Many people want to travel, but unfortunately, not everyone has extra money to fly across the globe. Luckily, I have compiled this list of 12 creative ways to save money for traveling. 

There is a false assumption that you must be rich to travel, which is not the case. I have traveled across the U.S., Europe, and Asia because of my creative ways of saving money for travel.

Everyone knows you need to budget and be frugal to build a travel fund, but there are more specific ways to save money for traveling that you can start doing today. Changing your spending habits will have significant effects if you want to travel. 

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This post may have affiliate links. I receive a small percentage if you book a hostel or attraction through my recommended links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps me reach my goal of becoming a full-time digital nomad.

How Much Money Do You Need to Travel?

Without counting the cost of flying/driving to your desired destination, you can expect to need $75-$100 per night if you are a budget traveler.

Hostels can cost around $30-$40 per night, food can cost around $20 per day, and you can expect to spend around $20 for shopping/ entertainment. 

Read: Why Should I Stay in a Hostel for My Solo Trip?

Of course, where you travel and what you plan to do on your trip affects how much money you need to take a trip. Instead of worrying about if you have enough money to travel, try to become more financially responsible in your everyday life to build up your savings.

Creative Ways to Save Money for Travel

As mentioned above, traveling does not necessarily have to be expensive. If you are committed to building a travel fund, you can save enough money for a trip.

Everyone always says you must limit your spending and track your expenses to save money. However, my creative ways of saving money for travel, like deleting Uber Eats and signing up for a library card, have more direct financial impacts. 

I work seasonally and finance all my trips myself. I can afford to travel because of the creative decisions I make with my money. There are no right or wrong ways to save money, but these are some of the easiest ways I have learned to save money for travel. 

Delete Your Ridesharing Apps

If you want to save money for traveling, you should delete (or strongly limit) using Uber and Lyft. Although these ridesharing apps are incredibly convenient and seem necessary, you do not need them!

There was a time before Lyft and Uber when we asked friends or coworkers for airport rides instead of paying astronomical prices for a quick car ride with a stranger. 

Also, once you delete Uber and Lyft, you will walk more and use public transportation. Although public transport often takes more time and planning, it is more economical. By walking more and taking public transport, you can quickly save money for traveling. 

Limit Your Subscription Services 

It is easy to get stuck in subscription services. From Netflix to Hello Fresh, we depend on monthly services to deliver our entertainment, food, and essential goods. 

Although there is nothing inherently wrong with these services, people often sign up for them and forget they are attached to a monthly charge. That is why so many companies are pumping out subscription services. It is an easy way to keep getting a steady cash flow from consumers. 

Be conscious of what services are charged to your card each month. If you only watch one show on Hulu a few times a month, it is time to eliminate that monthly plan. Instead, find a friend (or random acquaintance) willing to offer you their Hulu account in exchange for a souvenir from your upcoming trip. 

Get a Credit Card With Cashback

Having a credit card that offers you cashback is an easy way to build your travel fund. There are cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred that help you build up points to buy flights and book hotels. 

However, if you don’t want a credit card with a monthly fee, you should consider the Vemno Credit Card, which allows you to earn 3 percent cashback on the category you spend the most each month, 2 percent on the next, and then 1 percent on the rest. 

I have earned over $400 from using the Venmo Credit Card for a few years. $400 can easily pay for a one-way flight from Paris or Rome. However, you should not sign up for a credit card if you cannot pay off your credit card each month. Credit card debt is no joke and will quickly rack up, removing any savings from credit card cashback programs. 

Love Japan? Read my Ultimate Japan Bucket List: The Best Thing to Do in Every Prefecture

Only Buy New Technology When It’s Broken

Every year, it seems like there is a new iPhone or laptop out that we must buy. If you are serious about traveling, you must ignore these ads and only buy technology when needed.

Since college, I’ve had the same laptop with a broken touch-screen, but it still functions properly. I could justify buying a new laptop with a working touch-screen. However, I do not need the touch-screen function. It is not a necessity. 

