You can call or use the Delta App to take advantage of that offer. It does require you to consistently check your flight. In addition, Delta will not notify you that your airfare has changed.

It’s easy to tell which tickets you may see a drop in fare based on the codes used when booking:

  • Full Main Cabin Fare (plane is at max capacity, so the most $$$): Y,B,M,W, S
  • Main Cabin (normal airfare): H, Q, K, L
  • Discounted Main Cabin (probably won’t drop much): U,T
  • Deeply Discounted Main Cabin: (lowest price): X, V

What If You Don’t Fly Delta?

We can address that at another time (haha). There are many ways to save money on flights regardless of your airline allegiance.

  1. Search and book flights on Tuesdays. Be sure to erase your browser history and cookies when continuously searching for the same flight. You will inadvertently cause prices to increase because the system will think that more people are looking for that same flight.
  2. Don’t travel to the popular place during the popular time. If you HAVE to see the Japanese cherry blossoms in spring or you MUST experience Positano in the summer, understand that the pricing will increase because it is peak season and you’ll need to save accordingly. Personally–I swear off Europe during the summer time. Everything is really crowded and the prices are double or triple what you would spend any other time of year.  As an example, most flights from Atlanta to the continent of Europe during the summer of 2025  are around $2200–that is 50% more than the shoulder and off-seasons. 
  3. Be flexible. Travel or fly during the week instead of on weekends. If you can take days off at any time during the year, choose the time when your location is off season.

Strict with time? If you can only travel during one particular time of year, choose a location that is not as popular. Just because everyone goes there, doesn’t mean it’s an amazing place. It just means that it’s crowded…seriously…ask me my thoughts on Paris. 

If none of those options apply, be flexible on how you get to your location. If you really need to have an Italian summer, consider flying into another country like Germany, and then training to your first destination. Use websites like point.me or https://seats.aero to help you book the most cost effective flight based on starting and ending location.

Travel Credit Cards

I’ve found that the biggest misconception about travel rewards is that people think they need to spend a lot of money on travel in order to make the card work for them. That couldn’t be further from the truth! 

Look at what you spend most of your money on, and then find a card that gives you the best rewards based on what you spend. If you don’t spend a lot of money on flights, particularly flights from Delta, then that Delta Amex Card isn’t for you…and that’s ok. Choose a credit card that allows you to earn rewards points towards any airline or hotel. 

My two cards that I swear by are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Delta Amex Platinum card. I think Chase actually provides the best bang for your buck, and here’s why:

  • You gain rewards points through popular spending habits like food, gas, and streaming services.
  • Your rewards points can be used towards any major airline or hotel.
  • Your points actually go farther because you can transfer your points to an airline or hotel of choice allowing you to get more than just the 1 point to 1 dollar ratio.
  • You have no foreign transactions fees.

The Delta cards are great if you are traveling continuously with Delta because you will eventually get status. With status comes all the upgrades. However if you are just starting out, I recommend Chase Sapphire over Delta Amex.

Be sure to look at the annual fee.

Do the perks associated with the card balance the annual fee? For example, the Delta lounge costs about $50 per person per entrance. Once inside, you are privy to unlimited food, drinks, showers, working spaces, etc. I know that I am at the airport at least 2 times a month. Therefore the Amex card that waives the lounge fee (because it is included in the annual fee) makes sense to me. 

Shop Around For Hotels

Stop renting Airbnbs. Airbnbs have become more expensive than many hotels, and they have far less amenities. In addition, many cities are beginning to pas s legislation that prohibits people from listing their property as an Airbnb site.

How can you find the best hotel rate?

The same rules apply from flights to hotels. If you want the best possible rate, travel during the week and/or during an off season. While that can be unrealistic, here are some other ways to help you save money:

  1. Look on the hotel website for the best available rate. Do not use budget websites like hotels.com or kayak.com. While they may be discounted, their terms and conditions are much more strict and will actually cause a lot of problems if you need to switch or cancel your trip.
  2. Call the hotel and ask for their best available rate. Sometimes you can actually get a better rate over the phone.
  3. Try new hotels–usually they offer a discount if you stay and leave a review.
  4. Stay a little outside of the location that you are traveling to. Being in the middle of Manhattan, Rome, or Sydney may be AMAZING, but the reality is that you are not going to be in the hotel often. Save some money by booking further out.

Find the Discounted/Free Activities

Did you know most major cities in the world have free walking tours? 

When you’re on vacation, visiting free tourist attractions is an easy way to save money. Instead of spending a lot of money on pricey tickets and admission fees, you can participate in a variety of free activities. Visiting free museums is a popular option that can offer educational and cultural experiences without costing you anything. You can also use your student ID to get a discount. Another way to discover free activities when traveling is to research online or ask locals for recommendations. Many cities offer free events and festivals that provide entertainment and a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture. 

Shop At Local Grocery Stores

Grocery shopping can be a great way to save money, especially for lunch! When shopping at local grocery stores while traveling, it is important to consider the types of food to buy and avoid. Opting for local produce and ingredients can support the local economy and provide a more authentic culinary experience. Also, stocking up on non-perishable items such as snacks, canned goods, and beverages can be convenient for quick meals or late-night cravings. 

Bring A Reusable Water Bottle (If You Can Drink The Tap Water)

Instead of constantly buying disposable water bottles or drinks, you can simply refill your reusable bottle whenever you need to hydrate. This eliminates spending money on expensive beverages whenever you feel thirsty. Just be sure to check whether or not you can drink the tap water.

At the end of the day, traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing meaningful experiences—it just means being smart, flexible, and intentional. By planning ahead, staying open to local options, and finding little ways to cut costs along the way, you can stretch your travel dollars further and focus on what really matters: the memories you’re making.