I don't know about you, but I absolutely love to travel. It doesn't matter where I'm going or why I'm going there, the way that I am getting to the destination is half the fun. I consider it to be somewhat of an adventure on its own and, like many people, I pride myself on being able to find a travel bargain when one is available. As it turns out, I've been missing a lot of bargains along the way but fortunately, these 11 tips are here to help make the difference in how much you are spending. If you were to ask anyone about how to save money when traveling, who would you ask? Would it be a travel agent, a good friend or perhaps somebody who travels frequently? The best person to ask when you want to save money on traveling is somebody who actually works in the industry, such as an airline stewardess. They would know the ins and the outs of how to save money when getting from here to there because they go from here to there with hundreds of people on a daily basis.
The following 11 travel tips come from those who understand the inner workings of the entire travel engine. It doesn't matter if you're trying to get away for business, for pleasure or even for an emergency, these tips will help you to keep as much money in your pocket as you possibly can.
1. Tuesday's Rule
If you're going to be traveling by air, it is important that you travel either on Tuesday or on Wednesday. These are the best days of the week to find a cheap flight. Most people tend to travel later in the week or over the weekend and because of the demand, the prices go much higher. Opt for a Tuesday or a Wednesday and save money.
Is the Tuesday traveling tip backed by any hard science? Yes it is, and there are even some news outlets that are reporting it is best time to find a great deal. You see, airlines use algorithms when they are determining prices and if the availability is high, prices are going to be lower.
You may also want to check out one of the travel apps that are downloadable. They can help you to get best cost on your flight.
You should also continue to scan for new prices and when the price is right, grab it! Those low prices tend to go very quickly.
2. Shoulder the Season
Many people tend to overlook this but trips to Europe don't often take place in the middle of the winter. If you are traveling for a specific day of the year or to get around your own schedule, you may want to try going to your destination in the off-season.
When would you like to go on a cruise? Most people would want to go when it is warm outside but that means you're going to pay a higher price. If you want to go to a specific location, try going during an off-season and you will find a bargain.
Most travel seasons tend to be very specific but there is also something known as a shoulder season. This is the time that falls between the slowest time for travel to an area and the busiest time. You don't miss out on either of the benefits, including the low price.
3. Be Impulsive
If you just want to get away for a quick escape, you may need to be a little bit impulsive and somewhat flexible.
At one time, you could simply walk up to the ticket counter and grab an undersold flight for a bargain. It was the perfect chance for a vacation, provided you didn't care about the destination.
Today, the majority of the flights are overbooked so last-minute flights are hard to come by and may be expensive. That doesn't mean that you are completely out of luck.
Sign up for the email list of all of your favorite airlines. If they have any last-minute specials available, they are probably going to send an email out about it. You can also check on one of the cheap travel sites for more information.
If you really want to increase your odds of getting a bargain, try traveling to a less popular city. There are plenty of beautiful areas that you can travel to that are near to those popular cities but they are much less expensive.
4. No Hotels
Everyone likes staying in a hotel but there are new options available today that you would want to consider.
For example, you can use a short-term home rental rather than booking a hotel room and you can even stay with a large party when you do so. Almost every major city will have a small website associated with it that helps you to rent when you're traveling. Do some research and save money.
Home sharing apps are also quite popular and it can help you to stay in another area for free. You will have to care for their home and their pets, but most people are willing to do so for the chance for cheap travel.
There are many benefits to swapping homes for travel. You can make your own meals, stay for free and you get all of the comforts of home.
Many sites are available to set up these accommodations and swap homes. If you were to pay for these vacation locations out right, it would cost you an arm and a leg.
5. Ditch the Plane
Be sure to talk to the gate attendance about any possible wiggle room that you have in your travel plans. If they need volunteers to miss the flight, you will be first on your list. Sometimes you can score big with free flights and perhaps even cash.
When it is necessary for people to switch flights, there is a bit of panic that takes place behind the scenes. As long as you're willing to sit at the airport and wait for your new flight, you will have a nice bonus to show for it.
Be aware that airlines do have the right to remove any passenger from the flight, but if you ask in advance, you might just score.
6. Pack Your Own Food
Although munching on a candy bar may not be as good as that airport breakfast food, it can save you a lot of money. You're going to pay a premium price for airport food, just as you would for paying at a theme park or sporting event. Make yourself a meal and bring it with you.
You can bring some types of food through security, especially if you have kids. It is going to save you a lot of money if you make your kids a powdered drink at the airport rather than buying them a Starbucks.
What about stopping at your local sub shop and picking up a hoagie so that you can eat it at the airport? You can even save half of it for the flight and save money in that way as well.
After you arrive at your destination, look for a grocery store and pick up something you can make for yourself. You will save a fortune.
7. Stay Hydrated
You can't take food or any liquid through security but you can bring an empty water bottle. Simply fill it up at a drink station or water fountain once you are on the inside.
Dehydration can be a serious problem when you are flying. You are breathing recycled air and the altitude can dry you out quickly. Keep hydrated and save a lot of money on bottled water at the same time.
8. Learn Your Way around
Let's face it, nobody wants to pick you up at the airport. It's a hassle, so don't even bother asking. If you want to save them the hassle and save your friendship, look for some public transportation.
If public transportation isn't easily available, you can call Uber and save some money compared to a taxi. Make sure you check with local regulations to see if you can get picked up by Uber or not.
Take the time to research the destination before you get there, including schedules for buses, trains and any other type of transportation. Use the subway or bus rather than a taxi and if you're up to it, you can always walk.
9. Extreme Couponing
You would probably be surprised with all of the different coupons that are available. Look for coupons that can be used by first-time customers. They can be found on LivingSocial or Groupon.
Don't forget to search the hashtags on Instagram when you are at your location. You will find options for food that look good and may land you a deal.
10. Direct Booking
Most people tend to look for a cheap price through a third-party application but you may get a better deal if you book directly. Look for the cheaper deal on the app first and then check out the airline website.
These are the tips that are really going to save you money on vacation and when you use them, you can travel in style and on a budget.
H/T: Fashion Beans
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