Providing you have the time and money, getting around from point A to point B is child’s play. But what if, for the majority of us, those commodities aren’t as easy to come by? This is when insider information proves to be of most value. Here are 11 travel hacks that will allow you to see the world without compromising on the quality of your journey.
1. Use Land Vehicles More Often
Think outside the box when choosing a mode of transport. A flight may save you time but the trade-off is usually a far higher price than that of a land vehicle. Trains and buses are often good value should you travel plans sync with the arrival and departure destinations.
2. Hunt for Secret Cities
When settling on a destination, go beyond the most popular visited places around the world and instead hunt for secret cities and unspoiled adventures that aren’t yet charging full cost for the pleasure of being there. Getting ahead of the trend can save you a small fortune.
3. Ask Local Experts
Ask people you know and trust for recommendations on how to see the best a country or regional spot has to offer. If a guidebook suggests a familiar route, check with your contact to see if there is a smarter way to tick the adventure off the list.
4. Book in advance to sniff out those early deals
Big travel websites are known for increasing the cost of travel closer to the departure date. Don’t leave the booking until the last minute, especially when the reason you are traveling is a key event, like a wedding or pre-booked holiday.
5. Shop around
Test out a number of online platforms to find the rock bottom cost before making a booking. Don’t always be persuaded to book by the first site that pops up in Google if you can find operators that offer the same journey for less. This rule applies to all modes of transport, from train journeys, to flights, to coach trips.
6. Book Off-Peak
Vary your travel times by one or two days either side of your original travel date to gauge whether the prices are lower. For example, Mondays are typically more expensive to travel when compared to midweek.
7. Accommodation Isn’t Everything
Scale down on accommodation costs wherever you can. If your reason for visiting a place of interest is to explore the local setting and scenery then your time spent inside is limited to sleeping. This means you’ll be less fussy about the luxuries and can go for a basic deal at a lower cost. Think bungalow or cabin rather than hotel suite.
8. Travel While You Sleep
Take overnight journeys to save paying for a night’s sleep in a bed and breakfast establishment. A train or plane journey will be equipped with onboard rest rooms, space for stretching your legs. In addition to serving food and drinks, which is a huge invisible cost when being out on travels.
9. Choose Long-Lasting Luggage
Invest in a robust travel bag or carry case to avoid potential damage that will slow you down on the road. One high price item is a wiser choice than three lower price replacements, not to mention the added stress that comes from locating a store for a new purchase.
10. Drink Water Every Day
Carry a water bottle at all times to refill instead of purchasing soft drinks from convenience stores or local markets. Drinking plenty of water is also one of the best health hacks. Your body will feel fitter and your mind will be sharper for when you need to rely on them.
11. Arrange Bookings Online
A travel agent is an unnecessary part of the travel process in this day and age. The faster and cost efficient alternative is to piece together your itinerary online. You may incur a small admin fee when booking up yourself. However, the time and effort saved from dealing with a person face to face in store or on the phone are well worth the initiative. I hope you found the information is this article to be of use for the next time you book a local or international trip. Feel free to share these hacks and let them inspire you to find ways to travel more for less!
