Traveling internationally isn’t as daunting as it seems—and it can even be cheaper than a cross‑country flight in the United States. You’ll often find round‑trip fares to Europe or Latin America for less than an East Coast–to–West Coast ticket. Once you arrive, hotels and meals can also cost far less than California rates.
Yet international trips can quickly become expensive: airfare, tours, hotels, taxis—you can watch your budget evaporate. Some travelers shrug and think, “It’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip, so why worry?” And halfway through, you may decide the splurge is worth it. But with a bit of planning and strategy, you can stretch one epic journey into two—or even three.
Here’s ten strategies for making this happen.
1. Account for the “first‑time” cost of learning.
No amount of foresight eliminates surprises. Every new destination comes with a learning curve—and extra expenses you won’t repeat.
For example, on my first trip to northern Norway, I booked a rental car at Narvik—only to discover at the counter that “Narvik” was actually 45 minutes away from the airport. After paying roughly $40 per person for bus transfers, I still paid an additional $100 fee to return the car at the airport location and avoid the time and hassle of more bus transfers.
By contrast, on my third trip to Spain—after mastering the country’s transport system—we breezed through Barcelona, Sevilla, Córdoba, Madrid, and Valencia in under a week. No mishaps, just smooth travel made possible by hard‑won experience.
2. Be flexible about your departure airport.
A two‑hour drive to a major hub can slash hundreds off your ticket.
When my wife, two children, and a friend booked flights to Egypt from Knoxville, fares exceeded $1,000 each—over $5,000 total, plus lengthy layovers. Instead, we carpooled four hours to Atlanta, where round‑trip tickets were around $600! Parking for two weeks was $150 total—just $30 per person—and gas added another $30 each. We saved over $400 per person simply by choosing a different departure city.
3. Be flexible about your destination airport.
Look beyond your dream city. Nearby airports can offer far lower fares—and regional transport is usually straightforward.
For our Italy trip, Rome tickets ran about $650, but Geneva round‑trips were only $450. We flew into Geneva, explored Venice, Florence, and Rome by train, then flew back to Geneva for about $50 each. Thinking regionally rather than city‑by‑city can unlock major savings.
4. Travel off‑peak.
Avoid Christmas, summer holidays, and weekend departures. A mid‑week flight in the shoulder season can cost a fraction and spare you the crowds.
Use Google Flights to compare departure and arrival options, and consider a deal alert service like Going to catch price drops automatically.
5. Plan your own tour.
In safe, English‑friendly destinations, skip pricier guided packages and become your own tour operator.
Sites like Viator list top‑rated local experiences—even if you don’t book through them, you’ll gain ideas and user reviews to craft your own itinerary.
6. Extend your stay.
Your biggest expense is getting there. If you pay once and stay longer, you cut that cost per day dramatically.
I once found a $375 round‑trip ticket to Madrid for a mission trip; whereas, my friend paid $1,000 at Christmas. Instead of just going the week of the mission trip, I arrived early. Since the ticket was already paid for, it was getting that extra week for a free flight. Plus, I enjoyed an extra week of exploring and had enough savings left over for another trip.
7. Shop at grocery stores.
Dining out for every meal drains your budget. In Geneva, a family dinner easily topped $150; a supermarket haul cost about $30 and made for a feast in our hotel.
Grocery shopping is also a cultural delight—sampling local breads, cheeses, and beverages. Dine out for the experience, but lean on groceries for most meals and watch your savings soar.
8. Master public transportation.
Renting a car is rarely the cheapest or most relaxing choice—unless you’re exploring a remote countryside. Inter‑city trains and budget flights in Europe are often much lower than typical prices for U.S. travel. Within cities, buses and metros are reliable and affordable.
On one Italian trip, we switched from repeated €50 taxi rides to a €10 bus ride for three—saving more than €40 in a single trip.
9. Stay and eat outside city centers.
Historic centers dazzle—but accommodations and restaurants there cater to tourists at premium prices. Just beyond the core, you’ll find better lodging and authentic local cuisine at a fraction of the cost.
Staying outside Florence’s center, for example, would have given us more space and comfort for less money—especially since public transit made commuting effortless.
10. Travel with friends (or make friends abroad).
Splitting costs on rentals and accommodations cuts your share in half. My trip to Norway cost $600 for a car, but it was only $300 each with a traveling companion.
Better yet, forge friendships with locals before you go. Host foreign visitors in your home, and they’ll often return the favor—offering insider tours that no guidebook can match.
Conclusion
There are no magic bullets for virtually free travel—aside from a generous sponsor! But by applying these ten strategies, you’ll slash costs without sacrificing enjoyment. You may just turn that one “trip of a lifetime” into two, three, or more.
What are your best money‑saving tips for international travel? Share them below—thanks for reading, and see you next time!