37 easy ways to save money for travel in 2025

Do you want to save money for travel? Are you struggling to budget for your dream trip? I’ve got you covered with my top tips on easy ways to save money for travel.

I have travelled for over 22 years and have many insider tips on where to cut costs and rack up some savings to hit the road.

Travelling is an incredible experience that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy. However, saving for your dream trip can be hard when mounting life costs get in the way.

easy ways to save money for travel

If you, too, find that your finances are standing between you and your dream destination, then I have some great tips on how to save money for a trip.

In this bumper article, I will share easy ways to save money on travel. These tips combine practical and personal methods to be the most effective. Implementing these ideas will bring you closer to realising your travel goals.

How to save money for travel

I’ve compiled a big list of easy ways to save money for travel so that you can save money for a dream vacation and get on track with budgeting.

In this How to Save Money to Travel guide, you’ll find budgeting tips, unique ways to make money and money-saving hacks.

Start making small changes today to help you save money for travel and get you to your destination of choice this year!

how to save for travel

These tips for saving money to travel may not work for everyone who reads this post, but they can inspire you to get started.

Some of the most important things to think about when saving money to travel are:

• Look at your outgoings – can anything be cut?
• Do you have debt that needs to be paid off?
• Can you pick up extra work?
• What money-saving apps and websites can you use?
• Can you sell anything to make extra money?
• Are you sticking to a monthly budget?
• What are the extra little ways you could make money?

saving for a trip

I have spent over 22 years travelling around the world, and these are several of the money-saving hacks I have used to get extra funds for travel.

If you start implementing small changes today, you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save for travel in a year.

How to save money for travel every month

You will be surprised at how quickly you can save money for a trip when you put your mind to it.

Unlike many other money-saving guides, I won’t tell you to eliminate all of life’s little pleasures. Yes, a cup of nice coffee costs £4, but I love treating myself to a nice latte now and then.

Subscribe to the Travel Goals Podcast now

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• iHeartRadio
• Amazon Music

Saving money for a trip

Saving money for a trip doesn’t mean sacrificing every expense. You just need to choose your favourite small indulgences and learn how to save money elsewhere.

Use these tips to find ways to save money while still treating yourself to the odd pleasure. Life is too short to go cold turkey on vanilla lattes, right?

You can also listen to an episode on how to save money for travel on my travel podcast – Travel Goals. Subscribe now and listen to all episodes for more destination inspiration and deep dives with travel experts.

Pay off your debt

Before you begin saving, examine any debt you might have and figure out how to pay it down.

Don’t try to save while paying off debts, especially high-interest ones. Aim to pay off as much of your debt as possible before planning a dream trip abroad.

If you have high-interest debts and loans, you might consider a free or low-cost balance transfer to a 0% APR credit card.

If you are UK-based, you can sign up for the Money Saving Expert mailing list to receive updates on the best 0% APR credit card and balance transfer deals.

This no-BS money-saving site and newsletter provide useful information on balance transfers and ways to pay down debts.

Set a travel savings goal

If you want to save money for travel, you need to consider your budget and how much you need to save. Create an income and outgoings sheet to take a detailed and honest look at your finances.

Or you could download a budgeting app to see how much you could save a month.

Create a monthly savings target and then set up an automatic bank transfer for that amount to go to a savings account every month. This way, you commit to saving monthly money for your dream trip.

Saving money for a holiday

If you are wondering how to save for a vacation in one year, you don’t have to save a huge amount every month.

Let’s imagine the budget for your trip is £1000; you could split it up into monthly saving amounts.

• One year (12 months):
  • £83.33 per month
  • £19.23 per week
• Nine months:
  • £111.12 per month
  • £25.64 per week
• Six months:
  • £166.67 per month
  • £38.46 per week
• Four months:
  • £250.00 per month
  • £57.69 per week

By setting savings goals, you are giving yourself a target to strive towards. Setting a tangible savings goal gives you a figure to shoot for, and you can save money for your trip in a realistic time frame.

Cook your own food

According to recent research by KPMG, nearly a third (31%) of consumers say they have at least one takeaway a week. This rises to a significant 58% in London, while nearly four in ten (38%) of 18-24-year-olds nationally devour a takeaway at least 2-3 times a week.

