Travel tips to save you money on your next trip
A universal truth is that no one wants to pay more for something they can buy for less. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the travel industry. We all know someone who scored a fantastic deal to country X or only spent $1,000 for a month-long vacation in country Y.
These deals seem few and far between but anyone can save money on their next trip with a few great travel tips:
Flights
Once you've decided to take the plunge and book a trip, it's tempting to pick a place you've always dreamed of visiting. This is part of the reason why flights to London, Paris, New York City, and other world class cities are so expensive for tourists. Everyone wants to visit these cities and everything from flights to hotels are prohibitively priced for a frugal traveler.
Instead, consider flying somewhere you've never heard of. Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) sometimes has deals from Canada to small eastern European countries for less than the price a flight within Canada. Travelling during the off-peak seasons (fall, spring) or on less-popular days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays) can make a real difference in the price of your flights.
Hotels
Hotels are a big expense when on vacation. While deal sites exist, they can only do so much if you're the picky sort. A good rule of thumb if you're looking to save money on your next trip is to book a hotel that's a star down from what you would otherwise choose. In expensive cities like Montreal or Toronto, the difference in price between a four-star hotel and a three-star hotel can add up quickly.
Picking a hotel that includes breakfast or has a kitchenette is another excellent way to save money. By stuffing yourself at breakfast you can easily last until a late lunch/early supper. With a kitchenette, a quick trip to the grocery store can save you from having to seek out a frugal restaurant. If you really insist on eating every meal out – what's the point of being abroad if you're not going to eat the local cuisine? – eat away from tourist attractions or ask the locals where to go. There's nothing frugal about eating at a restaurant on the Champs-Élysées.
And don’t forget about Airbnb. With a little searching, you can save big using the sharing economy. Airbnb, hostels, VRBO, and even Couchsurfing can save you money on accommodations.
Travel insurance
Unfortunately bad things can still happen on vacation. From things as annoying as cancelled flights to things as disastrous as a broken leg, travel insurance will save you money in the long run if you end up needing it. When buying travel insurance, write out a list of things you want covered before you go shopping. This list will keep your thoughts organized and reminds you to get coverage for the things that are important to you.
Use an insurance broker to buy this insurance. Brokers will help you comparison shop to get the best price. When shopping for insurance, don’t forget about things like bundling discounts, loyalty discounts or increasing your deductible to save on the cost of your premium.
Travelling is much cheaper than in our parents’ days but still much too expensive for everyone. Luckily, with the internet, you can find travel tips to save money on flights, hotels and travel insurance. With these travel tips, your next trip will definitely come in under-budget.