The following article may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. This doesn’t cost you anything, and shopping or using our affiliate partners is a way to support our mission. I will never work with a brand or showcase a product that I don’t personally use or believe in.

Travel is one of the most commonly listed value categories in the HFK community, but what if you have wanderlust without tons of money to spend? Or you don’t have a travel buddy and are nervous to go alone?

I spoke with travel expert and Going spokesperson Katy Nastro to chat all things travel–including her top tips on how to save money while on the go.  Here’s what I learned:

There are ways to save on travel, but most “hacks” don’t work

I’m sure at some point, we’ve all heard some well-meaning travel guru share their “hacks” for scoring travel deals–from telling us to book travel on certain days to only searching for airfare in an incognito window. I know I have.

So what’s the deal? Are these actual hacks or are they myths? 

Katy says: nope. There’s no “perfect” day to book, and your incognito window isn’t going to get you a better deal. 

Strategies for traveling on a budget (that really work):

1. Carry on, don’t check a bag.

   Checking a bag is not only an extra cost, it’ll literally weigh you down if you’re bopping around to a few places during your trip. Every airline has different baggage requirements, and more companies are charging for that checked bag. LOOK UP YOUR BAGGAGE REQUIREMENTS! Even “nice” airlines are charging now. There’s nothing worse than getting a $100 surprise fee when your bag is a couple inches too big.

2. Pick your travel value categories.
   Just like I recommend value categories for your everyday budget, you can pick categories for your travel budget, too. This could look like pairing Michelin-star restaurants with budget hotels, or splurging on a personal tour instead of enjoying the local shops.

3. Embrace second cities.

   Yes, Paris and London are great, but have you considered Antwerp or Milan? Even if it costs a little more to get there, you might be able to save on hotels, food, and other expenses.

4. Don’t be picky about your destination.

   Hear me out—if you still have a lot of destinations on your bucket list, look for deals before destinations. This has saved me a TON of money, especially when you use tools like Going to get the best value for those precious PTO days.

5. Seek work-friendly destinations.

   Could you extend a work trip? Go to a destination and work from there? Visit a friend or family member and add on a solo weekend? Creative ways to satisfy your wanderlust can also be some of the most economical.

6. Redefine travel.

   While you might think of travel as international trips or all-inclusive resorts, travel can also be taking day-trips, exploring new local neighborhoods, or finding a new hiking spot. 

7. Consider getting a travel credit card.

   One of my all-time favorite things in life is booking a trip completely on points. I’m talking about lie-down seats to Paris and hotels that are literal castles. See my recommendations for travel cards here.

You don’t have to travel all the time to be a ~traveler~

I know I’ve been scrolling and thought to myself, how is everyone in Positano?!  

Sometimes it looks like people go on a TON of trips–and maybe they do–but that doesn’t mean YOU do, or that your chill road trip isn’t as good as someone’s pilgrimage to Bali. 

There are a million ways to travel and bring a wanderer’s mindset to your adventures closer to home. 

Take our FREE quiz for a personalized, step-by-step money plan 🤑