New technology is expensive and can cost the same amount as an overseas flight. If you want to save money for your travel fund, only buy technology when the device is broken. 

Buy Clothes Second-Hand

Clothing, although typically not as expensive as technology, can get pricey. Going to malls and seeing displays of the newest apparel is fun, but you can also find great clothing items at thrift stores.

Shopping for clothes second-hand takes more time and work, but the savings are worth the extra time sorting through the racks. 

Stop Buying Fast Food and Take-Out

Fast food is a staple in American culture. It is known for being cheap, easy, and tasty. However, due to inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic, you will pay close to $10 a meal at fast-food joints. 

To save money for traveling, stop buying fast food. It is not really cheap anymore and obviously not very nutritious. If you want to grow your travel fund further, stop buying take-out and start cooking at home.

Uber Eats and DoorDash are convenient but sometimes cost over $30 when tip and delivery fees are added. You can stay at some hostels in Europe for $30 a night. Once you start cooking at home, the savings quickly add up. 

Visiting Europe? Read my One Month Europe Backpacking Itinerary: Visit 10+ Countries in 30 Days

Get a Library Card 

Owning a library card comes with many benefits beyond free books that will help you save money for traveling. Many library programs offer free online platforms to stream movies and TV shows.

Being a part of a library also allows you access to many free community events and discount tickets to local attractions. Sign up for a library card, and you will quickly save money due to its many benefits. 

Do Hobbies That Don’t Cost Money

A lot of time, we end up spending money because we are bored. If we have a free day off work, our daily spending dramatically increases.

If you want to build up your travel fund, you should find hobbies that do not cost money. I love running and hiking, which are typically free activities. However, there are plenty of things to do for free that don’t involve exercising. 

Try volunteering, reading, sewing, drawing, etc. The possibilities are endless. Try to spend more time doing things that do not require a constant credit card swipe. It will help you save money for your travel fund.

Want to stay safe while solo hiking? Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips

Ditch Alcohol 

Being social as an adult is somewhat difficult without going to bars. Although drinking is typically an integral part of our social lives, it is an expensive hobby that also has many negative health impacts.

Building savings for travel requires discipline and sacrifice. Instead of paying off your tab each night, drink water when you are out with your friends and then take that trip you have always wanted to take.  

Pack Your Lunch 

An easy way to save money for traveling is to pack a lunch. Bring a lunch to work instead of spending too much money at the employee cafeteria. Pack a sandwich for your next flight, so you don’t have to stop at a restaurant before taking off. 

No matter the scenario, try to pack a lunch for it! Of course, it takes time to pack a lunch and plan a tasty meal. However, it is an effective way to save money for your travel fund. 

Go Days Without Spending

To save money for your next trip, see how many days you can go without spending money. It may seem like a crazy challenge to go days without tapping your card at the checkout counter, but it is a quick way to save money.

You do not starve or shut yourself in your room during these no-spending days. Instead, stock up on groceries and do more free activities. You will begin to change your spending habits by trying to go a couple of days without spending money. It will become easier for you to save money for traveling. 

Use Amazon Only for Emergencies

Amazon is another modern convenience that dramatically changed our spending habits. In the past, you would have to wait days or sometimes weeks until you could visit a particular store and purchase a specific item you needed.

Now, we have instant access to millions of items, which has many benefits and drawbacks. Instead of trying to get something fixed, it is easier to purchase a new item. Also, prime days come every month, convincing us to buy a product we do not need.

With Amazon and all online shopping services, you should use them sparingly. Going to a store in person takes more effort than buying a product online. You can spend too much money online shopping, making it much harder to save money for traveling. 

You Can Save Money for Traveling

Everyone can travel, and everyone should travel. You do not need wealth to enjoy exploring and experiencing a new culture.

If you want to save money for traveling, follow these creative ways to help build your travel fund. Stop buying fast food, use public transportation, and limit online shopping. These savings methods will add up and help you take an amazing trip.