I was recently asked in a DM how I could afford to travel so much. Now, I feel that I must point out that even though I post a lot of photos on Instagram, most of them are based in New York City. Since I live in the area, it’s very easy for me to hop on a bus or take the subway to enjoy a free or low cost event (see my earlier New York City on the Cheap posts).

As for my other photos, I decided to write a post explaining how I manage to take these excursions on a limited budget. Since there are so many resources, tips and tricks to saving money to vacation, I’ll do a two part series starting with Domestic travel.

Planning Ahead

I know a few people who think about traveling and then in just two days they’re packing a bag and heading to the airport. I would probably break out into hives if I ever attempted something like that. I like to plan my trips at least two months in advance. This gives me a chance to pick a good location based on the predicated weather, comparison shop, save money and see if there are events happening near the time I’ll be there. You can also keep your location flexible and plan your trip by the date you want to travel and the climate you want to be in. A few years ago, I visited Chicago, IL. This is how I planned it.

 

Transportation

Your best bet here is to weigh all your transportation options available. When I wanted to take a solo trip to the “Windy City”, it was the first time I had to book travel on my own. So, I sat down and did a lot of research on my options. I knew I could fly to Chicago, but could I take the train? I looked into this alternative and it was less than ideal.

In the U.S., Amtrak is the only option for interstate passenger rail travel. I found that there is a train route from NYC to Chicago, but it’s not very convenient. The trip can take up to 29 hours, is only available on certain days: Wednesday, Fridays and Sunday, has 30 stops, and can be pricey. If you are fine with sitting in a coach seat the whole time, the price is comparable to a one-way flight. If you want a roomette with a bed, the price jumps up 4-6x more.

Although taking the train would be a scenic adventure, it was not quick enough for what I needed. I opted for a 2.5 hour American Airlines one-way flight and kept checking the flight to see if the price dropped; it didn’t. The cost for my flight: $109.

Overnight Stay

When traveling with other people, you can easily save money by splitting the cost of your overnight stay. If you’re traveling solo, you need to decide which choice suits your needs best. If you plan on cooking food while away or what to feel more like a local, then a rental home service like Airbnb or VRBO might be up your alley. Depending on the type of rental and location, you can have access to a kitchen, laundry machines, be near public transportation and, of course, the cost will be less.

If you’re looking to enjoy certain amenities, you might prefer a hotel stay. I generally like to stay in hotels that offer free breakfast, free WiFi and have a gym onsite. I always make sure to use the gym while I’m staying there and grab the nice smelling toiletries. Keep in mind hotels can include additional fees and can charge higher taxes. Since I planned on being out all day and just needed a place to sleep for the night, I chose an Airbnb room in Logan Square. My host was hospitable, it was within walking distance to a rail line and it included the bare necessities: towel, soap, and lotion. There were some restaurants in the area and a lovely park. The room cost: $239.

Getting around the city

I always prefer to take public transportation whenever possible. I feel like I can get a better sense of a city when taking the bus or navigating a metro map. With Google Maps, it was pretty easy to get around in any city. I’ve mostly traveled to cities with a high walkability score. From O’Hare airport, I bought a 3-Day CTA Pass (Ventra Card) that gave me unlimited rides of the train and bus. It worked out perfectly since I was leaving in just under 72 hours and everything I wanted to see was near a bus route, close to a train stop or in walking distance. I took the train from the airport to where I was staying. And from there, downtown Chicago was only a few stops away. The cost for the Ventra Card: $20.

There are times where I’ll be out late in an unfamiliar area. I don’t like the idea of putting my safety at risk to save a few extra dollars. In those cases, I’ll order a Lyft. The cost varies on distance and time of night, but I’ve usually paid around $4 to $7 in different cities.

Food and Drinks

This is an area where I’m more likely to splurge. After all, I am on vacation and I have to eat. Breakfast was pretty simple. I found a cozy restaurant that served all day breakfast. The breakfast special was under $10 and I ate there every morning. I did find a small comedy show in a bookstore that offered free beer tastings and a dance party that offered drink tickets to those on the list. Other than that, I tried to be mindful of what I was spent by keep to tab to under $25 for dinner.

 

 

Events and Activities

As you may have noticed, I don’t like to spend much money if I can help it. My first day was spent getting to the city and walking around the neighborhood I was staying in. My entertainment for the night was the bookstore comedy show I mentioned earlier. The next day, I ventured further out. I accidentally found my way to the Farm in the Zoo. After watching cows getting milked, I did the nature walk around the South Pond. Then I toured the free Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory.

I took a small break, and from there, rode the bus down to Magnificent Mile. I had lunch at a nearby Japanese BBQ spot and walked on over to Navy Pier. After I was done exploring, I headed to the Chicago Cultural Center where I received a free outdoor tour around Millennium Park. After the tour, I hung around Millennium Park to enjoy the ongoing Jazz festival. It was a full day that kept me very busy and I didn’t have to spend much. The only thing I spent money on that weekend was a ticket to the Willis Tower. The cost for the Willis Tower entry and Skydeck gift shop: $45.60.

The total cost of the trip including travel, commuter pass, overnight stay, and entertainment was only $413.60 for three nights. It could have been $522.60 if I had paid for a return flight, but I flew to Boston right after. It’s not impossible to travel around the U.S on a budget, especially if you’re near a large metro area. You have a ton of alternatives to save your hard earned money, if you don’t mind a less than traditional vacation. Stay tuned for the next post about international travel.