Traveling to enthralling cities like London, Oslo and Sao Paulo can get expensive fast. A number of insider tips and tricks, though, can help shave dollars off your travel budget, making any trip more affordable.

London

Although some of London's attractions -- such as London Eye, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and London Dungeon -- are costly to check out firsthand, you can visit many others for free. The Natural History Museum, Tate Modern and Tate Britain and The British Museum are a few such recommendations from Jamie Bowlby-Whiting of GreatBigScaryWorld.com. He also suggests enjoying the city's many parks managed by the Royal Parks Agency.

Big Ben and westminster bridge , London

Paris

Paris is a food lover's paradise, but sampling it doesn't have to bite your wallet. "Paris is a take-out lover's dream," says Larissa C. Milne of ChangesinLongitude.com. "The food shops carry all sorts of ready-made foods, from simple sandwiches to elaborate concoctions wrapped in puff pastry. Whether it's a baguette and cheese eaten in one of the city's many parks or saumon en croute warmed in your hostel's kitchen, you can have a delicious meal without Michelin-starred prices."

Eiffel tower and green Field of Mars in Paris

New York City

While vacationing in New York, don't be shy about eating from the city's numerous food trucks. They feature a wide array of cuisine choices at great prices. At the time of publication, art enthusiasts can visit the popular MoMA for free on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., and the Guggenheim invites visitors to "pay what they wish" on Saturdays from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Don't overlook the city's beautiful, free parks either.

Manhattan at night and Statue of Liberty.

Hong Kong

Saving money in Hong Kong starts with free sites and attractions. "Many of Hong Kong's museums waive their admission fees on Wednesdays, so get a dose of art, culture, science or history at one of the participating museums," says Paige Conner Totaro of AllOvertheMap.net. "The Hong Kong Zoo and Botanical Garden are always free to visit." To view the city from the water, she suggests a ride on the Star Ferry, which costs less than a dollar.

Night view of Hong Kong

Sydney

Sydney is well-known for its Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and you can see both of these landmarks for free. Visitors can skip the pricey tour that scales the arch of the bridge in favor of the free pedestrian walkway, Milne says. Likewise, tourists can roam the lobbies and vestibules of the Opera House for free rather than pay for an official tour, she says.

View of Sydney Harbour, Australia

Singapore

A great place to save travel dollars in Singapore is on accommodations. "My tip [is to] use sites like Airbnb as hotels are so expensive, and apartments are often cheaper, bigger and more flexible," says travel blogger Frankie Thompson of AsTheBirdFliesBlog.com. For cheap eats, she recommends eating in Hawker markets in Chinatown, Arab Street and Little India. "And thanks to the size of the city, you can virtually walk everywhere," she says.

Singapore Skyline

Moscow

Slash your travel budget in Moscow by opting for the Metro instead of taxis. "It can get you almost anywhere you need to go within the city, and rides are less than $1 apiece," says travel blogger Katie Aune of KatieAune.com. "Buy a multiple-ride pass instead of buying individual rides, and save a bit more." Another cost-cutting tip is enjoying free attractions like Pobedy Park, Red Square and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, she says.

St. Basil's Cathedral

Tokyo

Accommodations can be quite pricey in Tokyo, but there are affordable options. According to travel blogger Daniel McBane of DanielMcBane.com, the area around Minami-Senjuu Station -- considered a slum of sorts by Japanese standards, but nicer than many U.S. locales -- has rooms from $10, at the time of publication, although $20 would be more likely if you can't speak Japanese. One note: although some of these places do cater to tourists, most are still geared toward Japanese, so they may have curfews and Japanese-style rooms.

Mt.Fuji in autumn

Sao Paulo

To cut costs in Sao Paulo, start with your food budget. First, avoid the tourist areas, such as Avenida Paulista, says resident and travel blogger Deise de Oliveira of Viagem pelo Mundo. "The best way to save money on food is to go to simple bakeries and ask for a 'PF,' or prato feito," she says. "It's usually a well-served dish with rice, beans, meat and salad. Sometimes it's so much food that two people can eat!"

Estaiada Bridge Octavio Frias de Oliveira in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Oslo

If you enjoy walking, you'll save on transportation in Oslo. Because the city is small, you can cover a lot of territory with your own two feet. Another way to save is by purchasing an Oslo pass, which allows the holder free entrance to many of Oslo's museums and attractions as well as free access to buses, trams and the ferries to Bygdøy, says Jennifer Dombrowski of JDombsTravels.com. Prices start around $47 per person for a 24-hour pass.

The Morning of Oslo, Norway

About the Author

Karon Warren has covered travel for nearly 20 years with numerous print and online publications. Her byline has appeared in USA Today, USA Today’s 10 Best, WorkingMother.com, FamilyVacationCritic.com. and many others. She is a member of both the Society of American Travel Writers and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. In addition to her freelance work for other clients, she also writes for her own travel site, ThisGirlTravels.com

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