We’ve all heard stories of people who travel the world on a shoestring budget but still have an incredible time. Yet when it comes to our own travels, the associated expenses can be a significant barrier preventing us from packing our bags and setting off.
But what if you could cut these costs, stick to a budget, and go on the trip of your dreams? These ten tips for finding cheap travel options can help you achieve that.
Choose a Cheap Destination
If you know you want to travel but don’t have a specific destination in mind, searching for a destination with cheaper accommodations, food, and flights can save you a great deal. In 2024, some of the most affordable destinations include Hoi An, Vietnam; Cape Town, South Africa; and Mombasa, Kenya.
Travel During the Off-Season
When choosing where to go, also consider when to go. If you can head to your dream destination during the off-season, you can considerably reduce the cost of your flights and accommodations. Off-seasons tend to align with the school calendar, meaning fall and winter typically offer cheaper travel opportunities.
The trade-off here is that you may not experience the best weather (for instance, London and Paris will be colder during these months). But while you’re there, you can enjoy cost savings and smaller crowds in tourist hot spots.
Find Deals for Flights
Finding deals on flights is one of the best ways to save on travel. Thankfully, there are tools you can use to compare prices for different flight options, such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper. They allow you to set your flight criteria, track flight prices, and sometimes even send you alerts for price drops.
Only Use a Carry-on Bag
Packing everything you need for a trip into a carry-on bag may sound intimidating, but it is possible — and it comes with quite a few perks. Of course, there’s the convenience of not worrying about your luggage arriving when and where you’re going and knowing you have everything you need within arm’s reach. Then, there’s also the perk of savings since checking baggage can come with an extra expense.
Collect & Cash-in Reward Points
Travel rewards credit cards can help absorb the cost of travel expenses by allowing you to apply your points to save on things like flights or hotels. Typically, these cards will enable you to collect points while you spend money as you usually do. However, every card is different, so it’s important to read through the terms and conditions to understand where and how you can collect and use your points.
Just as you might go looking for a 120 free spins casino bonus to save money before gaming online, when it comes to travel cards, looking around for the right one can save you money, too. In the United States, a huge variety of travel credit cards are available, from general travel cards to cards from specific airlines, so you’ll likely find an option that suits your spending and travel habits.
Compare Hotel Rates & Book Well in Advance
Like flights, the pricing of hotel stays can vary drastically. Exploring the different prices and options at your destination can help you find the best deal for your trip. There are many booking sites and apps that can help you compare and contrast rates; Booking.com and Trivago are two popular options.
When booking a hotel room or suite, booking ahead of your trip can ensure you get a good deal and a comfortable place to stay once you arrive.
Consider Different Accommodation Options
Just as being flexible about where and when you travel can save you money, so can being flexible with where you stay. Hostels and Airbnb stays can be budget-friendly and often have options to suit different comfort levels. For instance, if you’re wary of sleeping on a stranger’s couch or in their spare room, Airbnb allows you to filter out shared living spaces. In either case, the nightly rates are often much lower than hotels.
A growing trend for affordable and comfortable accommodations is becoming a house sitter or pet sitter. In exchange for caring for another person’s home or beloved pet, you can enjoy a free stay at a comfortable place.
Get Tourist Cards at Your Destination
Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll likely have a long list of the places you’d like to see, what you want to do, and the foods you want to try. At many popular travel destinations, particularly in Europe, cities offer tourist cards for a small fee, allowing you to get discounted rates on tourist attractions and transportation. Sometimes, these cards may even get you free admission to a site or two or priority access to more popular attractions.
Get a No-Fee Credit or Debit Card
It’s not uncommon for credit and debit card providers to charge fees when spending or withdrawing funds internationally. Given how often you’ll be paying for things while traveling, these fees, though often small, can still add up to a significant cost. Before going on a trip, consider getting a card you can use without fees so you’re not taking on an additional expense every time you spend. A credit card that doesn’t have a foreign conversion (FX) fee is particularly useful to avoid the 2.5% fee card issuers usually charge.
Use AI to Make a Budget-Friendly Travel Plan
This last tip for finding cheap travel options is incredibly useful. With AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, you can create an itinerary based on your budget and interests.
You can also use these tools to help you find affordable destinations, flights, and accommodations, as long as you’re using a version that can access the internet and current affairs (these are usually paid).
Conclusion
These 10 methods for finding cheaper travel options can help you plan a trip that won’t break the bank while also letting you experience the trip of your dreams.