This is mostly due to the ease with which we can order takeout straight from our phones on apps such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

With roughly £1,220 spent on takeaways, restaurants, cafés, snacks, et, it soon adds up to £456 a year. Rather than reaching for your phone and ordering a Deliveroo, why not cook your own food and save yourself a load of cash?

Save money by cooking at home

If you are prepared to do some meal planning each week, you can save a lot of money by cooking your meals from scratch.

A few ways to save money on food shopping include:

• Use coupons to save money on your weekly shop
• Download ‘Too Good to Go‘ to get cheap eats from restaurants and stores with surplus unsold food. 
• Plan your meals and batch cook to save money
• Do a weekly ‘Meat-free Monday’
• Check what food you already have in the cupboards
• Bulk buy the basics in discount stores

You can also save money on your weekly shop by collecting coupons or by printing off shopping vouchers from sites such as ‘Free stuff‘.

Sell for free on Facebook

If you want to sell your unwanted items for free, use your local Facebook groups and Facebook Marketplace. You can use the power of social media to declutter and make money for travelling.

Unlike many other selling sites, there are no fees when you sell on Facebook. So you get to keep all the money and put it straight in that travel saving jar.

Cancel or shop around for a cheaper gym membership

Gym memberships can be a fantastic investment in your health and fitness journey, but they can also strain your wallet if you’re not careful.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money on gym memberships without sacrificing quality or convenience.

1. Shop Around:

• Don’t settle for the first gym you come across. Take the time to research different options in your area and compare prices.
• Look for special promotions or discounts, especially during off-peak seasons or holidays.
• Consider traditional gyms and alternative options like community centres or fitness studios, which may offer lower prices.

2. Negotiate:

• Don’t be afraid to negotiate with gym staff or managers. Ask if they can offer you a discounted rate or waive initiation fees.
• Highlight any loyalty or referral programs you may be eligible for, as these can sometimes lead to discounts or rewards.

3. Consider Membership Sharing:

• Some gyms offer family or group memberships at a discounted rate. Consider sharing a membership with friends or family members to split the cost.
• Alternatively, look for gyms that offer guest passes or allow you to bring a friend for free on certain days.

4. Opt for Off-Peak Memberships:

• Many gyms offer cheaper rates for memberships that restrict access to off-peak hours. If your schedule allows, consider opting for one of these memberships to save money.
• Remember that off-peak hours vary depending on the gym, so check the schedule before signing up.

5. Look for Corporate Discounts:

• Some employers partner with gyms to offer discounted memberships to their employees. Check with your HR department to see if this is an option for you.
• Similarly, some insurance providers offer wellness incentives or discounts on gym memberships as part of their benefits packages.

Free exercise options to save money

Why not consider free exercise options instead? You can download the free Couch to 5k app and run your way to health at zero cost.

If you want to improve your running and meet new people, check out Parkrun. You can sign up to participate in free weekly timed 5K runs at selected parks across the UK.

Free exercise classes

Rather than spending money on exercise classes, there are loads of free exercise tutorials and videos on YouTube that you can try out.

You can also attend many free outdoor-based exercise classes in parks across the UK.

Check out the free fitness initiative ParkLives. You can sign up for their free exercise classes in locations across England and Scotland.

Rent your spare room on Airbnb

If you have a spare room on your property, you can make money to travel by listing your room on Airbnb.

It’s fairly simple to get started; you can sign up for an Airbnb account and then select the option to “List Your Space”.

You can specify the “home type” you offer when you list your space. You can then state whether it’s a room in a property or if you are renting out the entire property.

Additional details include location, how many guests you can cater to, the price per night etc.

Make extra money with Airbnb

You then add photos of the property, final details, and, most importantly, payment details. You can now start booking guests into your space.

Remember, Airbnb takes a cut on every booking from hosts and charges guests a percentage. So you’ll need to factor that in.

Before you rush to list your room, check that your Airbnb listing doesn’t contravene any country, city, state, or county laws. If you are renting, you must also ensure you aren’t breaking any tenancy agreement terms.

