The time has come to go on the long-anticipated backpacking trip to Europe! You’ve saved the cash but you’re still on a budget. Is it possible to save money? Absolutely! Learn about the best frugal backpacking travel tips so you can get the most out of your time without cutting corners when visiting India, South America, Asia or anywhere else your heart desires!
Read on to learn about the top frugal backpacking travel tips.
Why Backpack Instead of Taking a Suitcase?
Before I get into the essentials you should bring while backpacking and the top tips to save, why use a backpack? There are a few reasons why:
- Backpacks are easier to load on and off trains
- In many places such as Asia and Europe, elevators are not common. It’s a lot easier to take a backpack rather than haul a suitcase with wheels up 3, 4 or even 5 floors!
- Backpacks are a good idea for places where there is uneven ground. Many places such as European cities have cobblestone streets. It’s very difficult to roll a suitcase over uneven terrain. Additionally, if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to avoid taking taxis or even transit when possible. It’s free to walk ten or fifteen minutes from the train station to your hotel with a bag on your back instead of a huge suitcase. Small travel expenses add up!
Budget Backpacking Essentials
You’ve opted for backpacking over bringing a suitcase, but what should you bring along on your trip? If you’re using a backpack instead of a suitcase, you’ll have minimal space. Additionally, bringing a backpack means you’ll have to keep unpacking and repacking the suitcase several times while moving from place to place. Opting for a minimalist travelling capsule wardrobe is a great budget backpacking tip to help you save time and space.
Packing a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe
Firstly, what is a capsule wardrobe? Essentially, this is a collection of clothing, shoes and accessories of high quality and in neutral colors in your closet that can be worn with multiple outfits. A travel capsule wardrobe takes this one step further and only focuses on items you’ll need for your trip. For example, you’ll want to focus on seasonal items appropriate for the destination. A regular capsule wardrobe contains everything from winter jackets to shorts. On the other hand, let’s say you’re traveling to a sunny destination. Your summer travel capsule wardrobe won’t contain a jacket or leggings. Instead, you’ll need to stock up on high-quality, versatile shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sandals and more.
Minimalist Travel Wardrobe
Here are two minimalist travel wardrobe lists you can use for inspiration – one for summer and one for winter. Assuming you’re going away for maximum 5 days, bring 3-4 pieces of clothing each of each in neutral colors such as white, tan and black. For accessories, only bring 1-2 pieces maximum of each type. If you’re going away for a longer period of time, double the amount you need to bring. You can always do laundry while you’re traveling. Since your backpack has limited space, don’t overpack!
Summer Travel Capsule Wardrobe
- Tank tops
- T-shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Running shoes
- Flip-flops
- Dressier sandals
- Dress (for women)
- Handbag (for women)
Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe
A winter travel capsule wardrobe is similar to other seasons, but also includes items like long-sleeved shirts and jackets to prepare for cooler climates:
- Tank tops
- T-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Hoodies
- Sweaters
- Jeans
- Long pants
- Winter and/or fall jacket
- Boots
- Shoes
- Mittens
- Winter hat
Top Tips for Frugal Backpacking
While travel can be expensive, there are many different ways to be frugal and save money. Follow these frugal backpacking tips and you’ll save hundreds of dollars on your big adventure!
Determine Your Total Budget
Before you create your frugal backpacking trip budget, plan your saving strategy and map out your itinerary, you need to create a plan! Personally, I first decide how much I have to spend on the trip total. For example, let’s say you’re traveling Europe with your partner for 2 weeks. You’ve dedicated $5,000 total to the trip or $2,500 each. From there, you’ll be able to map out your expenses and how much you need to save before you set off on your big adventure.
Frugal Backpacking Involves Choosing a Budget Destination
Once you know your spending limit, you’ll need to choose a budget-friendly destination. If you’re looking to save as much money as possible, go for countries that are off the beaten path. Here is a list of some of the top budget-friendly destinations:
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Nicaragua
- India
- Bolivia
- Turkey
- Albania
- Slovenia
Check out this budget backpacker guide for more information on these and other destinations.
