Budget Travel Tips: Learn How to Travel for Cheap!
When prices go up, thoughts of an affordable vacation go down. However, your dreams of a tropical paradise or ski weekend at a mountain resort may be within reach. With a little efficiency, organization, and flexibility, you can lighten your load and go easy on your wallet. Check out our budget travel tips to learn how to travel for cheap.
Pack Light to Avoid Luggage Fees
Always check your airline’s baggage fee policy, as most carriers have a weight limit and charge per bag. While some airlines charge as little as $35 for your first checked bag, others can be much more expensive, at $57 and up. Although you might be inclined to pack all you can in one bag, pack light. Overweight bags can be an additional $30 to $100 fee on top of your checked bag fee. Some tips for packing light for cheap travel include:
Get luggage that bends.
Consider a soft-shell suitcase or duffle bag instead of a hard-shell case, which is heavier and takes up more cargo space.
Be organized.
Create a packing list of clothes, accessories, and other essentials. Then check off items as you pack.
Pack mix-and-match outfits.
Opt for pieces that can be mixed and matched, so you don’t have to sacrifice valuable space.
Use packing cubes for compression.
Group similar items in the same cubes, like undergarments and socks in one cube, and PJs and bathing suits in another.
Lean on lightweight fabrics.
The lighter your clothes, the lighter your suitcase. Packing light for the beach is easy, but if you’re heading to a cooler destination, wear your heavier pieces on the plane and pack lightweight layers.
Instead of folding clothes, roll them up.
Store each piece of rolled-up clothing upright to save space and make it easier to see what you’ve packed.
Take a small container of laundry detergent.
Hand-wash items in a bathroom sink or do a quick load of laundry at your destination to make better use of your capsule vacation wardrobe.
Plan for the hotel’s laundry bag.
A hotel’s plastic, disposable laundry bags work well for transporting wet bathing suits and dirty clothes back home.
What to Pack In a Carry-On
A cheap travel hack: Pack more stuff in a carry-on. Some airlines let you bring a carry-on for free, while others charge a much lower fee than the cost of a checked bag. Packing a week’s worth of clothes in your carry-on is possible, but it might not be doable for everyone. Still, a well-stocked, expertly-curated bag is essential for a comfortable and stress-free trip. Make sure to include these items in your carry-on:
- A form of identification, like a passport or driver’s license
- Entertainment basics, such as headphones, a tablet, or a book
- Medications
- Valuable jewelry
- Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
- Extra clothes in case of overnight stays or lost luggage
- A reusable water bottle
- Snacks
- Chargers for electronics
- Mobile devices and cameras
Explore Travel Deal Websites & Retailers
Whether it’s last-minute travel deals, the best hotel deals, or off-season travel benefits, these travel deal websites and retailers can help you travel the world on a budget. Here’s how to get started to find affordable travel deals:
Sign up for a membership with sites like Going and Travelzoo.
Visit the site, sign up with your email, and let them research amazing flight and hotel deals—some at up to 90% savings—for you. They’ll send discounts straight to your inbox.
Book travel through wholesalers like Costco or Sam’s Club.
The beloved wholesale stores provide lower prices on select travel choices, like hotel rooms and cruises, thanks to their pre-negotiated bulk rates with a number of travel vendors.
How to Find Cheap Flights
You don’t always have to fly budget airlines to find some of the cheapest flights available. Here are some tips on how to save on airfare.
Use flight comparison tools.
Tools, like Google Flights, let you monitor flight prices for free. Visit the site, enter your origin and destination airports, travel dates, and any other filtered data specific to the flights you’d like alerts for. Hit “Search,” and you’ll see flight options and a “Track prices” toggle with your entered dates. Clicking this toggle will turn on price tracking. You must have a Gmail account to receive Google Flights price alerts.
Book a cheap flight when you see it.
Many airlines have updated their policies and now waive change fees, so it might be better to book a good deal when you see it and switch your flight later if you need to and the airline allows.
Buy affordable seats.
Airplane seats with limited legroom or decreased reclining capabilities tend to cost less.
Bid for an upgrade.
Some airlines, like Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic, hold auction-like services and offer unsold premium seats for rock-bottom prices. Airlines typically require you to have a booked reservation on the flight already. To bid, visit the airline’s website about 72 hours before your flight for information.
How to Find Cheap Hotel Stays
Hostels are a great choice for budget accommodations, but luxury vacationers can find affordable lodging, too. Top tips:
- Compare third-party sites with proprietary prices. Booking directly with a hotel or property manager can be cheaper than going through third-party sites like Hotels.com, since they take a cut of bookings.
- Think about vacation rentals for bigger groups. Instead of securing multiple hotel rooms, book a larger, standalone vacation home for families traveling together. Both Airbnb and Vrbo offer valuable accommodations for travelers.
- Sign up for free travel rewards programs. Many global hotels (think Marriott) have free rewards programs that provide member benefits, like discounted bookings and complimentary stays.
- Wait for last-minute deals. If you’re feeling adventurous, apps like Hotel Tonight feature heavily discounted hotel stays that you can snag within 24-48 hours.
- Consider booking through a travel agent. Sometimes, an experienced travel agent can work wonders in cutting costs for a highly anticipated trip.
Traveling Cheap with Kids in Tow
With our money-saving travel tips, you fully understand how to travel for cheap. Whether packing light, booking trips through travel deal websites, or finding low-cost airlines and hotels, you can afford a fantastic vacation with your family. Check out, “31 Parent-Approved Tips for Traveling with Kids,” to learn how to make the experience memorable and enjoyable for all!