It's no secret that travel is expensive. Museum tickets, entry fees to historic sites, and guided tours add up quickly, and that's without factoring in meals, souvenirs, airfare, hotels, and transfers.
But you don't have to spend a lot to have a great time. I've spent the last decade traveling the world and learned that the best experiences rarely come with the biggest price tags. Whether you're exploring a new city or revisiting a favorite destination, here are five low-cost ways to stretch your budget without sacrificing fun.
In this article
Free Local Community Events
Before departing on your next adventure, it's worthwhile to review event calendars to see if there are any free or low-cost community events you may want to check out while at your destination.
Many towns and cities around the world host events and experiences that both community members and visitors can enjoy, including farmer’s markets, night markets, art festivals, movie showings at local parks, live musical performances, and holiday parades.
I've wandered through farmers' and night markets all over the world, including most recently strolling through a night market in Hong Kong. It was completely free to attend, but I did buy some delicious street food.
I’ve also enjoyed festivals. When visiting Seattle, I attended a street art festival with a friend. We spent an entire afternoon looking at artwork created by local artists. In many cases, these events are free to attend, but you may want to budget for food and beverages, or other purchases.
Bike Rentals
Looking for a way to stay active and take in the scenery without draining your travel budget? Your next destination may have bikes available for rent.
Many cities, like Chicago, New York City, Paris, Taipei, and Singapore offer bike rentals, with docking stations available throughout the city, where you can pick up a bike and return it when you’re done riding. You'll pay a rental fee, which varies, but many programs charge by the minute or hour. Some provide standard pedal bikes while others have electric-assist e-bikes, which are great for covering more ground with less effort.
A bike share is one of the most affordable ways to explore a new destination. While in Singapore, I rented a bike for an hour for less than $3. It made for an exciting and affordable way to take in the gorgeous island.
Free Walking Tours
One of my favorite ways to get introduced to a new city is by taking a free walking tour.
Available in many major cities around the world, these tours feature a tour guide who walks you through different neighborhoods, explains the destination's history, and shares fun facts along the way.
It's worth noting that these tours aren't actually free. Here's how they work: instead of charging an upfront admission fee, the guide collects tips at the end of the tour. You pay what you feel the experience was worth.
Typically, you’ll find these tours advertised online. To find one, just search for free walking tours for your destination to see your options. In most major cities, there are usually multiple tour providers. To ensure availability, plan to book in advance.
Beyond the history lesson, free walking tours are an excellent opportunity to meet fellow travelers. I've taken them in Prague, Montreal, and Edinburgh, and each tour was a memorable, and low-cost, part of my trip.
Free Museum Entry
Museums are great places to learn about history, art, and culture, but many come with admission fees that can add up quickly. The good news is that free and low-cost options are more common than you might think.
In some cities, like Washington, D.C., most museums are free to visit year-round. In others, select museums offer free entry or pay-what-you-wish admission on specific days each week or month. For example, in New York City, the Museum of Jewish Heritage offers free admission every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and The Museum of the City of New York offers free admission on Wednesdays.
Your credit or debit card may also unlock free museum access. Bank of America debit and credit cardholders, for example, receive free admission to 200+ museums and cultural institutions nationwide during the first full weekend of every month through the Museums on Us program. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago are examples of museum partners.
Before arriving at your destination, check whether any museums offer free or discounted entry. It's an easy way to save without sacrificing the experience.
Take in the Outdoors
Don't ignore opportunities to be one with nature. There are many parks and outdoor spaces that you can enjoy when traveling, and most don’t require an admission ticket.
With some exceptions, of course, you can hang out at the beach or along a lake, enjoy a packed picnic lunch at a local park, people watch from a park bench, catch a sunrise or sunset from a scenic overlook, or take a trek on a nearby hiking path.
Some destinations may even offer free access to outdoor botanical gardens. For example, when I visited Edinburgh, I spent an afternoon at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh exploring walking paths, lovely areas to sit and rest, and of course, admiring beautiful flowers and plants, without spending a penny.
The Shortcut
Free walking tours usually come with the expectation of a tip at the end. Even so, they offer significant savings over a standard guided tour.
Bank of America debit and credit cardholders get free admission to 200+ museums nationwide the first full weekend of every month.
Bike-share programs in cities like Singapore and Paris charge by the minute or hour. A full hour of exploring can cost less than $3.
Before you arrive, check local event calendars. Farmers markets, art festivals, and live performances are often free to attend.
Most parks, beaches, and botanical gardens don't charge admission. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, for example, is free to explore.
Searching for destinations that have affordable lodging too? Check out our list of affordable warm-weather destinations.
