15 Travelers Reveal Their Best Tip For Vacationing On A Budget

See the world without spending a fortune.

If we had it our way, we'd spend our whole life traveling. But unfortunately, those vacations can cost a pretty penny.

Walt Disney Pictures

So we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about their best tips for traveling on a budget. Here are some of their best responses.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

1. Make your first stop the local grocery store.

instagram.com

"Before we visit landmark sites and tourist attractions, we go to the local supermarket to load up on water and snacks. We do enjoy the occasional foodie experience while traveling, but grocery shopping for snacks allows us to save up to splurge at good restaurants." — Privatefaces

2. Consider renting an apartment instead of a hotel room.

instagram.com

"If you're going to be in one city for an extended period of time, home rental sites like Airbnb, HomeAway, and Plum Guide usually offer cheaper alternatives to a hotel room, often with a kitchen so you can cook a few meals at home." — stephanier4608d931a

Check out: 15 Incredible Airbnbs You Can Rent For Under $100 Per Night In The U.S.

3. Seek out restaurants in areas where there are colleges and universities.

instagram.com

"If you're traveling to a big city like Paris, the neighborhoods near universities tend to boast cheaper dining than other, more touristed parts of town." — caitytm

4. Sign up for a service that tracks cheap flights for you.

Hannah Loewentheil/BuzzFeed

"I paid $30 to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights and have never regretted it. You input your home airports and you receive notifications with relevant flight deals. You can find cheap flights on your own, but I found it worth the $30 to have deals sent right to my inbox." — samanthap416591137

You can also sign up for Google Flight alerts to keep you up to date on amazing deals.

5. Use free podcasts to guide you through museums.

instagram.com

"If you plan on going to a museum, especially well know ones like the Louvre, do a quick search for a podcast that will walk you through the galleries and explain the artwork. It's a whole lot cheaper than playing for an audio or guided tour." —bessg3

6. Take advantage of travel-friendly credit cards.

instagram.com

"You can earn points through your normal spending and leverage those points to bring down costs in the form of free flights or hotels." — Anthony Restuccia, Facebook

If you're looking to open a credit card that rewards travel, consider a Wells Fargo Propel or Chase Sapphire card.

7. Buy a public transportation pass.

instagram.com

"A lot of cities have a day or week-long ticket for the buses or the subway system, which is way cheaper than paying the individual fare, especially if you're going to be using public transportation often." — jenevieveb

8. And a museum pass.

instagram.com

"With a lot of these passes — many of which also include public transportation — you get to skip the museum lines, which is great during busy tourist season." — Ericakay

Lots of cities, especially European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, offer museum passes, where you can pay a single fee for entrance to multiple museums.

9. Plan your museum visits strategically.

instagram.com

"Many museums have pay-what-you-wish nights or even free nights, so look those dates up ahead of time and plan accordingly. Also if you’re a student, make sure to bring your student ID along for discounts." — Ciera Velarde, BuzzFeed

10. Say yes to street food.

instagram.com

"Not only is street food cheap and delicious, but it's often the best way to actually get to know a country." — Josie Ayre, BuzzFeed

11. And avoid credit cards with foreign transaction fees.

Alexialex / Getty Images

"If you're using a credit card while traveling, all those international transaction fees — usually around 3% — can really add up. Opt for a card that don't charge a fee." — Popalinga

12. Ask locals for restaurant recommendations

instagram.com

"Not only do locals often know delicious, under-the-radar spots, but they're often cheaper than popular restaurants that cater to and mark up for tourists." — miikarachellef

13. Walk as much as possible, then rely on public transportation.

instagram.com

"Not only is walking free, but it's the best way to familiarize yourself with a new city. If the distance you're traveling is too far to walk, opt for public transportation instead of cabs." — ilovetacobell

14. Take a free walking tour.

instagram.com

"Free tours, for example Sandeman's New Europe tours, are available in so many cities, and you can easily find them online. The guides are always locals that love sharing insider secrets and favorite spots, and they'll often take you to their favorite local restaurants or shops. It’s great because you get a historical view of the city and local insight." — aliothgreen

15. Buy a local SIM card if you plan on using your phone abroad.

Getty Images

"Before you travel, unlock your phone, then when you get to your destination buy a local SIM card. Most providers have a prepay option so you can load up with data. It winds up being so much cheaper than buying an international plan." — ktannee

Do you have a budget travel tip we didn't mention? Tell us in the comments below!