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10 tips to take a vacation for less than $500

Key takeaways

• Despite high prices for airfare, hotels, and car rentals, it's possible to get away for under $500 a person.
• You don't need to sacrifice fun or good food. You just need to be more creative about where you find it.

Who couldn't use a vacation? But with inflation driving up the cost of food, housing, and other essentials, it's hard to know how to travel for cheap. Luckily, a nice break doesn't have to bust your budget. We talked to 7 people who all skipped town for at least 4 days in 2022—for under $500 a person. Here are their travel tips for having a lot of fun for not a lot of money.

Feed your brain. Fund your future.

1. Make a swap for a free stay

Lauren Serpico didn't spend a dime on lodging on a 6-night trip to Denver. She belongs to TrustedHousesitters, a pet-sitting service. For a $199 annual membership fee, Serpico, 31, can stay at pet owners' homes for free in exchange for caring for their critters. Besides feeding a cat twice a day, "I had to change her litter box and give her some snuggles, but that's about it." Serpico even gets unlimited pet-sits for her cockapoo, Napoleon, when she's away from her hometown of San Diego.

Not into animals? Meg Knutson, 38, swaps her home instead through HomeExchange. For $220 a year, she and her family earn points for lending out their Crozet, Virginia, house that they can apply toward stays at nearly half a million other homes. She recently spent 4 days in a 4-bedroom house in Blowing Rock, North Carolina—for free. And it had everything her family of 4 was looking for, including a large kitchen and beautiful mountain view.

2. Head to the great outdoors

"We knew focusing on outdoor activities, like hiking, would be a great way to save money on travel ," says Catherine Oliva, 34, a Houstonian who visited Sedona, Arizona, with her husband.

One of the highlights of Knutson's North Carolina trip was mountain biking, which cost them nothing because they brought their own bikes. And then there was the 5 a.m. lunar eclipse. "It was amazing," she says. "We had a perfect view of it from the house." On Joe Dello Russo's trip to the White Mountains, New Hampshire, the 25-year-old and his girlfriend climbed Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States, paying only a $20 fee to park their car. They spent most of the rest of their time on another low-cost activity: fishing. Even their outdoor lodging didn't cost a thing. They found it on a national database of free camping spots.

3. Don't settle for high rental-car costs

Car rentals jumped in price by more than 51% between April 2019 and April 2023, a bigger spike than airfare and hotel rates. 1 Still, you can borrow a set of wheels for a deal. After airfare, the rental car was the biggest expense of Michelle Jubinville's Orlando, Florida, vacation, and yet it was only $100 for 4 days. "We have access to corporate codes for car rentals through our jobs," says Jubinville, 35, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

No perk, no problem. To keep their rental car costs down in pricey Sedona, Oliva rented through a peer-to-peer car-sharing company: $250 for 4 days. "We spent a lot less than we would have if we had rented from a large car-rental company," she says.

4. Use flight and gas trackers

Even budget airlines can seem out of budget these days. Jubinville relied on a free flight tracker to find the lowest fares possible. The winning ticket: $210 roundtrip between Massachusetts and Florida.

Dello Russo also knew how to travel for cheap and used a free tracker to find the best prices on gas to get him from Portland, Maine, to 2 hours away in New Hampshire, then to several hiking and fishing spots in the mountains, and back home. At a time when a gallon of gas neared record highs, Dello Russo spent about $150 getting around over 4 days.

5. Pack light

With many airlines charging $30 or more for your first checked bag, and some charging carry-on fees, 2 Jubinville and her family of 4 "traveled light and didn't check any bags." One way to keep what you carry to a minimum: Consider ordering what you may use and finish while you're away (such as snacks and drinks) from a site that offers free shipping straight to where you're staying. If you'll be at a hotel, confirm they don't charge extra for receiving packages.

6. Consider hotels that offer more than just a room

"Hotels can be expensive in Sedona, so we intentionally chose one that included breakfast," Oliva says. The Jubinvilles always stay at the same hotel chain, and their high loyalty status scored them free breakfast at their hotel too. Other hotels may offer free shuttles to popular spots around town, so you can skip the rental car or ride-shares. And some may have plenty of fun on the property. Think: movie nights, live entertainment, and supervised kid activities, saving you from having to shell out extra elsewhere. For instance, the Jubinvilles could have dropped big bucks at a theme park, but instead had fun at the hotel pool for no additional charge.

7. Stay near the action

Serpico saved money by taking a train from the airport to a station in downtown Denver before she hailed a quick ride-share to where she was staying. "Ride-shares can run up travel costs pretty quickly, so I stay at homes that are either centrally located or are near public transportation," Serpico says. She spent $80 on ground transportation altogether.

While hotels and homes in prime locations tend to cost more than those far from the sites, what you'd spend on gas or ride-shares might cost more than the accommodations' upcharge. "Because our hotel was close to a lot of hiking trails, we didn't have to drive far each day," says Oliva, who spent $75 on gas for the entire 4-day Sedona trip.

8. Time your trip right

The month of the year, week of the month, and day of the week can make flight and hotel prices jump or drop. Learn how to travel for cheap in your destination before you book, and avoid peak periods if possible. Dani Heinrich, a 40-year-old New Yorker, strategically timed her El Salvador trip, traveling Tuesday to Friday. "The beach towns are popular with Salvadorans who come down to the coast from the capital on weekends, so it's definitely cheaper to visit on weekdays," she says. Staying at the ecolodge she chose cost just $40 a night—and included breakfast.

9. Eat outside of restaurants

Besides hotel breakfasts, Heinrich ate a lot of cheap (and delicious) street food instead of dining at restaurants. "Pupusas, a thick, hand-pressed corn tortilla typically filled with cheese and meat, beans, or seafood, only cost $1. A couple of them will fill you up," she says. Her total food expenses: $80.

To cut his food costs, Dello Russo bought about $70 worth of groceries and cooked meals at their campsite. Jenna Singer, 32, of San Francisco, grocery shopped for lunches and snacks during a Utah hiking vacation.

10. Opt for credit cards that offer travel rewards

If traveling for cheap is your priority, look into charging expenses (if you can pay them off right away) with a credit card with travel benefits. Singer racked up enough points to cover a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Las Vegas. She and her friend then stayed in a Las Vegas hotel for a free night—an annual perk from her hotel-chain rewards credit card. Likewise, the Jubinvilles paid for their hotel stay entirely with points, which they had accrued through their hotel-chain credit card.

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How to Travel Cheap (12 Tips To Save Money While Traveling)

Traveling can feel out of reach and off-limits when your bank balance is dwindling. However, limited funds don’t have to mean that travel’s off the agenda. Learning how to travel cheap is not easy and can take some time to master but it is possible.

With a bit of graft, some slight mindset shifts and possible alterations to your aspirations, traveling on a budget is absolutely possible.

Now, there’s an abundance of tips, tricks and advice out there on this subject. Just Google ‘budget travel’ and you’re bound to come across a million and one blog articles telling you how it’s done.

However, where there’s supply there’s demand! Clearly, a lot of people continue to wonder how to save money while traveling. With this in mind, I thought I’d put together my own top tips to add to the pile and attempt to help.

I hope they will provide you with some novel ideas and food for thought when you’re considering the best way to travel with little money.

How to Travel Cheap: 12 Tips That Will Save You Money

Table of Contents

Like anything that’s new, the little tricks that make traveling easier will take time to pick up.

It’s the same with managing a budget. As a first time traveller, expect to spend more money than you’d like to initially.

Even incredibly experienced travelers struggle with their budget in new places. It’s just part of the learning process!

Anyway, here we go. My top tips for budget travel:

1. Use a Travelers Bank Card

Thankfully, in most places where there’s a city you’ll find an ATM, which is actually a great way of withdrawing money abroad.

It’s relatively cheap (exchange rates are up there with the best you’ll find) and means you don’t have to carry tonnes of cash with you at all times.

This is good practice as it’s safer (less money to attract potential wrong-doers) and slows your spending (the more you have, the more you’ll spend!).

Be careful, though. Certain banks charge more than others for withdrawing foreign currency.

Do some due diligence and find the card with the lowest rates wherever you’re traveling to! Travel guides and Google are your friends here.

You can also get cards (such as Revolut) especially for withdrawing money abroad. This can save a lot of money in the long run as you won’t lose as much money in exchanges rates and withdrawal fees.

2. Be Sensible With Your Stuff

Know where your stuff is so that you don’t get it lost or stolen while traveling. Okay, this one’s obvious, but take care of your money, passport and belongings, etc.

I know, you know. And, I’m not your mother. However, needless to say, when it comes to traveling on a budget, losing your wallet or having money and costly items stolen, isn’t great.

Sadly, it happens more than you would think. Be diligent and be smart.

3. Be Wary of Tricksters

Regardless of where you are in the world, there are going to be people who will try to fleece you.

It’s always going to happen. Whether you get sold a ‘genuine gold bracelet’ at a market stall in Marrakech, or overcharged for a tuk-tuk ride in Thailand, it’s easy to lose money through ignorance.

If it happens, which it will, don’t get angry! Just learn and don’t let it happen again. Spend time learning about the favored tricks of certain countries so that you’re able to avoid them.

4. Make Sacrifices

I haven’t put these budgeting tips in order, but this should probably be number one. Sacrifice is a key way to save money when traveling on a budget. It applies to saving up before your trip as much as spending on it.

It’s simple: do what you can to avoid expenditure.

Buy from supermarkets instead of going out to restaurants; watch a movie on someone’s laptop instead of the cinema; make packed lunches; sleep in cheap accommodation; sleep in your car; camp (in the best waterproof tent possible) instead of the hostel; take the local bus instead of the fancy tourist one.

Whatever it takes, putting up with discomfort can save a lot of money and actually, ironically, enhance the experience too. It’ll put you in all manner of interesting situations.

5. Set A Budget and Follow It

Sounds obvious, right? But I mean, actually budget.

Traveling cheaply is great, but there’s no substitute for planning ahead of time and working out an actual budget for daily expenditure, alongside a record of what you spend and when.

Little things all stack up and there’s nothing like seeing your total expenses at the end of the day (normally far more than you’d expect) to incentivize greater frugality in the future!

Be sure to also check out How to Save Money for Travel: A Step by Step Guide

6. Travel Light

Instead of a huge rucksack with tonnes of extra space, pack an ultralight bag instead.

Take a small bag that you can get nothing else into. If you can’t carry it, you can’t (or really shouldn’t) buy it!

This tip’s a little out of left field, but where there are so many tempting souvenirs to purchase around every corner, your bank balance might thank you for it.

Not sure which backpack to take? Check out my post on the different types of backpacks and their pros and cons.

7. Work, work, work

How do you get rid of money issues? Make more money!

When you’re on the road you might be surprised at how simple it is to get a job. If you’re somewhere for any period of time, look into job adverts in hostels, in the local community, talk to local bars and restaurants, or check out farm work available.

Visa issues may apply here so be sensible, but it seems a logical step if you have the time.

Equally, it’s also worth noting quickly how working hard before you go traveling is hugely beneficial.

Not just financially, but mentally too. Save up money by working hard and not only will you reduce financial burden of travel, but you’ll value the experience more too.  

8. Break the Rules

I always tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to rules. Frankly, I’m a bit of a wuss! However, when you travel there’s undoubtedly room for a ‘slight bending’ of them, if you don’t wish to break them entirely.

For instance, stealing. I hate it. Please don’t do it.

But it’ll definitely save you money if you do. I have friends who stole food here and there (which we all enjoyed eating…) during our travels, but only from huge companies where it felt less personal and wouldn’t have much of an impact.

Again, I wouldn’t recommend and definitely don’t encourage it.

Another example comes from paid walking tours. Interested in learning more about a city, museum, or heritage site?

Just latch onto the back of one that’s already running. It’s unlikely they’ll notice. And, if they do, just apologise and say you thought it was free.

Other things charge for seemingly unreasonable things. For instance, hikes, national parks, and campsites can all charge large sums of cash to use or enter them.

It depends on your values, but sometimes paying to pitch a tent on a piece of grass with no toilets, cooking facilities or running water seems steep to me!

Sometimes, you might be able to get away without handing over any cash. Respect the land and your neighbors, stick a bit of money in an honesty box if there is one and make sure you tidy up behind you.

9. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking has a bad rep thanks to horror stories about unlucky individuals who get picked up by the wrong people.

