How to travel on a budget

Summary

Life Kit Podcast Summary: How to Travel on a Budget

Release Date: January 23, 2025
Host: Marielle Segarra
Podcast: Life Kit by NPR

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Introduction

In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra delves into the art of traveling without breaking the bank. Drawing from her own challenging experience in Greece and insights from budget travel experts, Marielle provides listeners with actionable strategies to make their travel dreams a reality while maintaining financial stability.

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Takeaway 1: Define the Purpose of Your Trip

Understanding the core reason behind your travels is pivotal for effective budgeting. Marielle emphasizes the importance of purposeful planning to ensure that your spending aligns with your travel goals.

• Nishan Lanata, a financial advisor at Kraft Wealth Services, advises, “When you plan a trip, it's important to define the purpose of your trip and what matters most to you.” (05:39)
  He further explains that identifying whether your primary goal is exploration, relaxation, family connection, or cultural immersion helps in allocating your budget appropriately.

• Chrissy Whelan, a seasoned budget traveler, adds, “We do, especially with social media, have champagne dreams and beer budgets. And I'm just like, first of all, we're gonna come back to planet Earth and then we can explore the earth in a way that works for us and is realistic.” (02:44)
  Chrissy highlights the pitfalls of social media comparisons and the importance of setting realistic expectations to prevent overspending.

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Takeaway 2: Save in Advance and Save More Than You Think You’ll Need

Proactive financial planning is essential for budget travel. Starting your savings journey early can alleviate last-minute financial pressures and ensure a smoother trip experience.

• Nishan Lanata recommends, “Set up a dedicated travel fund and contribute to it consistently, even if it's a small amount each month.” (09:03)
  He suggests creating a revolving travel fund to systematically save for future trips.

• Amelia Edelman, journalist and budget travel expert, underscores the necessity of tracking expenses: “Sit down and track your spending over the next few months. Where can you cut back?” (09:28)
  She advises evaluating and adjusting daily expenditures to build a substantial travel fund.

• Chrissy Whelan emphasizes prioritization: “Decide what is a totally need versus what you want. And if the travel thing is what you want more, you will make concessions.” (09:44)
  Chrissy illustrates the importance of distinguishing between essential and discretionary spending to enhance savings.

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Takeaway 3: Be Flexible with Accommodations and Travel Dates

Flexibility can lead to significant savings in travel costs. By adjusting your travel dates and exploring various accommodation options, you can optimize your budget without sacrificing the quality of your experience.

• Amelia Edelman shares, “Use flight comparison tools. They allow you to track prices over time so you can look for deals and book when prices dip.” (11:13)
  She suggests utilizing tools like Google Flights and Hopper to find the best flight deals.

• Chrissy Whelan advises timing flexibility: “If you want it to be cheaper, you've got to do off peak.” (11:58)
  Traveling during off-peak seasons can dramatically reduce costs for flights and accommodations.

• Brittany Oliver, travel writer, recommends alternative destinations: “If you can't make it out west and you're looking for like a wine experience, that area is really nice, really cute Airbnbs bed and breakfast that you can stay at and really affordable wine trails.” (07:55)
  She highlights the Finger Lakes region as an affordable substitute for more expensive locales like Tuscany or Napa.

• Chrissy Whelan on accommodations: “The fees [for Airbnb] are insane.” (12:46)
  She cautions against assuming that platforms like Airbnb are always cheaper than hotels, pointing out additional fees that can inflate costs.

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Takeaway 4: Be Smart About Credit versus Cash

Balancing the use of credit cards and cash can optimize your spending and enhance your budgeting efforts during travel.

• Brittany Oliver explains, “Out before you even start your trip, just to see what kind of points it will take to get to this type of hotel.” (17:46)
  She advocates for strategically using credit card points to offset travel expenses, especially for flights and accommodations.

• Amelia Edelman warns, “Credit cards can be great because points, but they can also set you up for budgeting failure by making you blissfully unaware of how much you've actually spent.” (17:55)
  The potential for overspending with credit cards necessitates careful monitoring of expenses.

• Brittany Oliver shares her cash strategy: “She came to New York and she brought cash and she was like, this is all I'm spending on food.” (18:51)
  Using cash for specific expenses can help limit spending and keep your budget in check.

