Budget travel is a necessity for singers. Learn about ways to make your travel affordable while still being prepared to sing your best!
What does a singer’s life look like? The spotlight, the applause, everything appearing effortless and glamorous. Whenever I post a performance video or photo, my non-singer friends flood the comments with “You’re living my dream!”
But what is a singer’s life really like? Countless auditions before a success; the grueling, expensive flights; the restless nights in a shady motel; the desperate warmup in a public restroom—all for a five-minute audition in front of a panel that may barely look up. Let’s be real, this life is for the ones who can’t imagine doing anything else, the ones who are willing to sacrifice comfort, stability, and sometimes even sanity for a chance to stand on that stage.
Audition travel is exhausting, unpredictable, and often downright demoralizing. But for those of us who’ve packed our lives into a carry-on and braved the journey for a shot at an opportunity, we know that preparation can make all the difference. If you’ve ever endured an audition trip or are gearing up for one, this article is for you. From budget-saving tips to finding warmup spaces when there’s nowhere to sing, I’m here to help you navigate the chaos and make sure you arrive ready to perform at your best.
Planning Ahead to Set Yourself Up for Success
Audition travel starts long before you book a flight. Last-minute planning can lead to unnecessary stress, higher costs, and back-to-back auditions that leave you exhausted. However, rushing into travel plans can lead to unnecessary expenses as well, like multiple round-trip flights when a multi-city itinerary would have been smarter. Early organization saves time, money, and energy.
From the application stage, track audition dates and locations using a digital or physical planner. Try to schedule auditions in the same city to reduce travel expenses. If that’s not possible, choose cities that are close together or easily accessible by short flights or trains. Once first-round results come in, update your calendar and keep a clear record of invitations. Since results don’t arrive all at once, wait until you have most of them before booking travel. This allows you to group auditions efficiently, find better flight deals, and ensure enough rest between auditions.
P.S.—Make sure to pack your audition attire, music binder, resume, and audition repertoire list!
Saving Money without Sacrificing Too Much Comfort
If you’re financially comfortable, investing in a stress-free audition trip can improve your performance. If your budget allows, book a nonstop flight, stay in a good hotel, and arrive early to settle in. For those on a tight budget, there are ways to reduce costs without making the journey miserable. If you’re auditioning for a school program, check their website for hotel and transportation discounts, as many schools partner with nearby hotels to offer lower rates. Some platforms also provide discounted flights and accommodations for students.
Budget airlines may seem like great deals until you realize they charge “extra” for everything on top of the “cheap” flight itself (such as the seat, checked bag, carry-on, sometimes even a personal item!). To truly save money, pack light and maximize your personal item. Store small essentials in a travel neck pillowcase and wear a jacket with multiple pockets for heavier items like chargers and electronics. If extra luggage is necessary, prepay for baggage online to avoid higher airport fees.
Hotels are expensive, but there are more affordable options that won’t leave you exhausted. Staying with friends or acquaintances, even on a couch or air mattress, saves money and offers a chance to reconnect. Airbnb rentals, hostels with private rooms, and budget motels provide cost-effective lodging for short trips. Sharing a room with another auditioning singer is another way to save, though it depends on your comfort level. Some find it helpful, while others prefer solitude to stay focused. If you’re not familiar with the person, it could feel awkward or distracting during such an important trip. If you’re driving, staying 30 minutes to an hour outside the city can significantly lower costs.
As a last resort, airports can provide a free place to rest, and sleepinginairports.net offers guides on the best spots, facilities, and traveler reviews. For frequent travelers, rewards credit cards can offer valuable perks like free baggage, priority boarding, hotel upgrades, and airport lounge access.
Staying Physically and Mentally Ready for Audition Travel
If you have an early audition, start adjusting your sleep schedule a few days in advance to avoid feeling groggy. Travel can be dehydrating, so drink plenty of water and limit coffee or alcohol. A small humidifier or saline spray can help keep your throat from drying out. Sitting for long periods on planes, trains, or in cars can make your body stiff, which affects your singing. Simple stretches in the morning or before warming up can release tension in your neck, shoulders, and jaw. Walking, using a hotel gym, or doing light yoga can also help. I like to do stretches and squats to keep my body relaxed but stable, and I always bring melatonin in case stress makes it hard to sleep. If you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs and an eye mask for better rest.
