Simple Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Written and Contributed by Jesse Clark

Photo vie Pixabay

Everyone loves to take a little time away, and vacations are certainly a popular option. But not everyone can justify the cost of some of the options for travel, or they may have too many family members to afford a trip. However, there are ways to get around spending an arm and a leg on travel, and using these tips can bring back those much-needed vacations.


Save When You Book

Booking a flight, hotel, or rental car can often be quite a hassle. It is overwhelming to try and find the best prices, compare all the options, and end up with the best deals. That's why booking through a site like Priceline can be so beneficial. Not only does it save time and money, but you can get discounts by booking multiple reservations than one at a time.


Be Flexible

One of the best ways to save on travel costs is by being flexible. Book on the weekends and fly during the week, which is likely to be cheaper. Book your travel during the off-season when not as many people are traveling, like after the kids go back to school, after New Year's, and just after Spring Break. Because these aren't popular times for travel, you can get away with cheaper travel costs. Keep an open mind about where you'll go.


Look for Hidden Perks

Be sure to be mindful of hidden perks. These gems are just about everywhere. From free breakfast to a buy one, get one free offering, keeping your eyes open for what each method of travel and attraction has to offer can bring unexpected savings. 


Be Money Smart

There are many ways to be money smart when you're traveling. Some start before you even leave. When saving up for your trip, take advantage of birthdays and holidays to ask for gift cards for your vacation. Eat out less at home before your trip. Book a room with a kitchenette so you can eat some meals for less. And create a budget so you know what you can spend while you're on your trip. Some people use credit cards that offer cash back or mileage points, which can also come in handy. Lastly, watch out for hidden costs, like parking fees or internet access.


Review Your Wireless Service

Whether you need to use GPS, find restaurants or hotels, touch base with friends and family back home, or watch your favorite show at the end of a long day, you’re going to be using your smartphone. You may be using your phone in areas with limited Wi-Fi, so don’t get caught with expensive overage charges. Review phone plans to find one that can accommodate your usage so you won’t get charged extra fees. Also decide on which wireless provider you want to use. Consider which carrier has the best reputation, coverage, and network. Some carriers like Verizon have begun to roll out 5G service into select markets which will dramatically increase the speed of their network.

Pack Light

One way to save on travel is to be sure to pack light. Airlines often charge for baggage, and extra weight can make your car's gas mileage suffer. You can do laundry on vacation if you have access, which can save you from bringing your entire closet.


Figure Out What's Free

Many times, vacationers think they need to pay to see the best sights. But that's not the case. Many destinations have amazing free things to do that visitors often miss out on. Make sure to get a city guide and learn what's free around town to enjoy. This also works for when you're booking ahead because some places incentivize with freebies. The more you can get for free, the better.


Go Tech-Free

No one seems to be able to live without a cell phone these days, but going a bit more tech-free on your vacation can save you money, especially if you're on a cruise or overseas where you have to pay a pretty penny to make a call or access the internet. Be sure to call your carrier ahead of time to see how to use your phone while on vacation, so you don't end up with unexpected costs. An unplugged vacation also comes with various health benefits like improved sleep and concentration.


Learn How to Get Around

If you're not renting a car or driving yourself, then you're likely going to spend money on local transportation options. If you Uber everywhere, it's going to add up. Instead, learn the local transportation options ahead of time and map out routes to see the least expensive way to get around town. Each location will be different, so checking can be worth it. If you do have to rent a car, there are ways to save as well, with many car rental companies like Enterprise offering deals to their customers. You can also save by using Enterprise Rent a Car coupons and promo codes.


Are You Ready?

If these tips on saving money on travel have piqued your interest in taking another vacation, you'll be ready to save big. Now, it's just a matter of deciding where to go.