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Takeaway 5: Have Open Budget Conversations with Travel Partners

Transparency and communication about budgets with all travel companions, including children, ensure that everyone is aligned and contributes to financial planning.

• Nishan Lanata recommends using apps: “Use split expense apps like Splitwise if you're traveling with others.” (19:49)
  These tools help in tracking shared expenses and maintaining budgetary discipline.

• Chrissy Whelan involves her family: “Zephyr knows what we have to spend. He is a part of the budget and the planning and the spreadsheets from the jump.” (21:01)
  Including children in budgeting processes teaches them valuable financial skills and ensures collective responsibility.

• Amelia Edelman emphasizes the importance of communication: “At the end of the day, you're taking a trip with somebody that at least you like, know and trust to some degree, right? So communication is really essential.” (21:23)
  Open discussions about financial expectations prevent misunderstandings and foster a cooperative travel environment.

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Conclusion

Traveling on a budget is entirely achievable with thoughtful planning and strategic execution. By defining the purpose of your trip, saving diligently, remaining flexible with arrangements, balancing credit and cash usage, and fostering open budget conversations, you can embark on enriching journeys without financial strain. As Amelia Edelman aptly summarizes, “Budget travel doesn't mean not spending your money. It's about doing a little extra prep upfront so that you spend it intentionally and get the best bang for your buck.” (21:48) With these insights, listeners are empowered to explore the world thoughtfully and economically.

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Notable Quotes

• “Media, comparison is the thief of joy.” – Chrissy Whelan (02:09)

• “He's starting his second term as president. What will his administration do and what policies will it promote?” – Amelia Edelman (04:57)

• “Just let people know where you are and then think about if you want to go solo.” – Brittany Oliver (14:49)

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For more tips and insights, explore other episodes of Life Kit on topics like packing for a trip and managing travel frustrations. Visit npr.org/lifekit for additional resources.

Transcript

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[Marielle Segarra]

You're listening to Life Kit from NPR. Hey everybody, it's Marielle. In 2018, I went to Greece for two weeks. I remember the trip vividly. The beginning was like a dream. We did a food tour in Athens, stayed on a gorgeous small island with crystal blue water and no cars. We went running by the beach, watched the sun set. But we reached a point about 10 days in when things took a turn. Our string of beautiful weather ended. Now there was torrential rain every day and our last stop was kind of a dud. We hadn't done enough research on the area and there wasn't much to do. Also, I started having some digestive issues. So I just remember being stuck in the hotel room watching American political news on TV with an upset stomach, wishing I was home. And we still had four days to go. Changing our flights at that point would have just been too expensive. It was like we'd overstayed and overspent by half a week. Nishan Lanata is a financial advisor at Kraft Wealth Services.

[Nishan Lanata]

And honestly, the worst feeling is going on a trip feeling completely dissatisfied or that you didn't hit the mark on what you wanted, or that you overspent or both.

[Marielle Segarra]

And what I learned from that trip in Greece was, first of all, two weeks, usually too long for me to be hopping around from one international city to another. Also, spending more time in a place and more money on the trip doesn't necessarily add up to a better experience, the truth is, you can have fulfilling, restorative, life changing travels without draining your bank account. Though your trip might not look exactly like the photos you've seen on social.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Media, comparison is the thief of joy. So get off of social media and stop following travel bloggers that don't pay for their own stuff, because that's a real trap.

[Marielle Segarra]

That's Chrissy Whelan. She and her teenage son Zephyr have been traveling the world since 2019. They've traveled to 40 countries, including Argentina, Norway, Singapore, Morocco, Vietnam, France. And they do it on a budget, spending maybe 60 to $80 a night on hotels and 20 bucks a day on food in expensive cities like London. Chrissy does have an Instagram account called Single Mom Budget Travel, but she travels without the help of sponsors and pays for everything. Flights, food, hotels, all of it. She says social media can be part of the problem social and it's one reason we end up overspending on trips.

[Chrissy Whelan]

We do, especially with social media, have champagne dreams and beer budgets. And I'm just like, first of all, we're gonna come back to planet Earth and then we can explore the earth in a way that works for us and is realistic.

