101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets!

Planning a vacation doesn’t need to break the bank.  Put these fun and Frugal Travel Tips to use to plan your next fabulous adventure!

Planning {or dreaming of} your next vacation??  You’ll love these Frugal Travel Tips for the Top Bucket List Travel Destinations in the U.S. and beyond!

Dreaming of a beach vacation getaway?  Taking your family to an epic theme park?  Dreaming of a fabulous vacation in Rome? Or planning a hiking adventure to one of your favorite National Parks?

The list goes on and the sky is the limit!

Frugal Travel Tips for Budget Travel

Are you ready to treat yourself to the ultimate trip?  It’s time to start planning your next holiday and get dreaming!!

Budget Travel Hacks:

75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know!

How to Travel for Free or Cheap! (20 Secrets You Need to Know)

35 Southwest Airlines Hacks! (What To Know Before You Fly)

25 American Airlines Flight Hacks (Tricks To Know Before You Fly)

23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks (Savvy Travel Hacking Techniques)

21 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

Military Discounts for Travel

Frugal Travel Tips Europe:

40 Top Rome Italy Travel Tips

Frugal Travel Tips Hawaii:

Dreaming of an island getaway?  Hawaii is the place to be!

I’ve been visiting the Hawaiian islands since I was just 6 years old, and have absolutely LOVED every single trip!

My favorite islands are Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, and I’m sharing all of my top budget tips, best secrets, and hidden gems you won’t want to miss in these travel guides!

From the best places to eat and play, to where to stay, I’ve got you covered!

Before you hop on a flight to Hawaii, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii on a budget…

75 Oahu Travel Tips and Tricks

73 Kauai Travel Tips (What To Know Before You Go)

75 Best Maui Travel Tips

How to Remove Sand from Feet at Beach

How Do You Get Rid of Sand After the Beach without a Shower?

Well, one simple trick that I picked up from local surfers was to simply bring an extra gallon milk jug filled with water.

Once you get back to your car or truck, simple brush the sand from your legs and feet with your hand, then rinse with the water jug to finish off the job.

How to Remove Sand with Baby Powder:

Just toss some Baby Powder in your Beach Bag.

When it’s time to leave, head over to the boardwalk and rub some baby powder on your feet.  Using the friction of your hands, the powder will help quickly remove those fine granules of sand!

I’ve also heard that cornstarch works, too!

How easy is that?!?

Does Baby Powder Help Get Sand Off?

Yep… it sure does!

Check out what your frugal friends are saying about this simple little trick…

Tara writes: “Works great for sand that gets stuck to you. Make sure your fairly dry before you put it on or it won’t work! Especially good if you don’t want sand rubbing against your feet while you walk.”

Rose writes: “Love this! Tried it after going to the ocean this week. Keeping baby powder in my car now all summer :)”

Nicole writes: “Works like a charm!”

Allison writes: “Best beach tip ever! I keep a container in the car!”

Southwest United States Travel Tips:

75 Best Things to Do in Phoenix Arizona

68 Tucson Travel Tips – Best Things to do in Tucson Arizona

65 Best Sedona Travel Tips (Can’t Miss Spots)

Las Vegas Budget Travel Guide (20 Affordable and Free Things to Do)

Things to do in Moab, Utah (Comprehensive Travel Guide)

Southern United States Travel Tips:

71 Nashville Travel Tips You Never Thought Of!

90 San Antonio Travel Tips and Things To Do

Southeast United States Travel Tips:

101 Charleston South Carolina Things to Do

101 Myrtle Beach Travel Tips and Things to Do (What to Know BEFORE You Go)

35 Wilmington North Carolina Things to Do

50 Outer Banks Travel Tips! (OBX Guide)

17 Tampa Florida Travel Tips

East Coast Travel Tips:

51 Washington D.C. Travel Tips You Need to Know!

39 New York City Budget Travel Tips for Your Epic BIG Apple Adventure!

California Travel Tips:

75 San Diego Travel Tips (Where to Eat, Stay & Play)

36 Los Angeles Travel Tips (What You Can’t Afford to Miss)

35 Best Things to do in San Francisco Bay Area

National Park Travel Tips:

32 Yosemite Travel Tips You Need to Try!

50 Grand Canyon Travel Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss!

30 Zion National Park Travel Tips (what to know before you go)

Bryce Canyon Travel Guide (16 Amazing Things to Do)

Arches National Park Hikes (Top Tips Before You Go)

Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide (Arizona)

Sequoia National Park Travel Tips

Lassen Volcanic National Park Travel Guide

10 Things to do in Utah That Aren’t National Parks

10 Things to do in Arizona That Aren’t National Parks

Camping on a Budget Tips:

201 Camping Tips and Tricks for Beginners (Genius Hacks)

50 Best Campgrounds in the US

61 Easy Camping Menu Tips (Campout Favorites)

125 RV Recipes (Easy RV Meal Planning!)

Theme Parks on a Budget:

Pogo Pass FUN in AZ, NV, TX, KS and MO

Frugal Travel Tips Road Trips:

Get prepared for your next epic cross-country vacation with these essential Road Trip Tips and Tricks!

