The Ultimate List of Cheap Travel Hacks (Save Hundreds)

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Budget Travel Hacks, Tips & Tricks

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, traveling costs way more than we’d like. Some cheap travel hacks can considerably soften the blow though!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

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Traveling is expensive! That’s a fact! And it’s forecasted to hike up even further, due to the effects of inflation and rising global costs. But yet we love it!

Traveling is a socially accepted, addictive drug. It’s basically like coffee. Only a thousand times more expensive and a million times more exhilarating. And we just can’t get enough of it!

The average one-week vacation currently costs just shy of $2,000 per person, in the United States. That’s almost $8K for a family of 4 to travel within the US. It costs more if you’re venturing abroad. Crazy right?!

Get this; the average business trip costs around the same! It’s no surprise that the global Travel and Tourism industry is currently on the verge of crossing $1 trillion USD in annual revenue.

How about we help you keep a couple grand in your pocket this year? They probably won’t miss it. Let’s discuss!

Cheap Travel Hacks to Save Hundreds of Dollars

You’d be surprised at how much money you could save by making certain basic changes to how you approach traveling and travel planning. These are the proven frugal travel tips that we swear by:

1. Save Money with Reliable Luggage

Cheapest is not always the best! Especially when it comes to your luggage! Frugal living is about getting the best value for your money. Not buying the lowest priced item initially and blowing away even more money over time… That’s just foolish!

Obviously, you also want to take care of your personal possessions, that you already paid for, to the best of your ability. This is a no-brainer!

A cheap suitcase typically lasts about 3 – 5 trips before it starts falling apart. If you’re a frequent traveler, or you plan on having your luggage last more than a couple years, you need to get some decent quality luggage!

High quality luggage like the ones from Level8 will last you a lifetime! As a matter of fact, they are so good, they actually come with a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles and zippers. These components are literally the first things that fall apart on cheap luggage, after a couple uses.

Level8 stands by their products 100%. Their suitcases, carry-ons and other baggage options are ultra-durable, high quality, reliable, stylish, light weight…and they are super affordable! That’s as good as it gets.

I’ve seen suitcases bust open on the airport carousel already. I’ve also seen them fall apart when being taken out of the plane’s luggage compartment. I’ve even seen them split open on the side of the road, while being taken out of a car, spewing unmentionables everywhere.

Don’t be that person! It’s not worth the risk! Save money by safeguarding your possessions and saving on long term baggage costs. For regular travelers, we’re talking about saving a substantial amount of money (and potential embarrassment) over a period of time!

Be smart and get yourself some reliable luggage from Level8! Use our exclusive discount code TFMG10 at checkout for a whopping 10% off!

2. Save on Accommodation Costs / Find Cheap Hotels

Unless you genuinely have your heart set on a particular hotel or resort, this is what you should do:

i. Compare rates for hotels, Airbnb options, resorts and other alternatives.

ii. Check out reviews and make an informed decision instead of rushing to the first shiny option that you see.

iii. Consider staying a bit farther away from popular destinations.

Once you apply these strategies, you’d be pleasantly surprised by how much cheaper your accommodations work out to be, while still enjoying a high quality experience.

3. Meal Plan

If you are looking to save money, you need to manage your food budget. Food can cost thousands if you eat out at fancy restaurants all the time. To be honest, eating at fast food restaurants isn’t that much cheaper either.

You need to balance table service with frugal meals. Check out these delicious, ready-to-go, no-cook meal options, that work out to be $1 per person per meal. Be sure to add them to your travel meal plan!

4. Travel in Non-Peak Times if Possible

Generally, any time after a major holiday event or upon the resumption of school, after the various end of semester breaks. These are great times to score on better travel prices. Mid-January and September are known to be the cheapest times of the year.

These are typically slower periods for travel so you can enjoy:

i. Cheaper flight tickets.

ii. Lower entry fees to popular attractions.

iii. Lower hotel rates.

5. Rank & Prioritize Entertainment Options

You don’t need to go to every park, concert or event in the city that you are traveling to. Set a budget and prioritize events accordingly. Do what you must and omit what you don’t really care for.

6. Buy Cheap Flights

There are several budget travel hacks to ensure that you score with cheap flights. Try these:

i. Book in Advance

As your travel date gets closer, flight prices tend to increase. Book as early as possible.

ii. Use a VPN when Booking

Depending on your location, flight prices may cost a bit more. If you are booking from outside of the United States, it may be worth it to turn on a US based virtual private network (VPN) or search “in-private” or “incognito”.

iii. Review Route Options

Consider different options to get to your destination. A layover may be worth it to score some cheaper flight tickets.

iv. Compare Prices from Vendors

There are dozens of reputable travel agencies out there. Consider costs from online options such as Kayak, Expedia, Booking.com, etc.

Then weigh these against the options at a physical travel agency. These actually still exist and many of them have special rates based on direct partnerships with the various airlines. You can also call the airline directly to compare prices.

v. Be Decisive

Once you’ve decided to travel, pull some options up and don’t close off your browser tabs until you pick one. I’ve heard of persons logging off and then back on, only to be faced with higher prices.

