Money Hacks for Travelling Pros

So, you’ve finally got around to making travel plans – you’re scouting around for catteries, you’ve talked to Creditfix to get help with the budgeting and you’re looking at malaria tablets. The next thing you need to do is to start looking for ways to save money on your travel expenses and for the trip itself. Here’s nine tried and tested methods for cutting your costs while you’re travelling.

Book flights in the afternoon

We all know that flight prices fluctuate wildly during the week, month and year, but what’s less well-known is that prices change throughout the day. The mid-afternoon is best, because business travellers tend to book their flights early in the morning.

Set up some flight alerts

You can always set up a few alerts to let you know when there’s a sudden drop in the prices for flights to your chosen destination. You’ll have to be quick once you get the alert, so make sure you have the money ready!

Find cheap accommodation

Your hotels will be the next biggest expense after your flights, so be open-minded about where you stay. Try to avoid chains or city-centre locations and look for hostels instead.

Turn native when it comes to shopping

For staples and basics, you should follow the locals to their favourite markets, where you’ll find the best and cheapest bread, coffee, fruits and veg and cheese. Don’t just stick to what you know though; leave the beaten path and try some local delicacies and staples – they’re usually cheap and offer a new experience.

Never use airport bureaux de change

Make sure you have some currency ready long before you depart – the final couple of weeks before you go is always hectic. If you have the cash in your hands, you won’t be vulnerable to the dreadful airport exchange rates!

Learn how to haggle

You don’t just haggle in open-air markets, you can always ask for a discount in hotels, apartments and independent shops. As long as you’re polite and friendly, the worst that can happen is they say no. Chances are that most people, especially street vendors and stallholders, will be ready to do a deal.

Buy city passes

If you’re going to be in a city for more than three or four days, invest in a city pass as these often include discounted travel, free or reduced admission to attractions and maybe vouchers for use in the larger stores and restaurants.

Eat out at lunchtime

Most restaurants offer cheaper menus at lunchtimes, then bump up the prices for dinner. Eating out is one of the best parts of travelling, so don’t feel you have to do without just because it’s expensive – just cook for yourself in the evenings and have a leisurely lunch instead.

Rent an apartment

Finding an apartment though Airbnb is much cheaper than a hotel and being able to cook for yourself (see above!) allows you to cut down even further on your expenses. Cooking for yourself there, even making sandwiches to take on day trips, will make huge savings and offer you more independence.

This is a collaborative post.

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Comments

  • Isabel Isabel November 13, at 20:49

    must definitely try the afternoon flight booking and lunch time eating out, didn’t think of these before, thank you!

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