Traveling is a lot of fun, but can cost money – so here are some expert travel tips to save a few quid when doing so.
1. Get A Set of Packing Cubes
A cost-effective option is to travel with just a carry-on bag because it is usually free on most airlines. However, this is often easier said than done. That’s where packing cubes come in. They don’t cost much, but for less than $25 you can get a decent set that will help you save on space and fit more in your carry-on.
2. First Choose the Flight, Then Choose Your Destination
You should seriously consider changing how you search for flights to save on airfare. Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a comparison tool like Skyscanner, Momondo, or Google Flights to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airports. Perhaps a trip to Barcelona was not what you originally envisioned, but if the price is right, why not go there instead?
3. Housesit to Get Free Accommodation
Did you know that it is possible to enjoy free accommodation in exchange for house sitting? Websites such as Mind My House and House Sitters America offer house sitting opportunities for a minimal annual fee (below $50).
Many of the homeowners on those websites have pets that need TLC while they are gone, too, which makes this a budget-friendly and fun alternative to other accommodation options like Airbnb. Irrespective of where you travel, it does not get much better than living like a local and playing with pets. Alternatively take a look at My Hotel Break UK for amazing hotel offers.
Similarly, you may consider couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services such as the website Couchsurfing usually charge a nominal fee for signing up and getting verified for the purpose of safety, while others such as BeWelcome are free.These services also provide exclusive meetups with fellow travelers. If you are going to Arizona, there are plenty of cheap apartments for rent in phoenix az.
4. Set Up Airfare Alerts
If you would like to travel far and are looking to enjoy major savings on airfare, you should watch out for any short-term airfare offers on sites such as Hopper.com or even Trip.com. Such websites typically offer deals that only last a short time, which means that you must strike while the iron is still hot.
If you do this whenever you book a flight, you can save anywhere from 10 percent to as high as 75 percent. You might be surprised to get a flight that should have been $200+ for just over $50 if you set up an alert.
5. Visit Europe for Thanksgiving
The vast majority of Americans head to various domestic locations for turkey dinner. However, not as many opt to go to Mexico and the Caribbean and even fewer people go to Europe, which means that you are more likely to find flight deals to Bali for exotic Bali Villas, London, Paris, and various other European vacations you have always wanted to cross off your bucket list.
6. Travel Midweek
There is no specific day of the week when you can book the cheapest airfare, but there are certainly less expensive days to travel. According to experts, flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays is ideal because business travelers usually fly on Sundays and Mondays, which consequently drives up the cost of airfare on those days.
7. Campervans
A campervan can be a great way to travel around and also saves you a lot of money as you’re not paying for a hire car or a hotel. It’s often less than a hotel, meaning you save money on both aspects. It’s a unique and fun holiday that allows you to see beautiful scenery and turn on the engine and move on when you feel like it.
8. Buy Travel Insurance
Buying travel insurance might sound counterintuitive, but it can actually help save your bank account in case you or a member of your family either falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change vacation plans before or during the trip.
A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will be sufficient, but there are coverage options for a wide range of needs, which include cancel for any reason travel insurance (it’s exactly what it sounds like).
9. Use Alternate Airports
Flying from the airport closest to your home is always the most convenient option, but it also makes sense to compare fares from other airports, even those several hours away. You may actually pay several hundred dollars less to get to the same location, which makes the combined cost of driving time, gas, and parking a great investment.
If you can drive a couple of hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that might even be preferable. Not only can you potentially save money, but you are more likely to find a direct flight or route that has fewer layovers.