Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Providence
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $43-132 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Providence
Accommodation
$25-60 per night
Shared dormitory rooms in hostels, budget guesthouses, or basic motels on the outskirts
Food & Dining
$15-35 per day
Food trucks, pizza slices, diner breakfasts, grocery store meals, and ethnic takeout spots
Transportation
$3-12 per day
Public buses (RIPTA), walking, occasional rideshares for longer distances
Activities
$0-25 per day
Free walking tours, public parks, free museum days, self-guided neighborhood exploration
Currency: $ US Dollar
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Providence
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at food trucks and local diners instead of downtown tourist restaurants (typically 40-60% cheaper)
Use RIPTA public buses instead of rideshares for most trips (usually 80-90% savings on transportation)
Visit museums on free admission days or during discounted evening hours
Stay in hotels outside downtown Federal Hill/Downcity area for 30-50% accommodation savings
Pack lunches from grocery stores when exploring during the day (saves $15-25 per meal)
Look for happy hour specials at restaurants and breweries (typically 25-40% off food and drinks)
Walk between nearby attractions instead of taking rideshares (most downtown sites are within 15 minutes walking)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Staying exclusively in downtown hotels during peak college events (can be 100-200% more expensive than normal rates)
Eating every meal in Federal Hill's tourist-focused restaurants instead of exploring neighborhood spots (typically 50-80% markup)
Taking rideshares for every trip instead of using public transit or walking (can triple daily transportation costs)