Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Cleveland
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $55-140 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Cleveland
Accommodation
$25-60 per night
Hostels, budget motels, shared accommodations in downtown or near universities
Food & Dining
$15-35 per day
Fast food, food trucks, casual diners, grocery store meals, happy hour specials
Transportation
$5-15 per day
Public buses (RTA), walking, occasional rideshares for longer distances
Activities
$10-30 per day
Free museums on certain days, parks, self-guided tours, occasional paid attractions
Currency: $ US Dollar
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Cleveland
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Use RTA public buses instead of rideshares for transportation - typically 80-90% cheaper
Eat at local diners and food trucks rather than tourist-area restaurants - usually 40-60% less expensive
Visit free attractions like parks, lakefront areas, and museums on free admission days
Stay in neighborhoods like Ohio City or Tremont instead of downtown core for 20-40% accommodation savings
Take advantage of happy hour specials at local breweries - typically 25-50% off food and drinks
Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for 15-30% lower rates
Use grocery stores for breakfast and snacks instead of restaurant meals for every meal
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Relying entirely on rideshares instead of learning the public bus system - can triple transportation costs
Eating only in downtown tourist areas instead of exploring local neighborhoods - typically 50-100% markup
Booking last-minute accommodations during major events like Browns games - can increase costs by 200-400%
Not checking for free museum days and community events - missing opportunities to save $15-25 per attraction