Save Money, Travel Better

We all know that traveling can be such a joy. But, at the same time, it can be hard to enjoy it when you feel like you are constantly spending money. After spending summers away from home, studying abroad in high school and college, and using breaks to travel a lot, I gathered  a handful of tips and tricks on how to travel cheaper and better. And now, I’m sharing them with you. 

Tip 1: Finesse Ticket Prices 

One thing I was doing wrong before my trips even began was waiting too long to buy a flight to my destination. Now, airline tickets are either a hit or miss when it comes to the time of purchasing them. But, I discovered that I could track my ticket by always viewing it in an incognito mode on my web browser. If you use Google Chrome, just right-click on it and open a new window in incognito mode. Since you’re browsing in a private browser, the Internet cannot track what you are viewing. This allowed me to watch the ticket about two months before my trip, see when it was higher or lower, and then purchase it right when I thought the price was best. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars doing this and it helps compare to other airlines and the price not just skyrocket.

Tip 2: Be the Snack Supplier 

Now this may seem super simple, but it can save you tons of money whether you're in Europe or just on a road trip with friends. Always bring your own snacks. I am somebody who plans my days around when and where a meal will take place, so as you could imagine, I am always hungry. When I was studying abroad, I would put a granola bar (sometimes two) in my bag every morning before I left for a day of adventuring. This may seem obvious, but anytime I have traveled with friends I feel like we always had to stop at a coffee shop to get a snack and then we end up buying a drink too, and all of those side snack trips add up quickly. I’d also suggest bringing a water bottle with you. Whereas in the United Stated it is super easy to just fill your water bottle up at a fountain, sometimes free water isn't as accessible in other countries. Bringing your own reusable water bottle will save you money and protect the earth from unnecessary single use plastic waste. 

Pro tip: When traveling, planning=saving. Photo found here.

Tip 3: Plan for the Unexpected

Pay attention to the place you are booking to stay at. I will always pay a few extra dollars to reserve a room or AirBnB without being charged in full if something were to happen. Especially when booking an AirBnb, if I see that the host has available cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, I will choose that over the cheaper place that makes you pay in full a week before your arrival. You never know what might happen─take a global pandemic for example, which can turn your booking into money down the drain. So, while you may be spending more money, you also could be saving yourself from just throwing away $200 for a room you never got to stay in. 

Tip 4: Bring Some Company

Lastly, try to travel with a friend. I know solo travel can be super exciting because you get to do any and everything you want to do, but sometimes it is nice to split the cost of a room with another person. Meals can be cheaper because you might decide to split a dish. Transportation is normally significantly cheaper because an Uber ride split between two or more people can sometimes be cheaper than public transportation. So, whether you are bringing multiple people along, or just meeting up with others, traveling with friends or family can help lower costs a lot more than you would except. Plus, it is always delightful to have company with you when you are visiting a new place for the first time! 

If you’re thinking about taking a trip anytime soon, whether your destination is an hour away or 15 hours away, stay safe and be sure to use these tips!

Featured image found here.

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