I can only talk about my own personal experiences of hitchhiking, though, which have all been positive. I’ve met awesome people, experienced incredible hospitality and been driven around the country for free.

If you want to save money on transport costs, don’t mind a little risk and like the thought of meeting strangers, hitchhiking is a good bet.

10. Find Free Accommodation

This is one of the greatest expenses you’ll have while traveling. Seriously, paying for accommodation, especially in more built-up areas, can drain your funds. It’s absolutely possible to find it for free though.

Here are a few ways to do it:

• Couchsurfing is one way of doing so: By signing up you can contact locals online who advertise a couch/ spare room for travelers to sleep in. It’s a great way of meeting people, learning about your destination from locals and obviously saves a pretty penny too.
• Work for accommodation: Essentially, do a little work (generally menial work such as cleaning or gardening) in exchange for a bed and sometimes food. Hostels are often looking for people to do this and it’s a great way of staying somewhere for longer, without paying!
• Wwoofing: WWOOF stands for world-wide opportunities on organic farms and is similar to working for accommodation. It’s often mistakenly called the same thing, but Wwoofing actually means to do farmwork (on organic farms) in exchange for accommodation and food.
• Squat: You can genuinely find incredible places to stay if you’re willing to squat. In lots of places, there’s a squatting culture, where abandoned homes are inhabited (usually illegally) by people looking for a roof over their head.
• Rough it: Again, this comes down to sacrifice. But, sometimes you genuinely don’t need to pay for a room. If the weather and country (in terms of safety and opportunity) allow it, sleeping under the stars is a great alternative. This doesn’t necessarily mean being on a Greek Island or some other beautiful sandy beach- sometimes a city park is absolutely fine.

11. Alter Your Plans

This is a big one as well. If you don’t have much money but can’t wait to travel, alter your plans.

It could be anything!

Change your destination of choice: closer to home generally equals lower price of flights. Change the time of year you want to go: peak season sees prices climb dramatically.

Change how you get there: intercontinental buses are sometimes insanely cheap compared to trains or flights!

Alter how long you plan to travel as well. After all, less time away equals less money spent.

It’s important to remember that many of the incredible benefits of travel are entirely independent of things like location and duration too. Wherever you go and whatever you do, it’s likely to be the best experience of your life.

Want another suggested alteration?

Try earning enough to cover for a few days/weeks of food and accommodation and a one-way flight ticket. And then trust you’ll get a job in the country you’re traveling around!

This’ll depend entirely on the job options for where you want to go, of course, but it’s absolutely do-able.

It also means that, instead of saving thousands, you can save hundreds and be on your trip in a fraction of the time as a result.

12. Alter Your Mindset

Mindset is big when it comes to budget travel. Being flexible, open minded and willing to try new things and ways of life are crucial abilities when it comes to saving money.

Again, a lot of this comes down to sacrifice.

Unfortunately, we can’t have everything and generally speaking, when you only have a little money for travel it means sacrificing either time and/or comfort!

Many of the options I’ve listed above require a slight mindset shift in order to make them work. Successful and cheap travel is just around the corner.

I hope these suggestions help everyone. Drop a comment with any new and novel ways you use or plan to use, in the constant struggle to save money while traveling! Good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danny Newman is currently writing and traveling his way around the world in a bid to figure out exactly what he’s doing with his life. He’d love you to follow along with his journey over at  What’s Danny Doing .

More on Travel Planning:

• 17 Cheap Places to Travel Around the World
• 10 Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
• 13 Stunning Cheap Islands to Visit Around the World
• How to Plan a Travel Budget: Step by Step Guide
• 10 Killer Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights
• 11 Easy Tips on How to Find Cheap Accommodation
• Doing Laundry While Traveling: Essential Step by Step Guide

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Guest writers for Divergent Travelers offer insider tips and information on destinations that they are experts in. It is important to us that we are able to have the highest level of travel information available to you from local writers and experienced travelers.

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How to Travel For Cheap (Or Free): 9 Tips From a Budget Traveler

My traveling journey started when I was fresh out of college, a time when my bank account wasn't glamorous. This meant to fulfill my solo backpacking dreams, I would need to learn how to travel for cheap. You may be in a similar boat (or I should say plane for the sake of this article). In my pursuit to travel for cheap, I relied the cheapest ways to travel and cheap travel tips like finding alternative housing options and scouring the web for cheap flights.

After years of traveling overseas, I've found places I've loved and places I won't return to. Some of my favorite places are those that don't break the bank but still offer an undeniably incredible experience. To get you headed toward the right destination, download my top seven places to travel below.

Here are nine tips to help you travel for cheap.

1. Consider Alternative Accommodation Options

Sure, lavish hotels tucked in the Positano hillside are gorgeous and out of this world, but they won't let you travel on a budget. Instead, to travel cheaply, you'll need to look toward alternative accommodation options, including:

• Hostels: Hostels are essentially social hubs that accommodate a large group of travelers. These were my bread and butter when I traveled solo for three months across Europe on an extremely tight budget. You can score night stays between $10 and $35 depending on when and where you're staying; if you choose to travel in the off-season, you can find rates as low as $5. Hostel World is a great place to find the right hostel for you.
• Airbnb: Airbnb is the new wave of accommodation, which offers different rooms and entire houses or apartments you can stay in. While it's a much more affordable option than a traditional hotel, it's not as cheap as staying at a hostel. However, if you want more privacy than a hostel, this is a great option.  Use my referral link  and get up to $65 off a qualifying booking.
• Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is a budget-friendly way to travel for free. Travelers are able to stay as a guest on a community members couch, bed, or even an extra room for free. While you may be hesitant about this option at first, residents of the Couchsurfing community are known to be open-minded and welcoming. Although you won't get a world-class accommodation like you may get with Airbnb, it's free, and that's hard to beat when you want to travel cheaply.
• Housesitting: Believe it or not, you can volunteer to watch someone's house, pets, and/or plants in exchange for a place to sleep. Again, while you may not get tip-top accommodation, it takes the nightly accommodation rate out of the picture and helps slash your travel expenses drastically. If this sounds enticing for you, check out websites like TrustedHousesitters , Mind My House , and HouseCarers . You may have to pay an annual fee to contact homeowners.

2. Travel Out In the Off-season

When you first think of traveling, you may want to take flight during the hottest months of the year or in the midst of the holidays; however, more often than not, those are typically the most expensive times to travel. It's normal for airlines to hike their ticket prices up and accommodation, such as Airbnbs or hostels, to price their nightly rates through the roof; they know there are people willing to spend this kind of money.

However, I know that's not you because you're reading this article on how to travel cheaply. And that's okay, that's exactly how I traveled when I first started. If you want to travel for cheap, choose to travel in the off-season—the opposite of the most popular time. To do this, research your destination and learn about the most popular times to go. Then plan a trip before or after these dates.

3. Think About Your Budget When Choosing Your Destination

Different parts of the world are more expensive than others. So if you want to travel cheaply, you'll need to dig in and find areas that won't break your bank and put a massive dent in your wallet. For example, parts of Europe, like Switzerland, Barcelona, and Paris, aren't your budget-friendly locations. Sure you can be tight on spending while you're there, but your dollar won't go as far as other places.

Here are budget-friendly destinations and how much it would cost per day:

• Vietnam:  $30
• Cambodia:  $25
• Northern Thailand:  $30
• Indonesia:  $30
• Romania:  $33
• Greece:  $40
• Czech Republic:  $40
• Ukraine:  $26
• Poland:  $40
• The Baltic States:  $40

Now, don't be fooled by these low rates. Even though you won't be spending much, some of these destinations are the most beautiful places to travel in the world. Choose one of these spots and you'll have a happy wallet.

4. Look For Budget-friendly Flights

One of the largest expenses you'll have to face when planning a trip is your plane tickets. Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations is one way to be able to find cheap flights. But you can also use budget-friendly flight resources, including:

• Scott's Cheap Flights : There's nothing like getting an email every day with insane flight deals, and Scott's Cheap Flights does exactly that. You're able to plug in your preferred airport and receive budget-friendly flight deals to help you score a cheap flight.
• momondo : If you're tired of websites using your cookies and previous searches to mess up your hunt for the cheapest flight, momondo is the way to go. It doesn't use cookies to increase or change fares based on your past searches, ensuring you'll get the best price.
• Kayak :  This is a popular site you may have seen TV commercials for. Kayak lets you set "Anywhere" as a destination, meaning you'll never miss a good deal.
• SkyScanner : SkyScanner was the first budget-friendly flight resource I heard of and used. It's actually how I booked my flight home from my solo backpacking trip when I barely had any money. They work directly with the airlines and third parties to find the best deals.

5. Capitalize On Travel Reward Programs

What if I said you could earn free travel on money you're already spending? Well, I'm here to tell you exactly that. Thanks to travel credit cards and travel reward programs, you can earn points or miles on everyday expenses, like your groceries, that you can redeem for travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, or even vacation packages.

For example, I use the  Capital One Venture card . You’ll earn:

• 2x points on every single dollar
• 60,000 bonus miles (or $600 in travel) once you spend at least $3,000 on purchases within the first three

On average, one point is worth one cent. Plus, you'll not only enjoy rewards you can redeem for travel, but this card also charges no foreign transaction fees, which will help keep your trip expenses to a minimum. Get your Capital One card to earn free travel.

6. Work As You Travel

If you're not looking to travel the world purely as a long vacation or holiday, and instead want to create a more sustainable plan, it may be in your best interest to work as you travel the world. This way you can continue to travel without worrying about running out of money or having to abide by a tight budget that may keep you from doing everything on your itinerary.

There are a few different ways you can do this:

• Work as a freelancer:  If you already have a service you're able to offer, like marketing, social media, writing, or translating documents, you can use sites like Fiverr or Upwork to look for remote work. This is a handy way to leverage your skills and make money while away from home.
• Teach english abroad: You don't need to have teaching experience for this job. As a native English speaker, your knowledge is a huge asset in classrooms (in-person or online) around the world. You could also become a private tutor or translator.
• Become an au pair: As an au pair you'll work for, and live as part of, a host family. Families will typically pay for your visa, travel, and accommodation in exchange for childcare.

These are just a few of the most common types of jobs people get while traveling. There are many more. Check out sites like  GoOverseas , GoAbroad , and  Get Up & Go Global to help you find a digital nomad job.

7. Plan Your Public Transportation Strategically

Once you're overseas, you'll have different options to get around depending on your destination. You may have access to taxis, ride sharing apps, city busses, subways, or trains; some options will be more affordable than others. Planning your public transportation strategically can help you access one of the cheapest ways to travel. For example, subways may be easier on your wallet than taxis.

When I travel the world, I have a rule of thumb I follow that helps me save money. If I need to go somewhere, such as dinner or an attraction, and it's within a 30 to 45 min walk, I will choose to walk over public transportation. Not only does walking save you money, but it's the best way to experience and see the city. If it's longer than 30 to 45 minutes, I typically choose to use the local subway or metro system.

Be careful using taxis. Sometimes the drivers will try to take longer routes to earn more money because they know you don't know the city as a tourist.

8. Cook a Majority of Your Meals

Half of the fun of traveling is eating and experiencing all the local food and restaurants. However, eating out for every single meal can really rack up an expensive travel bill. I'm not saying don't go out and eat all the incredible food; I'm saying if traveling on a budget is a priority, then cooking a majority of your meals should also be one.

However, if you have chosen a budget travel destination, like the ones I listed above, this won't have to be a worry of yours. This applies to places like Europe, Japan, and Australia that tend to run a bit more expensive.

9. Only Spend On Things You Need

When you're traveling on a budget, you should only spend your money on necessities. This includes like food, drinks, transportation, attractions, and the occasional souvenir. If you're looking for the cheapest way to travel, your intention shouldn't be to buy a souvenir for every single person back home and do some retail therapy for yourself.

Here's a good rule of thumb for spending: If you're going to spend money, invest that money into experiences rather than tangible goods. It's the experiences you'll tell stories about in years to come, not the leather wallet you bought at a market.

Bottom Line

Learning how to travel for free or cheaply doesn't have to be difficult. Traveling the world without denting your wallet is totally doable if you follow these nine cheap travel tips I learned through my own experience. Sure, you may have to make sacrifices and compromises, but at the end of the day, you're still traveling the world and not many people get to do that.

Have any questions on how to travel for cheap? Let me know in the comments below.

