This blog post was updated on October 11, 2018.
As common as singing Auld Lang Syne at midnight is on New Years Eve, travel costs are nothing new. Lessening burdens of fees and ticket fares is something most of us aim for each year.
Yes, this year I won’t overpay for travel. This year I will travel more and wiser. Being wiser with money and traveling into 2011 may not be some foreign notion, but there are a number of ways to save on travel in the upcoming year you might not have considered.
Pack One Carry On Sized Bag: Baggage fees are now just something we have grown accustomed to in regards to the airlines. Seeing studies of just how much the airlines are making off of those bag fees is enough to turn some off of travel. Rather than forking up the price of a suitcase just to check a bag, set yourself a challenge for 2011. Bring one bag and carry in on board.
Tap into the Travel Blog Market as your Guidebook: Guidebook costs can add up, especially when you decide to visit all of the countries in Asia. Rather than lugging around a giant guidebook and paying for it as well, travel blogs and even guidebook websites have the information you need free of charge. If you can find Internet and a printer, you won’t need a guidebook to tell you all you need to know.
Consider Couchsurfing, Apartment Renting, Staying With Friends and Hotel Search Engine Deals: A huge drain on a travel budget can be accommodations. If you are the type that doesn’t mind mingling with strangers and sleeping on their couches, consider couchsurfing free of charge. Those that would rather not stay with those they don’t know can always call up friends to see if their couches are warm and ready for visitors. In the event your friends are not welcoming or in the city you plan on visiting, rent an apartment. Apartments are often cheaper than hotels. Joining hotel search engine sites are always a good way to save on hotels. Many have rewards programs free of charge that allow you to book a certain amount of nights through the website and receive a night free night here and there.
Travel to Financially Strapped Countries: Different places can raise their rates and costs due to volume and their economy. Consider traveling to places that aren’t doing so well. Ireland for example or many places in Asia and eastern Europe offer the same type of vacations as say Italy and South America for half of the cost.
Talk To Locals and Travel Experts on Twitter: Often times deals are there. You just don’t ask for them. A free day at a museum may not make its way into the guidebook, but a local might know. It never hurts to ask people you meet or travel experts on Twitter if they are running deals. The sheer amount of giveaways and discounts on travel buzzing on Twitter is enough to save some extra cash for the next big trip.
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