How To See A City On A Budget – The Best Tips From Tour Guides
I love exploring new cities, but it can be pricey, with entrance fees, eating and transport; it all adds up. That’s why I’ve gathered the best budget tips when visiting a city from my favourite tour guides. With these expert guide tips, we can immerse ourselves into the culture, history, and food in cities without overspending. From walking tours to how to find budget-friendly eating options and transportation, these are the best tips for enjoying time when visiting a city while being kind to your wallet. Use these expert tips to ensure your city trips are affordable as they are memorable.
Join A Free Walking Tour
One of the best budget tour guide tips to discover a new city without spending a fortune is by joining a free walking tour. These tours offer a fantastic introduction to a city’s culture, history, and hidden treasures.
Many cities have local companies or independent guides who specialise in these tours. Start by doing a quick online search for “free walking tour” and the name of the city you’re visiting. Also, websites like GuruWalk and Sandemans are great resources for finding reputable free walking tours. If free walking tours are available in the city you planning to visit, then you will easily find them.
What to Expect
Free walking tours typically last 2-3 hours, and guides focus on popular landmarks, historical anecdotes, and sometimes quirky local tales you won’t find in guidebooks.
These tours generally cover the historic districts and central areas and some offer walking tours that are more off the beaten paths.
These tours generally don’t require upfront payments, they are however tip-based, which brings me to an important point. Tip Your Guide Generously (If you can). As while these tours are labelled as “free,” the tour guides rely on tips to earn a living. Think of the payment as what you feel the tour was worth, but also consider what fits in your budget. A standard tip ranges between $10-$20 per person, though any amount is appreciated. If your guide goes above and beyond, it’s worth making the extra effort to show your appreciation.
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of A Free Walking Tour
- Join At The Start Of The Trip – So you can gather as much useful information to use during the rest of your time.
- Arrive Early – Arriving 10 minutes before the tour starts.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes – Walking tours mean, well, a lot of walking. Dress comfortably and layer up in case the weather changes.
- Ask Questions – The guides themselves are often passionate storytellers who love sharing their knowledge. Ask questions about the best food spots, attractions, hidden spots etc.
- Network with Fellow Travellers – Free walking tours often attract friendly, like-minded travellers. So strike up conversations and share information and recommendations.
- Do Some Light Prep – While these tours give you a detailed overview, a little background on the history or local geography can make the experience more engaging. You’ll catch references that might otherwise fly over your head.
- Don’t Overcommit – Free walking tours can have a lot of ground to cover in a short space of time, but don’t feel obligated to stick around if your stamina is running low. It’s your trip, after all. But don’t forget to tip your guide if you leave early.
Use The Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus
One of the best budget tips from tour guides when visiting a city is to use hop-on, hop-off buses; if this service is available.
One of the key benefits of using this transport service is the value it offers. For a reasonable ticket price, you can cover multiple attractions and distances. Major landmarks, historic districts, scenic spots, will all be made accessible via this tourist bus route. You won’t need to shell out for multiple transport rides to get you from attraction to attraction or spend time figuring out complex transit systems.
Tips For Using The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
- Start Early – To get the most out of your ticket, start your day early. Most hop-on, hop-off passes are usually valid for 12-24 hours (or sometimes 48 or more), so the earlier you start, the more places you can explore.
- Look Up All The Routes – Make sure you look up the available routes ahead of time to identify the stops that interest you most and prioritise those. Some buses even have theme-specific routes, such as ones focused on historical landmarks or specific neighbourhoods, so choose the one best suited to your interests.
- Download The App – For maximum convenience, download the bus operator’s app, if they offer one. These apps often feature real-time bus tracking, route maps, and schedules so you can plan your stops efficiently.
Buy A City Pass
Another budget tip from tour guides is to also take advance of city passes when planning to visit attractions. These cards or tickets bundle entry to multiple attractions for a single price, offering incredible value and helping you make the most of your visit.
Some passes also allow you to skip long lines at popular attractions, saving you valuable queuing time.
City passes can often include additional benefits, such as discounts on dining, shopping, or transportation.
How to Choose the Right City Pass
Not all city passes are created equal, so take some time to research and determine which one best fits what you want to see. Compare the various passes and what they include to ensure you’re getting the best value.
Also, city passes are valid for a set duration, like 1, 3, or 7 days. So schedule accordingly to maximise the usage. Make sure you read the fine print, as certain passes may have restrictions.
Don’t forget to explore the “extras.” Many passes offer perks like discounts on bike rentals, local food places and in certain souvenir shops.