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22 Cheap Travel Hacks You Can Use Right Now

Home » Blog » Travel Tips » 22 Cheap Travel Hacks You Can Use Right Now

If you dream of traveling but don’t know how you can afford it, you’ve come to the right place! We’re sharing all our cheap travel tips that have allowed us to explore the world, even while paying off student loans! This guide will explain exactly how you can afford travel, even if you’re broke right now.

If you dream of traveling full time but are wondering how the heck people afford it, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve been traveling the world for the last 4 years while paying (lots!) of student loans at the same time.

And no; we don’t come from wealthy families & we didn’t win the lottery.

This has forced us to get creative and learn the best hacks for traveling the world on a super tight budget!

It is our passion to share these cheap travel hacks with others so we can prove that travel does not have to be expensive, and you don’t need to be rich to go on the vacations of your dreams. If we can do it, you can too!

We will go through these tips with you one by one and show you exactly how to travel on a budget like us.  

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We Traveled the World for 4 years on a Budget  with these 21 Brilliant Travel Hacks!

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1. become good at saving money.

It’s a constant learning process, but we’ve been able save quite a bit of money over the years that we use to fund our travels, save for the future and just pay for life… ya know, like eating food and buying toothpaste and stuff.

We’ve got all sorts of tips and tricks that have helped us save enough money to travel extensively and live out of our backpacks (on and off) for 3 years. We’ve put together all of our money-saving advice in one article and hope you can use our hacks to save up for whatever your dream may be

2. Be a master budgeter

No matter if we’re going on a weekend camping trip or a year-long, round-the-world adventure, we always, ALWAYS create a budget. If you don’t set an expectation of how much you’re going to spend, you’re almost guaranteed to overspend.

Sometimes our budget is tight, and other times, we decide that we’ll travel a little more luxuriously. Setting a budget doesn’t mean it has to be a low budget. Heck, you could set a budget of $1,000 USD a day if you’d like. The important part is to know your limits. 

Creating a budget can actually be pretty simple and fun. Follow along as we show you exactly how we make a fail-safe travel budget .

3. Find Cheap Flights

You can find amazing deals on flights if you know a few tricks. While there isn’t an exact science that works every time, there are a few ways you can find great deals on flights !

Track your flights

The best way to get a incredible deal is to monitor it frequently.  Sign up for newsletters, like Thrifty Traveler and Dollar Flight Club , or join Facebook Groups like Airfare Watchdog . These programs will let you know the best deals right now and will let you in on mistake fares. For example, we recently saw a round trip flight from LA to Hawaii for just over $300! Say whaaaat?!

Do the research

We usually start with Skyscanner because we love the fact that you can see the cheapest days each month to fly. Once we have a flight in mind, we compare the price with other search engines like Kayak and Google Flights.

4. Choose Cheap Countries

A budget of $5,000 will mean very different things depending on where in the world you plan to travel. In Western Europe, for instance, it might get you 1 month, where in South America you could spend 3 months traveling. And if you bring that amount to India, you could stretch it out to 5 months.

If your goal is to travel longer, choose countries where your money will last longer. Simple.

We typically choose countries where we can travel for less than $70 per day between the two of us because we know we can travel longer. (Plus, many of the places we’re interested in just happen to be inexpensive to travel.)

If you do choose expensive countries, PLAN it out

We have traveled to some infamously expensive places (like Iceland and Japan ), and we’re so glad we didn’t rule them out because of money.

You’ll need to do a lot more planning for expensive countries than you would if you’re visiting a cheap countries. Think about how you can save money: Will you be able to cook? What is the cheapest mode of transportation? And think outside of the box when it comes to accommodation. (Hint: read the rest of this article for all the answers to those questions. 

For some budget-minded wanderlust inspiration, find out how we traveled in these notoriously expensive places without breaking the bank:

Galápagos: How to Travel the Galápagos on a Budget

Iceland: Money-Saving Tips for Traveling Iceland on a Budget

Japan: Travel Budget for One Week in Japan

5. Pick the right travel season

Even for cheap countries to travel in, you need to think about the time of year you’ll be visiting because that can really affect your budget.

Croatia in July will be packed with tourists and you’ll be paying top dollar because it’s peak season (we made that mistake). But in October, you’ll still have nice weather and cheaper prices. If there’s a more expensive country you really want to visit, try traveling during low or shoulder season for the best deals.

6. Keep track of all your expenses (yes, ALL of them!)

We track every single thing we spend money on while traveling.

And when we say “everything”, we mean everything: accommodation, food, transportation, tours, entrance fees, beers, and yes, even that woven bracelet we bought from a small child that was too cute to resist.

It may sound extreme, but it is the best way to stay on top of a tight budget, and after a while it becomes a habit. There was one month we realized just how much money we were spending on ice cream, and let’s just say that we tried to cut down on that habit a bit…

There are plenty of apps out there to keep track of your budget so make sure you try out a few and pick one that works for you.

7. Get the Best Travel Credit Cards

Never pay an ATM fee again. That’s right, NO ATM fees anywhere in the world! We are seriously obsessed with this card (and it’s not a credit card), so get ready for our ravings…

The Charles Schwab High Yield Investors Checking Account debit card is a must for any serious traveler because it’s free to set up, there are no annual fees, and they reimburse ALL ATM fees at the end of each month.

Whenever we enter a new country, we take out the local currency at an ATM. We’ve found this to be more reliable than currency exchangers (some can really rip you off!), and more convenient than bringing currency from home. Some months we’ve been reimbursed as much as $50. This card has seriously saved us hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.

Tip: Be sure to take a picture of each ATM receipt so you have a record of the amount that your should be reimbursed.

The Travel Credit Cards we use:

We’re going to go over exactly which cards we actually use, as well as the reasons we love them.

Caution: The cards we use might not be the best choice for you, especially if you are just starting out with credit cards. Also, remember there are two of us. Some of these cards, we EACH have, while others only one of us has.

American Express Platinum – Great for: Lounge access, Uber credit, extra airline perks, sign up bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred – Great for: Sign up bonus, Extra bonus for using miles when purchasing travel (If you have great credit, you should apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve which is the elite version of the Preferred.)

Capital One Venture – Great for: Everyday card, good sign up bonus, easy to use miles

Barclays Arrival Plus – Great for: Great sign up bonus, easy to use miles, similar to Capital One Venture

8. Pack Light and Pack Right

We have certainly been guilty of over-packing in the past and we’d lug around extra clothes we never wore. The luggage fees that many airlines have started enforcing made us simplify our packing list so it’s down to the essentials.

Carrying less makes us feel more free, plus, packing light means you can carry on your luggage and you won’t have to pay those pesky baggage fees, which can add up if you have multiple flights.

Find out How to Pack Everything You Need for Travel in a Carry-On , where we share all our packing tips and the best gear we can’t travel without. 

Related: Eco-friendly travel gear you can take anywhere that will save you money

9. Watch what you eat

Food can add up while traveling since you’ll likely be eating out lots of the time. Here are some tips for finding cheap (and delicious!) food on your travels:

Go to happy hour:  Order drinks and appetizers on discount for a fun dinner!

Try street food: It’s often the best (and most authentic!) food you’ll find on  your travels. Pro Tip: If you’re nervous about sanitation, choose stalls that have a line because you’ll know the food is not sitting for long.

Ask locals where they eat:  Try asking, “Where do you eat for lunch?” or “If you were to go out to eat, where would you go?” instead of saying, “Which restaurant do you recommend I try?” Sometimes when asked this last question, they’ll point you in the direction of restaurants that are popular with tourists instead of locals because they may assume that’s what you want.

Pack a picnic: In expensive places, picnics are a great way to save money on food. Stock up with staples like bread, cheese, veggies, hummus, fruit, cookies, wine(!) and whatever else your heart (or tummy!) desires. Enjoy your meal with a view and save the leftovers for the next day!

Split your meals: Whenever possible, try to split with others. Oh, and Ben and I split a lot. Typically we get two meals, but if we want a smoothie or a dessert, we’ll only order one. When you’re trying to save money (and you’re part of a couple), it just doesn’t make sense to ALWAYS get two $4 ice cream cones. At least, this is what I try to convince myself…

Have a big lunch:  Make lunch your biggest meal of the day when prices are often lower for the same dish than at dinner time.

Know which restaurants to avoid: Stay away from restaurants where someone is calling you inside. This is a sure sign of a tourist-trap restaurant where prices are inflated and food is mediocre. Avoid restaurants near tourist attractions or on main city streets. They pay higher rent, which is reflected in the prices of their food.

10. Take Public Transport

Avoid taxis and chartered vehicles. Instead, take public transportation — metros, buses and trains. Not only will you rub shoulders with locals and have a more authentic experience, but your wallet will thank you. Renting a bike is also a good way to explore a city and it’s usually cheaper than taking taxis.

Pro Tip: Research what apps are popular for transportation in the country you’re visiting. In much of Asia, for example, Grab is a cheaper alternative to Uber. And in Europe, try using BlaBlaCar – a ride sharing app.

11. Take advantage of free activities

No matter how expensive a country you’re visiting, there are always free things to do! Try searching Google for ideas: “free things to do in __________”. Here are some of our favorite free (or cheap!) things to do in any place we visit around the world:

Take a free walking tour

Explore local markets

Rent a bike and see the city

Have a picnic at a park

Explore free museums

Go on a hike

Get a killer view at a rooftop bar or tall building instead of paying the steep prices of the popular tourist views

12. Talk to Locals

Don’t be shy: ask the locals what they do on the weekend. Ask the man next to you on the bus or your waitress or a stranger in front of you in line at a coffee shop. You’ll get a good idea of authentic ways to see their city, and much of the time their suggestions will be cheaper than the touristy alternatives.

13. Cook whenever possible

In Europe and South America, we typically stayed at places with kitchens and were able to cook many of our meals, which saved us tons of money.

In our 5 months traveling Asia, however, we never once had access to a kitchen ( except for when we took cooking classes, of course! ). And it was fine because food there – especially the local stuff – is so cheap that cooking wouldn’t have been any less expensive.

14. Choose your splurges wisely

If you’re traveling for a long time, you can’t do it all. You need to choose what experiences are important to you, and you’ll also need to get comfortable passing on some things.

Splurging on once-in-a-lifetime experiences ( like taking a hot air balloon ride in Turkey!  or whale watching in Victoria, British Columbia ) is part of traveling. You’ll regret it if you don’t. But choose your splurges wisely and know when to pass. Your budget will balance itself out.

Trust us… we know about splurging all too well. We’re obsessed with eating (everything!), we usually spend a little more money on comfortable accommodation, and we can’t resist adventure sports.

But we cut costs in other ways and pass on things that we know we know we won’t regret.

15. Find Deals on Hotels

Accommodation adds up quickly and can often be the biggest expense while traveling, but there are ways to cut this cost significantly. Accommodation does not have to be expensive!

Just to give you an idea, during our year of round the world travel , the most expensive place we stayed was $55 per night for the both of us (in Lake Bled, Slovenia).

And believe us – we were not slumming it during our travels. We stayed in some pretty fantastic places, and the sites below are how we got got ahhh-mazing deals:

If you are traveling in Asia, Agoda is hands-down the best place to find cheap accommodation. This site is easy to use and has a great review system, so you’ll easily get a feel for how nice each hotel is. And the deals are unbeatable.

Booking.com

We loved using Booking.com when we were in Europe and traveling around the U.S.A. They have really good hotel deals and are always running discounts on night stays. They typically have free cancellation as well, which is a nice perk. 

In Europe and the US, we love Airbnb  because we we’re able to stay in a more “local” area and have access to kitchens so we can save money on food.

Try out Airbnb . If you’re new, sign up here and you’ll get $55 off your first stay ! Yes, seriously – no gimmicks!

We have loads of info on how to book Airbnbs, red flags to watch out for when booking, and our favorite Airbnbs in our  Airbnb article .

Hostelworld

Before you get all judgey when you hear the word “hostel”, keep reading…

Hostels are almost always cheaper than traditional hotels, and contrary to popular belief, they are not just dorms! There are almost always private rooms that are quite affordable. Plus, many hostels have kitchens you can use, free breakfast, affordable tour options and local advice. And they typically have a common space where you can meet other travelers and exchange stories and travel information.

