Just because the world is facing a recession doesn't mean you can't still travelâ€"in fact, taking vacations has never been so wallet-friendly.
From pay-what-you-want restaurants to $1/night hotel rooms, this cluster highlights budget travel tips and cheap vacation ideas to make any cash-strapped adventurer feel optimistic. There are even FREE cruises, flights and packages!
Implications - With the recent recession, audiences are looking to get away while spending minimal amounts of money. The consumer wasn't the only one who suffered, the travel industry as a whole was called upon to create new ideas that would evoke consumers to want to spend. The idea that travelling could become cheap creates a relationship between the consumer and the brand.
27 Super Cheap Travel Ideas
27
Super Cheap Air Travel
SkyBus Offers $10 Flights
26
Shipping Container Hotels
$20 Rooms at 41 Berangan Hotel for Credit Crunch Travel
25
Luxury Bunk Bed Hotels
The Pod Hotel Offers Cute Manhattan Rooms Under $100
24
Rent-Free Living Around The World
CareTaker.org
23
Das Park Hotel
Sleep in a Pipe (and Pay What You Wish)
22
Zero Star Hotels
The Null Stern Hotel in Switzerland Is In An Old Bomb Shelter
21
Recession Worthy Hotels
The Ace Hotel in NYC Offers Bunkbed Rooms Starting at $99
20
Free Plane Tickets
ULCCS Like RyanAir Offer Free Flights
19
Free Trips for Pregnancy
TUICruises Offers Refund for Women Who Get Knocked up on Board
18
$9 Flights
Jet America Airlines Offers Credit Crunch U.S. Airfare
17
$6 Luxury Hotels
Hotel Cipriani Offers 1958 Rates
16
$2 / Night Hotels
Tune Hotels Offer Asia's First 'No Frills' Experience
15
$5 Dinners
Credit Crunch Dining Can be Healthy With These Budget-Friendly Meals
14
Free Green Taxis
Pedal-Powered Urban EcoCabs Fueled by the Credit Crunch
13
Free Ocean Cruises
Spontaneity-Driven Recession Rewards from Imperial Majesty Cruise Line
12
$2 An Hour Rental Cars
DriveMint.com On Demand Rentals For Credit Crunched Drivers
11
Pay-What-You-Want Restaurants
Zebrano Leaves Price Up To You
10
Dining For a Penny?
Credit Crunch Initiative from ‘Little Bay' Restaurant in London
9
Credit Crunch Travel Plans
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Top Vacation Hotspots for 2009
8
Free Trips for Bloggers
International Invites
7
Recession Retreats
Top 10 Places to Escape The Credit Crunch
6
$1 Bus Rides
Megabus Takes Credit Crunched Tourists from Toronto to NYC (UPDATE)
5
Recession-Priced Cruises
Affordable Ocean-Going Adventures
4
Free Hotels for Creative People
The Creator's Inn
3
Affordable Vacations
Cheapest Spot Are Most Exotic
2
$65 Monthly Unlimited Taxis
Taxmobil Simplifies Travel in Germany
1
$1/Night Hotels
LastMinuteTravel.com Tempts Wanderlust With Credit Crunch Fares
Related Ideas
Yacht-Inspired Camping Trailers
This Modern Travel Trailer Concept by Maria Prokosheva is Sleek
Phone-Free Festivals
This Never Happened is a Music Event Series and Festival Concept
Free Beer-Branded Clogs
Crocs and Busch Light Team Up for Camping-Themed Collaboration
Can-Shaped Campers
Bush's Beans is Inviting Campers to Stay in a "Canper" Overnight This Summer
Reusable Bowl Promotions
Just Salad is Running a Reusable Bowl Promotion in February of 2023
Augmented Reality Travel Murals
Tripadvisor's City Murals Entice People to Sunny San Diego
AI-Powered Travel Campaigns
Samsonite's Bring It 2024 Campaign Exudes Timeless Style & Durability
Anti-Loyalty Memberships
Dis-Loyalty Actively Rewards Members for Exploring New Destinations
Fast Food-Inspired Beachy Campaigns
Leo Burnett Italia Unveils a New Summery McDonald's Campaign
Mermaid-Inspired Beach Houses
Booking.com's Under the Sea Stay Celebrates 'The Little Mermaid'
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
AI Travel Campaigns
Away's Extraordinary Is Out There Uses AI to Show Real-World Destinations
Playful Sushi-Inspired Suitcases
