Cheap Travel
Cheap travel and discount flights nowadays seems to be something unattainable. Traveling to new and exciting destinations shouldn't have to break your banking account, if you know a few but very important facts. I have put together a list consisting of practical tips to help you out in achieving the goal of finding cheap travel deals as well as cheap travel destinations.
How to Travel Cheap with 8 Stellar Tips
1. Create a plan
Leaving home and traveling spontaneously is good, particularly if there's an emergency. However, if you are flying on a very tight budget, it's best to plan in advance. I do not mean creating an hourly itinerary, but for the sake of practicality, you should have some approximate concept about how long you'll be spending in every city or nation, as well as the route which your new travel will take. Why is this important? Leaving less to random chance translates to less sudden expenses. For example, last-minute accommodation can amount to being incredibly more costly.
2. Fly out of season
Completely avoid traveling during holidays, for this is the well-known time that the travel industry commonly raises flight rates to take advantage of those people who must travel at this time of the year.
Conduct research on the ideal time for visiting the prospective location, and then fly only before or after such dates. This is known as the "shoulder season," meaning that the sun will not shine as brilliantly, though the trip itself can still be all right. Airlines and hotels normally reduce their rates to draw customers during the "shoulder season." So, use this to your full advantage to get a cheap fly.
3. Be accommodation-smart
If you want to save spending hundreds of dollars in accommodation expenses, exchange a costly hotel suite for a dorm room in hostels.
Also, sharing a room will substantially divide the costs. Consider using alternatives such as Couchsurfing and AirBnB websites to book a spare room in someone's home or apartment. This option will significantly lower the cost and permit you to get a genuine taste of real life in that city. You can even ask your host for his/her insider tips for the cheapest restaurants and top tourist attractions in that part of the community.
You can also stay with family or friends. Try reaching out to anyone you know or modify your plan of your trip to where a certain long-forgotten cousin or perhaps former school or college peer-friend lives currently; this can significantly reduce your accommodation expenses and you can explore new places as well.
4. Pack appropriately
Ensure you take with you all you require to avoid being forced to buy those things while traveling. Regardless where you are going, pack one pair of comfortable pants, warm hoodie, and a waterproof coat or jacket for an unexpected spell of rainy weather.
5. Book flights early
Particularly return flights, for running out of cash abroad with no guaranteed flight home is something to avoid completely. Know that airlines generally announce their available flight seats up to one year in advance. If you have already noticed, the nearer you get to the departure day, the rates go up more, particularly in the last month. So, book early enough to get cheap fly tickets.
6. Be savvy about how you travel
Choose to fly on a Tuesday. Why? Because while midweek flight rates are usually lower, weekend flights are higher due to their high demand. Plus, you'll move faster though shorter lines at airport check-in desks and security.
Also, fly economy; there is no practical need to upgrade, regardless of how pleasing Business Class appears. The money you end up saving on cheaper seats could be invested elsewhere like on food or lodging when you arrive.
Low-cost and budget airlines are acceptable for shorter flights and consistently provide discount flights. If you're only going on a weekend trip, pack light with only hand luggage to save money on hold luggage.
7. Use public transportation
Know that trains and buses are usually cheaper than flying. It's not complicated! Just do the math. For instance, a trip on an overnight bus or train means you avoid completely having to pay for one less night in a hotel or hostel.
8. Don't waste your cash in overpriced food
You could most likely purchase cheap lunches in any supermarket or small local food store, instead of throwing away your hard-earned money in an overpriced restaurant or cafe.
Choose to roam around a bit before deciding where to eat dinner as well; if you only select the first eatery that you see, you won't be able to determine if you are overspending.
Drinking beer with each dinner adds up fast; your wallet and even your waistline shall thank you later by drinking free water sometimes. Alternately, spare rooms and hostels frequently allow you to access a kitchen if you wish to save a few bucks by preparing your own meal.