Couchsurfing

Another option to try is Couchsurfing . It’s completely free and you’re able to stay with a local which can lead to some unforgettable experiences that you wouldn’t be able to have in a hotel. And who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend! Before trying it out for the first time, you might want to read about Couchsurfing safety and tips so you feel more at ease.

Depending on where you are in the world, camping can be a great way to save money on accommodation (and it’ll add to the adventure!). Be sure to really research the laws in your country when it comes to where and when you can pitch a tent, and invest in quality gear. There’s nothing worse than waking up to a soaked tent and sleeping bag.

One potential downside of this option is that you’ll have pack your accommodation with you. You’ll have to find the balance between minimizing your load, while still being prepared.

16. Travel slowly

If you only have 2 weeks, it makes sense to bounce around quickly. You’ll want to see as much as you can in the time you’ve got (even if you’re fighting back to the urge to quit your 9-to-5 to travel ).

But if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, you’ll need (and want!) to slow down. Traveling for a longer period of time can be much cheaper per day than a short trip. Bus rides are cheaper than flights and agreeing to stay somewhere for a week might land you a great deal.

17. Do a skill exchange

And while we’re on the topic of traveling slowly… Volunteering on your travels is a great way to delve into a community, make a positive difference and get free (or very inexpensive) room and board.

We’ve had great experiences working on organic farms through WWOOF and WorkAway . HelpX is another site trusted by travelers to find volunteer opportunities overseas. And if you want to/able to stay in one area for an extended period of time and don’t mind taking care of an animal, you could try House Sitting .

Caution: Whenever talking about volunteering abroad, we caution people to really do their research. “Voluntourism” is a growing industry and there are many programs that are actually detrimental to the communities in which volunteers work.

Many of these programs also require a hefty fee, so they are by no means a cheap alternative to travel. There are great organizations out there, so don’t let this warning scare you away!

18. Drink from the tap

Ben sterilizing water on our trek to Everest Base Camp

Water isn’t something you really think about when you’re packing for long term travel or figuring out a budget, but it should be on your radar.

If you’re planning to visit countries in Central and South America, Africa or Asia, a Steripen should be on your list of must-get travel gear! In many regions of the world, you can’t drink from the tap, and buying plastic bottles of water is not only wasteful, it can be very expensive (especially if you are hydrating properly!). So using a Steripen to sterilize your water is an amazing money-saving (and waste-saving!) tip. 

Being the Excel-loving nerd he is, Ben calculated how much money our Steripen saved us during our 3-month trip to South America, and it was surprising… We saved over $200 in 3 months, because we rarely needed to buy water bottles.

Read more: Check out this article with some of our favorite money-saving gear and resources .

19. Avoid being scammed

While we are big believers that there is more good in the world than bad, there are unsavory characters in every city and country. However, while traveling you’re in unfamiliar territory. This can make you a bigger target for people trying to scam you and take your money.

A couple pieces of advice are to Google “common scams in _____” before visiting a new place. Each country has scams of their own, and once you’re aware of them, you’ll be less likely to fall victim.

And as a general rule of thumb, the most common places to be scammed are before, during and after transportation. For example, the time between landing at the airport and getting to your hotel. This is when you are carrying all your luggage, tired from traveling and in a totally new place.

Being aware and cautious can save you from losing money to scam artists. 

20. Make money on the road

There are lots of ways to earn a little cash online (or a lotta cash! – depending on how much time you can dedicate).

Freelance work: There are quite a few sites out there that connect freelancers with clients looking for all types of help on their business. I used to use Upwork.com and had luck finding projects I could do from anywhere in the world.

Teach English online: One super easy way Ben has recently found is to teach English in an online classroom with VIPKID . You can earn anywhere between $16-$22 per hour (plus additional incentives) practicing English with elementary-age students in China. You can set your own schedule, work as many hours as you want and you don’t even need to your TEFL or teaching experience to do it. All you really have to do is be on time, be energetic and be happy, which many of you already are. It will be the easiest money you make online !

Start a Blog: Another way we make money online is through this blog. We’ve shared more information on how to start a successful money-making blog here so check it out!

But don’t be fooled – earning money while traveling isn’t easy. You need to have access to reliable Internet, which can be difficult in some parts of the world. If you are working with clients in your home country, you might need to think about working in different time zones to meet deadlines.

And sometimes, you’re going to have to forgo fun things in order to get work done. Trust us, it’s not easy saying no to a daiquiri on the beach in order to meet a deadline.

21. Teach English Overseas

If you want a long term international experience, we can’t stress enough how great an opportunity teaching English in South Korea was for us. It allowed us to live in another country and really delve into the culture while making (a lot of!) money.

We’ve gone over exactly how much money you can plan to make in one year teaching English in South Korea , so we won’t say much more on the topic other than DO IT if it is remotely interesting to you.

22. Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is something you just can’t risk going without. It won’t save you much money up front, but if something were to happen, you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by being covered.

We’ve met a handful of people who have had unfortunate accidents on the road and have had to be airlifted to nearby hospitals. That type of evacuation ain’t cheap, and it most certainly will add a couple zeros to the end of your budget. Don’t risk it.

Travel insurance isn’t as expensive as you’d think and it will cover these emergencies (even though you hope you never have to use your coverage!). Some policies even cover valuables stolen on the road or delayed flights.

We have an entire article devoted to helping you choose the right travel insurance policy for you ! There aren’t any excuses anymore.

Create a Travel Budget in 6 Simple Steps

Now that you know all our cheap travel hacks and how we afford to travel around the world, let’s create a travel budget just for you. 

Your budget will determine how much money you need to save, and it will also kind of shape your trip. For instance, if your travel budget is small, you might opt out of certain cities or activities. And if you’ve got a lotta dough to spend, you can research all the fun things you can do with it!

And we’re going to share with you exactly how we do it, in 6 simple steps. The beauty of this exercise is that you can cater it to fit whatever your dream trip may be – whether it be a one-week vacay in Hawaii or a one-year journey around the world .

And better yet, it only takes about 20 minutes to come up with a really solid plan of how much money you’ll need to save for your trip. So what are you waiting for?

Let’s take the first step in turning your daydreams into reality…

Step 1: Define your Travel Style

Travel is completely personal, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do it. But in order to determine your budget, you’ve first got to figure out your travel style.

Read the following statements and see which one sounds most like you:

Budget Traveler:

“I don’t mind sleeping in dorm rooms or taking local forms of transportation (even though it’s sometimes slower). I prefer eating at authentic “hole-in-the-wall” type eateries and don’t typically like doing organized tours. I enjoy traveling on a budget because it allows me to interact with locals and often brings more adventure than when you pay top dollar.”

Mid-Range Traveler:

“I like a mix of comfort and authentic adventure. I don’t want to sleep in dorm rooms with people I don’t know, but I don’t need a 5-star hotel every night. When traveling, I enjoy eating at a variety of places –ranging from street stands to nice cafes. I like splurging every once in a while, but am okay roughing it a bit too. For me, it’s all about balance.”

Luxury Traveler:

“When I travel, I like to enjoy the finer things – from plush hotels, to the top-rated restaurants and entertainment. I think that a vacation should be full of splurges, and I don’t like holding back. I enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences and I like to have all the details arranged for me, even if it costs more money. Traveling is my time to relax and explore, and I don’t want to miss out by sticking to a strict budget.”

So which one is it?

Maybe you are between two styles. Not quite “budget”, but not exactly “mid-range” either. Or perhaps you’re between “mid-range” and “luxury”.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to feel. But determining what type of travel style you identify with is the first step to coming up with a realistic budget.

Step 2: Find your Daily Budget

Do a quick Google search for a daily budget of a country you’re thinking of visiting. A good site to start with is Budget Your Trip .

Choose a country, your travel style (Step #1) and your currency, and you’ll get a pretty good estimate of how much to expect to spend each day.

Write this number down because you’ll need it for the next steps.

Step 3: Get your Preliminary Total

Multiply the number you got in Step #2 (Daily Budget) by how many days you plan to be there. This will give you the preliminary cost of your trip. But, hold on – you’re not done just yet!

Step 4: Give yourself some “Padding”

Now, calculate 10-20% of the preliminary total you got in Step 3.

You know yourself best. If you’re great at sticking to a budget, maybe you can get by with an additional 10%. But if budgets aren’t your thing, maybe an extra 25% is more realistic. We typically add a 15% padding.

Add this number to your total, but don’t include it in your daily spending budget (Step 2). Remember, you don’t necessarily want to spend this money – it’s just there as a buffer for souvenirs, last minute splurges or incidentals.

Step 5: Plan your Splurges

Even if you have a budget to stick to, splurges are just part of traveling. Don’t let lack of money hold you back from something you’ve been dreaming about, like diving in the Galápagos or a taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia . It may be expensive, sure, but it’s part of your journey. And if you want it badly enough, it’s worth it.

Plan out your splurges so you’re ready for them. (Include this cost in your total budget, but don’t divide it into your daily spending.)

And when you do splurge, make sure it’s with a ethical company giving back to the local community and environment. Read our 36 Tips for Traveling Responsibly article for more information.

Step 6: Add on Airfare and Travel Insurance

Note that when you search for a daily budget in a particular country, it will typically NOT include airfare or travel insurance. You will have to add these costs in as well.

For airfare: We like getting airfare estimates on SkyScanner because you can search an entire month and see the cheapest day to fly.

For travel insurance: We like World Nomads for travel insurance. Get a super quick quote here.

And there you have it: Your own fully-customized travel budget! CONGRATS!

Tip: You can also do this exercise in reverse. What I mean is if you have $3,000 USD saved up, and you want to visit Thailand , start with Step #6 and work backwards by subtracting the costs. You’ll be able to see how many days a reasonable budget will bring you with $3,000 USD to spend.

Interested in more budget travel resources?

Be sure to check out our Budget Travel homepage for resources on everything you need to get your travel budget started and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about budget travel below. 

How to Find Cheap Flights: 17 Expert Tips

8 Reasons Why You Should House Sit and How to Get Started

Money-Saving Tips for a Cheap Road Trip Across the USA

Plan a Trip: The Ultimate Guide to Budgeting, Planning & Packing

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We want to hear from you!

Which cheap travel hack do you like the best? Which one will you use next? Have you created you travel budget? Let us know in the comments below. Or ask us anything about budget travel, we’d like to help you out!

Comments (13) on “ 22 Cheap Travel Hacks You Can Use Right Now ”

Thanks for sharing such valuable tips.

Hi, great tips! If I may add a few more especially related to money — since travellers from outside the US cannot get the charles schwab card – there are other ways to avoid ATM Fees – I use this app – it gives you a list of ATMs with the ATM Fees in 30-40 foreign countries along with withdrawal limits for foreign card holders so you can choose the ones which do not charge any fee to foreign card holders. Also, I always decline conversion at foreign ATMs or select “Without Conversion” and not exchange cash at airports, worst currency exchange rates ever.

Very useful tips to save money.

Great! Also, nice advice also check this out http://bit.ly/2WuFwkQ it might help as well.

I actually spend very little time finding deals! The key to getting a good deal is to be spontaneous, especially while traveling, so thanks. These is STUNNING TIPS!

Hi You Two!

Thank you so much for this incredible article and your site as a whole. My husband and I are getting ready for our first RTW trip, starting in November. This article had tons of valuable information in a concise and efficient way. We so appreciate you!!

Thanks so much Sophia, glad you liked all our travel hacks!

Wow – super comprehensive guide! Thanks for these tips! I’m pretty good at getting deals but I definitely got some new ideas here!

Great, happy to hear you got some new ideas!

Thank you for breaking down the expenses of travelling in South East Asia vs normal living in the states. This helped me get a grasp of what I will need to budget for when I decide to travel that way for 3 months! Thanks again, very much appreciated!

Thanks for the kind words, Kraig. We are so glad it has been helpful to you. Best of luck as you plan!

Stumbleupon your travel blog. My GF and I started

Great Derek, glad you found us 🙂

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How To Travel For Cheap: 20 Tips From A Budget Traveler

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: June 23, 2023

Categories TRAVEL TIPS

An article about how to travel longer for less.

Table of Contents

20 money-saving tips to help learn how to travel for cheap.

1. avoid overpriced hotspots.

Love traveling and ready to explore any destination? How does Cambodia, Bolivia or India sound? Expect to find meals for a couple of dollars or less and accommodation for a week will be less than a day in most other major cities. Other countries known for being great budget travel locations are Vietnam, Hungary, Honduras, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka and Argentina. That is an exciting list of destinations and won’t cost you a year of savings!

