The 7 cheapest ways to travel

By Caroline Costello

updated 10:08 a.m. ET March 10, 2009

Although a trip may seem like an extra expense that should be shelved in today's economic climate, most devoted travelers are not inclined to relinquish their cherished pastime. Instead, those of us who aren't ready to hang up our packable travel hat are desperately seeking less expensive ways to get away.

If you want to stick to your budget and satisfy your wanderlust, try rethinking your travel style. Just because one type of trip is less expensive than what you're used to, it doesn't mean you're getting a sub-par experience — you're just getting a different experience. Go out on a limb and try some cheaper ways to take a trip, like cruising, couch surfing or taking a day trip. You'll save money by choosing a less expensive vacation, and the best part is you may even discover a new favorite way to travel.

Go couch surfing
No, this is not an activity that mixes water sports with furniture. Couch surfing is an unconventional way to find cheap or even free accommodations in a destination by arranging to sleep on a local's couch (or sometimes in a spare bedroom, but we think "spare bedroom surfing" sounds less catchy).

One of the most popular couch surfing networks is CouchSurfing.com, where citizens of the world meet and arrange couch stays with other travelers. Sleeping in the home of a stranger naturally raises issues of safety, but a good host will provide plenty of references. In addition, CouchSurfing.com has developed a number of safeguards for its users. For example, the site has a verification process for hosts; in order for a host to confirm that he or she is an actual resident of his or her community, the host must enter a special code online after receiving the code on a postcard in the mail.

While couch surfing is generally a safe way to travel, nothing is foolproof. A sense of adventure is a prerequisite for any successful couch surfing experience. If you don't feel comfortable sleeping in the home of a stranger, don't do it!

Travel in the low season
With spring approaching, travel providers are serving up a variety of shoulder-season deals for popular destinations like Europe and Alaska. While shoulder-season deals offer great prices to destinations just as the weather turns favorable, those brave enough to take the less-traveled path of low-season trips can expect to put up with less desirable weather for deliciously low prices. In many destinations (like Ireland and Greece), some attractions, restaurants and even hotels close during the low tourist season — but that doesn't mean that you can't plan a great low-season vacation.

Plan ahead to make the most of your low-season getaway. Buy a good guidebook and call each place you want to visit ahead of time to make sure that it will be open. Dress appropriately, especially if you will be dealing with frigid temperatures. And focus on the positive!

It’s A Snap! See the latest entries See the amazing images sent by msnbc.com readers and submit your own for next week!

Paris may be cold in November, but you won't have to deal with an hour-long wait when you want to visit the Eiffel Tower. Spring is mud season in New England, when most ski resorts start to shut down, but you can still eat fresh lobster and tour charming towns.

For travel to the Caribbean, save money by booking during hurricane season in the fall (buy travel insurance and closely follow the weather before you trip, and you should be fine). Once you get used to the shorter lines and cheaper prices, don't be surprised if you feel the urge to permanently break from the pack and only take low-season trips!

Take a day trip
I'm suggesting a day trip in lieu of the increasingly ubiquitous term "staycation" because frankly, the words "stay" and "vacation" just don't mix. Sure, you can take museum tour of your city's best, or book a day at the spa down the road, but is that really a vacation?

A day trip — even if it's only an hour-long car ride — injects an element of actual travel into the uninteresting "staycation." Plus, a day trip is quite possibly the least expensive way to travel to relatively local destinations, even when unstable gas prices are at their peak.

Pick a place that's far, but not too far, like a national park, famous landmark, interesting town or historic site. Check out your state's tourism Web site or Google the names of local towns to see what's nearby — you may be surprised by the number of attractions that are just a gas tank away.

Gasbuddy.com is a great Web site that allows drivers to map out where to find the cheapest gas prices along their routes. To avoid paying for accommodations, leave early in the morning and plan to get home late; this way, you'll still have plenty of time to see what you want to see if your destination's only a few hours' ride away.

MORE FROM TIPS

Tips Section Front

What not to wear in 5 countries   Where you should think before you speak No refund for the wrong Chichen Itza tour The unofficial guide to traveling in 2010 Generate miles while shopping for the holidays 10 travel essentials you can find in the trash Holiday guide to germ-free air travel Hotwire’s half-star mistake 7 presents we wish the airlines would give us The best new travel gadgets of the year Tips Section Front   Add Tips headlines to your news reader: