5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Travel Expenses
Whether you’re a frequent flier or planning your first trip, traveling can get expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways you can cut costs. Here are five easy ways to save money while traveling.
1. Stay Away From Tourist Hubs
Prices are often significantly higher in big, touristy cities because there’s more demand and limited space. It isn’t just the most-visited cities though. Even within the same city, the more touristy areas will be more expensive than other neighborhoods. That’s because these areas often rely on seasonal tourism to cover their costs for the entire year.
If you’re visiting a popular tourist destination, you can still save by staying in a hotel in a less fashionable area or a suburb. You’ll save money, avoid the crowds, and see plenty of interesting things that are off of the beaten path.
2. Book a Room That’s the Right Size.
When traveling, your accommodations can be one of the biggest expenses. You can save by thinking through how you’ll use your hotel room beforehand. For example, if you don’t plan on spending much time in there, consider downsizing to a smaller room or one with fewer amenities.
On the other hand, if you’re concerned that going to restaurants for every meal will eat through your budget, you might want to get a suite with a kitchen. Cooking breakfast each morning is an easy way to save money during a trip.
3. Rent a Car Somewhere Other Than the Airport
If you plan on renting a car, don’t book it at the airport. It might seem convenient to pick up your car immediately, but you’ll also pay a premium for that convenience. Besides, do you really want to drive around an unfamiliar city right after a long flight?
Instead, consider hiring a taxi or a limo service, depending on the size of your group. Have your limo driver bring you to your hotel or drive you around for the whole day. Then, you can book a rental car at a more low-key location that’s close to where you’re staying.
4. Find Free Attractions
Just about any place you visit will have loads of free attractions. Try to fill out any gaps in your travel itinerary with freebies so you can splurge on the sights you’ve been waiting to visit.
For example, many cities have free museums such as the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. You can also look up public gardens, local markets, and natural attractions like public beaches or hiking trails.
5. Use Public Transportation
Renting a car might be convenient, but depending on where you’re traveling, public transportation might be a better, cheaper option. See if your hotel and the destinations you want to visit are close to bus lines, metro stops, or trains. Then, see if the attractions you’re going to offer special deals for travelers, like The Dublin Pass which has a “hop-on, hop-off” bus tour to help you get around the city.
If you know what to look for and plan accordingly, you can save money while traveling without missing out.