2. Couchsurfing is awesome

Couchsurfing is essentially a generous host, opening up their home to you for anywhere from a few nights to a month depending on the agreement. It is an app that allows you to search for hosts in a destination and view their hosting history and bio. You might be offered the couch, a spare bed or even a spare bedroom. What do you need to give in return? Many thanks, cleanliness, a fun attitude and hopefully pay it forward when you are in a place of your own. Couchsurfing is global so it really opens the door to cheap worldwide travel and the opportunity to meet some generous local hosts.

3. Eat where the locals eat!

The best way to blow all your money is to go to a country with great local food like Indonesia and eat at western restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe. If you are willing to eat from street carts, local markets and small cafe’s you can stretch your budget much, much further. For example, a serving of nasi goreng with shrimp ( fried rice, vegetables, egg and shrimp) can cost 1-2 dollars in a local market. A hamburger, fries, and salad near the beach could set you back 10-15 dollars. Aside from focusing on the financial benefits of eating local, remember why you wanted to travel. There is nothing better than experiencing the culture and traditions of a meal that has been around for centuries. Even if every now and again you try something that is horrible or way too spicy, it is all part of your immersion into a foreign culture.

4. Sunrise and sunset are free

The first thing many people do when they arrive at their destination on a vacation is head to the tour booking office. Purchasing jet ski hire, jungle tours, day trips, snorkeling adventures and all kinds of fun activities. Most of which are luxury activities and are not necessary to have a good time. Every now and again an opportunity might come along too good to miss, like a bungee jump in New Zealand or scuba diving in The Gili Islands but for the most part the best activities are free. Think hiking, beaches, snorkeling, sunrise, sunset, visit temples, churches and other tourist attractions. Hiring a moped a splitting a car between friends will give you the access to most locations a tour guide can take you. Be responsible for organizing your own adventures and fun and you will discover more but also save a lot of money.

5. Luxury accommodation is the enemy

If you cannot deal without luxury most of this list is not for you. However, if you can, this is the best way to save a ton of money. Get onto sites like booking.com and see what properties are having a last minute sale or heavy discounts. Maybe it isn’t in the prime location or doesn’t have a swimming pool in the courtyard. Ask yourself how much time you are going to spend at your accommodation. If you are the type of person who is out all day adventuring and seeing the sights, book somewhere cheap, clean and with basic amenities. Most vacation destinations have accommodation ranging from $10 to $500. I personally search the location and then order the listings from cheapest to most expensive. I try not to scroll too far.

6. Low season is the best season

Each destination in the world has a low and a high season. Yes, even locations with year-round warm weather like Hawaii have low seasons. Plan your travel so that you are always visiting during the low season. This way there are no crowds and the accommodation has greater availability. Everything should be a little bit cheaper and much more relaxing than during the peak season.

7. Sober Savings

A total ban on alcohol? No this isn’t a rulebook. However, drinking a few beers every night soon adds up. Considering that in many locations around the world the price of dinner is not much more expensive than a beer, you could be saving a lot of cash by only drinking occasionally or not at all. For example in Vietnam, you can eat for $1-2 and a beer costs just over $1 in many bars and restaurants. Three beers at night might not seem like a big dent to your budget but you are essentially drinking away your dinner and lunch budget for the following day.

8. Flexible flying

While many people looking to go on vacation have a strict time period in which they can travel. For travelers without time restrictions, sites like Secret Flying offer error fares and heavily discounted fares at random times throughout the year. This is perfect if you have an open itinerary.

9. Don’t get caught in a tourist trap

Accommodation right next to the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal or on the shore in Hawaii is going to set you back a few hundred dollars a night. But what if you could stay 10 minutes down the road and walk to these sites at your leisure. Often removing yourself from the hotspot by less than a 10-minute walk can save you up to 50% on your accommodation. Restaurants and bars are also likely to be cheaper only a short distance from popular tourist districts. You will also get a greater sense of the day to day life of a local if you stay in a neighborhood Airbnb or homestay.

 10. Uber is the king of transport

Uber is in many countries across the world now and can often be 3-4x cheaper than a taxi. The great thing about an Uber is that the price is set and you can’t be ripped off by an opportunistic driver who is well aware that you won’t know the proper price of a fare. For example, when staying in Bali a taxi can often by $10-15 from Kuta to the airport. With Uber, the same trip cost $3.50 in a comfortable, clean vehicle.

11. Calculated risk taking

One of the biggest ways to save money is to be willing to get it wrong to save some cash. Are you up for taking a long bus ride for half the price of a plane. What if you book a budget hotel and there is no warm water, towels or wifi even though it was promised. If you can be ready to roll with the punches you will be rewarded with huge savings and more often than not your risks will pay off as you get smarter about your choices. Research well but be ready to hope for the best when taking the cheaper alternative.

 12. Slowly does it

Transport is one of the most expensive parts about travel. So don’t move around as much. Staying in a location for a month or more gives you a chance to do your normal daily tasks such as working out, catching up with friends, reading a book or doing some work. It means you can really get to know a place and visit lots of hidden spots you learn about along the way. Instead of trying three restaurants and visiting a few tourist attractions what if you could get to know some locals who will show you around and take you to the best spots. Many travelers will tell you that slow travel is much more rewarding and enjoyable than spending half of your time in transit.

13. Work while wandering

Be open minded about this. You don’t need to earn a normal salary if you are traveling on a budget. Even if you earned a few hundred dollars a month that might cover a third or more of your costs. Worldwide travel doesn’t have to be expensive but by working along the way you can save a lot of money. But where will you work and what will you do? There are many jobs you can do online these days. Depending on your skill set you can get creative and create a small income for yourself. If you are photographer , marketer, artist, graphic designer or writer it is definitely possible to get a few freelance gigs if you search hard enough for opportunities. It might not be as simple for people with jobs such as a lawyer, accountant or any other profession that is usually confined to an office and steady environment. However, these are all jobs that require a lot of intelligence, hard work and determination to forge a successful career so you will not find it hard to create a small stream of income once you put your mind to it.

14. Partner up

This doesn’t necessarily mean being romantically involved with your travel buddy, it could be your best friend or a co-worker. There are many moments of travel that are cheaper when the bill is split between two people. Think taxis, hotel rooms, car/moped hire, washing machines. Just make sure your travel partner is on the same page financially otherwise it may be hard to stick to your budget if they are out partying and splurging on fancy dinners each night while you are trying to stretch your dollars as far as possible.

15. Visit the unknown

There are many travel locations that are going to be a guaranteed winner such as Paris, Hawaii or New York. They are also a few of the more expensive places to vacation when considering worldwide travel. Often off the beaten path places are cheaper and more adventurous. When was the last time one of your friends visited Sri Lanka or Honduras?If you are like most of us, the answer to that is never. You know what you are going to get when you go to a place like New York but if you booked a trip to Honduras what an adventure that would be, full of new experiences and surprises. Get out of your comfort zone and visit countries you have never heard of.

16. Road trips and boat trips

Plane travel is getting cheaper and cheaper with a lot of budget airlines operating in Asia and Europe. However, there are times when a ferry, bus or train are going to be significantly cheaper. The journey may take you a lot longer or be more uncomfortable but it is often a good way to see more of the country you are visiting and meet new people.

17. Swap houses

You may be wondering how you can leave your house unattended and who will pay the rent or mortgage while you are off on your worldwide travel adventure. Why not house swap with someone on the other side of the world? There are many sites like homexchange.com that let you browse other people’s offers and find a place that you think would be a good destination for an overseas or interstate adventure.

18. Ride-share or hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a great way to get around but is more acceptable in some countries and regions than others so be sure to check what experiences others have had before you travel to your destination. Ride-sharing can be organized on sites like carpoolworld.com and are a great way for the driver to save gas and the passengers to save cash. If there is no rideshare or carpool available just go with the cheapest alternative you can find but always try and rideshare or carpool first.

19. The free rental car

Something not many people know about is that car rental companies need your help. Sites like imoova give you a number of offers such as Brisbane to Sydney for $1 including $100 for fuel with 7 days to complete the journey. If you plan trips out well enough you can make your way around the entire country, even one as big as Australia with a free rental car that would normally be $60-$100 per day.

20. Resilience

Above all if you want to live a life of worldwide travel on a budget you need to be ready to get stuck in a bad situation and be okay with that. Whether it is your fault, your partner’s fault, the weather’s fault or the hotel’s fault bad things happen from time to time. Unlike at an expensive hotel, the manager at your hostel may not care as much that your room is above a nightclub even though the reviews said quiet and relaxing. The vendor at the local market probably won’t give you a refund on the food she assured you wouldn’t be TOO spicy but put a hole in your tongue. Your AirBnB host might laugh at you when you ask why there is no hot water in the shower. When these situations of misfortune arise, if you can hold back a grimace and force out a smile you will find that you can travel without a fortune at all.

You might also like to read: HOW TO BECOME A TRAVEL BLOGGER

Tuesday 2nd of November 2021

There is nothing difficult about making your trip on a budget. A little planning and knowing a few saving secrets is all it takes. I am very grateful that you shared this information. Most recently, I planned the northern circuit route kilimanjaro and I have never regretted it. I like to combine business with pleasure.

People Share Normal Things In Their Countries That Foreigners Think Are Weird - RoughMaps | Where real adventure lives

Tuesday 3rd of December 2019

[…] Journey Era […]

People From Around The World Share The Most Memorable Moment They Had With A Stranger Who They Will Never See Again - RoughMaps | Where real adventure lives

Friday 22nd of November 2019

40 Private Islands You Can Rent Or Buy Right Now - RoughMaps | Where real adventure lives

Monday 30th of September 2019

Rahul Yadav

Sunday 2nd of June 2019

Amazing post, so detailed! Very useful as a quick go-to guide, definitely fueled our wanderlust!

Meet the Reddit user whose hobby is finding people cheap flights for free

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

It's no secret that we here at TPG love flying. More than that, we love finding the best deals to get you where you need to go — whether it's with points or cash. So, when we began seeing Reddit user u/delta777er, otherwise known as Nick Doyle, offering to find people cheap flights out of nothing but the goodness of his heart, we knew we had to talk to him.

It turns out that Nick is a fairly normal guy. He's a young man who just graduated college and began a career as a software developer. Originally from Pennsylvania, he attended Cornell before moving to the Bay Area for work.

As for what piqued his interest in travel? Although a lover of aviation since he was a child, summer internships with Southwest meant that every weekend he and fellow interns jetted off around the country for free. If that's not a way to get into flying, I don't know what is.

When asked why he started offering to find flights for people, Nick explained that he used to spend all his time looking up random flight itineraries for imaginary vacations. So, rather than continuing to search for flights that would never be purchased, he thought he'd offer his services to those looking for a little help. This isn't a one-time thing, either. He's been doing it for the last eighteen months, helping hundreds of people score cheap tickets.

The hardest time he's had trying to find flights? As should surprise no one, people asking to travel within the US during the holidays are nearly impossible to help, with limited travel dates and minimal flexibility on destinations. The worst offender is Thanksgiving, where folks are looking to leave the Tuesday prior and return the Sunday after. He suggests taking Monday off and returning a day later to chop the fare in half.

Of course, not all the flights he prices out are for others. Nick has traveled a fair bit himself, using sites like Google flights and The Flight Deal to book some jaw-droppingly low fares, like Washington D.C to Europe for $200 roundtrip and even a flight to Japan via Beijing with Air China .

As an avid reader of TPG, Nick has just recently gotten into the credit card game, snagging the Citi® Double Cash Card, as suggested by our article on the best cards for college students. Now that he's got his career started, he has lots of opportunities for points and miles. Maybe that'll mean a business class ticket in his future?

Bottom line, Nick Doyle is an awesome guy. There are tons of agencies that'll charge to find you good fares for tickets, but he's here, doing it for free. And he's got some recommendations for you so that you can find cheap flights too:

• The most important thing is to be flexible, in both dates and destinations.
• Keep looking, as fares fluctuate throughout the month.
• Figure out where the budget airlines fly and search their hubs.
• Make sure you're using the right websites to search.

Thanks, Nick. You rock.

