How do you afford to travel internationally? It is so expensive!  This is the question that I get constantly when people learn about my passion. Though it can be tricky, especially with out ever changing economy there are some small things that you can do while traveling, especially abroad to help lower the bill while still enjoying everything that these beautiful destinations have to offer. As an avid traveler I have shared different tips and tricks to friends, family, and colleagues to help them save money and some sanity while traveling near and far from home. So I thought, as much as I love writing all about my adventures, it would be useful to share some tips to help you stretch your dollars when traveling abroad.

Travel off-season

I will repeat this again, travel off-season! The difference between traveling in February and in July can be hundreds to thousand of dollars on your flights (20% to 30% on average), accommodations, transportation, and generally on most other parts of travel. Also, you will be able to deal with fewer crowds and be able to see more sights with all of the time you spend not waiting in line and getting delayed with public transportation. My advice is to research your location, obviously, if it’s only an average high of 18 in February in Norway and you hate the cold, it may not be the best destination for you but many countries can be accessed off-season during pretty similar weather or better (especially if you aren’t a big hot weather person) at a fraction of the price. 

Pack a reusable water bottle & bags

As simple as this tip seems, it can save a traveler a lot of money from the airport to their final destination. Those who’ve never traveled internationally before may not be aware that unlike in the United States drinks come in smaller portions and at a much higher price, especially those that are sugary or highly caffeinated. This may seem like a small thing but $2-$4 a drink can quickly add up, especially if you are traveling in a group or will be abroad for a few weeks.  If you plan on using your water bottle a lot I recommend looking into  one of two styles of water bottle depending on where you are traveling. If you are planning on going to a major city like Paris, Amsterdam, or London or planning on backpacking a lot with a clean water source available, get a silicone roll-up filter water bottle, that way you can easily pack it away in a small purse or pocket when not in use. If you are planning on traveling somewhere where the water quality may not be so good but still drinkable (not like Mexico or other infamously questionable water sources), get a water bottle with a filter that will get rid of any odd tastes that may come with well or other processed waters.

Though reusable bags have become more of a staple in the last few years in the US, Europe and most of the world is a very eco-friendly place, which is great for the environment but sometimes to be tricky for non-EU travelers, especially while traveling. Many places will not offer plastic bags at all or charge a fee for bags when shopping (usually about .15-.50 for plastic per bag or about 1-3 euro for a reusable bag) . Once again this seems like a minor fee or inconvenience but in the log run this can add up. Save yourself the money and sanity well being a little more eco-friendly and bring a reusable bag with you for purchases large or small. 

Sign Up For Emails From Local Travel Companies

I know that everyone hates getting advertisement emails but this tip can pay off especially when it comes to larger purchases. If you are planning on traveling by train, which is a popular transportation in most countries you can often save 10% to 20% simply by signing up for their email list. Also if you are planning on booking an outing such as a bus tour or excursion, try to sign up for the email list a few months before your trip and look out for discount code emails which are sent on a semi regular basis. If you don’t want your inbox getting full then make a separate email account just for your travel discounts and watch the savings add up.

Make lunch your main meal

When traveling food can sometimes be one of the highlights of your destination (or maybe that’s just me) but also can be some of the most detrimental to your wallet. Want to try a restaurant but the price is a bit steep? Want to try the local fair but not pay the dinner price?  Most restaurants offer a lunch menu during the day which will be significantly cheaper than their evening fair but still give you a true taste of the city you are visiting. Use your dinner as a time to try out smaller food venues, make a picnic from a local grocery story, or even their local versions of American fast-food chains (I know it sounds weird but it is its own quirky little adventure) which have their own unique twists and sometimes delicious foods that you didn’t even know existed. Even if you are not a big fast-food person, you would be surprised by how different the menus/qualities of meals are at these restaurants due to stricter food regulations/ better quality of in-country ingredients.  

Buy some of your food at grocery stores

Check our local grocery stores, let me repeat this, check out local grocery stores! A great way to not only save some money but also get a true taste of the local fare is to visit local grocery stores or shops. The best part of this is that you get the true taste of an area while trying new foods that you didn’t even know were a thing. Trust me, this is where my love affair with many foods began! It is also a great way to save some extra money by helping to either replace or supplement some meals. In Paris, we bought local baguettes and baked goods from a local store for our breakfasts and saved a lot of money in the process. If you are lucky enough to be staying somewhere that has a kitchen or even some kitchen supplies such as a kettle ( I have actually cooked frozen ravioli in a pinch once this way before) or mini-fridge take full advantage of them! 

Use an ATM as soon as you land

One of the best and most consistent ways to save money while traveling abroad is by making larger withdrawals from an ATM instead of using your credit or debit card every time you want to make a purchase. By using an ATM you are only getting charged fees and/or surcharges charged to you once instead of doing this multiple times which can really add up. Also, not all countries are as card friendly as the US so often cash is an easier option, especially for smaller purchases. Before you leave, remember to check your debit and credit card ATM fees to see which one is most efficient, and always give them notification on which countries you will be visiting so your card doesn’t get frozen. 

Wifi can be your best friend

Though many phone plans offer international phone service for their customers what a lot of people don’t realize is all of the unseen fees that can come along with them. Want to save money while traveling abroad while still staying in touch with loved ones? Free Wi-Fi can be a lifesaver. Before you leave look into free Wi-Fi-based messenger/phone services such as Facebook messenger that way you can talk to and message your friends and family on their app free of charge.

Go for non-traditional souvenirs

So you just visited your dream destination and you want to bring home a memento for yourself or a loved one, right? Then bang you go into a local souvenir shop and bam! You see the price of some of the items, really? $30 for a tee-shirt that says London? Before you hit the souvenir shop try a few other stops first. Yes, the grocery stores and local shops are coming back again, pick local candy, treats, soaps, perfumes, lotions, teas, or other specialty goods for a much lower price that your friends and family will love. Also, check out local street markets I have been able to find steals in both London and Amsterdam by getting gifts this way.