Ever looked at the price of traveling and wondered why prices are sky-high? Well, the average family in the USA spends almost $5,000 each year on vacations. So it’s no surprise that the travel companies have their surge pricing holiday.
So when looking at how to travel on a budget, how can you overcome such a financial burden?
Well, if you’re wondering how to save money when traveling, keep reading. Let’s take a look at seven money-saving tips that’ll help make your journey lighter on your wallet.
1. Travel Out of Season
For many, traveling in-season is the only option. That said, pay close attention to things such as your kids’ term times.
If you catch the flights right, you can still save hundreds of dollars using this travel tip. Try traveling on a different day of the week or opting for a night flight.
2. Try Home Sharing Services
Home-sharing services are becoming more and more popular with travelers. In particular, who want to cut down their costs while they’re away from home.
Companies such as thirdhome.com allow people to rent out spare rooms in someone’s house when they travel.
The best part? You get to stay at someone else’s place instead of a small room surrounded by other people!
3. Use Cheap Flight Sites
Once a secret travel hack, now they are the knowledge of many. There are plenty of websites dedicated to helping you find cheap airfare deals.
Some sites even offer free tools like price alerts. These tools will notify you whenever there’s a new deal available.
Booking early means getting better prices. That applies whether you book through airlines or via third-party booking agencies.
It may take some time before you start saving big bucks, but it’ll be worth it once you do.
4. Avoid All-Inclusive Packages
All-inclusive packages are great if you plan to eat all meals during your trip. However, these types of trips often come with hefty fees for extras like drinks or spa treatments. So unless you need those extra perks, consider skipping them altogether.
Hotels usually charge anywhere between $10-$20 per person for breakfast. But sometimes hotels provide complimentary breakfasts to guests staying overnight. You get to stay at someone else’s place instead of a small room surrounded by other people!
5. Plan Everything Ahead of Time
If you know what you’ll need for your vacation, then you won’t waste any precious cash buying unnecessary items along the way.
For example, if you know you’ll need sunscreen, pack one ahead of time. Or if you know you’ll be visiting museums, buy tickets online beforehand.
By planning everything well in advance, you can avoid spending too much money on souvenirs.
6. Rent a Car
If you’re the type who likes to travel on holiday as well as the journeys around it, then renting a car often works out much cheaper than relying on public transport and taxis for the duration of your stay.
7. Time Your Exchange Rates
Keep an eye on the currency markets and make sure you’re exchanging your currency at the right time. In most cases, exchange rates fluctuate throughout the year. Thus, try to change your money into local currencies when the rate is low.
Also, keep track of how much you’ve spent throughout your travels to avoid any shocks.
How to Save Money When Traveling
When looking at how to save money when traveling, think smart about where you go and what you do. If you follow our tips above, you should save enough money to cover your entire trip.
That’s why we recommend keeping a flexible approach to your finances. A good holiday helps you relax, not makes you stressed. And always prepare for the unexpected.
Now let’s see how much more money you can save by checking out our other articles!