[Marielle Segarra]

On this episode of Life Kit, how to Travel on a Budget, journalist Amelia Edelman, who's a longtime budget traveler herself, talks to Chrissy Nishan and another expert and brings you their best tips.

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[Amelia Edelman]

His second term as president. What will his administration do and what.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Policies will it promote?

[Amelia Edelman]

On the NPR Politics Podcast, we'll break down what the new administration does and.

[Marielle Segarra]

Explain why it matters matters.

[Amelia Edelman]

Listen to the NPR Politics podcast every day. So what's the secret to budget travel while adulting, exploring and still having a relaxing or even somewhat luxurious vacation? Let's start with something fundamental. Deciding what kind of trip you want to take and why. That's takeaway number one. Define the purpose of your trip to guide your spending why is this such an important first step when traveling on a budget? Because to clearly curtail your spending, you need to get clear on why you're traveling in the first place.

[Nishan Lanata]

When you plan a trip, it's important to define the purpose of your trip and what matters most to you.

[Amelia Edelman]

That's Nishan. She says defining your trip is all about planning and prioritizing. Is the trip's main purpose exploration, learning, family, connection, relaxation, or something else entirely?

[Nishan Lanata]

You can start to apply a proper budget to those different items based off of I know what the purpose of this time is, this vacation, this trip, this exploration, and then being able to adjust from there. When you have that purpose, it really helps clear up your priorities pretty quickly. So if you're adventure or activity oriented, then you're probably going to save more money on your accommodations by choosing a budget friendly option to be able to allocate even more towards expenses or even food.

[Amelia Edelman]

But if your trip is more about relaxation, maybe you'd spend a bit more on staying in a nicer place, but look for deals or discounts on flights to balance that out. Or if your goal is to immerse yourself in local culture like Chrissy Whalens and her sons is, you might prioritize affordable accommodations or focus more on free or low cost activities like visiting museums, hiking or checking out local events. Chrissy says many of these are totally free.

[Chrissy Whelan]

I can't think of a better thing to do for carnival season than to go to Viareggio in Tuscany and go on the beach and it's the biggest carnival in all of Europe with the most amazing floats. The entire town of Viaregio is dedicated to making floats and it is like one of the best free experiences I've ever had.

[Amelia Edelman]

Another purpose oriented tip during your trip planning, once you've decided on the vibe you're looking for, can you find a destination dupe that's more affordable? Destination dupes or duplicates are about finding a cheaper lookalike for a dream destination. One of my dupe recommendations for US travelers, for example, is Quebec. If you're a Francophile but can't afford a transatlantic trip to ever expensive Paris, try a shorter flight or a road trip from the US Northeast to Montreal or Quebec City for culture and crepe and to Pratique votre Francais.

[Brittany Oliver]

Another dupe that I like is the Finger Lakes region in New York.

[Amelia Edelman]

That's travel writer Brittany Oliver. She says the Finger Lakes are a great alternative for a trip that will set you back a fraction of the price of one in Tuscany or Napa.

[Brittany Oliver]

So if you can't make it out west and you're looking for like a wine experience, that area is really nice, really cute Airbnbs bed and breakfast that you can stay at and really affordable wine trails.

[Amelia Edelman]

Yeah, that's a great. And you can also like go skiing around there and be like, it's basically the Alps upstate New York. It's fine. Defining your trip's purpose early on in your planning process will help determine whether there's a destination dupe out there that might serve you better for cheaper. That purpose will also help guide and stem your spending once you're on the trip. But planning ahead isn't just a mental exercise when it comes to traveling on a budget. You also need to physically start saving your trip funds. The earlier the better. That's takeaway number two. Save ahead and save more than you think you'll need. Start saving at least six months before a trip, if possible. Nishan says this gives you plenty of time to set a realistic budget and to build up a travel emergency fund.

[Nishan Lanata]

I often work with folks to set up a dedicated travel fund and contribute to it consistently, even if it's a small amount each month. So it can be a revolving travel fund. Say you know you're going to take five trips every year or you know you spend at least $6,000 every year. Well, we know if we're spending $6,000 every year, we probably need to save at least $500 a month.