(Feature photo by Orbon Alija via Getty Images)

• Disclosures

How to Book the Cheapest Hotel Possible (Updated 2022)

Next to plane tickets, accommodation is the biggest chunk of any trip. As echoed in our post on  how to book the cheapest flight possible , the Internet has brought with it a monstrous pile of booking sites – many of which offer different prices  even for the exact same hotel . These days, it's far too easy to waste your time and your money when planning.

To simplify things, we've laid out the cheapest accommodation booking options out there. That includes sharing the best ways to snag a deal (even free !), to our ultimate hotel hacks and tips. Here's how to book the cheapest accommodation possible!

1. Sign in for savings

That one minute it takes to sign up on a hotel or booking website can amount to some serious members-only savings. Skeptical? Check our example below or try comparing for yourself!

Many booking sites offer rewards programs (where you earn credit or free nights after a certain # of bookings) or members programs (where a membership earns you exclusive discounts). If you're hesitant to sign up because your inbox is perma-flooded with e-mails, fear not! You can still snag deals with a one-time sign-up  to get a log-in ID, click “unsubscribe” from all e-mails thereafter.

A few companies that take advantage of members-only rewards programs include:

• Hotels.com (earn members-only prices and points – after 9 stays your 10th is free)
• Booking.com  (earn members-only prices)
• Expedia (earn members-only prices)
• Agoda  (earn members-only prices)
• Trip.com (best for Asia – earns account credit with each booking)

2. Use the best search engines

As you've probably learnt by now, not all booking services are created equal. Many sites tack on sneaky commissions to already inflated rates. The websites we've found to consistently have the best prices that also search broadly include:

• Hotels.com (members only pricing and your 10th stay is free)
• Booking.com (has  tiered loyalty rates – the more you book, the cheaper your prices)
• TripAdvisor (combines all major hotel, hostel, and private property search engines)
• Expedia (good for members only and last-minute deals)

Thrifty Tips : Reserve as far in advance as possible for best price – intentionally waiting for last-minute deals is a huge gamble, especially considering tip #3 (up next)!

3. Sign up for a hotel rewards credit card with a huge points bonus

One of the easiest ways to save hundreds on travel is by signing up for a hotel rewards credit card . With so many card issuers competing for your business, there are massive point bonuses to be had simply by signing up for the card and hitting the minimum spend requirement, simply by using the card for your everyday purchases.

Our top choice for travel rewards credit card with a stellar sign-up bonus is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You can earn 60,000 bonus points worth $750  after hitting the minimum spend requirement with your everyday purchases. The card earns 3x the points on dining, 2x the points on other travel purchases, and has no foreign transaction fees . You can convert the points to both hotel and flight partner programs, or book hotels and flights directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to get 25% bonus value on your points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is our top overall pick for travel credit cards, so it's definitely worth considering!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• 60,000 reward points (worth $750 ) after meeting the minimum spend of $4,000 in the first 3 months
• $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points for purchases on Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, and 2x points on all other travel purchases.
• Points are worth 25% more on airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards (e.g. 60,000 points worth $750 toward travel)
• Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance and more.
• Can transfer your reward points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $95

If you prefer something without an annual fee, or you already use Hotels.com a lot and want to earn rewards even faster, then the Hotels.com Rewards Visa Card could be for you ( learn how to apply ). This card has a great welcome bonus of 2 reward nights worth  $250 total (max $125 per night) when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. You'll earn 1 stamp in the Hotels.com Rewards program for every $500 spent on the card, and you'll get some great perks in your first year, such as free breakfast, airport transfers, free WiFi, and more at selected properties. Plus, this card has essential travel features like no foreign transaction fees , a travel protection package , and  no annual fee – so really, signing up for this card is a no-brainer.

Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card

• Get 2 reward nights worth $250 total (max $125 per night, excluding taxes and fees) after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Collect 1 stamp for every night you stay at an eligible property booked on Hotels.com
• Collect 1 stamp every time you spend $500 with your card
• When you collect 10 stamps, you get 1 reward night to redeem on Hotels.com
• Perks including free breakfast, airport transfers, and free wifi at select properties for your first year
• No annual fee
• Learn how to apply

4. “Hold” great rates by booking ahead with free cancellation

Booking a reservation that has “free cancellation” can help you secure great rates in advance. Most booking sites have free cancellation on the majority of listings, but  always be sure of the cancellation policy  and check how long that is valid for (e.g. sometimes it's only free cancellation until 48 hours before the booking date).

While this is a great way to hold an exceptionally good rate, many booking sites like Expedia and Hotels.com will offer an even greater discount if you book a non-refundable rate . It pays to plan ahead!

Finally, don't make a habit of “holding” infinite hotel rooms/dates – hotel owners don't enjoy repeated cancellations!

5. Collect points for free or upgraded hotel stays

Some booking sites that have their own loyalty programs are:

• Hotels.com Rewards : Collect 10 nights across any hotels, get 1 night free.
• Booking.com Genius : Although technically not a points program, the more hotels you book, the more perks you unlock, like free breakfast and discounts as much as 20% off
• Expedia+ Rewards : Earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more. Earn even more with an Expedia+ credit card .
• Orbitz Rewards : Earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more. Earn even more with an Orbitz Visa card .

Loyalty programs with hotel chains can still be a great option. Many hotels offer exclusive perks and pricing to members of their program, such as late check-out and complimentary internet access. Most hotel programs are well connected with many partners, allowing you to earn points through credit cards, flights, car rentals, online shopping, and more.

Some popular hotel loyalty programs are:

• Marriott Rewards
• SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest)
• IHG Rewards (Intercontinental Hotel Group, including Holiday Inn)
• Best Western Rewards
• Choice Privileges (Choice Hotels)
• Club Carlson (Radisson Hotels)
• Le Club AccorHotels

6. Sign up for membership discounts

Many (non-hotel/booking site) memberships provide discounts on hotels and hostels worldwide. Often you simply type the membership/discount code in a coupon box when booking online. Some programs that offer discounts include:

• Hostelling International (HI)  (provides discounts at HI membership hostels worldwide)
• CAA / AAA (provides members-only discounts on international hotel chains and car rentals)
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) card (provides discounts on accommodation, transport, and attractions worldwide)

7. Scope out coupon codes

8. Find region-specific search engines and hotel chains

More often than not, broad search engines miss smaller, region specific search engines and hotel chains. It pays to ask around on Tripadvisor forums, friends, and Google to see if there are local hotel chains or booking sites you may not be aware of. Here's a few region-specific examples (got more to add? Leave a comment below!):

Australia & New Zealand

• Booking site:  Wotif
• Budget hotel chains: Formule 1 (chain of AccorHotels)
• Booking site: Trip.com , Agoda
• Budget hotel chains:  7 Days Inn , Super 8 Hotel , Motel 168 .
• Budget hotel chains:   Motel 1 ,  Formule 1 (part of Accorhotels) , EasyHotel

9. Snag a last-minute or mystery deal

“Mystery deals” happen when the hotel name is only revealed after payment , in exchange for a deep discount off regular rates. Websites that offer mystery deals include Hotwire and Priceline (scroll down to “Express Deals”).

Thrifty Tips : Mystery deals can often be determined before booking – check out Better Bidding  and  Bid Goggles  to potentially identify which one you're getting.

Last Minute Deals

Last minute deals happen when rates are reduced to sell a room. Such prices can be found on normal booking sites or via  HotelTonight , which specializes in last minute deals (get $25 credit using promo code TAVERY19 ). Expedia has a last-minute deals page as well. That being said, it's not recommended to delay booking in hopes of finding last minute deals – at least make a Plan A and “hold” a room with free cancellation first (tip #3)!

Book Someone's Non-Refundable Reservation at a Discount

A new service called  Roomer  allows you to reserve a hotel room that someone else has booked but can no longer use, and is non-refundable. By offering someone else's set booking, the original buyer gets some money back, and you get a reduced rate. Win-win for all!

10. Use the sharing economy

The sharing economy relies on “sharing” in one form or another, such as renting someone's home while they're on vacation. This is often hugely cheaper (and sometimes even nicer) than hotels, hence its worldwide explosion in popularity. Check our round-up of sharing economy travel services here .

What does it cost to stay somewhere using the sharing economy? Anywhere from FREE to as much as you want to fork out for a high-end apartment rental. Couchsurfing , housesitting , and house swapping are all cost-free options. Those wanting to splash out on fancier accommodations can book timeshares for rent by owners at a fraction of the cost set by the resorts themselves. Prices can range from as low as $28/night to a few thousand per week, depending on how luxe you want.

Some sharing economy accommodation options include:

Home Rentals

• RoomoRama  
• Wimdu  (popular in Europe)
• StopSleepGo  (popular in Philippines)

Couchsurfing

• Couchsurfing  
• Hospitality Club  (stay at a home/farm etc for free, sometimes volunteering/working)

Housesitting

• TrustedHousesitters  ($96 USD/yr – large member base) 
• Nomador  ($89 USD/yr – new, allows free registration & free housesit browsing)
• House Carers  ($50 USD/yr)
• Luxury Housesitting  ($25 USD/yr – popular in U.S.)

House Swapping

• Home Exchange  ($130 USD/yr)
• Love Home Swap  ($240-$408 USD/yr)
• SellMyTimeshareNow

Thrifty Tips : Create a detailed, enthusiastic profile with photos to be an appealing, responsible guest and/or home owner. W here relevant, detail any your pet/housesitting experience (even if you've only done so for friends – anything is better than nothing!). If listing your own home for an exchange, be sure to include bright photos and detailed descriptions of nearby attractions.

11. Check Groupon & deal-of-the-day sites

Hotel bookings or holiday packages can have significant discounts on group buy sites, especially if you're seeking fancier hotels. Some group buy sites include:

• Groupon  (North America, Europe & Oceania)
• Expedia (Worldwide)
• Travelzoo (US, Canada, UK, Australia)
• Living Social  (North America, Europe & Oceania)
• Wagjag (Canada)
• Scoopon (Australia)

Thrifty Tips : Always double check for black-out dates and take note of additional fees (e.g. extra charges for bookings on weekends or holidays).

12. Book longer stays for weekly & monthly rates

Final Thrifty Tips

• Use air/rewards miles to book hotels – it's one of the better value strategies to get the most mile usage for your dollar (especially in consistently expensive destinations e.g. Paris). Remember, you can earn points on booking sites like Hotels.com and  Expedia too.
• Use price matching – some hotels and booking sites price match. This means if you find another website offering the same hotel & dates at a cheaper rate, you could get a refund on the price difference.   Hotels.com ,  Booking.com ,  Expedia , HotelsCombined  all have price-match guarantees.
• Get price alerts on hotels  – this can be handy if you're set on a particular hotel/date set and want to know if rates change. Kayak has opt-in price alerts via e-mail.
• Consider volunteering or working in exchange for accommodation. WWOOF (worldwide opportunities on organic farms),  WorkAway ,  HelpX  are reputable resources to find opportunities. Hostels often offer free accommodation in exchange for a few hours work, simply e-mail or ask on arrival.
• Consider roadtripping or camping . Merging your transportation & accommodation costs can be sensible in expensive countries. If you're flexible, $1/day relocations are an ultra cheap option ( read our how-to guide here ). Driving? Check our list of cost-cutting road trip items  and car-booking hacks here .

WHEW ! And there you have it. All of our best booking tips in a single place. If you've got some other cost-cutting hacks, recommendations, and tips feel free to share the thrifty love in the comments below. Happy saving!

Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

agoda.com is great for asia! you also get some nifty points. Also: Sometimes for non-big chain hotels you can email them directly and say that you have stayed there before. Then ask if there are special deals going.. usually you can knock an extra 10 – 20% down this way.

agoda.com is great for asia! you also get some nifty points.

So glad you mentioned Groupon, I love getting a great groupon deal on so many items! Lot’s of good info as always Jen.

Try researching the cheapest deal. Then check the website of the hotel, they often have a lowest price pledge. Read the fine print. Then book direct with hotel. Then show them discount price and get a better discount.

Don’t use hotel.com if you live in Canada. They charge Canadians U.S. dollars instead of Canadian dollars, and even if you use the Canadian dollars setting, you’re STILL charged U.S. dollars. It’s a fiasco.

We love Airbnb – we just stayed in an airstream in Austin through it! Helpful article.

