Traveling solo is an incredible experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace, step outside your comfort zone, and fully immerse yourself in new cultures. However, without a travel companion to split the costs, solo travel can sometimes feel more expensive. The good news? With smart planning and a few budget-savvy strategies, you can make the most of your trip without overspending.
This two-part guide will help you navigate solo travel on a budget. Part One focuses on planning your budget before the trip—choosing affordable destinations, traveling at the right time, and finding budget-friendly flights and accommodations. Part Two will cover saving money on food, transportation, and activities while on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or planning your first trip alone, these tips will help you explore the world without breaking the bank.
It’s important to spend time budgeting and planning before the trip. Some strategies for this stage include choosing an appropriate time to travel, setting a realistic travel budget, using budget travel apps, and looking for affordable destinations. Some resources for researching the prices of things in different destinations are BudgetYourTrip and Nomadic Matt. According to Forbes, some of the cheapest destinations to visit in 2024 were Hoi An, Vietnam; Cape Town, South Africa; and Mombasa, Kenya.
Some resources for finding affordable times to travel are Google Flights Explore, Skyscanner’s “Cheapest Month” Feature, and Kayak’s Best Time to Travel Tool. Once you know where you want to go and when, it’s time to start setting a realistic travel budget. You should plan out how much money you will spend on daily expenses, transportation, accommodations, food, and activities. Some good apps for planning your travel budget are Trabee Pocket, Tripcoin, and TravelSpend. While planning your travel budget starts before the trip, it is also an ongoing process throughout the trip as you get a better sense of your actual spending. Apps like the ones I provided are helpful because they will help you adjust in real-time.
The next thing to think about is finding affordable flights and accommodations. Staying in a hostel or guest house is a great way to save money on accommodations. HostelWorld is a great starting point, offering a database of over 34,000 hostels worldwide. You can search by city and travel dates or explore top-rated hostels and popular destinations to find the best fit for your trip. Booking.com is also an option. They have many options to filter your search by, including a 9.0 plus rating filter.
Finding affordable flights is key to budget-friendly solo travel. Start by using search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to compare prices and track fare drops. Booking in advance, being flexible with travel dates, and flying during off-peak seasons can help secure lower prices. Consider budget airlines, but always check for extra fees on baggage and seat selection. Using airline rewards programs or travel credit cards can also help you save on flights through points and miles.
Budgeting for solo travel doesn’t stop once you book your flight and accommodations—it’s an ongoing process that requires flexibility and smart decision-making. By researching affordable destinations, planning your travel budget in advance, and using the right tools to find cheap flights and stays, you can significantly cut costs without sacrificing incredible experiences.
In Part Two, we’ll dive into strategies for saving money while traveling, from eating affordably to finding free and low-cost activities. With the right approach, solo travel doesn’t have to be expensive—it just takes a little planning and creativity to make the most of every dollar.
Brenna Cline 
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