Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Boise
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $70-165 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Boise
Accommodation
$40-80 per night
Budget motels, hostels, or shared accommodations on the outskirts of downtown
Food & Dining
$25-45 per day
Fast food chains, food trucks, grocery store meals, and local diners
Transportation
$5-15 per day
Public bus system, walking, occasional rideshares for longer distances
Activities
$0-25 per day
Free outdoor activities, hiking trails, public parks, occasional museum visits
Currency: $ US Dollar
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Boise
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Stay in accommodations outside downtown core for typically 30-50% savings on lodging
Eat at local food trucks and diners instead of tourist-focused restaurants for 40-60% food savings
Use the public bus system instead of rideshares for 70-80% transportation savings
Take advantage of free outdoor activities like hiking trails and park access instead of paid tours
Visit during shoulder seasons for 20-35% savings on accommodation rates
Shop at grocery stores and prepare some meals yourself to cut food costs by 50-70%
Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for early bird discounts of 15-25%
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Staying only in downtown hotels during peak seasons without comparing suburban options (can cost 2-3x more)
Relying exclusively on rideshares instead of using the bus system (typically 4-5x more expensive)
Eating all meals at restaurants in tourist areas rather than exploring local neighborhoods (usually 50-100% markup)