How to Travel as Cheaply as Humanly Possible: From a Barely College Grad

Because I really like traveling--blame my mother for passing along the bug--and there are a lot of great options out there, I spend as little money as possible on my travels: like four-full-days-in-DC-for-$120-total cheap (including splitting rides to and from South Carolina with friends and H&M and Forever 21 purchases).

Here are my favorite ways to travel using very little cash:

1. Network: If you’re like me, you probably have at least a few friends or family members who live in cool places and would be happy to let you stay for a couple days. Free “hotel”! Be sure to not overstay your welcome and either bring a gift, or cook or take them out for a meal.
2. Megabus: I took Megabus last summer from DC to New York City to Boston and back after a friend’s recommendation. Even after an overnight ride from Boston to DC, I am still thoroughly in love with this company. Bonus: we didn’t have to pay for a hotel room!
3. Frequent: Start hotel loyalty accounts and frequent flyer accounts now. The miles and points will add up over time and be useful later. I can’t wait until I have enough to go somewhere new for almost free!
4. Squirrel: Since most airlines no longer provide food, take food with you to the airport so you won’t get stuck paying inflated prices when you get hungry. Be sure not to bring anything liquid that you’ll have to throw away when you go though security. The temporary extra weight in your bag is totally worth it, and honestly, strangers often tell me that my food looks delicious and ask where I got it.
5. DC: Visiting the capitol is my favorite. There are so many great free things around the National Mall that I never get bored. In addition to all the museums and monuments, I recently discovered the free shows at the Kennedy Center and explored the National Zoo and the National Botanic Garden. There are free lockers in several of the museums, as well! Plus, the metro is wonderful and easy to use: get the free metro app and decide if a pass may be a better option than pay-as-you-go.
6. H2O: Carry a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at water fountains instead of paying for drinks. If water’s not your thing, keep instant coffee (I love Starbucks Via iced coffee!) or flavor packets handy.
7. Allegiant: This airline offers ridiculously cheap flights to select locations in the US…as in, you can fly for $40 if you only take one bag that fits under your seat. Heads up, they do now charge for carry-ons to keep costs low.
8. Study: If your school has a good study abroad program that you can fit into your schedule, do it! It will likely cost much less than if you traveled solo, plus you won’t have to make as many arrangements for your trip. Keep in mind that you’ll have less freedom.
9. Carry-On: If you can fit all of your clothes and items into a small bag, you can either bring it for free or much less than a standard checked bag. Bonus: you don’t have to wait around at baggage claim and they can’t possibly lose your luggage!
10. Layover: Make layovers into free mini-vacations, either exploring the airport or taking a few hours out-and-about! I’ve had great layovers in Tokyo, Dubai, NYC, Las Vegas and Paris.
11. Lunch: If you're eating out, choose to go for lunch instead of dinner or just choose a nicer option for lunch than dinner since prices are lower. Then, you can try a cool food stand, cook at a friend's place or pack a picnic for dinner for fun and savings.
12. Cruise: If you find an inexpensive cruise and don’t drop money on excursions (plan your own for much less), then you get lodging, food, transportation and entertainment all-in-one. Your biggest cost is likely to be the transportation to the cruise port, so use sites like Kayak to find the cheapest flights.
13. PB: If you can handle peanut butter sandwiches a couple times over the course of a week, buy a loaf of bread and a jar at the beginning of your trip—it can serve as breakfast, snack, or lunch and costs nearly nothing! Don’t forget plastic knives and ziploc bags.
14. Carpool: Find a bunch of friends willing to split gas and drive somewhere awesome! Take a day trip, or even get a hotel room: things cost much less split four ways.

Happy travels, friends!

About the Author: In the last 14 months, through school events, family trips and using babysitting money, Jessica has traveled to San Antonio, TX, Columbia, SC, Cincinnati, OH, New York City, NY, Boston, MA, Nashville, TN, Switzerland, Paris, France, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Atlanta, GA, Bristol, TN, Washington DC, and Alaska. She graduated from Furman University in May 2013.