What if I told you that you could travel the world on a tight budget, which destination would you choose first? Travel hacking is the art of managing a trip’s budget and time without giving up the quality of your vacation.
Learn to plan and prioritize the things you want to do on the trip, so you don’t end up spending all your money on unnecessary expenses. You don’t have to be rich to travel; you can still travel cheap if you learn a few tricks that will save you money and going through much trouble.
Join a flight or travel reward program
Travel reward programs will help you earn free flights after flying a certain number of miles or spending a certain amount of money. They are not limited only to airlines, and hotels have them as well. They work by earning points through the program and choosing your reward based on the amount of points earned. If you are a frequent traveler, you may easily earn free flight tickets, or even accommodations in no time. You may also obtain a travel rewards credit card and spend the points during your trip.
Find the cheapest flight
International trips are usually expensive. Half the battle of not spending too much on your trip lies in getting the lowest airfare possible. Cheaper flights mean that you get to save more money to spend towards your trip. Many online websites allow you to check different fares for your trip using different airlines. You may reduce your airfare if you alter your itinerary by a few days. Also familiarize yourself with all airports present at your destination. Budget airlines tend to fly through smaller airports.
If you are driving to the airport for your next trip, consider parking your car in the airport’s parking lot. You may compare parking locations and book your airport parking with Parkos to make sure you are leaving your vehicle at a safe and cheap space. Airport parking is the best choice for regular travelers since it means that there is one less thing to worry about.
Find free or cheap accommodation
If you have family or friends at your chosen destination, you may ask them to crash in for a few days. If not, the internet is overflowing with hotel alternatives. You could try couch-surfing, where you find a couch or bed to sleep on for free during your stay. You may also book cheap housing via Airbnb or youth hostels, if you are a younger traveler. And since you will be leaving an empty living space, you might as well list your place with Airbnb. This way you can make money while spending some during your trip.
Eat on a budget
If you are staying in a hostel or a place from the ones listed above, which includes a kitchen, opt for cooking your own meals. You get to save a good amount of money, if you manage your eating plans. You could always enjoy a meal at a restaurant every now and then; just don’t make it a frequent thing to save yourself more money. Also, do the same for drinks; try to go during happy hours.
Choose cheaper rides
Ditch taxis and Ubers when you are travelling on international trips. Use public transportation to spend less and connect with the locals. It is a great travel hack, but many people don’t consider it. You also get to discover different routes and places you wouldn’t have seen while riding a taxi.
Do your research
Before going on any trip, search the Internet for places you would like to visit and things you would like to do on your trip. Organizing your trip beforehand helps you spend less. When you get to plan what places you will visit in advance, you will be able to keep track of your budget and adjust your priorities accordingly.
Stay flexible
It is tempting to plan the whole trip in advance, but know that last minute hotel deals and airfares are a huge money saver. So try to remain flexible and adjust accordingly.Travelling is always a fun get away from your daily routine. Planning and researching ahead will always help you get the best out of your travel experience. The most worrying part about planning a trip is always the money, which you can easily save through a few strategies on your next trip without sacrificing the quality.
Cheap travelling sounds very appealing even if you have a lot to spend. Learning to prioritize your trip beforehand helps you spend less on unnecessary items during your trip. Planning in advance and flexibility are key to cheaper trips. And remember that a travel reward program would be a great way to get your money back through earning points that you may use in the future while spending on your current trip.