Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Montpelier

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Shared rooms in budget guesthouses, hostels, or basic bed & breakfasts in residential areas

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local diners, coffee shops, farmers market meals, self-catering with grocery store ingredients

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Walking, public buses, occasional rideshares for longer distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free outdoor activities, self-guided walking tours, occasional museum visits, hiking trails

Shop at local farmers markets and grocery stores instead of tourist-oriented establishments (typically 40-60% cheaper for food)

Book accommodation 2-3 months in advance for 20-35% discounts, especially during peak seasons

Use public transportation and walk when possible instead of taxis or rideshares (can save 60-80% on transport costs)

Take advantage of free outdoor activities like hiking trails and state parks rather than paid attractions

Eat lunch at local diners and cafes instead of dinner at upscale restaurants (same quality food for 30-50% less)

Stay slightly outside downtown core for accommodation savings of 25-40% while still having easy access

Visit during shoulder seasons (late spring/early fall) for 20-30% lower accommodation rates

Relying exclusively on rideshares and taxis instead of exploring public transport options (can triple transportation costs)

Eating all meals in the downtown tourist district rather than exploring local neighborhoods (typically 50-100% markup in tourist areas)

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak seasons (can increase costs by 40-80%)

Paying for guided tours without checking if self-guided options exist for the same attractions (often 60-70% more expensive)