[Amelia Edelman]

Even before you save, you've got to know your numbers. Sit down and track your spending over the next few months. Where can you cut back? Maybe you stop eating out so much or you cancel that subscription service you don't use anymore. These small changes add up. Chrissy says you should decide what is.

[Chrissy Whelan]

It that you totally need versus what you want. And if the travel thing is what you want more, you will make concessions.

[Amelia Edelman]

But it's not just about saving enough for your trip. Nishan says you should also build in a financial cushion for any emergencies, whether that's unexpected medical expenses or an extra night at a hotel after a canceled flight.

[Nishan Lanata]

When you plan for the unexpected, you have the ability to kind of take the pressure off of yourself. So the most obvious approach for managing those unexpected costs or emergencies is to build up a contingency fund, and that's usually around like maybe 10 to 20% of your total.

[Amelia Edelman]

There are also travel grants available from nonprofits that you can use to augment your savings. World stries and travel niche offer Grants for families and Wish of a Lifetime offers them for folks who are 65 and older in the U.S. for example, Chrissy recommends giving these a shot and.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Maybe you're only going to get 500 bucks, but man, the thing you could do with $500 is something, you know what I mean? That's a whole week of accommodations somewhere.

[Amelia Edelman]

As for accommodations, where you stay can eat up a lot of your budget. So where are you going to stay? Takeaway number three. Be creative and flexible with where you stay and when you go. A little outside the box thinking will save you serious travel cash. Flexibility is everything when it comes to flight booking. First off, use flight comparison tools. They allow you to track prices over time so you can look for deals and book when prices dip.

[Brittany Oliver]

The two tools that I use are Google flight alerts as well as this third party app called Hopper.

[Amelia Edelman]

Chrissy also uses a lot of these.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Different tools and I like Skyscanner app to like set alerts for things that I'm, you know, I always say three to six months in advance, you should really start thinking and then setting a travel alert for the places that you really, really want to go. And then subscription services like what used to be called Scott's Cheap Flights, which is now going, and Matt's Flights. Those are really good because you can get free subscriptions and they just throw stuff at you and you're like, hey, oh my God, $500 flights to Paris in February, like I'm in.

[Amelia Edelman]

Booking aside, be flexible with your travel dates. You'll save a ton of money if you can be a little bit less precious about your travel timing if you.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Want to travel a and have a better time first and foremost. But if you want it to be cheaper, you've got to do off peak.

[Amelia Edelman]

I experienced this firsthand when I brought my entire family to Santorini in January and February. It's no small trip, four flights just to get from our hometown of Nashville to the Greek island. But because we went during the low season, it was just $500 per person. Round trip accommodation prices were also super low and the gorgeous island was much quieter. Also, avoid flying on Sundays and Mondays, which tend to be the most expensive due to weekend trips and business travelers. As for accommodations, don't make any assumptions about what you think might be cheapest without doing your research. Travelers often assume that a vacation rental like Airbnb or VRBO will be cheaper than a hotel, but Chrissy says that's certainly not always the case.

[Chrissy Whelan]

The fees are insane.

[Amelia Edelman]

Yeah, it used to be like 2008 RIP 2008 Airbnbs. That was always the cheapest option, right? Meanwhile, plenty of discount hotels are cheap and clean and even have some amenities that might save you money elsewhere.

[Chrissy Whelan]

So many people rent Airbnbs because like I want to buy food and I'm like, hey man, you know that the Ibis Hotel has a microwave and a mini fridge in the room.

[Amelia Edelman]

And while you may think of hostels as crowded spots filled with college age backpackers, a little creative research will help you find the ones that are anything.

[Chrissy Whelan]

But don't skip on checking out family hostels. They are not like the hostels from your 18 year old youth.

[Brittany Oliver]

Bad bug.

[Chrissy Whelan]

They're really, yeah, they're really amazing and clean and safe. And I tell you, I've never felt safer as a single mom. And I love a family hostel. I've done them in Spain and Germany and Finland and Norway and I have never regretted it.

[Amelia Edelman]

But there's a fine line between deals and discomforts. One thing you should never compromise on to save a few bucks, your own safety and peace of mind. Here's Britney.

[Brittany Oliver]

And so for me, like the hostel, I don't think I'll ever do that just for me because I wouldn't feel safe.

