Brilliant Hacks To Help You Save Money While Travelling
Brilliant Hacks To Help You Save Money While TravellingWho does not like to save money when possible? Traveling can be costly; however, with the right strategy, you can cut down the cost. Try these 16 tips on your next trip, and your wallet will thank you.
Travel in the offseason
Most destinations have off-seasons, or periods of the year when there is much less tourism. There are many reasons for this; however it is usually weather-linked: people who are only going to be on vacation for one week have a tendency to want to travel when they are aware they will have the best weather, so they can squeeze all their activities into the short time they have.
If you travel to your selected destination in the season when less people are going on vacation, things will be cheaper, from accommodation to souvenirs- that incorporates plane tickets.
Travel by rail
While we have been told ad nauseam for the last few months to avoid public transport after a vaccine is established and social distancing systems are put in place, trains will be safe to use. They will possibly be the cheapest and fastest accessible options for transport.
Start saving now
It is not like we have anything exciting to spend our money on right now anyway, so why don’t you start saving now for adventures in the near future? Frame up an automatic travel savings account with your bank so that you are not tempted to use it.
Be flexible with your flights
Some airlines provide excellent discount fares that are hundreds of dollars on certain days of the week, or in certain months (like those of the off-season). If you do not need to leave or come back on particular days, this offers you the freedom to look for flights using the Low Fare Calendar search features that most airlines provide and will show you the cheapest days to fly. Allowing price to determine the days on which you fly can be a great budget-saver.
Skip the extra fees
If you are okay being assigned a random seat, do not pay to choose your own. This applies for in-flight meals, too- it is better to bring your own snacks and water, or to buy something in the airport before you board the flight.
Another big money-saver is only flying with a carry-on bag. This will ensure that your luggage will not end up in a different city but will also mean you can skip paying checked baggage fees for each flight you take. As long as you have multiple flights on your trip, those savings add up.
Besides, if you travel with only one bag, you will be less willing to purchase too many souvenirs since they will not fit in your suitcase. That alone may save you a significant amount of money.
Remember that the best things are free
You would be amazed by how many incredible attractions and activities across the country are completely free. After months in lockdown, even the simple act of going to the beach or the park is bound to be free, such an adventure, and it will not cost you anything. Art galleries and museums are also a constant source of entertainment and are frequently free to enter. Do your research and do not be put off by something since it is free, and you will save more money on your travels.
Book a room with a kitchen area
Even though some people may not like to cook while on vacation, if you do not mind making breakfast in your room, go for it. Room service can be very pricey. You can eat-in for breakfast and lunch and then splurge on a fancy dinner. A fridge and microwave will also be useful in reheating justifyovers.
Cut down buying drinks at bars
If the cost of food was not enough for long-term travel, the cost of alcohol has to be added on top. If you consider that in some countries, beer costs $0.25 (Vietnam); however, in some areas, $10 (San Francisco, CA), there are very varied prices in consuming alcohol in various parts of the world.
Despite where you go, alcohol is not something needed for your body. Even though some people travel for beer, or wine or cocktails, or also consider alcohol as a form of exploring a place, if you consume alcohol every day, it can become a hefty portion of your daily travel costs.
There are various ways to avoid paying per drink at a bar; nonetheless, if you are staying at a hostel and there is a common space, rooftop or backyard, you can bring back a bottle of wine or six-pack (if the hostel rules allow it). In some countries, drinking in parks is allowed (Spain has this kind of culture, for instance), and you can buy your wine or beer at a supermarket or cornerstone and enjoy it outdoors.
Use a credit card whenever you can
Any time that you can use a credit card when you travel to get the best rate of the day and also to build miles and points. Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best credit cards to use when traveling- it does not have foreign transaction fees to save this way. Using a credit card when traveling gives you the best conversion rates, and you do not need to take out too much cash if you are using credit often.
Try Couch surfing or AirBnB
Sometimes, the places we want to visit are not near big cities with hostels to stay in. In these situations, AirBnB can be a wallet-saver. If locals in the region are willing to rent out spare rooms (or even whole houses) to tourists, you will find them on Airbnb.
You will find great results with the app on your phone, and even enjoy meeting locals in a more intimate setting. Frequently, AirBnBs in more remote locations will provide breakfast as part of the package, so you will not have to worry about eating out too much if you stay here. That is something you will want to pay attention to- if you can book any place to stay that incorporates a free meal, you will save yourself money and time as you travel.
For the adventurous, there is Couch surfing- it might be more hit and miss than anything you are paying for; however, there are success stories of travelers who have tried couch-surfing and managed to sleep on people’s couches and air mattresses for free while visiting a new city.
Become a world packer and stay somewhere for free
If you are a member of Worldpackers (which costs only $49 per year), you can spend a whole year traveling and never need to pay for a place to sleep.
With Wordpackers, you can apply to hosts in the destinations of your choice, and if they accept you, you can spend a few hours per day trading volunteer time for accommodation- and have a day or two per week to explore the surrounding region.
Whereas it does mean that you have a job to do, you have plenty of free time to explore and enjoy a new country- and more money to spend on other things due to the enormous savings.
Eat local foods
It can be very tempting to make foods you are most comfortable with, such as the ones you eat at home; however, the truth is that this can be more costly compared to learning how the locals eat and doing as they do.
Avoid the specialty stores that provide the brands you are used to and find out how the locals eat. Often, you will be able to find someone to tell you how to prepare typical foods, and they might even offer to teach you how to do other dishes as well.
People love to share their culture, so make excessive use of this and be inclined to learn and try new things.
Use student discounts
If you are a student, or you still have a valid student ID card, it will not hurt to ask if various tourist attractions will offer you a student discount on the price of admission.
For instance, numerous museums and places of interest all over Europe provide significant discounts to students in some areas, often when there is a University nearby, even some restaurants might offer students a discount on drinks and food prices. Just ask around to save a few dollars.
Just ensure you do not forget your ID card at home- you will need to show it to get the reduced price in most situations. You might even manage to score a discount on precise City Passes, such as the London Pass or Oslo Pass, that will get you into a long list of popular tourist sites and local attractions.
Create a budget and stick to it
Be aware of when to splurge and when to save money. Look for ways to save money but also treat yourself during the trip. Having a budget is an excellent way to keep yourself on track.
Do your research so that you can save money and avoid fines
This might be funny, but it is true if you are aware of the rules and regulations in a new place, you will save money by following them. Whether it is about driving regulations or open-container laws on the highway, asking locals or researching online can pay off.
Find creative ways to work while you travel
Traveling does not have to be costly. Consider working while traveling so that you make some money and pay for your expenses. If you are a professional, consider getting a freelance on sites such as Flexjobs. You can find some nice work or part-time opportunities.