These Sushi Suitcases by Yujeong Shin Includes Three Styles
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Film-Themed Cookbooks
A24's Scrounging Cookbook Takes Cues from Unusual Movie Meals
Connected Gamer Campaigns
Heineken's Just Another Night Out Shatters Anti-Social Stereotypes
Discomfort-Addressing Travel-Friendly Products
Travel-eeze Addresses Constipation During Travel
Tiny Tasting Menus
Disney+ and Uber Eats Created Small Bites for the New Ant Man Movie
Inflation-Fighting QSR Menus
The Taste of KFC Deals Menu Takes Value to the Next Level
Luxury Lifestyle Credit Cards
Revolut Ultra Offers Travel, Lifestyle and Investment Benefits
Recycled Beer Bottle Ads
Corona's Campaigns Encourage Consumers to Recycle Empty Packaging
Kids' Money Management Books
'The Adventures of Ca$hman & Supersaver' Promotes Financial Awareness
Traveling Fine Art Campaigns
EasyJet's Get Out There Features Mona Lisa, The Thinker and More
Luxury Experience Clubs
Taste Club Treats Members to Unforgettable Dining & Travel Experiences
AI Travel Planners
Travel Wiz Creates Personalized Travel Itineraries in Minutes
Spring Bring-Ready Apparel
SHEIN Offers a Range of Swimwear and Vacation Outfits
Residential Cruise Ships
The Storylines Residential Cruise Ship Has 547 Onboard Residences
Expert-Paired Prague Food Tours
Prague Foodie's Team of Experts Spotlight Local Food & Attractions
Microcation Planning Services
Going Places Travel Helps Plan the Perfect Short Vacation
Restaurant Date Night Promotions
Applebee's $200 Date Night Pass Includes More Than $1,500 in Food
Modern-Day Travel Campaigns
Louis Vuitton Invites Gisele Bündchen for 'Horizons Never End'
Travel-Focused Marketing Guides
TikTok Debuts a Playbook for Travel Marketers to Foster Engagement
AI-Powered Travel Itinerary Platforms
The 'Travelmoji' AI Travel Planner Makes Use of ChatGPT
Budget-Friendly Restaurant Campaigns
Chuck E. Cheese 'Summer of Fun' Focuses on Accessibility
Luggage-Honoring Fashion Collections
The Louis Vuitton 'Flight Mode' Collection is Travel-Ready
Gifting-Focused Travel Chocolate Products
Ferrero Travel Market Has Shown Off New Treats
Zero-Waste Hotel Menus
Hilton's The Taste of Zero Waste Aims to Cut Landfill Contrubitions by 50%
Value-Focused Pizza Menus
The Pizza Hut $7 Deal Lover’s Menu Has a Total of 17 Options
Organized Travel Planning Templates
Notion Travel Itinerary Planner Has Navigation and Expenses
Movie-Themed South American Vacations
Adventures by Disney Just Added an Encanto-Themed Trip
Pop-Up Interview Stores
Trainline's Fashion Pop-Up Preps Gen Z for Interviews with Free Clothing
Paper Bottle-Packaged Cocktails
World of Zing Cocktails Come in the Frugalpac Frugal Bottle
Collaborative Travel Planning Tools
Hollihopper Offers Live Collaboration to Organize Itineraries
Empowering Fashion Films
Victoria's Secret World Tour Reimagines the Iconic Show as a Feature Film
Singles Valentines Day Discounts
strEATS is Offering 20% Off to Customers who Come in Alone
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Secondhand Fashion Editorials
Vinted Styled a Shoot Exclusively with Vinted Finds
AI-Powered Trip Planners
Guide Uses AI to Help with Hotel Selection, Itineraries, and More
Co-Branded Digital Travel Hubs
The Corona Global Hub Spotlights Experiences Rooted in Nature
Affordable Back-to-School Campaigns
Staples Canada Embraces the Theme of '90s Throwback Pricing
Oceanic Family Activity Programs
The 'Camp at Sea Program' from Celebrity Cruises is All-Inclusive
Meat-Themed Vacation Giveaways
Reynolds Wrap Just Launched a New Wild West Steak-Cation
Progressive Traveler Programs
Ennismore Upgrades its Existing Loyalty Offerings to Include 'Drops'
Single-Room Rental Services
Airbnb Rooms Offers Access to Single Spaces in a Home
Minimal Affordable Sub-Labels
Target Presents its Own No-Frills Brand with Minimal Design