[Amelia Edelman]

Britney also takes care not just with accommodations, but where she decides to travel.

[Brittany Oliver]

That is so important because as a black woman, there's a lot of places that haven't really seen a lot of black people. And so we're just rare unique when we go in those spaces. And that can cause safety risks. A lot of places also have biases, right? That poses safety risk.

[Amelia Edelman]

Brittany does a lot of solo travel and relies on the usually cost free online travel communities and affinity groups where she can connect with other travelers of color. Groups like this also exist for LGBTQ travelers, disabled travelers and more. And if you'd feel more comfortable traveling in a group, Brittany recommends doing group travel with companies like Travel Noir. Plus, planning and communication are free.

[Brittany Oliver]

Just let people know where you are and then think about if you want to go solo. Think about places that are recommended.

[Amelia Edelman]

Other non hostile ways to stay in top recommended destinations for cheap are house sitting, pet sitting and house swaps. With sitting you stay in someone's home for free while they're away in exchange for providing pet and plant care and the like. With swapping, you go full on the holiday and exchange homes with someone. Here's Chrissy.

[Chrissy Whelan]

I know that trusted house sitters and trusted pet sitters is a fantastic way to do a trip for very cheap or almost free. Like you can do A home swap. Or you can do house sitting or pet sitting and literally cover your accommodations.

[Amelia Edelman]

I've done all of these before myself using the sites Chrissy mentions as well as the sites Kid and Co and Home Exchange. Membership to each site costs in the $100 to $200 per year range. And you build a profile, browse around the listings and apply for a sit or swap somewhere you like. Then the homeowners can review your application and reach out to you if you feel like a fit. It's a lot like online dating, but for houses and dogs. Another great approach Brittany recommends to finding free accommodations is actually taking friends and family up on offers of hey, come visit anytime the guest room open.

[Brittany Oliver]

A lot of us have, you know, friends who take jobs abroad or just happen to move abroad and when they're like, come visit, do it if you're comfortable staying at their house, using the couch, using, using their spare bedroom and being able to travel and do the things that you want to do.

[Amelia Edelman]

And once you're there, getting creative and not being married to the major sites and Michelin star restaurants can help you save on food, activities and more.

[Brittany Oliver]

I also suggest people going off the beaten path, right? So a lot of times we, we tend to go to like the popular city centers, right? A Times Square or Hollywood in la or you know, that's where you're going to spend all your money, right? But when you go to the neighborhoods, the outliers, that's where you can find really great cheap eats and really fun free activities.

[Amelia Edelman]

So take the train out to the banlieue, the suburbs of Paris or ride the 1 train in New York to the very last stop where I grew up in the Bronx. And walk around and get such great affordable food from so many cultures. And that's true of many cities. The outskirts is where a lot of food cultures really thrive. So saving, purposeful planning and creative brainstorming are all well and good. But then how are you actually paying for these deals in a way that makes sense for your budget? Takeaway number four, Be smart about credit versus cash. There are ways you can maximize both to benefit your budget. If you're a frequent traveler, don't overlook credit card points as the potential to pay your way, or at least part of it. Brittany uses her credit card for large purchases pre travel, particularly items that earn the most points like entertainment and dining.

[Brittany Oliver]

Out before you even start your trip, just to see what kind of points it will take to get to this type of hotel.

[Amelia Edelman]

But it's also important to keep your spending aligned with your goals. If you're going to earn points, make sure you're using them strategically, like booking flights during off peak times or for longer haul trips where points stretch further. Don't waste points on something that could be cheaper out of pocket. Also, be aware of annual fees with some travel credit cards. Sometimes the fee outweighs the benefits unless you're really maximizing the cards perks. Brittany also says that if you or your partner or another travel pal have corporate benefits that allow travel discounts on certain hotels, that's a smart way to steer your spending without involving credit. Using cash, on the other hand, can be an excellent way to physically limit your budget. When it runs out, it's out. Of course. Stay smart about carrying cash when you travel. Keep most in your hotel safe and batch out what you need for your day in a money belt or front facing fanny pack. Brittany started traveling with Cash Only for Food, inspired by one of her friends who did the same.

