Backpackers’ Hints on How to Travel for Less

Whether it’s finding the best budget accommodation on the web, eating out for next to nothing, or how to haggle their way to a real bargain in a market, no one knows how to save money on their travels better than a backpacker.

So when we asked our newsletter subscribers for their top budget transport tips, we knew we’d get some great ideas back. (Thanks to everyone who emailed in!) The following are a collection of travelers’ tips and money-saving devices on how to get around the world as cheaply (and safely) as possible.

"Overland travel is cheap and frequent in South America by bus or coach. There are even luxury coaches which cost a fraction of what you would pay in the UK and travel the length of the continent. I would recommend coach travel as a budget alternative to flying and you get to see the countryside on the way!!!!!"

"Avoid expensive supplements on night trains by choosing a route which offers normal seating as well as couchettes: the seats are rarely booked out so there’s plenty of space to stretch out in the compartment anyway."

"1. Check all budget airlines and search engines. It’s amazing how prices can vary
2. Take advantage of city passes/bus passes etc.
3. Watch out for public holidays when planning to travel… prices rocket at these times.
4. Travel outside peak times can save lots of money."

"Take the public bus, it takes longer but it’s worth it. The conversations with the locals make it a great experience, you learn a lot more of the culture you want to see and understand."

"Take the bus whenever you can!"

"Travel during off seasons is cheaper and watch for all airline specials. Grab them quickly as most don’t stay around for long. I always use public transportation when traveling – it is much cheaper than renting a car. Also, ask at information desks in airports for maps and cheap alternatives to reach destination vs. using a cab."

"Before traveling by taxi in a less developed country, ask local professional types what they usually pay for a trip from point A to point B. Without this info, drivers may very well convince you to pay foreign tourist rates that are mega amounts higher."

"Get together with a group of people you meet at the hostel and hire a car for the day to do some sightseeing."

"When travelling by train in Asia always get a night sleeper. You will have to get the train regardless so going at night means you save a night’s accommodation in a hostel and the sleepers are not much more expensive than seats."

"Buy a travel card or a multi journey bus/subway ticket so that travel around the city costs less."

"I try to book my flights as early as possible."

"Try hitchhiking if you know the area is safe and you are going with a friend."

"Buses, like Greyhound, are the thriftiest, but Amtrak has a nice senior discount and can be more scenic because it travels away from where there are any roads, as the route from Denver to Glenwood Springs in Colorado, and there’s more room to move around in a train, for long trips, to keep one’s leg circulation going."

"CITY PASSES are another way to look around the city without spending a lot as majority of them let you use public transport, free or discounted entries to attractions and some other benefits. And for my grand finale, fave money saver… THE EURO RAIL PASS! It is amazing (buy it online and it’s even cheaper). Apart from this DO NOT PLAN YOUR TRIP."

"Making more friends and staying with them walking around the city and exploring instead of cabbing."