The secret to budget travel? It’s not just about scoring cheap deals—it’s knowing where to book (and how to work the system). These are the best travel booking sites for budget travelers that I trust again and again and that actually save me money on flights, stays, and everything in between.
Plus, I’m spilling my best hacks for using each site the right way—so you’re not just booking cheap, you’re booking smart.
Flights: Find the Cheapest Way to Fly
Google Flights
Google Flights is one of my go-to tools for how to find budget flights, especially when I’ve got flexible dates. It’s a must-have for tracking price drops and spotting cheaper departure dates.
How I use it: I always use the calendar view to search flexible dates and nearby airports to catch hidden savings. Then I set alerts and wait for price dips before I book.
Kiwi.com
Perfect for adventurous, flexible travelers. It finds unique layover combinations, often stringing together budget airlines that other platforms skip entirely.
Tip: Always double-check luggage rules—Kiwi’s combos sometimes involve different carriers with different bag policies.
Skyscanner
This is the one to use when you have wanderlust but no set destination. I’m about to leave for Spain after using Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” destination search option. Skyscanner will show you the cheapest countries or cities from your location and the cheapest time of year to go.
Want more tips on finding cheap flights? Check out my full flight-searching guide here.
Hotels, Hostels & Where to Sleep Cheaply
Booking.com
With thousands of listings from budget stays to boutique hotels, Booking.com is a top choice. Many listings offer free cancellation and pay-later options, which is a huge plus for flexible travel plans.
I use Booking.com for almost every trip—book your stay through my link to support the blog at no extra cost to you!
Expedia
I love Expedia when I’m bundling flights and hotels—it often knocks a serious chunk off the total price. Their loyalty rewards also add up faster than you’d think.
Hostelworld
A go-to for backpackers and solo travelers. Hostelworld is one of the best booking tools for backpackers—you can search by vibe, read honest reviews, and often score dorms under $15 or private rooms under $30.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the reviews—search for keywords like “clean,” “quiet,” or “social” based on your travel style. Reading the reviews helped me find fun, safe, and clean hostels up the night before across Europe.
Getting Around: Budget-Friendly Transportation Tools
Rome2Rio
This is my secret weapon when figuring out how to get from one place to another—especially in unfamiliar regions. It maps out routes using buses, trains, ferries, and planes, complete with estimated times and costs. You can even book through Rome2Rio with a breakdown of times and companies available. Rome2Rio has gotten me across Europe and even Central America.
12Go Asia
If you’re headed to Southeast Asia, this is the site for train and bus tickets. Book in advance, see real-time schedules, and avoid surprise sold-out routes.
Rentcars.com
When public transport won’t cut it (or you’re traveling as a group), Rentcars helps you compare rental prices across dozens of companies, often with better deals than booking directly.
Reader Tip: Renting in Europe or Latin America? Look for cars with manual transmissions—they’re often cheaper than automatics.
Travel Extras That Save You Serious Cash
Airalo (Digital eSIMs)
Say goodbye to overpriced international roaming. Airalo gives you access to local data at local rates—without swapping your SIM card.
Try it before your next trip. I used Airalo across Europe and never paid more than $5 for a week’s worth of data. Unsure how to use an digital eSIM? I’ve got you covered with this guide.
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
Affordable, flexible insurance that covers everything from lost luggage to emergency medical. It’s designed for nomads but perfect for short-term travelers, too.
Related Post: Why travel insurance is a no-brainer (and a comparison of which plan is best for you).
Booking Smart: Travel Like a Budget Pro
These booking strategies are some of my favorite budget travel hacks—a few quick tricks can save you hundreds:
- Always search flights in incognito/private mode.
- Clear cookies if you’re returning to a site multiple times.
- Use browser extensions like Rakuten or Honey to stack on cash-back.
- Set flight alerts early and check regularly for dips.
- Compare multiple platforms before booking—prices vary!
Booking Comparison Table
To help you compare travel booking websites quickly, I’ve put together this free table with my top picks and how to use them best.
| Category | Site | Best For | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | Google Flights | Tracking price drops, flexible routes | Use price alerts & calendar view for the cheapest dates |
| Flights | Kiwi.com | Combining budget airlines with complex routes | Be flexible with layovers to unlock lower prices |
| Flights | Skyscanner | Flexible searches & destination inspiration | Search ‘Everywhere’ for cheap destination ideas |
| Hotels & Hostels | Booking.com | Wide selection, budget stays, free cancellation | Filter by price, guest rating, and free cancellation |
| Hotels & Hostels | Expedia | Hotel/flight bundles, loyalty perks | Sign in to earn rewards & discounts |
| Hotels & Hostels | Hostelworld | Social hostels & honest reviews | Sort by rating and read recent reviews |
| Ground Transportation | Rome2Rio | Finding all transport options (bus, train, ferry, flight) | Use to plan routes between unfamiliar cities |
| Ground Transportation | 12Go Asia | Booking trains and buses in Southeast Asia | Book in advance for better seat options |
| Ground Transportation | Rentcars.com | Comparing car rental prices globally | Check insurance & mileage rules before booking |
| Extras | Airalo | eSIMs to stay connected abroad cheaply | Download app before travel for easy setup |
| Extras | SafetyWing | Affordable, flexible travel insurance | Choose monthly coverage for longer trips |
Want to keep this list handy? Download the free Booking Comparison Table and use it on the go.
Final Thoughts
Budget travel is less about sacrificing and more about strategizing. When you know the right tools—and how to use them—you can score deals that let you travel longer, deeper, and better.
Got a favorite booking site I missed? Drop it in the comments!
Questions? I’ll answer them all—just ask!
Leave a Reply