Budgeting Tips for Solo Travel

It’s no secret that traveling can be expensive for solo travelers, but it doesn’t have to be. While you don’t have the perk of splitting costs with another person, and you are likely to be charged extra for being alone at times, saving money elsewhere is super easy; if you know how. So, if finances are the biggest thing holding you back from traveling solo, get ready to pack your bags.

Traveling solo while on a budget isn’t as hard as it may seem. You are often able to choose where your money goes, you can be flexible with your schedule, and you don’t have to accommodate others’ wants or needs. Once you are an experienced solo traveler, you’ll quickly learn it’s often cheaper to travel alone in the first place, if you spend your money wisely.

Whether you are on a budget and traveling solo for the first time, or a well-experienced solo traveler who still needs advice on spending habits, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 7 of the best tips and tricks for stretching your dollar and budgeting for solo travel.

Being flexible during your solo trip can go a long way when it comes to finances. It’s amazing the amount of money you can save by altering your flight schedule by just 1-2 days or by changing your destination. If flexibility isn’t an issue, consider planning your trip around what’s cheapest. When searching for flights, instead of seeing what day is cheaper to fly into a specific city, search for what city is cheapest to fly into; or use the “everywhere” options on popular flight search engines. It’s a lot easier to alter your plans when your schedule is the only one that matters.

Traveling during the off-season pairs nicely with flexibility, and is a great way to save money when traveling solo. Do some research on high and low seasons in the destination you are heading to, and avoid traveling during high seasons. Not only will there be fewer crowds where you are going, but prices are also likely to be extremely lower due to not having to accommodate as many people and demand not being so high. We promise a trip to Iceland in February will be just as magical as a trip in July; and probably half the price.

While hostels don’t always have the best reputation, they also don’t get the recognition they deserve. If you are a solo traveler on a budget, hostels are likely to become your new go-to accommodation option. Not only are hostels significantly cheaper in price, but they also offer a lively social scene, a chance to meet other solo travelers, and some sort of amenities, rather that be laundry, breakfast, or transportation services. If you aren’t keen on sharing a room with strangers, there are typically private rooms in hostels as well. They are more expensive than dorm rooms but still are typically cheaper than a hotel.

Packing with a strategy comes with experience. The more you travel, the easier it will be to pack light and only bring the things that are necessary. When traveling solo, remember that everything is your responsibility, including transporting your belongings from place to place. Once you start moving around, those bags tend to get heavier, and the baggage fees from flights start to add up. Pack as light as possible when traveling on a budget; your body and your wallet will thank you in the long run.

When you are traveling solo, take advantage of local transportation. It’s designed for locals, meaning it’s going to be more affordable, and often time, more convenient. While there are certain times when taking a taxi or private car may be better, due to safety reasons, try to keep this at a limited amount. Instead of getting a taxi at the airport, look for airport shuttle trains or buses, that go directly downtown. Depending on your location, if a taxi driver will take you somewhere for $25, it’s likely there is a bus around the area that will take you for $5.

Strategizing meals is one of the best ways to save money while traveling solo, and there are so many different ways to go about doing this. For starters, don’t eat out all the time. Buy groceries, and cook meals in your hostel or hotel, just like you would at home. That’s why it’s important to book accommodation where you have access to a kitchen or at least a free breakfast.

Second, when you do choose to eat out, go as far away from a tourist destination as you can. Those cafes are all within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, they are designed and priced for tourists, not locals. Walk a few blocks to find the best meals.

And finally, always take advantage of happy hour.

One of the best ways to save money when traveling solo is to decide on a budget and STICK TO IT. Once you have established your budget and organized your finances for a solo trip, track your spending habits along the way, and don’t blow past your budget in the first week. Be picky on which tours and activities you decide to do, which thankfully, traveling solo means you don’t have to pay for things you aren’t interested in doing. Keep in mind when making your budget, the first and final days of your solo trip are likely to be the most expensive, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Even though you don’t have someone to split the cost with while traveling solo, it can still be done on a budget, and without breaking the bank. We hope you have enjoyed these budgeting tips for solo traveling! If you were on the fence about taking that trip because you were worried about finances, we hope this has changed your mind and inspired you to budget for that solo adventure of a lifetime.