Hear ye, hear ye fellow travelers! Are you on the hunt for affordable ways to travel long distances? Are you wondering how people can afford to travel?
Low-cost travel ideas?
Some budget travel options?
To travel far and wide on a budget?
Fear not! Your fairy godmother of ok-ish travel advice is here to save the day! I’m here to make sure you don’t break the bank while traveling.
The cheapest way to travel will often depend on the route and the country you are originating from. Airfare tends to be the cheapest over very long distances, but trains and buses can be competitve too if booked in advance.
Below are a few options.
So prepare yourself. Is this post going to be filled with Shrek references?
We can only hope.
Is it going to be filled with slightly helpful tips?
IDK lower your expectations please.
Today, we’re going to cover a few different ways on how you can travel further for less. Save that money for those important things in life.
Buses:
Yup, the good old-fashioned bus rides are still relevant, especially if you don’t mind sitting for long hours.
In the United States, there’s numerous bus options to get you from point A to point B. These include:
- Flixbus
- Flixbus makes it easy to book a bus ticket straight through your phone. This is also a popular bus line in Europe.
- Megabus
- Megabus has tickets starting at $1 (the cheapest seat I have gotten is about $3). However, in order to take advantage of the cheap fares, you need to book in advance.
- Greyhound/ Peter Pan
- Greyhound/ Peter Pan have some of the most comprehensive routes in the US, making this a great option, depending on where you need to go.
But what is you’re looking for options in Europe?
- Eurolines
- Eurolines is one of Europe’s largest low-cost long distance bus networks, reaching hundreds of destinations!
- National Express
- National Express, a popular coach operator in the UK, also offers services to many European towns and cities.
- Student Agency Bus
- If you’re planning on exploring Central and Eastern Europe, Student Agency Bus (RegioJet) has some affordable travel options as well.
Trains:
Train travel is not only a more comfortable option for long distances but can also be budget-friendly if you book in advance. I’m a fan of trains because:
- I have found less delays when traveling by train
- No need to factor in all that extra time security, baggage drop-off, etc takes
- ✨ NO LIQUID LIMITSSSSSSSS ✨
- More environmentally friendly
Need some recs? Don’t worry, boo, I GOT YOU.
European Trains
In Europe, companies like Deutsche Bahn (Germany), Trenitalia (Italy), and SNCF (France) often release their timetables up to 6 months in advance, and booking early can get you the best prices. Additionally, using a Railcard or the Interrail Pass can make travel within Europe even more cost-effective.
American Trains
Trains in the United States tend to be on the pricier side once leaving the grounds of the city. While Amtrak does offer good fares on common routes, such as New York City to Boston, train fares tend to be more expensive as the amounts increase. Amtrak has Saver Fares, which offer reduced prices on specific trains and routes.
But again, try to book this as far out as you can.
If you’re planning to travel extensively by train, consider investing in an Amtrak USA Rail Pass. The Pass allows for unlimited travel within a set number of days across their entire network. Always remember to compare prices and opt for off-peak travel times where possible to get the best deal.
Take a Car & Carpool:
If you’re traveling with a group, consider carpooling with others headed the same way. Split the cost of gas money, and have a buddy along the way? Not a bad deal in my book!
In the US, cars are an important part of the infrastructure. This is less true in countries such as Germany and Italy, which have more robust public transportation options. As a result, gas is often cheaper in the US and can be among the cheapest ways to get from one location to another. Below are some additional tips to save money with a car:
- Share a Ride
- There are also websites/apps like BlaBlaCar can help you connect with people looking to share a ride and split costs. Make sure to check out reviews so that you’re going with a trusted
***Please note: We have never personally have driven this way, but KDancks has friends who did it pretty often when she studied in Heidelberg.***
- Parking Apps
- If you’re parking in the city, garage parking can quickly eat at your costs. By using apps such as ParkHero, you can further reduce costs, while not compromising on getting a good location.
