Ask anyone who has traveled extensively, and they will tell you that one of the biggest expenses when traveling is transportation. Whether it’s getting to your destination or getting around once you arrive, transportation can eat up a big chunk of your budget quickly. But what if there were ways to save money on transportation? What if you could find cheaper flights, trains, buses, and rental cars? And how about saving money on accommodations too? In this article, we’re going to explore some of the most effective budget travel tips for saving money while traveling. We hope you find them helpful!
How To Find Cheap Flights: The Best Ways To Save On Airfare
One of the biggest expenses when traveling is airfare, so finding cheap flights should be at the top of your list when looking for budget travel tips. Here are our favorite strategies for scoring affordable plane tickets.
1. Be Flexible With Your Dates: If possible, try flying out on less popular days like Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. These tend to be cheaper than weekends and Mondays. Also, avoid flying during peak holiday seasons (think Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s) as these are typically the most expensive times to fly.
2. Use Google Flights: Google Flights offers an excellent feature called “Explore” which allows you to search for flight deals based on your location and then click through to book directly with the airline or a third-party site like Expedia. It also shows you a calendar view of prices to help you find the cheapest day to fly.
3. Use Skyscanner: This website compares prices across hundreds of sites including airlines, online travel agencies, and metasearch engines. Just enter in your departure city and desired destinations to see all available options.
4. Compare Prices Across Airlines: Sometimes the same route can cost significantly more depending on which airline you choose. Check out websites like Kayak.
5. Take Advantage Of Error Fares: If you keep tabs on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and other social media channels, you may stumble upon error fares where airlines accidentally list their seats for way below market value. These usually get corrected within hours, but sometimes you can snag a great deal before the mistake gets fixed.
6. Fly Out Of A Hub Airport: Many major airports have smaller regional hubs nearby, and often you can score cheaper flights by flying out of these smaller airports instead. For example, instead of flying out of New York City, check prices from Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP).
7. Consider Alternate Routings: Some routes may actually be cheaper if you take two separate flights rather than a direct one. Try searching for connecting flights to see if you can save some cash.
8. Book Early Or Wait Until The Last Minute: It used to be true that you got the best deals by booking early, but nowadays many airlines offer discounts for last minute bookings. Experiment with both approaches to see what works best for you.
9. Get Rid Of Baggage Fees: Most domestic U.S. airlines charge baggage fees for checked luggage, so consider packing light and only bringing a carry-on bag. Alternatively, look into credit cards that offer free checked bags on certain airlines.
10. Pack Up Your Points & Miles: Sign up for frequent flyer programs and use your points for flights instead of paying cash.
How To Find Cheap Train Tickets: The Best Ways To Save On Rail Transportation
Trains are another great option for traveling long distances, especially in Europe and Asia. Here are some budget travel tips for finding cheaper train tickets.
1. Research In Advance: Like airfare, train tickets tend to go up in price closer to the date of travel, so purchase your ticket as soon as possible.
2. Look For Discount Codes Online: Websites like Amtrack offer discounted rail passes specifically for students, while websites like Seat61 provide information on how to find cheap train tickets without using a pass.
3. Book Through Local Websites: Instead of purchasing train tickets through international travel websites, try checking local websites that sell the same tickets at a lower price. For example, you might find cheaper Eurail passes on websites like Italy’s Trenitalia.com or Germany’s Bahn.de.
4. Consider Off-Peak Travel: If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you might be able to find cheaper train tickets by traveling during off-peak times.
5. Split Your Journey: Sometimes it’s cheaper to break your journey into two separate trips rather than buying a single ticket for the entire trip.
6. Take Advantage Of Free Services: Many European train stations offer free Wi-Fi and charging stations for your devices.
7. Consider Alternative Routes: Depending on your final destination, you might be able to find cheaper train tickets by taking a different route.
Budget Travel Tips For Getting Around By Bus
While bus travel isn’t always glamorous, it can be an affordable way to get around cities or countries. Here are some budget travel tips for making the most of bus travel.
1. Book In Advance: Similar to train tickets, bus tickets tend to go up in price closer to the date of travel, so buy your tickets early.
2. Use Online Booking Sites: Websites like GoToBus.com aggregate bus schedules and ticket prices to make it easy to compare costs and book online.
3. Choose The Right Bus Company: While Greyhound is familiar to Americans, other companies like Megabus and Bolt Bus offer similar services at lower prices.
4. Pay Attention To Extra Fees: Some bus lines charge extra for things like checked bags or food, so be sure to factor those into your overall cost.
5. Bring Snacks & Entertainment: Since bus travel can be pretty slow, bring along something to keep yourself entertained like a tablet loaded with movies or a good book.
6. Use Public Transportation When Arriving At Your Destination: Instead of renting a car or hailing a taxi, use public transportation to get to your hotel. Not only is it usually cheaper, but you’ll also get a feel for the local culture.
The Best Ways To Save On Car Rentals
Renting a car can be a convenient way to get around, but it can also be expensive. Here are some budget travel tips for reducing the cost of car rentals.
1. Shop Around: Compare prices among different rental car companies to ensure you’re getting the best rate. You can use rentalcars.com to search for comparison rental vehicles.
2. Check Out Local Deals: Instead of relying solely on large rental car companies, check out local businesses offering competitive rates.
3. Read Fine Print Carefully: Make sure you understand any additional fees associated with your rental car before signing anything.
4. Negotiate: If you’re picking up your car at an airport, don’t be afraid to negotiate with the rental company representative to get a better rate.
5. Choose Basic Vehicles: Renting a basic model car can save you a lot of money compared to luxury vehicles.
6. Return Your Car Before Time Expires: If you paid for a full day of rental time, return your car before the end of the day to avoid extra charges.
7. Keep Gas Tanks Full: If you’re driving long distances, fill up your gas tank before returning your rental car to avoid paying for unused fuel.
8. Don’t Buy Additional Insurance: Credit card insurance policies often cover car rentals, so double-check your policy before purchasing additional coverage.
Hopefully, these budget transportation travel tips will help you save some money on your next journey, wherever it may lead you. Happy & safe travels!