The thinking is that sites monitor your IP address and a return customer is someone who finally made up their mind and is ready to book. And agencies try to exploit this. This could just be conspiracy theory but I wouldn’t take the risk.

vi. Travel Mid-Week

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be cheaper days to travel as compared to weekend days.

vii. Be Flexible with Your Dates if Possible

Traveling a day or two before or after you need to be in a particular city, could save you a fortune. The additional cost of food and accommodation could work out to be insignificant as compared to the flight ticket savings.

viii. Mix in Other Modes of Transport to Save

Maybe you do not need to take a direct flight from City A to City C. What if you drove, “Ubered” or took the bus or train / metro to City B and then on to City C from there. Consider all options out there!

ix. Consider Budget Airlines

Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier offer significantly lower prices than the other airlines. Obviously there is a big trade off in terms of comfort, reliability and overall ease of travel. However, it’s still something to consider if you really want to save money.

7. Plan What You Need to Pack

Depending on where you are traveling to, certain products or services may be more expensive at your destination. Think about what you need to take along or what you need to get done and plan accordingly.

Be sure to take along your essential personal appliances like trimmers, hair curlers, and specific products or toiletries. Or it may be worth it to get your hair and nails done before you travel, as opposed to when you get there.

8. Review Transport Options Around Your Destination

Depending on where you go, you’d need to figure out the most convenient and cost effective means of getting around. Consider each and compare costs!

i. Rental Vehicles

ii. Uber / Lyft

iii. Taxis

iv. Public Transport

There are several different companies that operate within each of the above categories. Review each of them before selecting a final option as well.

When it comes to rental vehicles, review the fine print such as toll coverage, fuel coverage, insurance coverage, and pick the best overall option. Do not go with just the lowest price per day!

9. Use Coupons / Deals / Discounts

Look for deals and discounted prices whenever you can. For example, if you know you want to book a vacation well in advance, it may be worth it to jump on Black Friday deals or various promotions during the year. Keep your eyes out!

As far as making purchases while on your trip, be sure to use cash back and discount sites like Rakuten to save money on all your essential purchases.

10. Review and Compare Prices for All Scenarios

Saving on one aspect of your vacation plans may result in higher costs elsewhere. Be sure to consider and compare the trip as a whole and weigh all variables.

For example, being flexible with your travel dates, to save on flight tickets is only worth it if the cost of accommodation, food and transportation makes sense as well.

Similarly, choosing to use public transportation or Taxis to save money on a rental vehicle, but being forced to eat at restaurants due to being unable to purchase groceries, is something else to think about.

Consider everything. The cheapest of one option may not be the smartest overall option.

11. Make Money While on Your Trip

Making some passive income while you’re away, if you have a fully passive income stream (like a blog), is the dream. However, you can use sites like Survey Junkie, Rakuten and InboxDollars to make money while you’re traveling around, bored in transit, or just relaxing. All you need is your cellphone.

Cheap Travel Hacks: Bonus Tips

These are some general frugal travel tips, to ensure that you make the best of your travels moving forward:

Set Up a Vacation Budget

Having a budget to manage your available cash is just basic intelligent thinking. Know how much you have or plan on spending and allocate percentages into different categories such as:

i. Airfare / Transportation to and from the destination.

ii. Transportation costs at the destination (gas, taxis, etc).

iii. Food and drinks

iv. Accommodation costs

v. Entertainment

vi. Miscellaneous expenses

Start a Vacation Fund

If vacationing is part of your lifestyle and something that you look forward to on a routine basis, you should consider having a designated vacation fund. Make setting aside money for vacations a part of your monthly budget.

Use a Pre-Paid Debit Card or Cash

Utilizing pre-paid debit cards or cash, whenever possible, are great ways to keep track of your spending. You’d be able to keep tabs on your budget and expenses as you go along.

Use Credit Card Rewards

If you have a good credit card rewards plan, this may be the better option for you. Make use of travel miles built up, or credit card rewards, to pay for parts of your trip. And continue to build redeemable points while you make additional charges, while enjoying your trip. Win-win.

Have a Contingency Fund

As long as you are venturing into an unknown city, you need to have a contingency fund to cover accidental overruns or emergencies. You may not have anyone else to turn to at that point, so be sure to cover yourself well. Especially if you are traveling with kids!

Frequently Asked Questions for Budget Travel Hacks

FAQ: How to Get the Cheapest Travel Deals?

Getting the cheapest travel deals is as simple as shopping around, while being flexible with your dates and expectations. Shop around for flights, accommodations and transport options, while keeping in mind that traveling mid week and after holiday periods are the best times to get cheap travel deals.

FAQ: What is the Cheapest Month of Travel?

September and mid-January are known to be the cheapest months of the year to travel. Generally, any time after the local kids return to school from vacation, is a great time to travel on a budget. Park tickets are typically cheaper and entertainment venues offer lower prices, on top of more affordable accommodation and flight costs.

FAQ: How to Save $100 or more when Traveling?

Saving $100 or more when traveling is as easy as shopping around for the best deals. However, as long as you can, try to book your trips for September or mid-January. If these months don’t work for you, book your travel days for some time mid-week (Tuesday – Thursday) as these days are typically cheaper travel days.

While on your trip, meal plan smartly. You’d save more than $100 just for choosing budget meals instead of eating at restaurants.

Final Thoughts on Frugal Travel Tips

There are several elements that fit together to constitute a trip. Spend a few minutes more while travel planning and consider all the possible combinations out there. Don’t throw away money!

As long as you put these cheap travel hacks in motion you’d be guaranteed to save hundreds and even thousands on your next set of travel plans. There are no two ways about…guaranteed savings are on the horizon!

Do you have any budget travel hacks or cheap travel tips that you’d like to share with us? Maybe something that worked for you in the past that you’re excited about? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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