Airline deals:
Air travel is often one of the cheapest form of travel, when going long distances. In fact, according to CNET, airfare ranked as the cheapest form of travel across various routes from LA, including Chicago, New York, and Vegas. In the US, airfare is often cheaper than trains (but not always cheaper than the bus). Below are some ways to save on airline fare:
- Take a Budget Airline:
- In the US:
- Spirit, JetBlue, and Southwest – the list goes on for the US budget airlines! A lot of these airlines fly to popular destinations and you can get great deals. It may not be the most comfortable flight of your life, but it the flight is under $60 roundtrip, who is complaining?
- In Europe:
- Ryanair and EasyJet are two of the biggest low-cost carriers with an extensive network across the continent. Wizz Air is another great choice for cheap flights, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
For Scandinavian destinations, Norwegian Air offers cost-effective options. Vueling is a low-cost Spanish airline that operates throughout Europe, but there are other options like Eurowings and Blue Air. Europe has a lot of budget airline options. Make sure to the read the fine print though, otherwise you may be losing your right arm to pay for the fees that can happen to unsuspecting travelers.
- Ryanair and EasyJet are two of the biggest low-cost carriers with an extensive network across the continent. Wizz Air is another great choice for cheap flights, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
- In the US:
- Find Deals on Airlines
- Airline direct:
- Sometimes the Airlines themselves will have great deals, so it’s always important to check their websites as well. I bought an Aerlingus flight from Dublin, Ireland to Frankfurt, Germany for 8 EURO. All because they were having a sale and I was able to travel during off-peak travel hours.
Booking direct has other perks as well, like points or better protections for canceled flights. These are things to always keep in mind, as the points add up and canceled flights can lead to major headaches.
- Sometimes the Airlines themselves will have great deals, so it’s always important to check their websites as well. I bought an Aerlingus flight from Dublin, Ireland to Frankfurt, Germany for 8 EURO. All because they were having a sale and I was able to travel during off-peak travel hours.
- Using an OTA:
- Skyscanner, Kayak, Expedia, Hopper, StudentUniverse (if you’re a college student) are great places to look when you aren’t picky about which airline you fly with. You’ll be able to easily view flights from multiple different airlines in one spot, instead of hunting across multiple airline sites.
Secret Flying and Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called ‘Going’) offer alerts on discounted fares, sometimes offering unbelievable prices due to airline errors.
- Skyscanner, Kayak, Expedia, Hopper, StudentUniverse (if you’re a college student) are great places to look when you aren’t picky about which airline you fly with. You’ll be able to easily view flights from multiple different airlines in one spot, instead of hunting across multiple airline sites.
- Airline direct:
- Earn Points:
- Airlines also often ways to redeem and earn points, such as airline-specific credit cards or Delta’s partnerships with Lyft and Starbucks.
Car rentals:
If you’re traveling with a group, renting a car can be cheaper than individual tickets for other forms of transportation. It also gives you more flexibility with your schedule than other modes of travel offer.
But! There are some things to keep in mind when renting a car:
- Consider the Car Type
- Consider the type of car you need; smaller cars are usually cheaper, but if you’re traveling with a group or have a lot of luggage, a larger vehicle might be more suitable.
Otherwise you’re stuck playing suitcase tetris.
Sounds like fun, right?
WRONG.
You will end up pretty sweaty from rearranging the suitcases and shoving things into every possible crevice, PRAYING that dear God, please let these doors shut. This happens to me all the time, and nope, I have not learned my lesson.
Thanks for asking though.
- Consider the type of car you need; smaller cars are usually cheaper, but if you’re traveling with a group or have a lot of luggage, a larger vehicle might be more suitable.
- Learn to Drive Stick
- In Europe, renting a stick shift will almost always be cheaper. If you have the option to learn, do it before you go.
- Find Out if You Need an International License
- Some countries require it, so be sure to get it before you leave if you do.
- Review the Car Rental’s Policies
- Check the mileage policy; unlimited mileage is preferable if you’re planning a long-distance trip. Also, review the company’s fuel policy as some may require you to return the car with a full tank.
