This Useful money-saving travel tips article will provide handy tips on spending the least possible cash on your holidays. Furthermore, we have taken information from well-known sites like Skyscanner to give you the best travel experience. So, if you’d like to learn more, please keep reading.
Plan your holidays in the low season
Prices jump considerably during the school holidays, Easter holidays, and Christmas. Consequently, traveling out of season will mean more affordable flights and less busy destinations.
Enlarge your travel horizons.
Booking the right destination can be the difference between a costly holiday and a cheap one. For instance, if you want to go on a ski holiday, avoid the glitzy slopes of France and Italy and try out lesser-known resorts in Bulgaria or Slovenia, which both offer great skiing at considerably lower prices.
Also, do some research into destinations where your home currency goes further. Backpacker favorites like Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam offer a reasonable exchange rate and the option to feel more relaxed when you’re there.
Be flexible
The price of flights can differ significantly depending on the month, day, and even time you travel, so do your research and be flexible. For instance, Skyscanner lets you compare flight prices throughout the month to see the cheapest days to fly.
Spoiler: Weekends are more pricey, so book your annual leave wisely.
Since COVID, many airlines have offered travelers fee-free flight changes or cancellations. Search for flexible flights to ensure you book a flight that can be switched if travel restrictions change unexpectedly, which can otherwise lead to unplanned costs.
Consider the long way round.
If you’re not in a rush to reach your destination, consider a flight with a stopover, as indirect routes are often cheaper. It’s also worth checking the various airports in your region, as one might offer a more reasonable fare. And lastly, you may also consider multiple-destination vacations. For instance, you decide to go to Marbella. And because the flights to Madrid are cheaper, you may also choose to fly to the capital, stay there for a day or two, and travel to Marbella.
Pre-book airport parking
Book your parking well in advance if you need to leave your car at the airport. And check out all your options – valet parking might sound like an expensive choice but it could actually work out cheaper than a short-stay car park, especially if booked in advance.
Beat the baggage fees.
Traveling light is an excellent way to avoid baggage fees. No matter where you’re traveling, you only need enough items to see you through the week.
Helpful tip: Buy yourself a smaller suitcase because we tend to fill the empty spaces.
Pack like a pro
Pack early so you’re not in panic mode, and put some thought into packing matching tops and bottoms (rolled, not folded), as few shoes as you can handle, and wearing your heaviest layers on the plane. When in doubt, leave it at home. You never regret the things you don’t pack.
Stay in local districts.
If your hotel room has a view of the Eiffel Tower, chances are it will be overpriced. That’s why we recommend booking a hotel outside the typical tourist enclaves. This means you can still enjoy all the well-known attractions during the day but return to the local gathering place in the evening. Not only is accommodation more affordable, but it will give you a chance for an authentic adventure.
Don’t rule out some package deals!
Airlines and hotels are willing to practically give away their inventory rather than see it go empty. That’s right. Airlines sell their seats at rock-bottom prices. And hotels do the same for their rooms. Why haven’t you heard this before? Because they don’t exactly go parading down the street announcing it to the world. Instead, they roll those empty airplane seats and hotel beds into package deals. When you book a package deal, you’ll get a reasonable rate on airfare and hotels, some meals, often guided tours, and some ground transportation. Look at a package deal and then try to book the airfare and hotel separately—the package will almost always be significantly less. Don’t believe us?
Eat like a local
Not only is experiencing local dishes part of the joy, but you’re likely to eat far better and save money. What does this mean? Well, usually, it means avoiding restaurants with a view of a significant attraction. For example, don’t pitch at a cafe next to the Colosseum. Side streets are your friend, so always try street food. A little internet research goes a long way to finding that fantastic meal for 1 Eur that you’ll talk about for the next ten years.
Your phone is a fantastic tool.
Your smartphone can not only make travel cheaper but also much more accessible. Some destinations (like Japan) often offer free portable WiFi to connect to while you’re out for the day. Usually, countries also have their apps, which are great if you need a taxi, as you can save a lot of money using the local service. So, your smartphone enables planning on the go and can make for some genuinely spontaneous, affordable holidays.
Save on foreign currency exchange.
Withdrawing money abroad can cost a lot in charges. Although using a debit card can be cheaper than a credit card, most banks will charge for each cash withdrawal on top of a commission fee. To avoid this, take out more significant sums so you’re charged less frequently and withdraw in the local currency rather than your own. Keep an eye on the fluctuating exchange rates before you travel, and order your money in advance to get the best deal.
Another great tip, if you’d prefer to keep your spending money separate, another great information is to take out a travel money card that you can load with the correct currency and a set budget. They are offered everywhere, and ATMs accept them.
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Featured photo: @da-kuk