Gen Z Smart Money Blog: Smarter Travel for Safer

Gen Z Smart Money Blog: Smarter Travel for Safer Spending

By Abby Hobrough, Old National Bank

Is your Instagram feed filled with traveling pictures, but you’re at home stressing about your bank balance? You’re not alone. With student loans, summer jobs, apartment rent, and saving for your future, travel can feel beyond reach—but it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you are planning a quick vacation or backpacking trip, traveling on a budget can make your dream trip come true. Check out these travel tools and strategies to make your Instagram feed become a reality.

 

Plan Like a Pro

Start with a realistic budget: Before looking at destination inspiration from Pinterest or TikTok, figure out how much you can spend on your trip. From there, break your budget into food, transportation, stay, activities, and a buffer or emergency stash.

Explore budget-friendly destinations: Use your resources to find your ideal yet cost-effective destination.

• Tip: Try searching “cheapest countries to travel in 2025” to explore options with an open mind.

Travel in off-seasons: Aim to travel in the shoulder season, before or after peak months, to score cheaper travel and less tourists.

• Tip: Looking to visit Europe? Travel in late spring or early fall.

 

Flights for Less

Be flexible with dates: If your schedule allows it, be open to varying your travel dates. Flights and stays heavily vary so plan around cheap flights or stays.

• Tip: Use Google Flights and Hopper to explore the cheapest flight days.

Set flight alerts: Don’t want to spend too much time checking prices? Most flight apps can notify you of price drops on selected routes.

Befriend budget airlines: Use airlines like Spirit, Ryanair, or EasyJet to save money with light packing and reading the rules.

• Tip: Watch out for extra fees on top of your fare by exploring the airline’s standard pricing guidelines.

 

Stay Cheap

Airbnb vs. hotel: While Airbnb’s are spacious, supervision-free and great for groups, hotels are back on the rise because they are easy, dependable and surprise free. Compare prices, locations, and discounts when deciding where to stay.

House-sitting: If you are open to a less unique stay, explore trusted ways to house sit. With some housesitting responsibility, you can receive a free stay to save more.

Stay central: Prices in a central location may cost more, but sometimes it can outweigh the cost of time and transportation.

 

Smart Eating

Skip the traps: Don’t blow your budget on airport snacks, expensive chains, or touristy restaurants. Look for local spots and check prices before you go.

Utilize groceries: Find a local grocery store at your destination for less expensive meals, snacks and beverages. You may even enjoy trying local brands and products!

 

Do it for Less

Choose free walking tours: Explore cities by foot with free walking tours found on TripAdvisor or travel influencers’ accounts. Tip your guide and avoid the costly tours.

• Tip: Don’t forget to ask your hotel or host for recommendations.

Student discounts: From museums to transportation, don’t forget to bring and use your student ID for savings left and right.

Local events: Check out event apps and flyers to find local events like free concerts, festivals or markets for fun at no cost. Don’t forget to explore local parks and gardens too.

 

Before You Go: Finances

Make a bank stop: Skip the airport or bus station exchange kiosks by ordering foreign currency from your bank ahead of time with better rates and cheaper fees.

Choose a travel-friendly card: Try to make sure your credit or debit card does not have a foreign transaction fee and has good fraud protection to keep your spending secure.

Notify your bank: When traveling abroad, notify your bank so they do not flag your purchases and freeze your card mid-vacation.

Track spending in-app: Use your banking app or download a budgeting app to help keep an eye on your spending and avoid blowing your budget.

Emergency fund: In case of emergency or surprise, set aside a set amount for unexpected cancellations, medical expenses, or missed connections during your vacation.

 

Traveling on a budget doesn’t necessarily mean you are settling for less, rather you are being intentional about where your money is going. Whether you travel during off-season or find a “dupe” location, you can plan Instagram-worthy vacations that won’t break the bank. Following these tips, from free entertainment to utilizing banking services, and make your travel Pinterest board become a reality.

 

Check out Old National’s online banking features that can assist our customers during travel.