Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Albuquerque

Accommodation

$25-65 per night

Hostels, budget motels, shared rooms, and basic chain hotels in outer areas

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Fast food, food trucks, local diners, grocery store meals, and happy hour specials

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Public bus system, walking, occasional rideshare for longer distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free hiking trails, self-guided Old Town walks, occasional museum entry, free cultural events

Eat at local food trucks and diners instead of tourist-focused restaurants for typically 40-60% savings

Use the ABQ RIDE bus system instead of rideshare for 70-80% transportation savings

Take advantage of free hiking in the Sandia Mountains and Petroglyph National Monument instead of paid tours

Visit during shoulder seasons (March-April, September-October) for 20-35% lower accommodation rates

Book vacation rentals for longer stays to access kitchen facilities and reduce meal costs by 50-70%

Look for hotel deals in the Northeast Heights area rather than Old Town for 30-50% accommodation savings

Take advantage of happy hour specials at restaurants, typically offering 25-40% discounts on food and drinks

Staying exclusively in Old Town tourist area where accommodation costs are typically 40-80% higher than other neighborhoods

Relying only on rideshare and taxis instead of using public transit, increasing transportation costs by 300-500%

Eating only at restaurants near major tourist attractions where prices are typically 50-100% higher than local spots

Not renting a car for day trips to Santa Fe or other attractions, making organized tours the only option at 200-400% higher cost