Public Transport
Public transport is one of the smartest ways to explore cities, offering a blend of affordability and convenience. Whether it’s buses, subways, or trams, public transport will significantly cut down your travel costs. during your trip.
Tips for Using Public Transport
- Purchase Travel Passes: For convenient and unlimited travel.
- Plan Ahead: Study routes and schedules ahead of time.
- Ask Locals: Don’t hesitate to ask residents for advice on the best ways to get around.
- Stay Alert: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially during rush hours.
Eat Like A Local
With a little insider knowledge and some smart choices, you can eat really well while keeping your budget intact. Here are the best tips from tour guides to help you enjoy amazing meals without overspending.
Visit Local Produce & Food Markets for Fresh Flavours
At markets you can find and eat fresh and local produce at prices far lower than sit-down restaurants. Plus, wandering through a market is like taking a mini cultural tour!
Also, market street food is where affordability meets authentic flavour. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also one of the best ways to get a taste of local specialties. Whether it’s tacos in Mexico City, banh mi in Hanoi, or pierogis in Krakow, food vendors at markets will take pride in their dishes. Look for spots with lines, a good sign of quality and freshness. And don’t hesitate to ask vendors what their most popular or unique items are.
Also, keep an eye out for any food festivals in the city you are visiting. If your timing’s right, food festivals can be an incredible (and affordable) way to explore a city’s culinary offerings. You’ll often find stalls serving signature dishes and regional delicacies at reasonable prices. These events also come with the added bonus of a lively atmosphere and the chance to connect with local culture.
Dine In Student Areas
One of the best budget tips from tour guides when it comes to eating , is to eat in university areas. This is because university often attract an array of affordable eateries catering to tight student budgets. These spots can be great for quick bites, international cuisines, and fun, laid-back atmospheres. From budget-friendly cafes to hidden gems serving hearty meals, student areas are a goldmine for affordable eating.
Off-Peak Dining Deals
Dining outside of the busy peak times can yield big savings. Many restaurants offer lunch specials, set menus, or “early dining” discounts to fill tables during quieter times.
Skip The Tourist Traps
Restaurants near major landmarks often charge inflated prices for average food aimed at tourists. Always venture a few blocks away from main attractions, and you’re likely to find spots where locals actually eat. Research online for places to eat around the landmark and they’ll always be better recommended options.
Research Local Specialties
Many city’s have their own signature dishes, and many of them are surprisingly affordable. Research local favourites and seek out budget-friendly versions. For example, you can easily find incredible handmade pasta at a simple trattoria in Italy or flavourful ramen at a hole-in-the-wall shop in Japan. Always try and eat meals that align with the city’s culinary heritage for both value and authenticity.
Use Supermarkets for Picnics and Snacks
If you’re on the go, supermarkets are your best friend. You can grab fresh bread, cheese, meats, and fruits to assemble a picnic for a day of sightseeing. Many supermarkets also offer pre-packaged meals or deli sections where you can find hearty, ready-to-eat dishes that are really good value.
Ask The Locals
There’s no better source of food recommendations than the locals themselves. Strike up a conversation with your tour guide, host, hotel staff, bar staff and ask where they eat. You’ll likely discover hidden gems and family-run eateries that aren’t in any guidebook.
Find Free Or Discounted Entry
Another great budget tip from tour guides is to take advantage of free entry days or discounted ticket prices at attractions. Many museums, galleries, and cultural landmarks offer free or reduced admission on specific days or during certain times. With a little planning, you can experience these key attractions for a lot less.
Start by researching the attractions you’d like to visit and check if they have special pricing options. For example, some museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, or for the last few hours in the day.
To make the most of these opportunities, plan your itinerary around them. If you know a certain museum has free entry on a Tuesday afternoon, block out time to visit then. This also helps you avoid last-minute scrambles or the disappointment of missing out. Keep in mind that free entry days can be popular, so arriving early is a smart move to avoid long lines or overcrowded spaces.
Finally, don’t overlook local tourism boards and official attraction websites. These are great for up-to-date information on free events, special promotions, or community days. We often miss these hidden gems by not checking the resources locals rely on, so make sure you do to stay in the loop.
So To Wrap Up On How To See A City On A Budget – The Best Tips From Tour Guides…
By using these great tips gathered from tour guides into your travel plans, you can explore cities really well on a budget. From joining free walking tours to easting great local street food or taking advantage of free entry days, seeing a city doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a little planning and resourcefulness, there are so many ways to stretch your travel budget.
For some more great travel hacks, head to our dedicated Travel Hacks page.