I found it interesting when you said that you could benefit from massive point bonuses when you sign up for a hotel rewards credit card. This sounds like a great tip for me and my husband because we are interested in going on a two-week vacation to relax and have some time off from work next month. We are thinking of renting a gulf front vacation unit that can offer us the best possible deal.

All fantastic tips! Thanks for sharing!

Booking.com sends offers via postal mail and email offering money back using a link. However, they do not honor the offer. After using the link or coupon code, the reimbursement never happens.

Volunteers will enjoy an experience of life time. view more about it https://volunteeringjourneys.com/

Wow!!! Such an amazing tips. I wasn’t aware that the stay cna be made cheaper or budget friendly with the membership discount. The Groupon site is super helpful in getting best deals. Keep sharing such amazing tips with the travellers.

Thanks for sharing such mind blowing tips!! Using coupon codes can be really very helpful in saving your hard earned money on your trip. I would like to share your tips with my friends too. Keep sharing!

It was helpful when you said to reserve in advance! My husband and I are planning on going on a Christmas trip next month with our kids, so I wanted to make sure we knew how to find a good hotel for all of us. I’ll keep these tips in mind once I start searching for one that we can stay in during our trip!

Awesome article!! I think so many more people would take advantage of these tips if they knew about them. One of the best ways to maximize savings on flights and hotels is to combine using a credit card with travel points, as well as coupon websites AND cash back. That way you get the initial discount, points back on your credit card, plus a percentage of the cash back, white can go a long way with the full cost of tickets.

Booking the cheapest hotel possible is always a top priority for budget travelers. This post provides some excellent tips and strategies for finding great deals on hotels. The suggestions for using different booking sites and tools are particularly useful in finding the best prices. Thanks for the helpful advice!check out our blog at- https://www.mileagespot.com/ for more insights

You mentioned that when you apply for a hotel rewards credit card, you may receive enormous point bonuses, which I thought was fascinating. My husband and I are interested in taking a two-week vacation to unwind and enjoy some time off from work next month, so this seems like fantastic advice. We are considering booking a vacation rental on the Gulf that would provide us with the greatest bargain.

This article is right on target! You are a snappy problem-solver, Thanks for sharing this. I have been looking to book a hotel at a cheap rate but couldn’t find the information anywhere. This is the best and I hope everyone has benefited from it.

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The best power banks 2024: the top portable chargers from Anker, Otterbox, and more

Recharge your phone on the go with the best power banks

• Best for everything
• Best for power users
• Best MagSafe
• Best bargain
• Best Apple Watch power baAnk
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best power bank for everything 3. Best power bank for power users 4. Best mini power bank 5. Best MagSafe power bank 6. Best cheap power bank 7. Best Apple Watch power bank 8. Best power bank combo 9. How to choose 10. How we test

A great power bank is more than just a battery, it's peace of mind. We're making it easy to find a great, affordable power bank to keep you going all day long, and maybe even longer. 

We've only included wired power banks on this list that can charge at newer speeds, though wireless charging is more about convenience than speed, so some of our wireless power bank favorites are still a bit slow on the charge. 

Even if you don't have an Apple iPhone, don't shy away from MagSafe-compatible battery packs. There are MagSafe-friendly cases for most phones from Samsung, Google, and more, and those will let you use MagSafe batteries for charging and other MagSafe accessories. 

We've tested every power bank in this list, and many more, in order to bring you the best options. Below, you'll find everything from the very small to the very large; from the wired to the wireless; from innovative bricks to forms you wouldn't expect. Read on for our favorites.

The quick list

Want the simplest guide to the best power banks around? Here's our quick guide – and you can read more in-depth verdicts on each power bank by following the links. 

The best power bank for everything

The Anker 733 Power Bank is the one we never leave home without. It charges our phone and all of our accessories fast, and it's even powerful enough to charge a Chromebook or MacBook Air. 

Read more below

The best power bank for power users

The Anker Prime 250W power bank is serious overkill for most, but if you're a power geek who would love to know everything about the devices you're charging, it'll blow you away. It can also charge a laptop, phone, and more multiple times over. 

The best mini power bank

The Nano doesn't have enough juice to give you a full charge, but it makes up for that power with a pocketable size and super-convenient swing-out USB-C plug.  

The best MagSafe power bank  

The Baseus stands out through its magnets – which were strong enough to easily hold an iPhone 15 Pro Max in landscape mode in our testing – while its kickstand makes it a great desktop alternative. 

The best for cheap power bank

The Airpow may be the cheapest on this list, but it has plenty features and enough power to charge the biggest smartphone battery more than once. With a generous port selection too, it's a steal at around $20. 

The best Apple Watch power bank

Own both an iPhone and Apple Watch? The Otterbox 2-in-1 has a magnetic dock for your wearable, and also acts as a mini desk clock while the watch is charging. Very cute and convenient. 

Load the next product...

The best power bank combo

If you carry a water bottle everywhere, and you also need a spare battery, why not carry both in one device? The Tylt Bottle has two USB ports and also charges wirelessly. Oh, and the bottle is fully insulated to keep your drinks cold. 

The best power bank 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best power banks in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

1. Anker 733 Power Bank (GaNPrime PowerCore 65W)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You travel a lot and need power: We never take flight without the Anker 733 in our carry on luggage. It replaces multiple wall chargers and gives us a large battery on the go.  ✅ You carry a small laptop and a phone: The Anker 733 is powerful enough to charge a laptop and a phone together. Or you can charge your phone, headphones, and smartwatch all at once.

❌ You want a more portable option: Because of its combo nature, the Anker 733 is a bit bulky and cumbersome, but if you use it both ways, it's worth the trade-off in size to have such a useful device.   ❌ You only want to charge a phone: If you don't need to charge a laptop occasionally, or you only carry a phone with no accessories, the Anker 733 is more than you need. 

The Anker 733 is a revelation, and though it isn't the most powerful or feature packed power bank on this list, it is the best overall power bank to carry if you charge multiple devices, no matter what those devices might be. It can charge an iPhone 15 at full 20W speed, and it can even power a Chromebook or small laptop like a Macbook Air whether it's plugged into a wall or not. 

Speaking of that wall plug, it's the most useful feature ever on a power bank. Some power banks come with a built in USB-C cord, but this Anker comes with a two-prong power outlet plug. That makes it a wall charger as well as a power bank, and the utility can't be understated. 

You might think that adding a 65W wall charger to a power bank would add a lot of bulk. Well, you're right, the Anker 733 is big, and it's power-to-weight ratio isn't as high as the heavy hitters on this list. On the other hand, you can charge the battery and three devices in a wall, then simply remove the Anker 733 and keep charging those devices with the built-in battery.

The Anker 733 has a 10,000 mAh battery inside, which is just shy of enough power to charge an iPhone 15 to 100% twice. It can charge a big Galaxy S23 Ultra to 100% once, then lift the battery to around 30% again. 

There are two USB-C ports on the Anker 733, and both are capable of 65W charging when the power bank is plugged in to a wall outlet, or 30W when the battery is running the show. There's also a USB-A port for legacy devices. You can charge the Anker 733 by plugging it into the wall or you can plug in one of the USB-C ports to charge the battery. 

• ^ Back to the top

2. Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)

✅ You want the absolute best power bank: It has an app to monitor charging details, enough power to drive a MacBook or two, and fast recharging using both USB-C ports. Truly an unmatched power bank.  ✅ You need power for days and days: You could leave with your iPhone 15 on a Monday and use only this battery until you return on Friday. It has enough juice for days of charging, not hours. 

❌ You don't need all those extras: The Anker Prime power bank is pricey, and if you don't care about monitoring charge Wattage or days of battery life, find another option. ❌ You want a compact battery: The Anker Prime power bank has a very high power-to-weight ratio (PWR), but it's still the heaviest battery on this list. It's more than three times the weight of our bargain pick. 

The Anker Prime series of Power Banks, including the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) and the Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank (200W), are for people who truly love to geek out on power banks. If you came looking for the absolute best power bank you can buy, this is the best we've tried. 

First, let's start with the raw power. The big Anker Prime can power a MacBook Pro or any big laptop: it's USB-C ports are capable of 140W of power individually, and the entire battery pack can crank out 250W divided between the two USB-C and one USB-A port. 

You can also charge the Anker Prime using both USB-C ports at the same time, for a combined recharging rate up to 170W. That means you can completely refill this whopping 27K mAh battery in under 40 minutes. I thankfully had an Anker 737 GaN Prime charger that was up to the task, and it's fun to see the percentage climb. 

Think this is an amazing power bank? We're just getting started. The Anker Prime power bank has a built-in display, and it's no cheap LCD, it's a sharp OLED that gives you detailed information about the power going out or coming into the power bank. If that's not enough, there's also an Anker app you can download that gives you even more information about the battery on your smartphone.

That app is essential because there's a Find My feature built into the battery. It doesn't work like an AirTag over UWB, it's only Bluetooth, but it's useful if you misplace your battery in your office (or you have multiple batteries, like I do). 

In terms of charging, this massive power bank can charge an iPhone 15 more than five times. It can charge a big Galaxy S23 Ultra's 5,000mAh battery three-and-a-half times. Best of all, it charges at the fastest speed available on most of your favorite phones (excluding Oppo/OnePlus's unusual SUPERVOOC battery). 

Is the Anker Prime worth the high price? That's hard to say, since the larger battery has suffered from some availability issues, though the smaller version packs most of the same features, including the same maximum 140W charging speed in each USB-C port. If you want the best and you love to know about the power your devices are drawing, the Anker Prime Power Bank is the one to buy. 

3. Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W)

✅ You just got a new iPhone and want the perfect accessory: What better way to celebrate having a USB-C port than buying a new power bank that uses it well. ✅ You want a power bank that fits in a small pocket: The Anker Nano is the smallest power bank on our list, but it packs a big wallop for its small size, and that fold-down USB-C plug makes it easier to carry. 

❌ You need to charge back up to 100%: The Anker Nano carries a respectable 5,000 mAh of battery life, but the power lost in charging means it can't get an iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23 back to full power in a single charge.  ❌ You want to charge old stuff: We're not bothered by the lack of USB-A ports on this small charger, but if your watch or headphones requires it, every other charger on this list has on (including the water bottle charger). 

Everybody on our gift list who got a new iPhone is going to get an Anker Nano Power Bank (22.5W) this year. This cute little charger is perfectly sized to sit beneath your favorite smartphone, plugged into the USB-C port with a little plug that opens out or hides away for a sleek look. 

The Anker Nano is only 5,000mAh, but that doesn't mean it can fully charge a 5,000mAh phone battery like you'll find in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Power banks are about 60-70% efficient, depending on the phone's technology, so this power bank is good for charging an iPhone 15 to nearly full, but that big Ultra will only get about 65% charge. 

That's just fine, because this power bank is the perfect pocket companion to keep you going through a busy day. If you need more power, you'll have to carry a bag to hold a big battery, but the Anker Nano gives you enough power for busy digital living, without added bulk.

In fact, this is the most efficient battery on our list, in terms of power-to-weight ratios. At only 100g, the Anker Nano is the smallest, but it still packs in plenty of power for that weight. You could buy six Nano power banks and have more power for less weight than buying the big Anker Prime. 

The Anker Nano used to be available in an Apple Lightning version, but those days are thankfully behind us. No matter what phone you are using, especially if you're enjoying the new iPhone 15, this is the power bank you should keep on you. 

The best MagSafe power bank

4. baseus magnetic foldable power bank 20w 10000mah.

✅ You want a powerful magnetic charger: The Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is a high-capacity battery built onto a very strong magnet. It holds onto an iPhone tightly, even in landscape mode.  ✅ You want a portable StandBy dock: If you have an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 17, you can use the Baseus Magnetic Foldable as a dock for your iPhone in StandBy mode, giving you a cool desk clock with notifications or a digital photo frame. 

❌ You don't have a magnetic phone: You don't need an iPhone to enjoy the magnetic charging, but you'll need a case that lines up your phone with Apple's MagSafe wireless configuration, or else your phone won't charge properly.  ❌ You need to charge quickly: The Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank is a strong magnet and a big battery, but it charges very slowly, whether wired or wireless. If you don't mind your iPhone wearing a backpack, that's not a problem. 

There are plenty of wireless power bank options on the market, but the Baseus Magnetic Foldable Power Bank impressed me with its incredibly strong magnet. I have the official Apple MagSafe battery pack, and it's magnetic attraction is much weaker than this Baseus power bank. While the Apple battery fell off my phone occasionally, the Baseus Magnetic power bank held tight with less worry. 

