If traveling is high on your bucket list, don’t let limited funds stop you.
I’ve been traveling frequently since I was 18 (snacking on musubi after surfing in Hawaii where I lived for four months, tanning alongside the Mediterranean Sea in Amalfi, sipping (or downing, depending on the day) Aperol Spritzes along the canals in Amsterdam, hiking to a secluded lake in Switzerland, floating down a natural lazy river in Mexico; you get it…) as well as being able to pay off my student loans & somehow still not relying on $20.
Over time, I’ve learned quite a few money saving tips to keep me jumping from adventure to adventure & now I’m sharing them with you:
Flights may be cheaper out of unexpected airports
Detroit is Michigan’s largest airport, but sometimes I find my cheapest flights from Grand Rapids or Lansing. I also make sure to check surrounding major cities like Chicago and Toronto when flying internationally which has often saved me hundreds of dollars.
Use flight tracking apps like Skyscanner and Hopper
These apps show you what days are the cheapest to fly and will even send you notifications on when the price on your flight either increases or decreases.
(Note: while I use these apps to check for cheap flights, I still book my flights on the airline’s website. This way I can earn points that will eventually get me free flights!).
Sign up for Scotts Cheap Flights
This way you will get emails when there are inexpensive flights (I’m talking like half off) from your closest airport to all over the world. This is the sole reason I went to Hawaii in the first place and have chosen many other destinations based on these emails. Oh, and did I mention it’s free to sign up?
Travel on weekdays and book red eyes (& even the occasional layover *sigh*)
While not the most ideal, this is typically (but not always) the cheapest way to fly. But look on the bright side, if you are in the air in the middle of the night you have one less night at a hotel to pay for.
Book your flights three weeks out
This is typically the sweet spot for lowest prices. Any closer to your departure date prices will skyrocket; any further beforehand you might risk the price dropping drastically in the future.
Sometimes flying is cheaper than driving or taking the train
I learned this the hard way when taking the train through Europe, realizing too late that I could have saved a ton of time and money by getting on a plane.
Stay in Airbnbs or hostels
When it comes to Airbnb, I actually prefer to stay slightly outside of a major city if possible to get a more local feel, plus a better price. If you’re traveling alone, hostels are your best bet and a lot of them aren’t as sketchy as people assume. Plus, you can meet some extraordinary people who are doing the same thing as you. Just be sure to look at the reviews beforehand.
When converting currency, use a debit card or bank ATM
They have the best rates. Avoid currency exchange stations as they will change you extra.
Watch out for tourist traps
Although they are nice to visit, these areas can be expensive. Look for free attractions.
I’d also recommend not eating right next to places like the Eiffel Tower or Coliseum. When it comes to food, there are often hidden gems just outside of these areas if you look for them (Google ‘off the beaten path restaurants’ or ‘eat like a local’ for cheaper eats).
Public transportation is readily available (& inexpensive)
I am a huge fan of busses and subways. There’s an added bonus of not having to worry about driving.
Get advice from locals
They often know where to find the best deals and can sometimes tell you how to get a local discount.
Grab your food to go
Instead of sitting down for a meal, get takeout. It’s crazy how much money you can save by not having to tip or pay for a table (yes, many places in Europe charge a sitting fee).
Look up the tip policy for your destination
Most places in Europe don’t expect you to tip and include it as a service fee instead. Make sure you know what is expected when it comes to tipping before you visit somewhere new.
Bring a water bottle
Save money & the environment with this hack.
I made many money mistakes while traveling (like a $40 Uber for a 7 mile drive) so that you don’t have to. Follow my advice and your trip doesn’t have to be a once in a lifetime opportunity!