From scenic stops across the USA to hidden gems off the beaten path, adventure awaits when you hit the open road.  And a little bit of planning ahead will make your next road trip off the charts!

#1. How Can I Get Better Gas Mileage On A Road Trip?

If you’re planning your next getaway and you want to know how to spend less on gas, here are some of my absolute favorite genius money saving tips for How To Save On Gas!

#2. Check Your Car Oil and Fluid Levels – Do You Need An Oil Change and Service?

Always check your car’s engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluid levels before leaving home.  If one of these fluids is low, make sure to top it off before you head out on the road.

If you plan to go on a longer road trip, you might need to schedule an oil change and service before you leave.  For information about when to change your engine oil and other fluids, you can read the manual that came with your car, or simply call and speak with someone in the service center at your local dealership.

If you’re car is getting older, consider having a trusted mechanic inspect the engine hoses, belts, coolant, brake pads, air filters, battery, and other car fluids.

#3. Then Check Your Car Tire Pressure and Tire Tread

It really pays to keep your tires properly inflated.  Driving your car around with low tire pressure can easily cost you 1-2 miles per gallon of fuel efficiency.  Plus, keeping your tires properly inflated will also help them last longer.

So before you head out on the road, be sure to check your tire pressure!  Your wallet will thank you!

You can use an analog or digital tire pressure gauge for checking your tire pressure.  Or, simply get a tire inflator with a built in tire pressure gauge.  I personally use the highly rated Tire Inflator along with this handy easy clip-on hose adapter.  It’s easy to use, fairly quiet and helps you avoid a trip to the gas station to fill up your tires.

If you’re wondering when to get new tires… before your road trip is a really good idea!

#4. Then Check The Tire Pressure On Your Spare Tire

Don’t forget to check the air pressure on your spare tire.  I once got a flat tire and my spare tire in the trunk was also flat… yikes!!

Then before you leave home, make sure you have all the tools in your car that you will need to change a flat tire.

#5. Clean Your Windshield with Vinegar Water

It’s so much easier to enjoy the view and to see in the afternoon sunlight with a clean windows, right?

That’s why I always use this DIY Miracle Glass Cleaner to keep my car windshield sparkling clean.

#6. For a Natural Car Air Freshener, Hide Baking Soda Underneath the Seats!

Nobody likes a stinky car, right?  That’s why I always hide two boxes of Arm & Hammer Fridge & Freezer Baking Soda in my car… one underneath each front seat.

Weird?  Maybe… but guess what – it works!  These packs work wonders absorbing stinky smells in your refrigerator, and they work just as well in your car!

Then before I head out on a road trip, I make sure to put in a new car air freshener, too.  This combo will help your car smell fresh and AMAZING!  The baking soda will absorb any bad smells, while the new air freshener will make your car smell dreamy on the trip.

Trust me… it’s a win-win!

#7. Pack A Cooler with Water & Caffeine

Don’t forget the drinks!  When you’re on a road trip you’ll want to pack plenty of water so you don’t get dehydrated… and anything coffee related so you don’t fall asleep!!

I take my little cooler with me on every road trip.  Here we were… my Yeti and I at a picnic spot just outside of Flagstaff, Arizona near the south rim of the Grand Canyon! 🙂  Oh the fun places this cooler has been!

#8. Don’t forget the Road Trip Snacks & Trip Food!

Having a great road trip necessarily involves tasty treats, right?

Cindy writes: “We shop for snacks, beverages and sandwich items before we leave town. We stay in hotels that serve a free continental breakfast so we only eat out once a day.”

Lori writes: “We bring snacks and beverages and some meals with us, and have simple breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, muffins, fruit, etc. Have Crock pot soups and sandwiches for lunches.”

Renee writes: “We usually buy food from the grocery store for breakfast and lunches…. fruit, bread, lunch meat and cheeses…. then ONLY eat out for dinner. Saves so much!!!”

Teresa writes: “The more meals you can “fix” vs eating out the more you save.  A family of 4 breakfast could easily be $50, instead grab a box of cereal, disposable bowls, spoons and a quart of milk for a $10 breakfast. Have a cooler and pack it full of lunch options on ice… we stop at rest stops or parks and make our own lunch. Then we normally splurge on dinner.”

Dana writes: “We bring a cooler and picnic most of our meals”

#9. Take a Small Portable Grill for Hot Meals On The Road!

If you have a truck or SUV, consider packing along a small portable grill.  The price and convenience of grilling your own lunch or dinner makes taking a little grill along so worth while!

