Money saving tips for smart travellers
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that travelling is a money-consuming hobby. But with a little planning and research, you can save money while still enjoying your time on the road. Here are some tips for saving money while you travel:
Plan ahead
You know how people say that the journey is more important than the destination? Well, it's true. One of the best ways to ensure you have a great time on your trip is by planning ahead and packing smartly.
Planning ahead saves money. You can book cheap flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements before they go up in price. The same goes for booking tickets for events like concerts or festivals—you don't want to miss out because you're too busy planning!
Planning ahead saves time: when you're not scrambling to find accommodation or last-minute flights at the airport because you didn't plan ahead, then there's more time on your holiday for relaxing and enjoying yourself instead of worrying about what hotel room you've got booked!
Planning ahead saves stress: if everything goes according to plan (which it probably will), then there'll be no need for last-minute panics about where everyone will sleep tonight or whether we'll arrive at our destination safely in one piece...
Travel in the low season
Travel in the low season. The off-season is a great time to travel, as you can usually find cheaper flights, accommodation, and tour packages. You’ll also have more space on trains and buses, less tourists to deal with, and shorter queues at attractions – it’s pretty much everything that makes travelling easier.
The off-season is usually between April and June, September, and November. It’s also the best time to visit some places like Salento, Apulia, which are still reasonably warm in autumn and winter.
Consider all the options
If you have time to plan your trip in advance and want to get the best deal, here are some tips:
Check both train and bus schedules and prices. Often one can be cheaper than the other and both are probably cheaper than flying.
Use an online travel agent (OTA) if you don't have time to do it yourself. They usually offer more options than those available through a single carrier's website, they'll often find special offers not advertised elsewhere, and they'll be able to provide unbiased advice about which option is best for your needs.
Look for discounts for seniors over 65 years old or students under 26 years old if applicable; many travel companies offer them if you ask at the time of booking or check whether there are any special promotions running before buying tickets online through their own websites or OTAs.
Pack carefully to avoid excess baggage fees
You don't want to be that person who pays for excess baggage fees because you didn't pack light enough. The best way to avoid this is to bring a small bag for carry-on and fill it up with the things you absolutely need. If that's not possible, try packing as light as possible in your checked bags so you don't have too much stuff weighing them down and costing extra money.
Another option is to use a packing list so that there are no surprises when it comes time for check-in: most airlines will tell you exactly how much one suitcase can weigh before they charge more money!
Travelling doesn't have to be expensive.
Travelling doesn't have to be expensive. I've travelled around the world and seen first-hand that you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you know where to go and when.
Let's start with the most obvious tip: pick your destination carefully. If you're going on holiday with a view to saving money, then it makes sense not to pick somewhere that has an inflated cost of living and high prices at restaurants and bars etc (i.e., most European capitals). You can still have an amazing time in Europe but just make sure your budget allows for that! Picking smaller towns and generally going off the beaten track is a good starting point.
It’s true that travelling can be expensive, but there are many ways to save money. As you can see from the tips listed in this post, it doesn’t take much effort or thought to keep your travel budget in check. Whether you’re planning a short weekend trip or an extended holiday overseas, it pays to be smart about money matters and make sure you have enough left over for all those exciting things you want to do on your travels.