Budget travel is less about spending the least and more about spending well.

• Travel in shoulder season: Prices drop and crowds thin just outside peak months.
• Stay slightly outside the center: A short walk or metro ride can cut accommodation costs significantly.
• Eat where locals eat: Markets, bakeries, and neighborhood restaurants beat tourist strips on both price and quality.
• Use free walking tours: Pay a tip and get an orientation plus insider recommendations.
• Book key attractions in advance: Only for the experiences that truly matter to you — skip the rest.

The goal is to protect your budget for the one or two experiences you will remember, while keeping the rest of the trip cheap and flexible.