How do you ball (with your travel) on a budget?

Do these sentences resonate? 👇

• “I want a real vacation, but my wallet is giving me side-eye.”
• “Scrolling travel TikTok makes me dream big, but planning makes me anxious.”
• “I wish I could take a break without stressing about money or feeling out of place.”

You’re not alone. Planning a vacation on a budget is real work – especially when you’re balancing bills, family expectations, and the urge to see the world. But with some strategy (and a little creativity), you can make travel work for you, no matter your background or bank account.

“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” – Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, and travel documentarian

What are the latest Gen Z travel trends?

• According to Expedia’s 2025 Travel Trends report, 68% of Gen Z travelers say budget is their #1 concern, but 82% still plan to travel this year.
• Gen Z is more likely than any other generation to use apps for price alerts, flexible dates, and last-minute deals.
• On average, Gen Z spends about $1,300 per trip, but 71% are open to hostels, Airbnbs, or group trips to stretch their dollars further (Expedia, 2025; Skift, 2024).

How can you expand your travel definition? 🚗

• Road trips: Skip the pricey flights and explore national parks or nearby cities with friends.
• Staycations: Book a night in a local hotel, try a new restaurant, or spend a day exploring your own city.
• Domestic travel: Instead of Paris, try New Orleans, San Diego, or Montreal for culture and food.
• Cruises or group tours: Sometimes these offer bundled savings and take the stress out of planning.

What are the best ways to save on your next trip?

• Flight comparison sites: Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to set price alerts and compare deals.
• Flexible dates: Traveling mid-week or off-season can save you 30-50% on flights and hotels.
• Alternative airports: Check nearby airports for cheaper fares.
• Loyalty points and student discounts: Don’t sleep on these – many airlines and hotels offer deals for young travelers.

How do you keep costs down once you’re there? 🍜

• Eat like a local: Street food, markets, and cooking your own meals can save a ton.
• Public transit and walking: Skip the Ubers and see more of the city on foot or by bus.
• Free or low-cost activities: Look for free walking tours, outdoor festivals, and museums with student rates or free days.

What’s the underrepresented lens on travel?

For first-gen, low-income, and BIPOC travelers, the barriers can feel bigger – whether it’s cost, family expectations, or not seeing yourself represented in travel media.

• First-gen college students may feel pressure to prioritize family obligations or work over travel, making it harder to take time off or justify spending on a trip.
• Low-income travelers often have to get creative: using scholarships, group discounts, or work-travel programs like WWOOF or AmeriCorps to make travel possible.
• BIPOC travelers sometimes face concerns about safety, discrimination, or feeling out of place, but there’s a growing community online sharing tips, safe destinations, and representation (check out @blacktravelalliance or @latinaslovetravel for inspiration).
• Travel is for everyone. The more we share our stories and support each other, the more inclusive travel becomes.

What are some manageable steps to get started? 💸

• Start small: Even a weekend away can recharge you.
• Budget in advance: Set aside $10-20 a week in a travel fund.
• Ask for help: Look for scholarships, travel grants, or group rates through school, work, or community organizations.

Vacations aren’t about how much you spend, but how you spend your time. With some planning and flexibility, you can create a trip that fits your grown-up life and your budget-and feel seen while doing it.

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous

Take a moment to reflect on YOUr approach to vacations. Here are five questions to help YOU explore YOUr travel style:

1. What’s YOUr dream destination, and what draws YOU there?
2. How do YOU decide what’s worth splurging on versus saving for?
3. What’s one travel memory YOU wish YOU could recreate?
4. When was the last time YOU traveled just for YOUrself – not for work, family, or obligation?
5. What's YOUr ideal trip (without any limitations)?

 “Part of being a musician is reporting on what you experience. If you deliberately limit your experiences, your reporting will be limited.” – Yo-Yo Ma, Chinese American cellist

Click on the dropdowns below to see the easy action items:

Some vibes to close us out

Travel isn’t about spending big-it’s about seeing the world with fresh eyes and making memories that last.

By planning smart, staying flexible, and focusing on what matters, you can have the grown-up vacation you deserve-without the grown-up debt.

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

YOU got this. 💭✨

Sources

1. "How to Travel on a Budget for Beginners." NerdWallet (2025).
2. "Unpack ’25: The Trends in Travel from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo." Expedia (2024).
3. "Exploring Gen Z and Millennial Travel Habits – New Skift Research." Skift (2024).

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