Create a Travel Budget
After deciding on how much you can spend and choosing a budget-friendly location, you’ll need to create a budget. Essentially, you’ll need to estimate approximately how much everything will cost on your trip and ensure it falls within your limit. In this case, you’ll need to stick to a budget of $5,000 for a couple.
Knowing Potential Costs and Saving Requirements
Backpacking on a budget means that not only do you need to know your spending limit, but the fact that you’ll need to create a concrete plan around:
- How much you need to save per month to reach your goal
- What you’ll be spending your money on and approximately how much you’ll spend on each category (food, transportation, hotels etc.)
- How much you’ll be flying vs. driving or taking public transportation while in the country. For example, if you’re doing a multi-leg Europe trip, you may need to do some long-term train travel or even take a flight. While flights between European countries are generally quite reasonable, they can be more expensive than renting a car or buying a rail pass
- How many people will be traveling with you. Will you be going solo, with a partner or bringing the entire family along? Costs can quickly balloon for every additional person you add onto the trip.
Book Flights and Hotels Early
When booking travel arrangements for a frugal backpacking trip, timing is key for everything from:
- Hotels
- Airline tickets
- Excursions and tours
- Airport transfers
Frugal Backpacking and Travel Prices
Generally, the earlier you book your travel, the better. Why? In a capitalist society, costs operate under a dynamic pricing system. Essentially, when more people want to buy something and there is a limited amount of that produce or service, the price rises. For this reason, you’ll want to book It’s for this reason why you should try to book travel as soon as possible! It’s understandable that you may not be able to plan super far in advance, try your best to book at least a few months before departure. Use an app such as SkyScanner and Hopper, flight apps that compare prices and show you the lowest price. Additionally, use an app such as Trivago or Kayak to compare hotels, flights and car rentals.
While prices generally rise closer to the date of departure or hotel booking date, you can sometimes score a sweet last-minute deal. There’s nothing wrong with trying to get a lower price. However, don’t wait too late to book your travel. Is it really worth risking the price doubling, tripling or more just to possibly save $20? It’s also tempting to check the price after you’ve booked. No better feeling than seeing that the price went up after you bought it, right? However, it’s best not to do this. Sometimes, the price may drop further and you may feel buyer’s remorse. Not a fun feeling. Resist the temptation!
Frugal Backpacking Means Being Flexible on Travel Dates
When booking a frugal backpacking trip, the goal is to save as much money as possible. Another great way to save money: be flexible with your departure and return dates. While it may be challenging for those with kids to choose a different time to travel (maybe you can only travel in the summer), see if you can leave a day or two later or earlier. Airline and hotel prices are generally cheaper on weekdays and during off-peak times – aka not during the summer or holiday season.
By traveling during the weekday or during less busy times, you can save hundreds! How? As mentioned before, supply and demand. When more people want to book a hotel or flight, prices will generally go up. Those who really want the ticket or room might be willing to pay the price.
Choose Hostels over Hotels – A Classic Frugal Backpacking Hack
If you truly want to do a frugal backpacking trip, you’ll need to consider hostels. While you might think hostels are for poor twenty-somethings, think again! In this day and age, many hostels have a variety of options to suit backpackers, flashpackers and those looking to be smart with their money. Many European and Asian hostels offer private rooms. While many have a shared bathroom and shower facilities, others have their own ensuite bathroom! Be sure to read reviews and use a trusted website such as Hostelworld to book your accommodation.
Choose a Shared Room Over a Private Room
Frugal backpacking means you want to save as much money as possible. This includes cutting down on accommodation costs and choosing the lowest-cost options. Choosing to stay in a shared room or bunk bedroom can save you more than 50% the rate of a normal hotel or hostel room. While this option isn’t ideal for everyone, if you want to be frugal and save as much money as possible while traveling, you should seriously consider it. There are a few cons associated with sharing a room including lack of privacy and exposure to noise at every time of day.
