How to Save Money While Traveling?

Planning Ahead – When planning your next adventure, make sure you do so in advance. The longer you wait to book plane tickets and hotels, the higher the price. Look at it this way; the fuller the plane and hotel, the greater the demand for the available seats and rooms, which results in higher prices. Planning in advance is a challenge for travelers with particularly busy, unpredictable schedules. Booking six months in advance is great, but if you can’t commit that far ahead of time, one to two months in advance is always better than last-minute.

Picking the Right Destination – As stated before, booking plane tickets well in advance is a great way to cut the cost of traveling, but there are other things to consider. Airlines use what they call “destination forecast demand” when it comes to ticket pricing, so travelers should also book with demand in mind. The demand for any particular destination across the world comes down to three things: popularity, high vs. low season, and departure dates. To receive the lowest price possible, try a less popular destination during low season and pick mid-week departure dates. And, try to avoid direct flights ­– they’re usually more expensive.

Searching for Deals – The Internet is one of the best travel agents around, so search the web diligently for all kinds of travel deals. Sometimes airlines and hotels will offer direct promotions and discounts to certain locations as well as last-minute deals. There are also travel sites dedicated to finding travelers the best online deals possible like Groupon Getaways, which offer weekly deals on hotels, lodges, and resorts in the United States and almost any other destination across the world.

Choosing Transportation – Just because you’ve arrived at your destination doesn’t mean the traveling is over. Whether it’s getting from the airport to your hotel or looking for a way to do some sightseeing, there are plenty of affordable options when it comes to exploring your travel destination. If you’re staying in a city center, avoid taxis at all costs and walk instead. Besides, you’ll probably end up seeing more. Likewise, public transportation is another great option as long as you know bus and train schedules. And, if you decide to rent a car, go for a compact economy and save on the rental and the gas.

Creating a Cost-Effective Itinerary – Getting to know your destination city can also result in savings as long as you create a money-conscious itinerary. By planning activities in close to one another and your hotel, you’ll save money on day-to-day travel expenses. In addition, you’ll have a better idea of which attractions are free and which aren’t.