7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

May 22,2021

It's important to not go broke every time you decide to take a trip.  Here are 10 key ways to save money while traveling.

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1. Travel in the off-season.

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Traveling in the off-season can allow travelers to get the best flight and hotel deals. You will also find that tour operators will be giving discounts. This is a way to avoid large crowds, struggle to find accommodations due to low availability, and potentially miss out on an experience because many options are already booked.

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2. Shop and travel like locals.

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Don't fall into the trap of eating where only tourists eat. Immersing yourself into the culture of where you are can also be a benefit to your pockets. Local dishes often don't have the mark up as international restaurants or cuisines do. Some of your most memorable experiences can involve the food you can only get from certain places. All I can say is that there is nothing like the feta in Greece :). Take advantage of people who want to share their culture and be willing to learn and try new things!

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3. Use points or miles.

Hotel chains, airline companies, and credit cards almost always has a reward program/system. If you have points or miles available, try to exclusively stay at those hotels and fly on the same airlines to use or build your points. They can be great to use to get somewhere or stay somewhere for free or at a discounted rate.

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4. Consider booking a hotel or rental where there is a kitchenette and fridge.

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Not eating at restaurants your WHOLE trip is a big way of saving money while traveling. Try to find accommodations where you can cook. Having the ability to get groceries and cook some can definitely keep more money in your pockets.

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5. Be flexible about when you fly.

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Oftentimes airlines charge less to fly on certain days. If you are not on a set on a certain time or day to fly, try to be flexible. Look at the cheapest options for the time of day you fly, the number of stops, or your seat selection. Look at having a long layover or maybe even change your date by a day pr two. Letting the price determine the days you fly can be beneficial.

6. Set a daily budget.

Be realistic about your trip and budget and how much you can afford to spend each day. Try not to go over or if you do go over one day, recalibrate your budget for the next day.

7. When traveling internationally try to use the local currency.

Who really knows how to convert from the local currency to the US dollar other than the bank? Traveling with local currency can help prevent you from paying more because vendors or shops are using the wrong or inaccurate conversion rate. If you have to use US dollars, make sure you download an app before heading on vacation to check and double check a vendor's conversion math.

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