Traveling well doesn't have to mean spending big. Whether it’s snagging a free stopover, sipping homemade espresso instead of overpriced lattes, or staying in university dorms over pricey hotels, savvy travelers know the little moves add up fast. Use these tricks to make your next adventure richer in experiences and lighter on your wallet.
Want a cross-country adventure without expensive car rental fees? Companies like AutoDriveawayand Imoova need drivers to move vehicles between cities, and they will often let you do it for free or for a nominal sum. You’ll usually get five to seven days to complete the trip with a set mileage cap, and you’ll be responsible for extra mileage, late fees, or additional insurance.
Pro Tip: Some relocation deals include gas reimbursements or ferry costs, but check in advance. There’s usually a bond, typically held on your credit card, that gets returned upon delivery, but always confirms the terms upfront.
Did you know that some tourism boards offer perks just for showing up? From shopping vouchers in Hong Kong and free city tours in Singapore to lucky draws for cash vouchers in Taiwan, the incentives are real. In Switzerland and Germany, hotel guests even receive free public transit passes in select cities.
Pro Tip: Always check the official tourism website or airport welcome desks; some perks are limited to the first few thousand visitors or must be claimed on arrival.
Cruise ships shift between regions and need to fill cabins every spring and fall. These repositioning cruises can last two weeks or more but cost less than a one-way flight to Europe, including meals, entertainment, and lodging. Common routes include Florida to Barcelona, Rome, or Southampton, Florida to Canada via Mexico.
Pro Tip: The fare may be cheaper, but you'll spend more days at sea and must budget for port taxes, gratuities, and a return flight.
Save on hotel and Airbnb costs with platforms like TrustedHousesitterswhich match travelers with homeowners needing pet or property care. It’s a win-win for long-term stays, especially in popular (and pricey) cities.
Pro Tip: Start building your profile early, include references, complete ID verification, and get certified in CPCR or pet first aid if possible. Premium members get early access to listings in competitive cities like London and Paris.
House swaps aren’t new, but you’ll want to avoid scams. Facebook groups are full of them. Instead, try platforms like Kindred, which include a thorough vetting process. You can swap directly or earn credits for future stays, making it an affordable way to travel like a local.
Pro Tip: Kindred offers property damage coverage up to $100,000 and provides free cleaning and hosting kits. Set expectations clearly with a video call before confirming your stay.
Skip the hard sell and go direct. Timeshare owners often rent out unused weeks through sites like RedWeek, giving you access to resort condos at major discounts. Units typically include kitchens, laundry, and resort perks like pools and beach access.
Pro Tip: We found a two-bedroom villa at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu for just under $500 a night. Prices drop sharply for last-minute stays. Always confirm additional resort or cleaning fees before booking.
Why pay for two separate tickets when airlines like Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Icelandair offer stopover packages that include hotel stays, domestic flights, tours, and local experiences – often for free or a small fee.
Pro Tip: You’ll need to manually select the stopover when booking; it’s not automatic. Some airlines offer up to four free nights depending on your cabin class. Qatar Airways offers luxury stays with beach access starting from just $31 a night.
During summer and holiday breaks, many universities rent out dorms at hostel prices. Cities like Boston, Toronto, and Cambridge offer central locations for less, and in Europe, sites like University Rooms have listings across the U.K., France, and Spain.
Pro Tip: We found centrally located rooms for under €100 ($112) per night in Paris, London, and Barcelona. Some even include breakfast and Wi-Fi.
Why pay $599+ for a Coachella ticket when you could volunteer in exchange for perks like free badges, meals, and even housing? Events like SXSW, Oktoberfest, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival also offer similar deals in exchange for a set number of shifts.
Pro Tip: Apply early. Volunteer applications often open four to six months in advance. Look for tips on TikTok or Reddit to learn how others scored great roles.
Morning lattes add up quickly, so bring your own. If you’re traveling for 10 days or more, packing a Nespresso Vertuo Pop can save you the equivalent of two $5 coffees a day.
Pro Tip: Bring pods from home. Availability and pricing can vary wildly abroad. Add a compact electric milk frother, and you’ve got cafe-style lattes on demand.
Your local museum membership may unlock free entry to partner museums across the U.S., like the Frick Collection in New York or the Honolulu Museum of Art, through programs like ROAMor NARM. If not, joining email lists can net you discounts or notify you of free-admission days.
Pro Tip: Sign up for newsletters a month or two before your trip. Bank of America cardholders also get free museum access on the first weekend of every month through its Museums on Us program.
Many cities (check out this map) have bike-share programs with daily, weekly, or monthly passes – a budget-friendly alternative to ride shares or taxis. Some services even include e-bike rentals and free delivery perks.
Pro Tip: Cities like Paris (Vélib’), Barcelona (Bicing), Tokyo (Hello Cycling), and London (Santander Cycles) offer tourist passes that can be activated via the apps.
Booking a GuruWalk or FreeTour.comis a great way to get oriented, learn local history, and find hidden spots through the eyes of a local guide, all for a tip at the end.
Pro Tip: Book in advance. Free tours in popular cities like Rome, Barcelona, or Prague often fill up, especially in peak seasons.
Don’t blow your points on small-ticket redemptions. Cards from Capital One, Chase, and American Express let you pool points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. In a 2025 Amex survey, 66% of travelers said they used points for upgrades or luxury perks they wouldn’t pay for otherwise.
Pro Tip: Know you’ve got big travel coming up? Sign up for a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred, which offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in three months — enough to cover flights or several hotel nights.
Airfare fluctuates constantly, but under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, you can cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as it's at least seven days before departure and arrives or departs from the U.S.
Pro Tip: Book directly with the airline. Third-party sites like Expedia or Kayak may not honor this rule or offer compensation if your flight is delayed or canceled.