[Brittany Oliver]

She came to New York and she brought cash and she was like, this is all I'm spending on food. That's why I have the cash and I have to make this work. And that was how she budgeted. Because when you have your card, you just swipe, you just swipe, you swipe, you swipe.

[Amelia Edelman]

After all. Credit cards can be great because points, but they can also set you up for budgeting failure by making you blissfully unaware of how much you've actually spent. So stay aware of what you tend to spend on and maybe delegate a limited cash fund for your most frequent culprits, whether that's food or souvenirs or the spa. And be honest with yourself and any travel companions about how much things are actually costing. That's takeaway number five. Have open budget conversations with all your travel partners, including kids, and with yourself. Nishan recommends certain apps to help you track your spending and stick to your budget both before and during your trip to keep yourself accountable.

[Nishan Lanata]

It can allow you to log and track expenses in your budget in real time, but you could also use split expense apps like Splitwise if you're traveling with others.

[Amelia Edelman]

Sometimes though, the very best hacks are the analog ones.

[Nishan Lanata]

Writing in a money planner would be helpful, or even just having if you're a tactile learner and you need something tangible. Writing everything down a little old school, but it works and it actually holds me accountable and I actually feel like I can do some reflection when I'm writing things down.

[Amelia Edelman]

Open conversations about budget have multiple purposes here. If you're traveling with kids Talking honestly about the costs of travel and involving them in planning teaches them valuable financial lessons. Research shows that talking to kids openly about money in an age appropriate way, of course, is associated with positive financial outcomes for them later in life.

[Chrissy Whelan]

I feel in the world where it's give me, give me, give me, I need, I need, I need. Particularly with kids, it's kind of cool to be like, well, what do you really need and what do you really want and how can we work together to earn that?

[Amelia Edelman]

Involving kids in travel budgeting starts by not just giving the kid a task, but giving them a responsibility. That's how Kristy does it with her teen son, Zephyr.

[Chrissy Whelan]

Zephyr knows what we have to spend. He is a part of the budget and the planning and the spreadsheets from the jump.

[Amelia Edelman]

Of course, for younger kids, maybe it's just about giving them a small souvenir allowance and letting them choose how to spend it. Meanwhile, if you're traveling with a partner, friend or any other adults, the recommendation remains. Discuss your budget openly and honestly, says Nishan.

[Nishan Lanata]

At the end of the day, you're taking a trip with somebody that at least you like, know and trust to some degree, right? So if you're going to have a relationship with this person or this other person party, then communication is really essential and it's important to communicate. Okay, what is my purpose for this trip? What's your purpose for this trip? To be able to set expectations and priorities up front.

[Amelia Edelman]

So to recap, here are our five takeaways for how to travel on a budget. Takeaway number one is to define the purpose of your trip and let that guide where you spend and where you don't. Takeaway number two is to save in advance and save more than you think you need. Takeaway number three is to be flexible and get creative when it comes to flight, timing, accommodations, activities and all the rest. Takeaway number four is to use both credit and cash smartly. Takeaway number five is to have open, honest budget conversations with any travel companions, including kids. With a little saving, creativity and purpose oriented planning, you're ready to make your travel dreams happen without breaking the bank. And remember, budget travel doesn't mean not spending your money. It's about doing a little extra prep upfront so that you spend it intentionally and get the best bang for your buck, not just being like, cool, my dream trip is Paris. I'm gonna put it on the credit card and then I'm gonna figure it out, you know, like, cause then you're paying interest and you're losing money long term. Like do it the Brittany Oliver way. Start now, not the 22 year old Amelia Wade. Don't do that.

[Marielle Segarra]

That was reporter Amelia Edelman. For more Life Kit, check out our other episodes. There's one on how to pack for a trip and another on how to deal with travel frustration. You can find [e-mail] LifeKit and if you love Life Kit and want even more, subscribe to our [e-mail] lifekitnewsletter. This episode of Life Kit was written and reported by Amelia Edelman. It was produced by Claire Marie Schneider. Our visuals editor is Beck Harlan and our digital editor is Malika Greeb. Meghan Cain is our supervising editor and Beth Donovan is our executive producer. Our production team also includes Andy Tagle, Margaret Serino and Sylvie Douglas. Engineering support comes from Neil Tivald. I'm Marielle Segarra. Thanks for listening.

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