Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Richmond

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Shared dorm rooms in hostels, budget guesthouses, or basic motels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Fast food chains, food trucks, convenience store meals, happy hour specials at casual restaurants

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Public buses, walking, occasional rideshares for longer distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free museums, self-guided walking tours, public parks, occasional paid attractions during discount hours

Eat lunch at food trucks and casual spots instead of dinner at upscale restaurants - typically 40-60% cheaper for similar quality

Use public buses and walk when possible instead of rideshares - can save 60-80% on daily transportation costs

Visit museums on free or discounted days, usually offered monthly - saves $10-25 per attraction

Book accommodations outside the immediate downtown core for 25-40% savings while still being accessible

Take advantage of happy hour specials at restaurants and bars - typically 30-50% off food and drinks

Pack snacks and drinks for sightseeing days to avoid tourist area markups of 100-200%

Look for combination tickets for multiple attractions - usually 15-25% cheaper than individual entries

Only eating in the immediate downtown tourist corridor where prices are typically 50-100% higher than neighborhoods just a few blocks away

Taking rideshares for every trip instead of learning the bus system - can triple your transportation costs unnecessarily

Booking accommodations at the last minute during peak seasons when rates can be 200-300% higher than advance bookings

Not checking restaurant happy hour times and missing out on 30-50% savings on the same meals