Cashback sites

Use cashback sites to get money back when you buy goods or services online. This is a very easy way to save money for travel.

Cashback sites will pay you a cash reward when you click through them to buy goods or financial products.

You can use cashback websites like Quidco and TopCashback to get cashback on various services and products from leading retailers, including Amazon, British Gas and Sky.

Save money with cashback sites

Quidco is the UK’s number one cashback website with many opportunities.

If you want to save money on your travel bookings, they offer cashback on sites such as booking.com, the Trainline, Europcar and National Express.

If you want more ways to save on your travel bookings, check out my Travel Resources page.

Track your spending with an app

Use a spending app to start tracking your payments and purchases. This should help you see where you are spending your money each month and how you can better save for travelling.

Using a spending app can be a massive eye-opener for some people. You can track your spending habits and see exactly where those pounds or dollars vanish.

There are many free ‘budgeting apps’ available, and some of them also have premium versions.

Money Dashboard

One of the best budgeting apps is Money Dashboard. It’s handy because you can view your bank accounts in one app.

This allows you to monitor your income and outgoings and see exactly where your money goes each month.

If you want to save money for travel, you can use the budget planner feature to set spending limits based on your previous months’ spending.

Coffee Loyalty apps

If you are anything like me, the thought of giving up your expensive coffee habit is horrifying.

Yes, you can save money by completely cutting down on Starbucks, but if you endeavour to cut back, you can still treat yourself now and then.

A good way to save money on coffee spending is to download a coffee app and collect loyalty points that can be exchanged for free coffee.

If you are gonna continue your coffee habit, you may as well save some money while indulging your soy latte habit.

Save money on coffee

My favourite coffee loyalty app is the Cafe Nero app. Use it when you buy coffee with them and watch your stamps build on your digital loyalty card.

You can also earn exclusive bonuses and rewards, including free coffees/pastries etc.

Price Comparison sites

Whilst you are cutting back on your spending, there will always be life essentials that you will still need, such as electricity, gas, insurance, internet, phone etc.

Use price comparison websites and compare hundreds of financial and services products to see where you can get the best deal.

Whether you’re looking for electricity, gas, car insurance or broadband, there can be huge price differences between the various providers. You can make big savings by shopping around or by switching providers.

Use price comparison sites to save money

Shop around on comparison sites such as Money supermarket to get the best prices for whatever you need. That should help you save extra money for travelling.

If you want to save money on the cost of your travel, then use Travel Supermarket to compare travel deals.

To save money, they compare a huge range of Package Holidays, Car Hire, Flights, Hotels, Holiday Extras, and even Travel Insurance.

Restaurant vouchers

Saving money for travel doesn’t mean you have to live like a total hermit; you can still go out to cafes and restaurants as long as you budget properly.

You can aim to cut down drastically on the number of times you eat out and also use restaurant vouchers when you do go out to save money.

You still need to maintain some sort of semblance of social life, even when saving to travel.

Save money on eating out

Many restaurants offer online promotional vouchers, especially for weekday visits. Restaurants such as Pizza Express regularly run 2-for-1 deals on main courses.

Check daily deals websites like Groupon to see if they have any dining deals near you.

You can also find restaurant vouchers and codes on HotUKDeals, VoucherCodes and MyVoucherCodes.

Buy a reusable water bottle

This one is a no-brainer; you can save money and help the environment by carrying a reusable water bottle. Buy a sturdy refillable bottle and save money on constantly buying bottled mineral water.

Many town centres, train stations and airports now have water bottle-filling stations for refilling drinking water bottles. So you can stay hydrated while on the move and save some cash.

Save money by buying a reusable water bottle

In addition to saving money, you will take small steps to be more eco-friendly.

Millions and millions of single-use plastic bottles are bought in the UK annually, and each bottle takes 450 years to break down.

Do your bit for your wallet and the planet, and get yourself a water bottle today.

Make money from your parking space

Do you have a driveway or parking space that you aren’t using? Why not rent out your parking space and make money just by letting people park in your spot?

It’s an easy and passive way to make extra money for your travel fund.

Several parking websites allow you to rent your empty driveway to people requiring a parking spot.

