Traveling is a fantastic way to broaden your horizons and gain new experiences. If you’re traveling abroad, you get to learn about a new culture, language, and try new foods. When traveling close by, you still get the feeling of being “new” to town without feeling completely out of your comfort zone.
Going anywhere in the world requires a plane ticket, accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. These all cost money, but they don’t have to break the bank.
By following these tips, you’ll significantly decrease your traveling costs and avoid overspending. This will allow you to stress less about your finances and actually enjoy your time away. After all, traveling is meant to be fun and exciting, and it’s never too late to consider traveling alone!
Flights
No one likes to spend a ton of money on air tickets. With an endless amount of sites all comparing prices, you’re bound to find the cheapest ticket. Websites aside, you cant go wrong with these other helpful tips when it comes to booking airfare.
Always search for flights on a private browser. Prices will go up if the site recognizes your browser. Use the best sites possible for the best deals like ITA Matrix or The Flight Deal. These are websites that provide accurate and useful information, allowing you to see the price difference in leaving on different days, one-way, or round-trip bookings.
It’s always a good idea to book flights ahead of time, but not too early. The best prices on flights are usually found 45-90 days ahead of your intended departure. For another way to reduce your ticket costs, choose to fly out on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. You can even use technical tools to help you. Cybersecurity company ExpressVPN found that not only do airlines upcharge users on flights by tracking what they have previously looked at, you can even save hundreds of dollars on a flight from Frankfurt to LA by connecting via a Norweigen VPN server.
Accommodation
Most people value accommodation that is clean, comfortable, and user-friendly. Your accommodation doesn’t need to be extravagant, as you’ll hopefully be looking to spend more time exploring the new city.
Hotels can be quite expensive. It’s usually more cost-effective to look for short-term rentals. You can get a lot more value for money and stay in a space that is much more spacious and has more amenities. Airbnb is a fantastic place to start, where you can find all kinds of rentals at various price points.
For other budget options, consider hospitality exchanges, hostels, or even farm stays! These are great places to stay that are both inexpensive and a great way to meet new people.
Transportation
The cost of renting a car, taking a taxi, or Uber can add up quickly. Nothing is worse than arriving in an airport in a new place and unsure of where or who to get a ride from. Booking an airport transfer ahead of time will provide you with peace of mind and make sure you get to your destination safely.
There are a few other ways to get around on a budget. If you’re staying somewhere longer than a week, you may want to consider renting a car. Keep in mind, rentals are always more expensive at the airport so catch a ride out of the airport to find the best deals on rentals.
Lastly, there’s always Uber, Lyft, UberPOOL (carpool uber), buses, trains, or bikes. These other alternatives are usually always cheaper than a traditional taxi. To make sure of this, use the RideGuru for an instant comparison between Uber, Lyft, and local taxi rates.
Food
Most travelers are unfamiliar with the fact that food can be one of the largest expenses. It’s still important to spoil oneself and enjoy the local cuisine. When exploring the big apple, take a ferry across the Hudson and dive into the cuisines of several cultures from a few New Jersey restaurants.
There are many hacks when it comes to saving on food expenses. Bringing your own water bottle isn’t only better for the planet but also saves money. Shopping for snacks and some quick meals at grocery stores can avoid the constant need for restaurant visits. If you eat a bigger breakfast, it’ll allow for you to stay fuller for longer for the duration of your activities throughout the day.
Stay away from tourist attractions. Shopping and food are always more expensive in a high traffic area. To avoid being overcharged, explore areas that are quieter and less touristy.
Thanks for this great post! Definitely will consider these reminders upon traveling. Thumbs up!