Caribbean Microcation Destinations
Pin and Travel's Microcation Program Shows the Best of Cancun
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
All-Inclusive Family Resorts
The Tyler Place Family Resort Encourages Families to Play Together
Multi-Generational Travel Deals
easyJet Holidays' Grans Go Free Supports Affordable Family Travel
Sustainable DMO-Focused Initiatives
Expedia Group Debuts Two Innovative Programs for DMOs
Low-Cost Super Bowl Snacks
These Target Private Label Products are Priced Under $5 Each
Personal Overnight Train Cabins
The 'Yolochka' Cabin Concept Supports the Needs of New Passengers
Canadian Tourism Campaigns
Destination Canada and Caleb Simpson Launch New Travel Campaign
Comforting Financial Pop-Ups
Experian's Credit Paws Café is a Place to Chat About Money Worries
Sporty Solo Travel Platforms
SurfYogaBeer is a New York City-based Active & Social Travel Company
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Two-in-One Vacation Programs
Icelandair’s Stopover Program Turns One Vacation into Two
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Detailed Travel-Planning Apps
80days.me Will Design a European Adventure in Minutes
Revived Low-Cost QSR Deals
This Arby's Promotion Offers Five Sandwiches for Just $5
AI City Travel Planners
Travelicious is an AI Travel Planner Specifically for Cities
One-Cent Soda Promotions
The Wendy's Penny Pops Promotion Offers Almost Free Refreshments
Travel Getaway Wine Promotions
Mud House and Coolstays Partnered for a New Promotion
Value-Focused Restaurant Menus
The Habit $5 Simple Crafts Menu Has Three Options
Low-Cost High-Value QSR Menus
The Taco Bell $3 Or Less Cravings Value Menu is Arriving Soon
Pizza Craving Campaigns
Domino's Pizza and WorkInProgress Launch the Emergency Pizza Campaign
Vacation Rental Campaigns
Airbnb Debuts an Animated Ad That Celebrates Booking a Place to Yourself
Visual Payment Apps
Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories
Multigenerational Destination Tours
Sita World Tours Crafts its Tours to Suit Multiple Age Groups
Zero-Proof Catering Companies
Split Offers Alcohol-Free Catering, Education and Menu Consulting
Branded Rest Stops
Kinder Bueno's Summer Gets Bueno Program Includes a Special Destination
Tech-Enhanced Travel Planning
Travvit is a Travel Discovery Platform to Inspire Better Vacations
Affordable Lifestyle Directories
'I Have This Friend' Makes Aspirational Living More Accessible
Connective Travel Recommendations
LFG Curates 'Placelists' Acting as a "Spotify for Travel"
Romantic Getaway Platforms
Travel Platform LOVU Introduces the BETA for its Romantic Travel App
Accessible Seasonal Celebration Products
These Target Holiday Products are Priced at $5 or Less
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Active Young Adult Getaways
Butterfield & Robinson's Young Adult Departures are Engaging
Exclusive Hotel Vacation Clubs
Hyatt Hotels Launches a New Vacation Club Program for Guests
Comprehensive AI Trip Planners
TravelPal Recommends Activities, Walking Routes, Dinners, and More
AI-Powered Travel Planners
'retravel.ai' Uses AI and ChatGPT to Help Travelers Strategize
Boomer-Friendly Travel Services
Silver Travel Advisor Offers Curated Holidays for Mature Travelers
Lexington Travel Campaigns
The Look at Lexington Campaign Showcases Kentucky's Hidden Gem
Hyper-Local Gifting Communities
On the Buy Nothing Project App, Everything is Given Freely
Pocket Concierge Apps
The Scene Matches Users to Restaurants, Bars, Clubs & Cafes
51-Destination World Cruises
The Princess Cruises 2025 World Cruise is 116 Days in Length
TV-Inspired Parisian Trips
DHARMA Curated a Trip to Paris Inspired by Netflix's Emily in Paris
Plant-Based Cruise Menus
Princess Cruises is Introducing Vegan Menus to Its Fleet
Social Trip-Planning Apps
