How to save money when traveling solo

Here are a few ways to save money when traveling solo:

Don't buy special clothes for travel.

There is always a temptation, in the excitement before travel, to purchase additional clothing. Unless you really think you need something. Try to make do with what you have.

Pack Carry-On only.

If you can manage to travel with only a carry on, you eliminate baggage fees, with the added bonus of saving time at the airport. For packing help, see my video on how to pack a carry on: https://youtu.be/ph3NM4i6pVU

Eliminate high-cost countries.

A good way to learn the affordability of a destination is to check the hotel rates. It is a good indicator of how much everything will cost. If the hotels are expensive, then the food and transportation most likely will be too.

Take Public Transportation.

Taking public transportation in a foreign city can be intimidating, especially for a solo traveler. However, it is usually fairly simple, and becomes easier after you take that first ride. You may have to spend some time learning how to use the subways, trains or buses, but this is one of the best ways to save money when traveling.

Eat Less Meals.

This may require an adjustment for those of you with the habit of eating three squares a day, but it can save you time and money. Often restaurants are less crowded if you eat a late breakfast and early dinner, which allows you to get in and out exploring faster....and sometimes you can get deals during the Happy Hour. Purchasing restaurant food can be expensive when traveling, so try to minimize the number of meals and purchase a few snacks to tide you over.

Look for Zero Single Supplement Deals.

However, don't restrict yourself to just those.  For example, sometimes paying for two people in a regular cruise ship cabin can be less expensive than the solo cabins. This is a good search tool for finding single supplement cruise deals: https://www.vacationstogo.com/

Travel in the Off Season.

Summertime and holidays are usually the most expensive times to travel. Try traveling in the off-season when you can find better rates. One caveat: check the weather during that time of year. You might get a great deal, but make sure the weather won't be horrible. Hint: September is a good time to find deals and the weather is still fairly warm.

Book Travel According to Deals.

Rather than looking at destinations first, look to see what deals are available. There are several tools to help you do this such as Google Flights and Going.

Be Flexible.

If you can leave your schedule open for travel, you may be able to secure a last-minute deal.

Resist splurging.

Often when in the midst of a vacation, there is the temptation to splurge on something more expensive than you would purchase at home. Stick to your normal spending habits and don't overindulge. You will feel better when you get back home and have fond memories rather than huge credit card bills!