I like to stop at an amazing spot and grill up dinner using my portable grill right on the tailgate.

Here I am with my family grilling just off the road on the East end of Zion National Park!

#10. Don’t Forget a Paper Map For Your Car!

Packing a Paper Street Map of your travel route is always a good idea.

Ever get lost because your phone battery was dead?  Or hit a spot with no cell reception?

#11. Always Pack a Car First Aid Kit and Automotive Battery Jumper Cables

You may never need these items, but in the case of an emergency it really pays to be prepared!

Don’t risk being left stranded for hours with a dead car battery… or having a cut finger without a bandaid in the car!

#12. Consider Using a Rental Car!

Now if you just don’t want to rack up the miles on your current car, consider renting a newer car to take on your trip!

21 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

5 More Budget Road Trip Tips and Tricks:

Amy said: “I focus on saving on food. Each kid gets a lunchbox full of snacks and a bottle of water. That way there is no begging at gas stations for something unhealthy. And I buy the Kool Aid pills, they each get two and can put it in their water. When their food is gone, then that is all they get.

I also make meat bun sandwiches to take on the road. (Hamburger meat cooked inside a homemade bun). Then I make other foods that don’t need to be heated to eat, and I freeze them. I store these foods in a cooler, foods like pasta salad with grilled chicken. A couple days down the road they are thawed and yummy.

We would eat PB&J for lunches, and then the meals I made for the trip. It saved us about $75 a day for a family of 6. Then I allowed for eating dinner out once or twice.  For fun, we stuck to the free stuff! Like free museums, the beach, etc.”

Ashley said: “We used to always spend the most unexpected money on food on vacation. It may not be glamorous, but we always bring things we can eat for breakfast, and eat sandwiches (esp. PB&J) while we’re on low budget vacation, we always find a pretty place to picnic. If you don’t have access to a fridge for your jelly, you can use the small individually packaged ones from restaurants. Hope this helps!”

Debby said: “If it’s not more than a 12 hour drive, I take my own car. If you stop in the smaller towns, you can save on gas. You also won’t have to rent a car and you’ll be comfortable in your own. I spent no more $150 in gas driving from Atlanta to Tampa and back. Not to mention, we drove all over the area including St. Pete, Zephyrhills FL, and South Georgia before returning. That’s also including the tank fill-up for the week after we came home.”

John said: “I use GasBuddy, a packed lunch (or several) and some good old common money sense to save on vacations, and I mostly only take road trips.

Karey said: “I save all the samples I receive all year from Quaker, Kashi, etc., then I put all of the snacks in a large zip lock baggie and save it for our trip.  There are several different varieties of snacks and I did not pay a penny for any of it!  I also save all of the samples of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and toothpaste and take it with me on vacation.  I am saving space in my suitcase and saving money by not buying travel sized items.”

10 Best Road Trips in the USA

Air Travel Tips for Long Flights:

35 Southwest Airlines Hacks

25 American Airlines Flight Hacks

23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks

Long Haul Flight Tips and Tricks

Beating Jet Lag (8 Weird but Effective Tips)

Best Travel Packing Hacks:

Best Luggage Identifiers

Unique Luggage Tags For Air Travel That Are Personalized:

Our family loves to travel, and we’ve got the perfect little suitcases that we take along with us!

One problem though… they’re black… and average in size… and just so happen to look a whole lot like everyone else’s little black suitcases! 😉

Yes… I’ve even had business men grab my ever-so-common looking suitcase, and start strolling off with it.

{um… excuse me sir… uh-oh!!}

So how can you keep your suitcase from walking off with Mr. Stranger?

If you’ve got some pretty standard looking suitcases, too… here’s an easy-peasy way to make your suitcases stand out from the crowd!

Before a recent trip, I headed to Walmart and looked for the biggest, brightest spool of ribbon.

Here’s what I came home with bright yellow polka dot ribbon!

Who said you can’t have cute personalized luggage tags!!

12 Best Suitcase Packing Tips! (genius tricks)

How to Keep Clothes Clean While Traveling

How Do You Stay Healthy While Traveling?

DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe (How to Make It At Home)

Staying Healthy While Traveling (11 Tips You Never Thought Of!)

9 Tips for Staying in Shape While Traveling

Travel Safety Tips:

11 Vacation Travel Safety Tips You Never Thought of!

Keeping Your Home Safe While Traveling (#3 Is A Game Changer)

Travel Photography Tips:

Travel Photography Tips (20 Easy Hacks)

More Budget Friendly Travel Tips and Hacks:

How to Slash the Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know

How to Travel for Free or Cheap! (20 Secrets You Need to Know)

So do YOU have a Frugal Travel Tips, Favorite Travel Hack, or Budget Friendly Savings Trick??

Leave a comment & share!