However, there are several perks. In addition to saving money on accommodation costs, you’ll have a higher chance of meeting many likeminded travelers. What better way to bond with fellow travelers than sharing late-night chips in a dorm room?!
Find a Hostel with Perks
Another great reason to choose a hostel: many offer perks outside of offering a cheaper rate. Hostels often have shared facilities. Here are the top facilities you should ensure your hostel before booking it – and why.
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Find a Hostel With a Shared Kitchen
Food is a huge expense. Whether you’re traveling or staying at home, it can really cut into your budget. When you book a hostel with a shared kitchen, fridge and cupboard space, you can buy your own groceries and prepare your own meals. Don’t take being frugal too far, though. Why would you go all the way to Paris not to sample the croissants and baguettes?
Find balance between frugality and indulgence by choosing to go out for one meal a day. Personally, I like going out for lunch. Many countries such as Spain offer a menu du jour (menu of the day) that is offered for a very reasonable price that is a lot lower than the dinner dishes on offer.
Choose a Hostel with Regular Social Events
While the major drawback of staying in a shared hostel room is the lack of privacy and exposure to noise, there are several social benefits to this option. Many hostels offer weekly social events including trivia nights, pub crawls and special concert and club outings. Additionally, hostels often have special connections with local tour guides who offer daily walking tours. Hostels are a great way to get discounts on museum tickets and walking tour.
When you choose to participate in a pub crawl, your first drink or admission fee is often covered! These are the main reasons why you should seriously consider staying in a hostel. If you’re not comfortable staying in a shared room, opt for hostels with private rooms. Hostels with private rooms are generally cheaper than staying in a hostel, so you’ll find a fantastic balance between privacy and comfort.
Choose a Hostel with Laundry Facilities
When frugal backpacking, you’ll have limited space in your backpack. If you’re traveling for a week or more, you’ll need to do laundry. While laundry facilities in many countries are cheap and readily available, try to book accommodation that includes laundry service. Laundry service often means that someone else will wash, dry and fold the clothing for you. While it may cost you a little bit more than going to a laundromat, being frugal doesn’t just mean valuing your money. When you spend hours running around the area to find a laundromat, you’ll waste time. Time is money! You spent a lot on this trip, so make the most of it.
Rooftop
Why would I include a rooftop on the list of important hostel facilities? If you’re like me, you occasionally like unwinding on a rooftop or at a pub after the end of a long day. While it’s great to go out and try out a fancy rooftop, you can save money by using the rooftop at your hostel. Many hostels let you bring your own drinks to the rooftop. Buying your own liquor is a fraction of the cost of a cocktail. If the hostel has its own rooftop bar and doesn’t let you bring drinks up, the prices are usually very reasonable.
Again, frugal backpacking means that you’re saving as much as possible. Treat yourself to the occasional cocktail at a bar, but if you can, try to use the facilities you already paid for.
Outdoor Pool
A less important frugal backpacking tip but one you should still seriously consider is an outdoor pool. If you’re traveling to a destination with a warm climate, an outdoor pool is a great way to cool down after a long day of sightseeing. An outdoor pool can save you money on travel expenses. How so? Often, hotels you aren’t staying at offer a day pass for a fee. The day pass does not include food and drinks, so you would need to purchase those in addition to your ticket. On the other hand, rather than spending money on an admission ticket, cocktails and food at another hotel, if your accommodation offers a pool, you can bring your own food and drinks. You’ll save money just by opting for a hotel or shared accommodation that has a pool!
Stay with Family or Friends
Got connections abroad? Stay with family members or friends to save money. In exchange for you staying at their place, you can offer to make a special dinner for them. If you don’t have family or friends living in the city or area you’re visiting, try an app such as Couchsurfing. Apps like this can help you find free accommodation. If you’re not comfortable with staying at stranger’s house, you can opt to just meet up with the host for a city tour or a meal! Locals know the best spots off the beaten path. Non-touristy food and exhibit sites often cost a fraction of the touristy places. Apps are a fantastic way to meet locals and save money.
