25 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Consider a stopover

Often, if you give travel agents a date of departure and a destination, they will return with dozens of opportunities. Many will disregard flights with stopovers because they’re an inconvenience. The next time you travel, however, consider booking a flight with a stopover; you might have to sit at the airport for a while between flights, but you can save a substantial amount of money.

Browse the web

Above all, the best method to find the cheapest flight is to do research on the web. High season or low, London or Timbuktu, you’ll find a ticket that’s right for you. Why? Simply because you have access to virtually all the carriers (and flight finders like Expedia.com and Travelocity.com) the world has to offer. You’ll be able to compare prices, find the best discounts and buy without leaving your chair.

Stay at a hotel for cheap

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you should also be saving on lodging. Like the plane ticket, finding a comfortable, inexpensive room to sleep in requires planning. Some research can be minimal, such as cutting out a coupon from an “entertainment book.” If you want to save more than a few dollars, though, you’ll have to work a little harder.

Search rooms online

Once again, the internet provides the best arena in which to find competitive hotel rates. Search sites like Hotels.com and compare prices from hundreds of hotels in cities all over the world. Booking on your own saves the extra cost of paying a travel agent for the job.

Ask about meals and promotions

If you find that your package includes unnecessary extra fees, phone the hotel and inquire about them. For instance, you may not want the Continental breakfast included in the price, especially if you’re staying in a party place and will be sleeping in past 10 a.m. every day anyway.

There are other important things to ask. Travelers who really want to save on meals should look for hotels that offer kitchenettes so they can buy cheap food from a grocer and take care of the cooking themselves. Also, there are often promotional deals that buyers aren’t aware of. Ask about them and you might get a surprise, like a room upgrade or a discount.

Ask for company discounts

It won’t hurt to ask your boss if your company receives any special discounts. Often, businesses that send workers all over the world have deals with certain hotels; even if you’re going on a leisure trip, it may be possible for him to hook you up.

Rent an apartment

One alternative is to avoid hotels altogether. We’re not suggesting you wander the streets like a bum; instead, think about renting an apartment. This could be an ideal decision for longer stays; the rental cost will generally be less than the price of a hotel room. Finding an apartment usually requires connections, however. If you like this possibility, start networking — who knows what could happen?

Stay in a hostel

Finally, the most effective way to save money on accommodations is to stay in a hostel. These simple places may be little more than a roof over your head, but they serve their purpose and allow you to spend more money on cool attractions and activities. Scope out the safe, clean ones on the web or ask experienced travelers to direct you to the right places.

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