Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures but can be expensive if you’re not careful. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to see the world. There are a few clever tricks, a bit of planning, and a few insider tips that will stretch your travel budget much further than you think. The best part? These tips work not only locally, but also internationally, so you can travel with ease and still have money left over for your next adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or taking your first trip abroad, the secret to saving money while traveling is to be smart about where and how you spend. You’d be amazed at the difference that small changes can make on your bottom line.
Book Flights During Off Peak Times
Booking your flights during off peak times is one of the easiest ways to save on travel. Generally flights are cheaper on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Don’t book during holidays or school vacation periods when prices can soar. Experts suggest booking tickets at least 6-8 weeks in advance to get the best deals, and if you can be flexible with your travel dates, that’s always the best option. You could save hundreds on the cost of your trip by taking advantage of these cheaper times.
Use Price Comparison Websites
Price comparison websites come into play when you are booking flights and accommodations. With Skyscanner, Kayak, or Google Flights, you can compare prices from several combinations and have the best deal slice without spending too long wishing. Price alerts are also available, so you will be notified when the price for your desired destination drops. These tools guarantee that you’re always getting the lowest price available.
Travel With Hand Luggage Only
It may seem like a good idea to pack a suitcase full of stuff for your trip, but you could actually save a lot of money by traveling with just hand luggage. Checked luggage fees are hefty, and especially so for international flights, charged by many airlines. Avoiding those fees altogether means packing light and sticking to carry on bags. It’ll also save you time at the airport because you won’t have to wait at the baggage claim area.
Consider Alternative Airports
Flying into a secondary or smaller airport often saves you a lot of money, and most major cities have more than one airport. It may not be quite so fast to the city center, but the cost savings may be worth it. Search a few airports near your destination, to see if cheaper flights are landing outside the main hub. Find that you often can use public transport or shuttle buses to get you to the very end quickly and cheaply.
Book Accommodations in Local Neighborhoods
It seems convenient to stay in tourist areas, but that usually also means you’ve paid a premium price. In that case, focus on renting accommodations in the local areas rather, if you have the budget, they’re cheaper. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have a more authentic experience that’s away from the tourist traps. Check for vacation rentals on Airbnb or on a booking site with apartments or homestays.
Use Public Transportation
While taxi rides and private transfers can be convenient, they soon start to cost an arm and a leg in big cities. You can use public transport; take buses, subways or trams. In many cities, public transit gets you where you need to go, safely and affordably. It’s also usually the fastest way to get around, avoiding traffic jams and delays. If you’re traveling cross country, there’s an app for that in the form of a local transportation app that you can download, and use to navigate the system with ease.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
Don’t skip free or low cost activities in every city! They may offer free admission to museums, parks, and hiking trails, or have ‘free days’: days the usually entry fee isn’t charged. Things like walking tours, local festivals, or street performances can be a lot of fun and won’t cost you a dime. Check with locals or online for free events happening while you’re there.
Avoid Currency Exchange Fees
Currency exchange rates are not easy, and the fees to take your dollars and convert them for foreign currency will take a toll on your travel budget. If you don’t want to pay high exchange fees, use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, or withdraw cash from ATMs with better rates. Remember that exchange booths in airports or tourist areas will usually charge poor rates. Another thing that you can try that includes using your bank’s ATM network rather than withdrawing from other banks that will charge you hefty withdrawal fees.
Cook Your Own Meals
Excessive expenditure on eating out on a trip especially in tourist hoardes is something that can eat up big chunks of your trip. Cook your own meals, or buy snacks at local markets to save money. The ones without full kitchen and some vacation rentals do not have full kitchen do have basic ones that enable you to make simple kind of meals like sandwiches or pasta or salads. Besides being money saving, it will also enable you to try local ingredients and flavors.
Travel With a Group
It’s great to travel solo, but if you want to save money, travelling with friends or family is an option. If you’re sharing accommodation, transportation and meal costs, your per person costs could really drop. Especially true for group tours, you can take advantage of group discounts. Splitting costs on activities, lodging and even airport transfers can free up money for other fun activities.
Reward Points And Travel Hacks Can Be Used
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Credit card rewards, frequent flyer miles, and loyalty programs can be game changers when it comes to saving money on travel. Many credit cards pay bonus points for travel purchases and you can redeem them towards flights, hotel stays or upgrades. Check that you are signed up to airlines’ and hotels’ and car rental services reward programs so you maximize your savings on your next trip.
Book a Place With Kitchen Facilities
Booking accommodation with kitchen facilities is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs when travelling. Simple meals for breakfast or dinner can save you from expensive restaurant bills. And you’ll have the flexibility to eat whenever you want, saving both time and money. You can have great street food even in places with great street food, but having a kitchen means you can enjoy local produce and keep costs down.
Travel Slow and Stay Longer
Try to slow down if you have the time. Flights and trains between cities can get expensive, and staying longer in fewer locations can cut back on the costs incurred in transportation. Plus, you have time to explore each destination thoroughly (especially if you’re staying somewhere longer than a few nights), plus many accommodations will offer discounts for longer stays. You’ll also save money on shorter trips where multiple changes of accommodation and flights can often add up.
Avoid Unnecessary Souvenirs
It’s easy to want to take home souvenirs for friends and family, but those little trinkets can quickly add up. Rather than getting souvenirs on every trip, how about taking photos and collecting free keepsakes like postcards? Meaningful and they cost no money. The overpriced tchotchke will not pay for your memories.
Book Activities in Advance
Book tours or experiences that you know you want to do in advance if you know. Most of the tourist attraction websites provide their discounts if you book online or with early reservation. And it’s a way to avoid last minute splurges. It helps you to stick to your budget and usually means you will get a better deal than if you buy tickets onsite.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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