Volunteer Opportunities
Last but not least, if your frugal backpacking trip is going to be a long-term ordeal, why not consider short-term work opportunities? Many hostels offer volunteer opportunities in exchange for free accommodation. If you’re comfortable cleaning, running a reception desk or cooking, you’re a perfect fit. While volunteering at a hostel isn’t a sustainable option (life costs money), it’s a great way to stretch your dollar while on the road.
Fill Up on Healthy Snacks Throughout the Day
What you spend on food and where is a huge part of frugal backpacking and isn’t just related to meals. Stocking up on filling, nutritious snacks can help you stay fuller longer. If you’re setting off early in the day for a long day of hiking or exploring museums, you’ll need to keep your energy up. Stock up on healthy foods like granola bars and trail mix. You’ll feel full for hours and won’t feel tempted to constantly snack on donuts or over-indulge at the lunch buffet. A win for your wallet and your health!
Use a Rail or Transit Pass
Investing in a rail or transit pass is one of the best ways to save money when traveling. Passes often 30-40% less than if you buy each ticket individually. If you’re staying in a city for longer than a few days, check to see if there is a transit pass on offer. Many major cities offer discounted tickets or unlimited trips within a certain time period.
Frugal Backpacking Means Choosing Free Activities
Frugal backpacking means you’ll aim to find free or low-cost activities. Doing stuff on the cheap doesn’t mean you have to cut corners! Here are some of the top ways you can save money during your backpacking adventure:
Visit the Tourist Center
First and foremost, check to see if the city or region has a visitor’s information center. Staff will be able to help you find low-cost or free activities.
Free Museum Days
Check to see if any museums in the city you’re visiting have a free day. Many museums have a designated time or day where entrance to the permanent collection is free. Sometimes you may have access to the entire museum – even the special exhibits!
Enjoy Outdoor Festivals and Events
If you’re traveling in the summer, many cities offer outdoor carnivals, festivals and concerts. Try your best to plan your visit to cities when a major event is going on. Visiting a local festival is a great way to soak up the local culture and enjoy talented artists.
Check Out the Local Architecture
Many outdoor sights can be seen for free including churches, temples and cathedrals. Additionally, you can often go inside during specific times of day. There’s no better way to get to know a culture by seeing where and how people live and worship! Check the city you’re visiting to see if they offer a walking tour. Often, walking tours are absolutely free except for tipping the guide at the end.
Explore Markets
Spend an afternoon getting lost in the aisles of an indoor our outdoor market. Many markets offer food, drinks, arts and crafts. Bonus tip: some markets even offer samples. Try out the different local foods on offer and stay on budget!
Meet Up with the Locals
Not sure what to do? Are you traveling solo? Meet up with a local to get a real taste of the city you’re visiting. Locals will know all the hidden spots you would never know from reading a tour book. Chat with the barista or hotel receptionist for advice on where to meet locals. Great places to meet locals include coffee shops, group fitness events and local restaurants.
Do Low-Cost Activities
You’ve exhausted your list of free activities. There’s nothing wrong with spending a bit of money – after all, you are on vacation! Here are the top low-cost activities you should add to your frugal backpacking itinerary.
Do a Self-Led Foodie Tour
Love food as much as I do? Choose 3 or 4 restaurants and hop from place to place to try the cuisine. If you’re traveling with a group, you can get sharing plates or order 1 or 2 dishes to share. Doing a foodie tour will allow you to try out different dishes without breaking the bank!
Create Your Own Brewery or Wine Tour
Don’t want to pay for a beer or wine tour? Choose 3 or 4 breweries or wineries and go from place to place. Doing your own tour is a great option if you’re visiting a city with a good public transportation system or the ability to walk from place to place. Create your own plan on Google Maps. Map out each address and the walking or transit distance from each place. End your tour the best way by enjoying some dishes at a local restaurant!
