How to Save Money While Traveling: Part 1
Few experiences rival the enriching, enlightening power of travel. Immersing ourselves in other cultures expands our understanding of our place in the world, and seeing the earth’s most beautiful places fills us with inspiration and awe.
Even so, many people only venture within the borders of their Pinterest boards. Believing that travel is an expensive, unattainable luxury, they leave the world's wonders to bloggers and adventure show hosts. They tell themselves they will travel “someday” in retirement or after the kids are grown.
The problem with this situation is that “someday” often becomes “never,” and often unnecessarily. The fact is that, with a little bit of know-how, most Americans can afford to travel overseas right now.
Whether you’ve never set foot on a plane or are an experienced adventurer looking for more, this article will give you tips and tricks to save money while traveling. Let’s get started on making your “someday” a present reality.
Flights
Without a doubt, airfare is one of the most deterring travel costs. One glance at the initial numbers on a quick internet search is enough to deter most people from exploring any further.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be you. With some flexibility and the following hacks, you can find an affordable flight.
Book in Advance
If you can plan your trip in advance, you can rake in huge savings on airfare. Unfortunately, most airline ticket prices skyrocket in the weeks leading up to departure, and the last-minute deals you sometimes hear about are not guaranteed.
Booking 1-3 months out allows you to take advantage of lower airfares and also gives you time to search and wait for deals. Aggregator sites and booking engines such as Google Flights can help you compare prices and to notify you of fluctuations. Ticket prices rise and fall based on anticipated demand; you can always book and cancel an existing itinerary if a better deal comes along, but only if you leave yourself enough time.
Be Flexible
If you can choose when you travel, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare. Although you should shop around, statistics suggest that midweek flights often have a price advantage. In addition, taking a red-eye flight or moving your ticket forward or backward by a few days can sometimes reduce costs by 50%.
Traveling during the off-season is also an excellent option. Not only are airline rates significantly lower to draw customers, but other travel costs (transportation, lodging, entrance fees, etc.) are often lower as well.
Settle for Less
While we typically think of “settling” in negative terms, the penny-wise know of its positive outcomes for travel.
Bringing less with you on your trip can reduce your luggage to a carry-on size. This will keep you from needing to pay bag check fees. Additionally, purchasing a business or economy seat over first-class will significantly reduce airfare costs. You can also opt out of paying for food and drinks on the airplane by bringing your own snacks.
If you think you’ll miss out on the extras, remember that your choices allow you to reach your destination and enjoy your stay more fully.
Lodgings
Lodgings are another formidable travel expense. While finding and booking rooms at mainstream resorts may save time, the rooms can be pricey. In many cases, resort stays can detract from your experience by separating you from aspects of the local culture you might enjoy.
Here are some ways to find affordable lodgings to enhance your trip.
Airbnb
AIRBNB (short for Air Bed and Breakfast) is a great way to go when it comes to lodgings. With hosts worldwide, Airbnb allows travelers to rent shared or private spaces that meet the requirements of their stay. If you need a bed and four walls to crash in for a night, Airbnb is likely to have options at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. If you’re a digital nomad looking for a long-term stay with kitchen amenities, Airbnb can offer you bargain options. And if you’re traveling with Grandma, who is used to 5-star luxury suites, Airbnb has accommodations that fit her standards too.
The best part about Airbnb is that the rental spaces often encapsulate the culture and uniqueness of your travel destination. Why stay in the same Marriott-style room you could book in your hometown when you could enjoy a cozy cottage in the Cotswolds, a fully-furnished luxury treehouse in Costa Rica, or a cozy log cabin in the mountains? Since each Airbnb is uniquely designed and leased by its host, you can explore and choose whatever lodgings you want. What’s more, the hosts are as unique as their dwellings, and many of them are more than willing to swap jokes, share meals, tell you their fascinating life stories, or give you tips about local gems.
Don’t be surprised if your Airbnb stays become one of the most memorable parts of your trip!
Hostels
Hostels are another excellent housing option. Like Airbnb, hostels often serve as a liaison between locals and tourists. Management staff can often provide tips for local sightseeing, eats, and events. Each hostel tends to have its own vibe thanks to its unique architecture, interior décor, and surroundings.
Rooming options can vary from shared bunk rooms to private rooms, depending on how much you want to spend. If the idea of sleeping in a shared space frightens you, don’t let it. Most hostels are very clean and have secure places to stow your belongings.
Hostels sometimes have a rep for being for younger folks, but adventurers of all ages find pleasant stays at hostels. And while you’re more than welcome to keep to yourself, hostels are an excellent place for meeting like-minded travelers to join you on hikes or for a drink at the local pub.
While there may not be a hostel in every travel location, you will likely find them in most cities and many rural hotspots.
Friends and Relatives
While this may only be an option for some, you can significantly cut travel expenses if you go to a location where you already have friends or family members. Depending on how well you know your connection, you can stay with them and skip housing costs altogether. Of course, you could always offer to help them with some chores or projects around the house or compensate them with a small stipend.
Resorts
For trips where the purpose is to visit a specific resort, do your research to learn of any package deals or discounted dates that the resort offers. Wholesale clubs like sam’s club and costco offer travel packages to their members. Many resorts give discounts to senior citizens, veterans, and groups of specific sizes. In addition, there are often discounts, coupons, or other workarounds that you can learn about that will give you savings.
You can also make a resort stay more affordable by implementing the other tips and tricks on this list. By saving money in other travel categories, you can lower the total cost of your trip and truly enjoy your resort stay.
Location
If you’ve tried all the tips on this list but still can’t afford your trip, try changing your destination. Just because you can’t go to your dream city now doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy traveling.
Conduct an online search to learn about destinations with the lowest exchange rates or the cheapest airfare from your home airport and see what piques your interest. If you remain open-minded and flexible, you can find a trip to somewhere extraordinary that meets your budget.
Best of all, “different” does not have to mean “less than” when it comes to travel. Depending on the exchange rate, you can afford a luxury suite for a week at one location for the same price as a one-night stay in a simple room at another destination.
While we recommend keeping a visit to your dream city on your horizons, you never know when a visit to an unknown place may become a new favorite for you.
Assume No More!
While some valid reasons exist to defer taking a trip, assumptions are not one of them! As the list above shows, travel is something that you can enjoy before your retirement days; it just requires a little research and flexibility.
Trust us. The memories, inspiration, and enthusiasm you bring back will be worth the effort.
Want to save even more? Check out part 2 of this article to learn how to make the most of your dollars once you arrive!
WRITTEN BY: KATIE BARNETT
