Travel Hacking: How to Get the Most for Your Money
With summer coming to a close and school back in session, we’re already dreaming about where next year will take us. But with wanderlust in full swing, how do you plan a trip that’s exactly what you want and doesn’t hurt your budget? We’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve for planning the perfect low-cost vacation. From finding your destination to getting around while you’re there, we’ve curated a list of the best travel hacks for saving money and making the most of your trip.
Let your budget determine your destination. If you’re not picky about where you go, KAYAK has a unique search feature that allows you to select your destination based on your budget. Simply input the dates you want to travel and find the cheapest flights everywhere in the world! You might just find the perfect vacation in a place you didn’t even know existed. KAYAK also lets you use this feature to search hotels, so you can double up on this money-saving tip.
Clear your cache. This hack is so simple, we wonder why more people don’t do it. When you’re monitoring prices for a flight, cookies can track your behavior and let airline companies know where you’re looking to travel. The next time you go back to check the price of that flight, they increase it. Bypass this problem in under 10 seconds by either clearing the cache or simply searching for flights from a private browser.
Be willing to pack light. This is a great option for travelers who are willing to rough it for the money. Norwegian Air offers international flights at an incredible value — if you’re willing to skimp on the extras. With one-way rates starting at just $496, the budget airline charges an extra fee for pretty much everything. But if you’re willing to travel with just a carry-on and pack your own meals for the flight, you can save a pretty hefty wad of cash by skipping the hot meals and baggage allowances.
Pack neutral colors. By choosing pieces that match easily, you can layer and create tons of different outfits with just a few items of clothing. It’s also a good idea to plan a few outfit options in advance to avoid the “why didn’t I bring more clothing?!” panic. Avoid going over your baggage weight limit and leave plenty of space for bringing home souvenirs by choosing clothing that will last your whole trip.
Get lower rates for relocation or repositioning. Save on transportation by thinking outside the box. If you’re traveling internationally, many cruise lines offer major discounts (up to 50 percent off) for their cabins while they reposition their ships to a new location. These are only one-way, but you can easily catch a flight back home and still save hundreds of dollars! You can also look for relocation car rentals if you’re staying in the country. Many car rental companies need individuals to drive a car back to its original location and will charge as little as $1 a day.
Your next trip doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. With these unique money-saving hacks and a little extra time planning, you can easily get your dream vacation on the cheap. What are your favorite travel hacks? Let us know in the comments below!
Credit: Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
- Lifestyle Staff
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