Traveling for less takes patience, and most importantly, determination, but don’t think for a second that you can’t do it each and every time you plan a trip.
This article will show you how you can travel for cheap anywhere in the world this fall. You can use these money-saving tips anytime of the year.
In This Article:
- Research Cheap Fares
- Be Flexible
- Know The Exchange Rate
- Get Sightseeing Passes
- Stay Near A Big City
- Book Free Tours
- Book At The Right Time
- Save On Food
Research Cheap Fares
The #1 way to start your journey to finding cheap fares is to research online. Don’t book on the first travel site that you run across. This step takes some real research.
Sites like Priceline, Orbitz and Google Flights are great resources to find cheap flights.
Kayak has a map that shows you cheap fares. So does Google Flights.
You’ll also want to consider whether you need travel insurance, which could cover you in the event something unexpected happens.
Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself against unexpected events, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Many insurance providers offer coverage specifically for travel to Rome.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is perhaps the most important strategy in finding cheap flights. It pays to know whether the timeframe you plan to travel is the destination’s peak tourist season or offseason, when things are cheaper.
If you’re locked in on a date and can’t change it, the likelihood is that you’ll pay more.
Know The Exchange Rate
If you’re traveling to another country which has a favorable exchange rate compared to the U.S. dollar, you can save money by buying things there.
For example, the euro is trending lower than the dollar right now, which means you can pay for things like food or other expenses for less.
Use this Historical Currency Converter to research how much a particular country’s money has increased or decreased in value.
Get A Sightseeing Pass
Some cities have what is called a sightseeing pass or city tourism pass. That is usually the cheapest way to experience several of a destination’s top landmarks for less.
Before you book your travel, research the particular city you’re going to and see what it offers where sightseeing passes are concerned. They typically offer bundled deals that are less expensive than buying admission tickets a la carte.
Stay Near A Big City
Tourist destinations attract visitors for a reason: They have the amenities, landmarks and infrastructure to accommodate travelers. The downside is that visitors will pay a premium to stay there, but if you fly into a major city but stay outside the city, you can save on lodging.
Of course, you’ll bear some expense to travel in and out of the travel destination each day, but depending on where you book your hotel, it could be worth it by a lot.
Book Free Tours
Always search for free tours and book early. That way, you get to experience the city on your own terms without it costing you an arm and a leg.
Free tours may not include many of the stops or features that a paid tour will have, but it will let you know what you need to pay for.
Book At The Right Time
Buying a flight at the last minute will be expensive. If you can help it, try to book at least a month out to get a reasonably priced fare. Anything within three weeks will likely be higher.
For lodging, Airbnb used to be the best bargain, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore. Hotels are increasingly offering flat rate deals that are competitively priced.
If you don’t mind living with strangers, CouchSurfing offers some cheap options.
Save On Food
One website that allows you to see what most locals are eating in any given country is EatWith, which shows you immersive culinary experiences.
Take Advantage Of Lunch Specials
If you want to experience a certain restaurant you’ve read about, don’t wait until dinner when the menu is pricey. Go to lunch!
The lunch menu is typically cheaper than any other time of the day, so that’s when you should patronize that particular restaurant you’ve always wanted to try.
Final Word
You can travel for less if you keep your goal in front of you: saving money. That means you need to use travel apps and other strategies that help you lower your expenses.
Here are cheap flights from New Orleans.
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