How to Travel San Francisco on a Budget

​If you love traveling but don’t have the money to do so, you’re not alone! Many of us struggle with wanting the adventures but being unable to afford them. However, with proper planning and budgeting, you can have a fun and eventful trip without spending an arm and a leg. Let’s get reading to see how!

What are Common Expenses When Taking a Trip?

When taking a trip, there are many expenses to consider, from the cost of plane tickets or gas for travel to other expenses such as food or coffees during your trip. All of the following areas should be properly budgeted when planning your adventure to San Francisco:

• Airline flights or gas (depending on your travel plans)
• Housing
• Food and drinks 
• Excursions and attractions
• Luggage storage

Airline Flights or Cost of Driving

The distance you live from San Francisco will determine if driving or flying is better. If you live in Florida, flying is your best bet, whereas, if you live in Oregon, driving might be a better option. 

Consider downloading an app that tracks flights to certain destinations. Many of these apps have the ability to let you know when the prices are about to drop or rise which allows you to get the best price on your airline tickets.

If driving, figure out the mileage to San Francisco, the number of miles you get per gallon, and the cost of gas in order to figure out how much the drive will cost. Once you get an estimate for this, you can properly budget in this area.​

Housing

​Although the cost of housing can quickly add up, you can often find good deals when booking ahead of time. With the growing use of Airbnbs, you can make your sleeping arrangements ahead of time for a reasonable price. You have many options, but will likely find the best prices if you rent out an individual room or a bed in a hostel instead of getting an entire guest house or apartment for yourself. If traveling with others, you can split the cost of housing which also helps with overall costs.

Food and Drinks

​Food and drinks are often an expense that seem small to begin with, but quickly add up during your trip. Make sure you give yourself enough allowance in this area. 

To save money here, do some of your own shopping if you can. If you have a kitchenette where you’re staying, buy items to keep in the fridge, such as fruits, granola bars, and sandwich makings, so you can make your own breakfasts and lunches. You will find this saves a significant amount of money. However, make sure to give yourself some meals out as well, because this is all part of the San Francisco experience!

Excursions and Attractions

​When it comes to excursions and attractions, this cost differs drastically based upon your specific goals and desires. There are many options that are expensive and may not fit your budget; however, there are other options that are completely free! Consider visiting Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, or Embarcadero which offer free things to look at and do. Each of these locations can become expensive if you get carried away in the spending, but you can avoid this by setting yourself a limit that fits your budget!

Luggage Storage

​What better way to enjoy the city luggage-free than to get San-Francisco lockers to store your things while you explore? This service is reasonably priced and can easily fit your budget at just $5.90 per bag every 24 hours. 

There are many perks to luggage storage, including reduced risk of losing or misplacing luggage, less chance of someone stealing an important item, and a less stressful trip, as you don’t have to keep up with every bag you brought.

What is the Take-Away for Traveling San Francisco on a Budget?

​Traveling can be quite expensive, however, a proper budget and plan allows for a great trip. With the tips above, you can save financially in each area while still having a fun adventure! Now that you know the areas to plan for, it’s time to get budgeting for your trip to San Francisco. Let’s get going!