Pay attention to what you eat. Caffeine is dehydrating, so coffee may not be the best morning choice. Chocolate can have a similar effect. Avoid anything that can trigger acid reflux. Don’t drink water that’s too cold or too hot. Stress can make you lose your appetite, but you still need energy to sing. A banana is always a good choice because it is light but energizing. Don’t eat too much, but don’t skip meals either. At home, practice wearing your audition attire and shoes, especially if you are not used to high heels or dress shoes. Walk around in them so they feel natural when you perform.
Mental preparation is just as important. Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. I heard Denyce Graves say in a masterclass, “I don’t think you’ll ever be judged on your best singing; no, I think you will be judged on your average singing…. The day that you’re in your best voice is the day you’re going to be at home, doing your laundry.” That is the nature of singing. Our instrument is not always reliable, and we have to accept that. Some days will not be our best, and that is okay.
Having a pre-audition routine can help you stay focused. Meditation, deep breathing, SOVTs (semi-occluded vocal tract exercises), or a short walk can help center you. What you don’t want to do is keep singing those tough high notes repeatedly. I know because I have done it! It absolutely does not make much difference at that moment, and you will only dry yourself out. Instead, try speaking the text naturally and then in rhythm, switching between the two. It helps you to find the natural flow of the language and the connection between you and the character. If nerves hit, here is a trick I use. Touch something and come up with three adjectives to describe the texture. This simple exercise shifts your focus and eases tension.
Not every audition will go well, and that is part of the process. Some days you will not feel your best, and things may not go as planned. But standing there and finishing an audition takes dedication and courage, and that alone is something to be proud of. When you walk out of the audition room, leave everything that happened behind because you cannot change it now. Instead of dwelling on self-doubt, keep moving forward. Learn from each experience, take what helps you improve, and let the rest go.
Warming Up When Space Is Limited
If your audition venue provides a warmup space, fantastic! Arrive early to claim your spot and make sure you’re fully prepared. Unfortunately, many venues don’t offer practice rooms, and you might not have time or the budget to rent a studio. In these cases, you need to get creative.
If you’re staying in a hotel, warming up in your room is the easiest option. I know, thin walls make you worry about annoying the neighbors. Most hotel guests are out during the day, and as long as you’re not screaming high Cs first thing in the morning, you should be fine. You paid for the room, so use it. Sing out loud, stretch out, do what you need to do. If you’re sharing a room with a friend, just ask for permission. Most people are surprisingly tolerant, especially if they know you have an important audition coming up.
If you’re driving, the car makes a great mobile warmup booth. Find a comfortable position, sit up straight, and make sure you can engage your core. If you’re near a university, check if their music building has open practice rooms. Some schools let visitors use them for free, while others might have a doorman who needs a student to sign you in. If that’s the case, call in a favor from a friend. And if all else fails, time to get resourceful. Stairwells, parking garages, and even bathrooms can work in a pinch. Yes, warming up next to a row of sinks might feel ridiculous, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
If you’re trying to keep things low key, go for semi-voiced exercises like straw phonation, lip trills, or humming to wake up your voice without drawing too much attention. If you’re in a public space, gentle exercises like SOVTs will get your voice moving without making people stare. You can also speak through your audition text rhythmically or in different vocal registers to activate your voice without going full opera mode.
And if there’s absolutely nowhere to warm up, mentally running through your music while engaging your breath and articulation while visualizing your staging and character choices is better than nothing.
Making the Most of Your Time
Audition trips are also a great opportunity to network. If you have extra time in the city, reach out to voice teachers, coaches, conductors, or colleagues who may be available for a lesson or even a quick coffee. Many singers find unexpected opportunities by making connections during their travels. You can also take advantage of being in a new city by attending a performance, visiting a museum, or simply exploring a new neighborhood. A fresh perspective can inspire your artistry and keep you from feeling like your trip is just about the audition.
