Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Columbus
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $80-175 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Columbus
Accommodation
$40-85 per night
Budget hotels, extended stay motels, hostels, and shared accommodations in neighborhoods outside downtown core
Food & Dining
$25-45 per day
Fast food chains, food trucks, casual diners, grocery store meals, and happy hour specials at local bars
Transportation
$5-15 per day
COTA public buses, walking, occasional rideshare for longer distances, bike rentals
Activities
$10-30 per day
Free parks and trails, discounted museum days, self-guided neighborhood walks, occasional paid attraction
Currency: $ US Dollar
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Columbus
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Use COTA public buses instead of rideshare for daily transport (typically 70-80% savings)
Eat lunch at food trucks and casual spots rather than sit-down restaurants (usually 40-60% cheaper)
Visit museums on free or discounted community days (can save $10-20 per attraction)
Stay in neighborhoods like Clintonville or Grandview rather than downtown core (typically 25-40% lower accommodation costs)
Take advantage of brewery happy hours and daily specials (generally 20-50% off food and drinks)
Book accommodations 2-3 months ahead during Ohio State football season (can save 30-50%)
Use grocery stores for breakfast and snacks instead of hotel or convenience store purchases (typically 60-75% savings)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Staying downtown during major Ohio State football weekends without advance booking (prices typically increase 200-400%)
Relying solely on rideshare without considering public transit (can cost 3-5x more for daily transportation)
Eating only in tourist areas like Arena District without exploring neighborhood spots (usually 50-100% markup on meals)