Do Your Own Bike or Walking Tour
If you love biking, why not rent a bike and explore on your own? Many cities offer bicycles for rent. These bikes are all over the city and can be unlocked for a fee. You can often pay for a rental by the hour, two hours or half a day. Map out all the major sites in the city you’re visiting. Don’t want to bike or is the place you’re visiting small? A self-guided walking tour is a great alternative to a conventional walking tour. Explore the city at your own pace. No need to catch up with a group or get bored after spending an hour in the cold!
Have a Park Picnic
Hit up the grocery store for sandwich ingredients, snacks and drinks and enjoy nature in the local park! Many cities have beautiful green spaces. Enjoy the gorgeous greenery and sit down for a relaxing picnic lunch. A picnic lunch is a great way to enjoy nature, bond with fellow travellers and save money on food costs. Buying your own groceries and doing a park picnic is a lot cheaper than eating out at a restaurant, so you’ll have the funds in your budget for that bottle of sauvignon blanc! Be sure to bring a picnic blanket and sunscreen.
Enjoy a Local Coffee Shop
Find a quirky local cafe to spend the day in. Treat yourself to a latte, sit down and enjoy the morning people-watching or reading your favorite book if you’re traveling solo. If you’re traveling with family or friends, take time to catch up about what you’re enjoying about the trip so far.
Opt for Slow Travel – A Classic But Often Overlooked Frugal Backpacking Tip
What is Slow Travel?
When you want to do a frugal backpacking trip, consider slow travel. Slow travel is when you spend more time in one place – whether it be city, region or country before moving on to another place. When you slow travel, you’ll take time to get to know each destination in a deeper way than a regular tourist might. Slow travelers will have time to explore neighborhoods off the beaten path, local restaurants and nature spots. In addition to saving money on travel (I’ll explain how shortly), slow travelers can enjoy a more enriching experience. Taking local transit, eating at local places and exploring at a slower pace allows travellers to develop a deeper appreciation of the place they’re in.
How Can You Save Money by Traveling Slow?
When you choose slow travel over moving from place to place every few days, you’ll save money – primarily on transit. Here are the main ways that slow travel will help you save money:
Save on Intercity and Intercountry Travel
When you choose to travel to less places on your trip, you’ll spend less on intercity trains and buses. Additionally, you’ll cut down on taxi or bus transfer costs from the bus or train station to your hotel. If you’re traveling between different countries, you’ll save even more money. Flights and visa fees generally cost quite a bit more than trains and buses. In short, if you want to truly do a frugal backpacking trip, choose 2 or 3 countries or cities that you really want to visit and spend at least 5 or 6 days in each place rather than choosing to visit 7 or 8 countries for 3 or 4 days. Another benefit of slow travel? You’ll spend less time in transit and more time exploring. Additionally, you’ll reduce travel stress!
Save on Local Travel
When you opt for slow travel, not only will you save on intercity travel, but you’ll also save on local transit. For example, if you choose to stay in a city for 1 week instead of 3 days, you may be able to purchase a transit pass that’s 40-50% cheaper than buying tickets as you go.
Reduce Currency Exchange Fees
When you choose one country to travel in, you’ll reduce the amount of fees spent on withdrawing cash or exchanging currency. While $20 or $30 here and there in fees doesn’t sound like a lot, it adds up over time. If you’re on a frugal backpacking budget and want to avoid currency exchange fees, opt to travel in one country.
Save Money on Food
Another benefit of slow travel: having a chance to truly eat local. If you spend multiple days in one place, you’ll have the chance to check out local spots. Rather than hopping from city to city and indulging in restaurant meals at the big places, slow travel means you can take time to find the local haunts. Practice your local language skills and ask a local about where to find the best eats!
A Final Word on Frugal Backpacking
Frugal backpacking doesn’t have to be boring. When you plan ahead, set a budget and commit to doing low-cost or free activities, you’ll be able to live frugally while enjoying exploring the world!
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Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