Rent your parking space

The best one I have come across is Just Park, a UK-based parking website that allows you to rent out your parking space.

You could earn hundreds of pounds annually by renting out your empty parking space.

Sign up and create your listing completely for free; listing your space just takes a few minutes.

Fill in all the required information, and then drivers can book your space, and you can start making extra cash.

Have a side hustle

You can earn extra cash for travels by having a ‘side hustle’ that you can do alongside a full-time job.

Obvious choices include working bar shifts after you finish your day job. Or maybe you could do weekend work as a coffee shop Barista?

If you want more office-based work, you could always work some shifts in telephone marketing and sales in the evenings.

Honestly, it is tiring to work another job alongside your main job. Your motivation is to think of all that extra money you will have for your trip.

Online side hustle

If you have a particular skill set, you could also look at creating your online side hustle.

You could offer professional services, coaching and courses in various industries. Some could include graphic design, business consultancy, digital marketing and photography.

The trick is to examine your skills and determine how to monetise them. I have a travel planning service to earn extra money alongside my journalism and podcasting work.

I have years of travel expertise that can be useful for people who want to book trips but don’t know where to start.

You can also look to see if there are any online jobs that you could do to save for travel.

Sell your arts and crafts

Why not turn your creative talents into a profitable side hustle for extra money?

If you make anything handcrafted, vintage, custom or unique, you could start selling your arts & crafts on Etsy.

Using Etsy, you can create your own online shop and sell your creative products to people worldwide.

It’s a brilliant way of making your hobby profitable and saving some extra funds for travel.

Typical creative products that people sell include prints, jewellery, wedding gifts and handcrafted homeware.

If you can create unique and one-of-a-kind products, check out Etsy and start selling today.

Furnish your house for free

If you are redecorating your pad, check whether you can get items for free first. Check online community groups such as Freecycle and Freegal before heading to Ikea.

These non-profit sites allow people in your local area to offer unwanted furniture and other items.

You can pick up many furnishings, from sofas, chairs, tables, washing machines, beds and wardrobes.

I even managed to get a free oven from Freecycle when my oven finally gave up. There’s goes my excuse that I can’t cook dinner!

If you want to declutter, list your unwanted items on these sites. By saving money on things such as furnishing, you can save more money for travelling.

Car share to save money

If you want to save on your daily commute to work, you can sign up to car sharing websites.

You can join a car-sharing community website like Liftshare.com or GoCarShare to save on travel expenses by sharing a lift with a driver.

You could also sign up as a driver and offer your journey to potential passengers.

By lift sharing, you can benefit from the shared cost of travelling and help to keep extra cars off the road.

Become a dog walker

This one is perfect for animal lovers. When you sign up for a dog walker website, you can get paid to walk dogs in your local area. Imagine earning extra money to travel just by playing with dogs!

One of the best pet-sitting websites is Rover. It lets you set your prices for dog walking and pet sitting, allowing you to charge fair rates for your services.

You can also earn extra by offering to board dogs or cats overnight in your own home.

Paid online surveys

There are loads of market research companies out there. Many are looking to recruit new members to share their opinions on products, topics or services.

Do your research when searching for paid online surveys, as many of them are bogus.

You definitely want to be paid for your time, especially if you are saving up for travelling. A few research agencies pay a small amount to people who complete surveys online.

Some of the bigger online agencies include Panelbase, Valued Opinions and Toluna are amongst the bigger agencies.

From taking these online surveys, you can expect to earn anywhere from 50p to £5 a survey. It soon adds up over time.

Recycle your old phone for cash

If you are anything like me, you might have a few old smartphones in a drawer gathering dust.

Why not recycle them and get some extra cash for your holiday?

Sites such as Envirophone and Mazuma Mobile will offer you an instant quote for your smartphone, even if it has some wear and tear.

Make sure to completely wipe your phone before sending it to them. If you have other old electronics kicking around, such as tablets and Kindles, sites such as MusicMagpie will pay you for them. Again, ensure you clear any data off them before sending them.

how to save money for a trip

Hopefully, by following some of these easy, actionable, money-saving tips, you can get extra funds for travel.

Don’t stress about implementing massive changes straight away. It is a start if you are more comfortable taking small and steady steps towards saving for travel.

