5 Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling

This post has been a long time coming. I know what you guys are thinking: Only 5 Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling?! In short, yes! These are all things I do to save money just before my trip and during. I have been doing some of these for years and others briefly but, either way, I say money and that’s important to budget-minded travelers.

I’d like to add that I’m not normally a budget-traveler. Not as much as I used to be, but I refuse to spend money on things I know I can get a discount on or less somewhere else. There is also something to be said for a time budget over a financial budget. If it saves me time (like more than an hour) and is a bit amount more money, it will be worth it in the long run for my personal travel experience.

Travel Iceland — The church of Hallgrimur, in Reykjavík

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5 Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling

These 5 Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling is definitely going to benefit those that like to stay in hotels and also those who like a mix of tourist attractions and exploration on their own.

Okay okay. Enough chit chat!

Let’s get into this list!

Book a City Pass or City Package

If you’re looking to do the big ticket city items, it might be worth it to check out a City Pass or Package on tickets. I great example of this is the Seattle City Pass. It offers tickets to the top of the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium and 3 more attractions of your choice. All for a fraction of the price (like, a 48% savings). There is also a 9 day validity and you can use them when ever you wish. Which is great because the weather can be unpredictable!

Definitely make sure to weight your options with each city package though. Example, Chicago has a Chicago City Pass but they also have a Go Chicago Pass. Both offer the same experiences but Go Chicago is priced by day and if you’re a tourist warrior, you might be able to get more for your buck going with that one.

Another bonus to these passes? The tickets are right on your phone. No need to mess with paper copies.

Join AARP

You’re probably shocked I’m saying this because AARP has been marketed to people overt the age of 50 your entire life. However, AARP doesn’t discriminate against age and their membership is open to everyone.

If you’re an avid traveler, like myself, this is a great quick and easy way to save money. Especially if you love staying in hotels, going to the movies and concerts. For the steal price of $12 for your first year, you get 10-20% off almost every hotel chain in North America. You also get a discount on British Airways, travel and tour bookings and up to 30% off of car rentals.

If you love Regal theaters, you get 20% off tickets and $3 off their popcorn and soda package. If you sign up for their rewards and type in your zip code, you’ll find tons of additional savings by earning points along the way. I found a 50% off local offer on my favorite froyo place, BOGO to the Pacific Science Center exhibits AND the Aquarium. Plus, 10% off a favorite local bar & grill. All for 500pts.

Definitely check out all of their benefits here. I have the 5 year pass and it’s already been worth every penny. I’ve saved well over the cost of my membership.

Solvang Windmill California — Little Dutch Town of Solvang California

Opt for a “No Spend Day”

If I’m in a city for more than 48 hours, I try my best to have a “No Spend Day”. Here is a short list of my favorite things to do that don’t cost any money:

Eat my leftovers from another day
Read at a local park
Go on a hike or walk a new neighborhood
Check the city’s event calendar for local and free things to do (like concerts in the park or museums)
Listen to Rick Steves Tour of the city
Book a free tour

Book hotels using Ebates

Not only am I a Hilton Honor’s member (so I get the lowest price), I am also a AARP member (an additional 10%) and then I book through Ebates (another 2%). It’s small but pennies add up and I love getting my Ebates check every 3 months. It’s also great to use on Groupon, VRBO, car rentals, Camping World, etc.

Check out there Travel section to help you get an idea of what else you can get cash back on.

Drinking Tea PNW — Drinking Tea at a Cabin in Cle Elum Washington

Bring your own coffee or tea

Unless you are in a city known for their coffee (cough Seattle & PDX cough), then… you’re just getting you’re regular cup of coffee in another city from a well known brand (cough Starbucks cough). What accommodation doesn’t come with a coffee machine?

So, why not just bring your own coffee/tea and skip the $4 morning routine?

I love traveling with my Tea Maker Mug with me and can often pop into a shop just to ask for hot water or I will get it right from the hotel lobby. Investing in a travel tea tumbler or a travel french press coffee maker will save a ton of money upfront. My tea comes out to roughly .36𝇍 a day because I love my tea and buy by the pound.

There you are, friends! 5 Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling! Let me know what you like to do to save money while traveling in the comment section below.