Learning how to travel cheaply as a digital nomad is something I’ve had to master over years of bouncing between cities, countries, and continents. When you’re on the road long term, saving even a few dollars a day means you can travel longer, stress less, and still enjoy the best parts of the journey.
I wish I could say there’s a secret hack, but it’s really about being flexible, planning smart, and knowing where to grab deals. Here’s what’s worked for me—and what can work for you too.
How To Travel Cheaply As a Digital Nomad?
Look for countries that can stretch your money. The best time to go is before or after the busy season. Settle for budget accommodations, do your own cooking, go to markets or local cafes. About your transportation, look for multiple day passes, buses, or rent bicycles/scooters. For breaks go to parks, museums, street markets, and local meetups. Protect your budget, and pack smarter and lighter. This is how you can travel cheap!
Choose Destinations That Stretch Your Money
Some countries make your money go way further than others. I learned this the hard way when I started out in Western Europe (beautiful, but not cheap!). Now, I look for places where costs are low but WiFi, co-working spots, and daily life still need to run smoothly.
What’s worked best for me:
- Southeast Asia: I lived for weeks in Thailand on what a few days in London cost me. The street food alone is worth it.
- Eastern Europe: Romania and Bulgaria surprised me—great cafés with strong internet and low rent.
- Latin America: Mexico can give you vibrant neighbourhoods and affordable living, with plenty of digital nomad communities.
💡 Tip from experience: Don’t dismiss smaller towns or rural spots. I once swapped busy city life for a quiet seaside town in Mexico and not only saved money but also found it easier to focus on work.
Travel in the “Almost” Seasons
Flights, rentals, even grocery prices shift with the seasons. I’ve saved hundreds by traveling just before or after the big rush.
For example, I once booked Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, two weeks after high season ended—same beaches, half the price, and way fewer tourists crowding cafés.
How I do it:
- I look up peak season dates and aim a little before or after.
- I stay flexible with flight dates (midweek flights are almost always cheaper).
- I use Skyscanner or Google Flights with the “flexible dates” option—it’s like playing airfare roulette until the jackpot hits.
Finding Places to Stay Without Blowing the Budget
I find that accommodation is usually the biggest expense, but it’s also the easiest to cut down if you’re strategic.
I’ve stayed in everything from hostels with private rooms (budget-friendly and social) to Airbnbs with monthly discounts (great if you want your own kitchen). Co-living spaces like Selina Colive are fantastic if you crave a built-in nomad community.
💡 My personal hack: I often message hosts directly if I’m staying longer than two weeks. Negotiating is a skill of mine and has saved me up to 25% compared to what booking sites list.
Another trick? Stay just outside the tourist hub. Once in Valencia, Spain, I picked an apartment, rented a bike and it only took me 15 minutes to downtown—half the price, quieter streets, and the best local bakery I’ve ever found.
Eating Without Emptying Your Wallet
Food is where money can vanish fast. When I first started, I ate out constantly and wondered why my budget disappeared. Lesson learned.
Now, I mix it up:
- Street food & local cafés: Are always the tastiest and cheapest. In Honduras, I was able to have 3 meals a day for under $10.00 and it kept me happily full.
- Markets: I love wandering markets, grabbing fresh fruit, and trying local snacks—it doubles as a cultural experience.
- Cooking at home: Rentals with kitchens are worth it. I usually cook breakfast and one meal daily.
💡 Budget win: Ask the locals where they eat, not where tourists go. That’s how I found my favorite $3 taco stand in Playa del Carmen (still dreaming about it).
Getting Around Without Overspending
Transport can sneak up on you. In my early nomad days, I spent way too much on taxis before I realized there were better options.
What works better:
- Public transport: They’re cheap, reliable, and you see more of daily life.
- Scooters or bikes: In Spain, I rented a scooter for the month at less than a week’s worth of taxis.
- City cards: Multi-day passes quickly pay off if you’re moving around a lot.
💡 Story moment: Once in Honduras, I hopped on an overnight bus. Not only did it save me a night’s hotel cost, but I woke up in a brand-new city ready to explore.
Free (and Almost Free) Things to Do
Here’s the fun part: exploring doesn’t have to be expensive.
Some of my favorite days cost next to nothing—like strolling London’s cobbled streets in historic areas, hiking a mountain trail in Mexico, or joining a free walking tour in Canada (where the “tip” I gave was still less than a paid tour).
Things I always look for:
- Parks, beaches, and street markets.
- Museum free days.
- Local Facebook groups or Meetup for language exchanges and events.
Travel memories don’t have to come with a price tag.
Protecting Your Budget While You Work
Being a digital nomad means juggling work deadlines with travel costs. What keeps me grounded is a simple system:
- Weekly and monthly spending caps (so I don’t splurge too soon).
- Tracking with apps like Trail Wallet.
- Always keeping an emergency buffer—because client payments do sometimes get delayed.
And travel insurance? I never skip it. It once covered me when I broke my laptop on the road—that was a lifesaver.
Pack Smart, Travel Lighter
This is one of the easiest ways to save! Packing light. Budget airlines love charging for extras, so I stick to a carry-on backpack whenever possible.
Inside my carry-on backpack: Work gear, basics, and a few reusable items (like a water bottle and grocery tote). Forget something? Don’t worry, you can usually buy it locally.
Traveling lighter means moving faster, spending less, and worrying about fewer things.
FAQ: Your Budget Questions Answered
How do you get reliable WiFi on a budget?
I always ask for a speed test before booking accommodation. In places with shaky internet, I grab a local SIM card—cheap and reliable.
What if I overspend?
It happens. I cut back the following week, or sometimes pick up a quick freelance gig to balance things out.
Can you live abroad long term on a small income?
Yes. I’ve met digital nomads thriving on less than $1,000/month in countries with low living costs. The key is adapting your lifestyle to the destination. Thailand is one example.
Your Takeaway
Here’s the game plan for how to travel cheaply as a digital nomad:
- Choose destinations where money stretches further.
- Travel in off-peak seasons.
- Negotiate stays and cook your own meals.
- Use public transport, not taxis.
- Enjoy the free stuff—because there’s always plenty.
- Track your budget and keep a safety net.
Budget travel isn’t about cutting joy out of your trip—it’s about making space for more adventures. With a little strategy, you can stretch your funds, travel longer, and actually enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to create.
💬 Do you have a favourite budget hack? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to try it on my next trip.
Thanks for reading my post! If you have any questions, please let me know and I will get back to you.
Cheers!
Monica