Remember, you are in charge of your saving goal, and how fast you save for travel is up to you.

With determination and optimism, you can save up for your dream trip. What do you think of my money-saving tips? Do you have any other tips for saving money for travel that aren’t on this list? Let me know in the comments below.

save money for travel FAQ

Q: Why should I save money for travel? 

A: Saving money for travel allows you to fulfil your wanderlust and experience new destinations, cultures, and adventures. It enables you to make unforgettable memories and broaden your horizons. Additionally, saving money can help you afford better accommodations, activities, and local experiences during your travels.

Q: How can I start saving money for travel?

A: To save money for travel, set a specific savings goal. Determine how much you need to save and when you plan to travel. Next, create a budget and identify areas where you can reduce expenses. Track your spending and find ways to save, such as reducing dining out, cancelling unused subscriptions, or negotiating bills. Establish a separate travel savings account and automate regular transfers to ensure consistent progress towards your goal.

Q: Are there any tips for reducing expenses while saving for travel? 

A: Here are some tips to help you reduce costs while saving for travel:

• Cook meals at home instead of eating out frequently.
• Limit your spending on entertainment and leisure activities.
• Opt for public transportation or carpooling instead of using taxis or rideshares.
• Evaluate your monthly bills and negotiate lower rates with service providers.
• Minimize impulse buying and prioritize essential purchases.
• Look for free or low-cost alternatives for hobbies and entertainment.
• Use loyalty programs, discounts, and coupons to save on everyday expenses.

Q: How can I generate extra income to boost my travel savings?

A: There are several ways to create extra income:

• Consider taking on a part-time job or freelancing in your spare time.
• Use your skills or talents to offer tutoring, writing, graphic design, or photography services.
• Rent out a spare room on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
• Sell unwanted items through online marketplaces or organize a garage sale.
• Explore the gig economy by participating in delivery services or online surveys.
• Monetize your hobbies, such as crafting, baking, or gardening.

Q: Should I prioritize saving or paying off debt before travelling? 

A: It’s advisable to prioritize paying off high-interest debts before saving for travel. High-interest debts, such as credit card balances or personal loans, can accumulate quickly and hinder your ability to save. By paying off these debts, you can reduce the interest you owe and free up more funds for your travel savings. However, balancing debt repayment and saving is essential based on your financial situation.

Q: Are there any travel-specific savings accounts or tools available? 

A: Many banks offer travel-specific savings accounts that provide added benefits for travellers, such as lower foreign transaction fees or travel insurance. Additionally, various budgeting and savings apps, like Mint or YNAB, can help you track expenses, set savings goals, and monitor your progress.

Q: How can I make my travel budget more affordable? 

A: To make your travel budget more affordable, consider these strategies:

• Choose destinations with a lower cost of living or favourable exchange rates.
• Travel during off-peak seasons to take advantage of lower prices and fewer crowds.
• Research and compare accommodation, flight, and activity prices to find the best deals.
• Consider alternative accommodations like hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rentals instead of expensive hotels.
• Opt for local street food or grocery shopping instead of eating at restaurants for every meal.
• Look for free or low-cost attractions and activities, such as parks, museums with discounted days, or walking tours.

Love this post? Why not pin it and share it?

Recommended travel resources

Flights: To find flight deals, check out sites such as Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare flight costs and book.

Accommodation: I use Booking.com for hotel bookings as they have fantastic flexibility and cancellation.

Airport Parking and Lounges: With Holiday Extras, you can save money on airport and travel extras, including airport parking, airport hotels, and airport lounges.

Travel Insurance: I highly recommend you always get travel insurance – I use the Post Office Travel Insurance for single trip coverage and Safety Wing for comprehensive travel medical insurance.

Car Hire: I use Discover Cars to hire cars abroad as they have free cancellation, free mileage and no card fees.

Travel Money: I recommend Post Office Travel Money as you can get competitive rates and 0% commission for your holiday cash.

E-sim Cards: Use Airalo’s eSIM app to buy an eSIM for 200+ countries and stay connected when you travel abroad.

For more travel tools, head to my bumper travel resources page now!