I have been travelling for quite a while now and almost tried everything to save some money on travel. There are so many ways if you search the internet but on this article, I will only recommend 11 ways that I have personally tried and actually worked for me.
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1. PLAN 2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
Planning your trip at least 2 months earlier can get you a cheaper plane ticket. 2 months can also give you enough time to search for tour deals on the internet. If you book a flight less than 1 month before the trip, prices tend to go higher.
2. VISIT FREE TOURIST SPOTS
Almost every country has that tourist spot that’s FREE. Usually their national museums or galleries. If you have plenty of time and want to find more about their history and the works of their national artists, those places are definitely worth a visit.
3. ASK THE LOCALS (FOOD & SHOPPING)
Locals know all the good places to eat and where to buy the cheapest stuff. Make sure you ask the locals where to find them. Try to be more friendly and polite.
4. SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL ALERTS FOR GREAT DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Subscribing to email alerts for online flight deals and hotels discounts is a big help. It’ll tell you when the prices drop and when some airlines or properties are offering a limited-time discounts. Make sure to catch them.
5. JOIN A FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM
Almost all airlines offer a frequent flyer program so make sure to sign up. If you’re travelling a lot you can save enough points to pay for your next flight.
6. STAY IN HOSTELS
There are hostels that are way better than hotels. Just like the COO Boutique Hostel in Singapore where I stayed in. You don’t need expensive accommodations since you’re only gonna use them to sleep. You’ll spend most of your time exploring places outside.
7. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR GO TO PLACES BY FOOT
If you have plenty of time, take the bus or train or whatever their public transportation is. They are 5 times cheaper than taking cabs. You can also try to leave the hotel/hostel early and go to those tourist spots that can be reached by foot. It’ll be your morning exercise. But if you have limited time, try Uber, it will be 50% cheaper than cabs. One time I found myself walking for 6 hours in Bangkok and I discovered places that you wouldn’t find online or any travel guides.
8. JOIN FACEBOOK GROUPS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR TRAVEL BUDDIES
There are loads of Facebook groups which members are looking for travel buddies. Most travel tours offer discounts to group of 4 people or above. You can also rent a van if you are in a large group to get to different places.
9. CHOOSE A FLIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK
I have noticed that flights are cheaper if your departure dates are in the middle of the week. Tickets on weekends are higher since more people look for weekend flights.
10. BARGAIN (DURING OR BEFORE THE TRIP)
You should learn how to bargain whether when you’re buying souvenirs or when booking for tours. Before the actual trip, try looking for tour providers online and send them an email asking for discounts. You can get their email addresses from their websites. This always works for me.
11. BECOME A LOUNGEKEY MEMBER
There are credit cards that make you a LoungeKey member. Once you become a member, you will have unlimited access to hundreds of airport lounges all over the world. You can have your meals before the flight and will definitely save you loads of money. Airport lounges have actually become my third home. Check with your bank to find out if you are eligible to become a LoungeKey member.
“Work. Save. Travel. Repeat.”
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I hope these will help you in planning your future travels. If you wanna add few more tips, please don’t forget to leave comments down below.