- Review Your Insurance Options
- Ensure you understand the insurance terms and what it covers. Extra insurance can come with a hefty price tag, but going without might leave you at risk. I usually get the full insurance package, just to make sure anything and everything is covered.
- Take Photos and Videos of the Car
- Always inspect the car thoroughly for any existing damage before you drive off the lot to avoid being held responsible for it when you return the vehicle.I like to take a video before fully taking ownership of the car and also when I drop it off if no one is there at the drop off site (i.e. off hours). It feels weird but every car rental company I’ve done this with, has been ok with it and I have felt better knowing I’ve protected myself from surprises.
- Compare Prices and Read the Reviews
- Some car rental companies are known for ripping off tourists. You’ll book a small car, and all of a sudden! You get a surprise upgrade because the car you book isn’t in stock. The new car is bigger and more expensive, but that’s what they have.
Traditionally, you should get the car the upgrade for free, since it’s the car company’s fault that they didn’t have it in stock. However, less than ethical places will book the car for you and charge you a new fee.
This happened to KDanks and me years ago.. I booked with Hertz even though it was more expensive. It had better reviews, was a brand many friends/family had used while traveling, and was a brand I had used the company everywhere else in the world and NEVER had issues.
Well guess what? My cute little rental that was 650 euro for the entire trip WITH THE GOOD-TOP-NOTCH INSURANCE, magically was over 2,000 euro.
- Some car rental companies are known for ripping off tourists. You’ll book a small car, and all of a sudden! You get a surprise upgrade because the car you book isn’t in stock. The new car is bigger and more expensive, but that’s what they have.
- Use a Credit Card To Book, Not a Debit
- To continue on with the story above, the car company would not budge on giving me the car or price I wanted, so we took the car. The second I got in the car, I cried as that was WAY more than we had budgeted for just renting the car. Also the lady at the desk was very mean.
When we got to our hotel, we submitted a complaint with Hertz, and when we got home, I submitted a claim to my credit card company about fraudulent business practices as it was VERY CLEAR from my paperwork that we got ripped off. It took a while, but in the end I got my money back.
Credit card companies offer way more protection for fraud than a debit card, so always book travel on a credit card. Because our credit card threatened to no longer do business with them if they didn’t return the money, we got it back. Credit card companies hold a lot of power, so always book on credit to save yourself a headache in case of bad business practices or fraud.
Also – If this ever comes across the desk of a certain lady in the Hertz car rental pick up (or really ANY ONE in that office), I have some VERY strong words for you. VERY STRONG.
When I finally figure out how to not cry when I’m angry, it is OVER FOR YOU.
OVER.
- To continue on with the story above, the car company would not budge on giving me the car or price I wanted, so we took the car. The second I got in the car, I cried as that was WAY more than we had budgeted for just renting the car. Also the lady at the desk was very mean.
Walking or Cycling:
Alright, time to pull back and re-find my zen — nothing better than a mental health walk!
For the ultimate budget-friendly and eco-friendly option, consider walking or cycling long distances. This is also a really great option if you’re just mad at the car rental place for a very understandable reason even though it’s been 5+ years since the incident.
Anyway, this option may take longer, but think of the scenery you can take in! You can just march into town with not a care in the world!
Not sure how to get started? Komoot is an excellent resource if you want to walk or cycle across Europe. The app and website offer information about the best trails, paths, and routes for walking and cycling, covering terrain across Europe. With its detailed maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and personalized route planning it’s a go-to if you want this kind of trip. It also has a great community of users who contribute photos, tips and reviews about routes to help others plan their trips. I can say all the reviews were EXTREMELY helpful. They helped me realize that I do not want a walking holiday.
Final thoughts
And there you have it, folks! Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, there’s an affordable option for long-distance travel out there waiting for you. From buses and trains to air travel and camping, there are so many ways to save money while exploring new destinations. So, what are you waiting for? Let us know in the comments below how you plan on saving money on your next trip! And don’t forget to thank me, your fairy godmother.
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