TripMap Makes Trip Planning Easier with Expense Tracking and More
Best Time to Travel Tools
KAYAK Recommends the Best Days to Book Flights and Hotels
Money-Saving Holiday Meal Deals
The Kroger Freshgiving Meal Feeds 10 for Less Than $5 Each
Bespoke Wellness Trips
Naya Traveler Specializes in Crafting Bespoke Journeys Across Latin America
Hobby-Funding Sweepstakes
Starburst's Pink Passion Protection Program Fuels Creativity with Cash
Comfort-Focused Business Features
Uber Launches a Series of Features to Benefit Business Travelers
Curated Flight Deal Apps
The Going App Offers Expert and Personalized Travel Deals
Soda-Themed Airline Competitions
JetBlue and Pepsi are Raffling a Trip to Quito, Ecuador
Happiness-Prioritizing QSR Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Launches the 'Adult Unlearn' Summer Campaign
Affordable Public Transport Initiatives
Germany Offers Unlimited Public Transit for €49 Monthly
Low-Cost Dessert-Paired QSR Meals
The Dairy Queen $7 Meal Deals Come in Two Options
Regionally-Inspired Barbecue Menus
City Barbeque Just Kicked Off its Flavors of America Road Trip
All-in-One Travel Planners
Traveleva Keeps All Bookings and Itineraries in One Place
Cheeky Splitting-the-Bill Campaigns
Stella Artois Launches the Vamos Marcar Campaign
Valentine's Day Flight Promotions
PLAY Airlines Ran Valentine's Day Deals This Year
Digital Holiday QSR Deals
Krystal Krystalmas Deals are Launching for the Holiday Season
Plant-Based Yogurt Travel Promotions
This Bio&Me On-Pack Promotion Offers a Free Holiday
Restaurant Discovery Websites
Find Me a Restaurant Will Help You Pick Where to Eat
Low-Cost QSR Meal Deals
The Checker's and Rally's $5 Meal Deal Comes in Two Options
Sea-Themed Travel Giveaways
SeaPak Launched the New See the Sea Contest to Show One Fan the Sea
Multigenerational European Tours
Road Scholar's 'Exploring Copenhagen' Package is for Families
Opulent Traveler Rewards
Bank Of America Rewards Program Adds Experiential Perks for its Customers
Complimentary Meal Military Promotions
This Fourth of July Promotion Rewards Military Members
Food-Focused Travel Guide Platforms
'FoodieTrip' Connects Hungry Travelers to Experienced Guides
Grocery Store Ad Spots
Morrisons, the UK Supermarket Chain, Celebrates Its Low Pricing in This Ad
Last-Minute Gifting Ads
Uber Eats' Money Can Buy You Class Features RHoNY Stars
European City Tourist Taxes
Venice's Tourist Tax Will Charge Visitors €5 During Peak Times
Cost-Saving Hotel Promotions
Beach Town Travel Offers the Fourth Night Free on Bookings
Eco-Friendly Travel Cosmetics
The KinKind Travel Sets Bring Natural Cosmetics on the Road
Temporary Retirement Sweepstakes
Coors Light is Helping Adults to Experience the Retiree Life
Festive Hotel Decor Campaigns
IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches the Seasonal Winter Chalet Campaign
Romantic Carribean Hotel Stays
Harbour Village Beach Club Introduces the Love & Luxury Package
Revamped Airline Pricing
Fiji Airlines Launches a New Pricing Structure with Different Categories
Urban Communal Dining Events
Toronto's Weekly Communal Table Program is Hosted Under a Highway
Mobile Weenie Wedding Chapels
Oscar Mayer Made a Mobile Wedding Chapel for Springtime Ceremonies
Cruise Referral Programs
The Crystal Referral Program Gives Newcomers a 5% Discount on Cruises
Locally Driven Travel Agencies
On the Go Tours Offers Authentic Lodgings and Luxury Accommodations
Low-Cost QSR Breakfast Deals
Wendy's Breakfast Biggie Bundles Offer Two Items for $3
Cost Savings Grocer Campaigns
These Spar New Year Offers Prioritize Value
Low-Cost Valentine's Meals
The Krystal Twin Flame Meal is Priced at Just $20
Crowd-Friendly QSR Deals
The Hamburger Stand Crowd Pleaser Deals Come in Four Options
Social Restaurant Review Platforms
CRUBSTER Let's You See Reviews From People You Follow and Trust