When it comes to successful travel hacks, the internet is full of all kinds of weird things to do just to save a few bucks when traveling. However, nobody is ever interested in nit picking when traveling. However, when you’re planning a trip, it’s important to keep in mind only a few travel hacks that actually work. So let’s explore some of my favorite travel hacks that I have been using for a number of years while traveling all over the place.
In order to simplify things, we can categorize great travel hacks into 4 categories: transportation, accommodations, food and miscellaneous. Here are some tips and advice to help you make the most of your travels. Experts from Jooble asked popular travel bloggers to share their own best travel hacks with you. This way, you can learn how to save money when traveling. So here are the 10 best travel hacks from travel bloggers.
1. Be Flexible
Beautiful panorama of Pisa, Italy seen from the airplane
See my photos from Pisa, Italy
Airfare is usually the largest travel expense, especially when traveling internationally. Coming on top of the list of travel hacks for getting the best deal on your plane tickets is to be flexible with your travel dates. Try to fly during off peak times and you could save hundreds of dollars. Off peak mostly means traveling when school is in session. The cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Also, you can save money by flying into alternate airports. For example, if you’re flying into New York City, you can save money by flying into Newark instead of JFK. While in Europe, learning how to take advantage of low cost airlines by flying to smaller airports will save you lots of money.
2. Use Public Transportation
Modern public tram in Nice, France
See my photos from Nice, France
Continuing with transportation travel hacks it’s worth mentioning that large cities have great public transportation. Public transportation is usually much cheaper than taking a taxi and it’s a great way to see the city. Not only will this help you save money, but you’ll also get to see more of the local area and meet new people. This is a great way to travel on a budget and have a great time.
3. Book in Advance
When it comes to accommodations travel hacks, time can also be your ally. A great way to save money while traveling is to book your accommodation in advance. If you know where you want to stay, book it early and you could save up to 50% on your accommodation costs. Companies like AirBnB provide ways to search for accommodations when you’re a bit flexible on your days. You can vary your days by a few days, or simply just search during one given month. When you book in advance, you have a lot more flexibility to choose accommodations that fit your budget better.
4. Book Hotels that Offer Breakfast
If you’re traveling with kids, there are a few ways to save money. The first of the travel hacks when traveling with a family, is to find hotels that include free breakfast and other amenities for kids. Traveling with young children has a set of unique challenges, so feeding your kids early in the morning with a good variety of foods will put them in a good mood for a long day of walking and visiting attractions.
You can use miles and points to book flights and hotels or take advantage of discounts for families. You can also save on food and entertainment by planning and packing your own meals and snacks. With a little bit of planning, you can save money on your next family vacation. Online platforms like Booking.com give you easy options to only find places that offer free breakfast.
5. Pack Light
When it comes to packing, everyone’s different. But one of the most popular travel hacks for packing is to get in the mindset to take as few things as possible with your. The less you have to check in, the less you will have to pay in baggage fees. Packing cubes are a great way to organize your suitcase and keep everything in its place. They also help you maximize space so you can fit more into your suitcase. You can find packing cubes at most travel stores or online. Thinking creatively how to minimize your luggage will save you lots of headache while traveling.
4. Eat Like a Local
Thessaloniki, Greece – Cheese and meats inside a butcher shop
See my photos from Thessaloniki
When traveling it is not easy to avoid tourist trap restaurants and find the genuine, local restaurants that we all want. When it comes to food, try to eat like a local. Eating at local restaurants is a great way to save money and get a taste of the local cuisine. It not only saves you money, but it’s also a great way to experience the culture of your destination. Street food is often fresh and flavorful, and you can find some amazing dishes if you’re willing to try new things. Just be sure to do your research before eating anything questionable, and always wash your hands thoroughly. In addition to street food, there are often local markets or small shops where you can buy fresh ingredients to cook with. Enjoy your meal!
6. Buy a City Pass
The Eiffel Tower is lit up during the night
See my photos from Eiffel Tower
City passes are admission tickets to many of a city’s attractions, all in one ticket and which often represents great savings. This also is a one of the most successful travel hacks with a potential to save you big money. If you’re going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, consider buying a city pass. This can save you a lot of money on entrance fees to attractions. Ask locals about the places they enjoy visiting when they have time off. However, you have to read the description of the city pass to make sure that the attractions you’re interested in are included.
For example, when visiting Paris, consider buying a Paris Visite city pass for 1, 2 or 3 days. If you plan well, you can visit a lot of attractions in Paris and save lots of money on admissions.
7. Do Free Activities
Eisbachwelle is a popular attraction for local youth in Munich, Germany. The river Eisbach forms rapids and youg people can ride the waves with a surfboard.
See my photos from Munich
One more great tip is to take advantage of free activities. Many cities offer free walking tours, museum days, and other activities that can be enjoyed without spending any money. Also, check with your local recreation center or community center. Many of these places offer free or discounted rates for tourists. This is a great way to get active and meet new people. Lastly, take advantage of the outdoors! Go for a hike, do yoga in nature, or just take photos of beautiful buildings.
8. Buy Unique Souvenirs
Buying Scottish hats in Edinburgh, Scotland
See my photos from Edinburgh
When it comes to souvenirs, try to find something unique that you can’t find at home. Take some time to explore different shops and compare prices before settling on anything. Remember that if you’re not careful, those souvenirs can quickly turn into expensive dust collectors. Do your research ahead of time. Know what you want to buy and how much it should cost before you start haggling. Haggle like a pro. Turn it into fun. In many tourist destinations, haggling is expected and even encouraged.
10. Have a Plan
Finally, one of the best travel hacks and definitely the best way to save money while traveling is to simply be prepared. If you do your research and plan ahead, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that can cost you money while traveling. Planning your first steps from the airport or train station to your hotel can save you lots of money, especially if you learn how to use public transportation instead of expensive taxi rides. Sometimes however, especially when traveling with a group, an Uber ride can actually be cheaper than the local subway. Just do your homework and be prepared.
Having a great travel plan includes many times having some great tools as well. Here are some great travel apps that can help you while planning your trips but also while you travel. However, make sure you download any apps before your travel and take time to learn how to use it properly before leaving.
- Google Translate – great when you don’t know much about the local language.
- Google Maps – make sure you learn how to use it even without internet connection. This feature is always a life saver.
- TripAdvisor – great app for ideas and planning.
- TripIt – great app for getting all your travel document together. While this is great, I always print everything also, just in case my phone or app refuses to work.
- XE Currency – can be really helpful, especially if you plan to use lots of different currencies. You have to set everything up with extra bank accounts, so it might just be easier to just use a great travel credit card.
Use the Travel Hacks that Work for You
By following these simple travel hacks, you can save a lot of money on your next trip. Just remember to be flexible, book in advance, and pack light to get the best deals. By being prepared, you can focus on enjoying your trip and create lasting memories. I hope these tips help you save money on your next vacation. Safe travels!
About the author: Ann Bufkin specializes in writing career and job related content for Jooble.
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