That means I could twist my phone sideways into landscape mode and use the Baseus power bank as a portable stand for Apple's new StandBy mode, which is one of my favorite features on iOS 17, and certainly the one I use the most often. 

The Baseus Magnetic power bank can't charge very quickly; the company says it can only charge an iPhone at 7.5W, which is half the wattage a MagSafe iPhone is capable of handling. That was not problem, because this is a power bank that can stick to your phone for a while, so speed won't be of the essence. 

For the price and performance, the slower charging speed is a fine trade off. The Baseus Magnetic Foldable power bank had the second highest power-to-weight ratio on our list, and Baseus chargers are potent and affordable, a good mix.

If you have more than just your smartphone to charge, the Baseus Magnetic power bank has a USB-C port as well, and it can charge up to 20W, which is faster than the magnetic charging, if you really need a speed boost. 

With 10,000 mAh inside, it can charge an iPhone 15 to 100% just short of twice. A Galaxy S23 Ultra will get back to 100% charge once with an extra 35% or so on top of that.

The best cheap power bank

5. baseus airpow power bank 20w 10000mah.

✅ You need more power for less money: The Baseus Airpow power bank starts at $20 in the US and is on sale often, including Black Friday, so it's a real steal. ✅ You need more than one USB port: Most batteries with this many USB ports cost much more, so having two USB-C and one USB-A port will help you charge everything you carry. 

❌ You're trying to keep it simple : The Baseus Airpow doesn't have any built in wires or wireless charging, so you'll need to carry extras when it's time to power up.   ❌ You want to charge fast: While the 20W charging is respectable and can keep up with the new iPhone 15 USB-C port, most Android phones can charge faster than that, so a faster battery pack would help. 

If you haven't heard of Baseus, the company makes a healthy lineup of affordable, well-designed battery packs that don't feel nearly as cheap as their prices would indicate. The most affordable of the bunch, the so-called Airpow Power Bank, starts at $20 in the US but is available on sale often, including a 25% Black Friday discount. 

With three USB ports, including a USB-C port capable of 20W charging and a USB-A port for legacy devices, this battery is surprisingly feature-packed for such an inexpensive power bank. 

The Airpow is not a small power bank, but Baseus makes efficient gear that doesn't take up too much space. It's power-to-weight ratio is on par with the best battery packs from Anker and others. At 245g (more than half a pound), it's bulky, and you'll need to carry extra wires, but it's sleek and nice looking enough to keep in a hand bag. 

With 10,000mAh of power inside, the Baseus Airpow can charge an iPhone 15 once to 100% then once again to nearly full. It can charge a Galaxy S23 Ultra to full once, then add another quarter of a charge.

It's not the fastest battery, but that's expected for this price range. While a flagship phone like the Galaxy S23 Ultra can accept a charging speed up to 45W, the Baseus Airpow can only hit 20W maximum. That's enough for the iPhone 15, though the iPhone 15 Pro has an unpublished charging speed in excess of 20W. 

If you need more, Baseus has plenty of options available in a range of capacity sizes with a variety of features. The options aren't quite as fast or polished as the best power banks from Anker, but the prices are better, and Baseus doesn't add more bulk for less bucks. 

6. Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger

✅ You worry more about your Apple Watch battery: Big iPhones have a big battery, but your watch might not last the day. You don't need a big phone battery when this cute 2-in-1 charger makes a great option instead. ✅ You want your watch to be a desk clock: The Apple Watch has a charging made that makes it a small clock, and this battery turns your watch into a timekeeper that won't get in the way while you're typing, while also keeping your battery full. 

❌ You have a watch that isn't from Apple: The Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank only attaches magnetically to the Apple Watch. Other smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch, won't work with this one, not at all.   ❌ You need power for your phone: The 3,000mAh battery inside is plenty to keep your Apple Watch going, but that isn't enough power to get you even halfway charged on an iPhone 15, and even less on bigger phones. 

The Otterbox 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch is a unique solution to a common problem. Your phone lasts longer than ever before, but wearable batteries haven't quite caught up to the all-day promise. With this cute little power bank, you don't need to bring the special Apple Watch charging cable or a larger battery. This little doodad does the trick. 

The front of the battery is a magnet, and it can hold the Apple Watch standing up. The Apple Watch offers a standby screen with a clock when it's charging, making this power bank effectively a small desk clock, which can be a useful tool if you need to keep time but hate wearing a watch while you type. 

Unfortunately, that magnet isn't quite strong enough for the fanciest Apple Watch bands I own. I have a gorgeous titanium Apple Watch band sent from Nomad , and it was too heavy to hang onto the Otterbox Power Bank's magnet, even though its titanium is incredibly lightweight compared to other metal bands. That's not a big surprise, there are a few chargers this larger band won't fit.

Frankly, the power-to-weight ratio for this little power bank isn't very impressive, it's heavy for the slim 3,000mAh power that it offers. Instead of efficiency, you get to leave your extra-long, super-annoying Apple Watch cable at home and instead just pop your watch onto this cute little thing. It's a worthwhile trade, at least if Watch power is your biggest concern. 

There isn't quite enough power in the Otterbox 2-in-1 power bank to recharge a phone fully, but you're welcome to try. Besides the Apple Watch magnet, it also has a USB-C port that can charge up to 15W, so you can feed some headphones or get a few more hours of screen time in a pinch.

7. Tylt Bottle 2

✅ You were already planning on carrying both: A lot of people carry a water bottle every day, and often bring a power bank along for extra charging. Why not carry both in one device? ✅ You work or study from a library or cafe: The Tylt Bottle 2 is really the perfect device for students in a library or working from a cafe. Rest your phone on the wireless puck and let it charge while you work, without fussy wires and outlets. 

❌ You need a lot of power: Thankfully, the battery on the Tylt Bottle 2 isn't so big it adds too much weight, but that also means it isn't powerful enough for multiple charges.  ❌ You need fast power: This is a very slow charger, whether wired or wireless, so it's better for casual charging while you sip your water and read a book. 

There are plenty of combination power bank and some other device, but the Tylt Bottle 2 actually makes sense because we're usually carrying an insulated water bottle anyway, so we might as well screw a battery onto the bottom. With a 5,700mAh capacity, the Tylt Bottle 2 is just enough to get us through a very busy day, or keep the phone powered while we play games at the cafe. 

The bottle is actually a nice, insulated affair, and it kept ice in cold water for 12 hours, which is all that we need. It has a good, strong strap to carry the bottle, though we would have liked a lid that was easier for sipping.

You can buy the Tylt Bottle with just a power bank attached, but our review sample from AT&T had the full wireless charging treatment. It's easy to set up a phone to charge while studying, working out, or working away from home: all places we take a water bottle and need a full phone battery. 

Tylt could have just added a wireless charging feature and called it a day, but the Tylt Bottle 2 has a few surprises on board. First of all, in addition to wireless charging, you still get both a USB-C and USB-A port for charging just about anything you have.

Tylt also wisely left enough of a gap between the battery and the bottle that you can coil a small USB-C cord (included) into that space. That way, even if you're not charging wirelessly, you're not adding a lot of extra bulk to your bag. It's a smart setup. 

Admittedly, making a battery that also fills up with water is a quick way to make a heavy battery, so we won't knock Tylt for being a heavy power bank. If you were already carrying both, the Tylt Bottle 2 power bank insulated water bottle combo is a fun, smart way to keep your kit charged. 

This bottle isn't available on Amazon, but you can find it elsewhere, including directly from AT&T as one of the accessories they offer when you buy a phone. Maybe that means we'll see it offered in a bundle deal sometime soon. 

How to choose the best power bank for you

How do i choose the best power bank for me.

The most important question to consider when buying a power bank is what will you be charging? If you are charging a small smartphone and that's all, a simple power bank will suffice. If you plan on charging a laptop occasionally as well, or many devices at once, you'll want something with more power and more features. 

If you have a newer Android phone, or the latest iPhone 15 models, you'll want a power bank with faster charging speeds to get your battery full faster. Charging speed is measured in wattage, and the iPhone 15 can charge just a bit faster than 15W, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra can charge up to 45W. 

The next question is how you want to charge your device. You can find a power bank that charges your phone (or even your Apple Watch) wirelessly. These will usually charge slower, but they can be very convenient if you want to leave wires at home. 

There are also cool additional features to consider. Our favorite power bank has a built in charging plug so it can go right into a wall outlet. Some power banks have data about your charging devices. Some are just super small and cute.

Which power bank is the best quality?

The best power banks we have tried have all come from Anker, but that doesn't mean Anker is the only brand you should consider. All of the power banks on this list passed our testing, traveling with us on the road and powering our devices at home. Anker is the best, but these batteries from Baseus and Otterbox performed well. 

The reason Anker is the best is because it packs more power into its batteries at a lower weight. Its batteries charge faster than most competitors, and our favorite can even charge using two USB-C ports at once. Its small Nano battery has the best power-to-weight ratio of any battery on our list. 

When you pick a power bank, you also want to choose the fastest charging your device supports, if that matters to you. All of our larger picks can charge an iPhone 15 at full speed, but only the Anker power banks can also charge a Galaxy S23 Ultra at its faster charging wattage. 

Which brand is best for power banks in 2023?

We wish there wasn't such an easy answer to this question, because competition is better for everybody, but Anker is making the best power banks right now by far. It offers the best power-to-weight ratio, the fastest charging, and the most useful features. 

Anker batteries also look great and are built with high quality parts. The display on our best battery for power users is bright and sharp OLED display, totally unnecessary for a power bank, but that's what makes Anker the best. It far exceeds our expectations of what's necessary to make power banks that are great. 

There are plenty of other power bank makers around, and most of them have not caught up to the faster charging speeds available on the iPhone 15 family, let along even faster Android phones. Except for unique form factors or serious bargains, we stayed away from recommending power banks from reputable makers if they couldn't charge at 2023 speeds. 

We expect this competition will heat up next year as more power bank makers catch up and make faster charging batteries. Until then, Anker is the dominant brand, and if you want the best it's an easy choice. 

How many times can my power bank charge my phone?

Our favorite power bank has a 10,000mAh battery, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, so the math should be simple, right? It charges twice. Except that's not how it works. Power banks are not 100% efficient, and even though you start with plenty of power, a lot of it is lost in the charging process. 

In fact, our testing confirms what battery makers usually claim. A battery maker will claim between 60% and 70% efficiency, so that 10,000mAh battery will only give your phone around 6,000mAh of extra battery charge, at the least. In practice we find around 65% efficiency, though occasionally we can do even better. 

Apple doesn't publish its battery capacity, but teardowns have shown that the iPhone 15 has a battery with around 3,350mAh of battery life. That means a 10KmAh battery can charge that phone twice ... almost. You may not get to 100% the second charge, but you'll be in the 90% range. 

What that means is any power bank that is 5,000mAh or smaller will probably not guarantee 100% charge on an iPhone 15. If you have a big battery phone like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which packs 5,000mAh inside, you'll need a power bank closer to 8,000mAh or more if you want a full recharge. 

How we test the best power banks

We have tested the best power banks by using them to charge a variety of devices, including Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy phones. We have also charged Apple iPad tablets, and small laptops including a Pixelbook Go and a Surface Laptop Go. 

We used the best power banks extensively while traveling to see how well they fit in our luggage and their relative utility versus the weight add to our pack. 

To test charging times and claims, we charged a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and an Apple iPhone 15 to determine how many charges each battery offers these devices. We chose a common smaller battery phone as well as our best phone overall for this purpose. 

Using the Anker Prime power bank, we were also able to test the charging speed claims of other power banks, as the Anker Prime will report charging speed in wattage. 

• Looking for a laptop charger? Here are our best portable laptop chargers . We've also featured the best portable projectors .

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Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, having reviewed his first device (the Sony D-EJ01 Discman) more than 20 years ago for eTown.com. He has been writing about phones and mobile technology, since before the iPhone, for a variety of sites including PCMag, infoSync, PhoneScoop, and Slashgear. He holds an M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. 

Phil was the internal reviewer for Samsung Mobile, writing opinions and review predictions about top secret new devices months before launch. He left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. He has been a High School English teacher at Title I schools, and is a certified Lifeguard. His passion is smartphones and wearables, and he is sure that the next big thing will be phones we wear on our faces.

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