Would you like to travel more often but just don’t think you can afford it? What if I happened to tell you that you could travel twice a year on the same budget that you think might only allow you to have a single trip? If that sounds like something that would make you extremely happy… read on.
Driving Really Isn’t Bad
Why would you put up with getting to the airport four hours early just to deal with all of the hassle and lines just to take a flight that will only last an hour? You can drive instead and more than likely will save money in the end… both on the traveling to and from your destination, and the fact that you will have transportation while you are there and not have to deal with buses, taxis, and trains. Just make sure that you have good insurance before you leave because you never know what can happen on the road. You can get SR22 quotes just as you can for any other type of insurance you need. In other words, there are no excuses to not have insurance.
If You Do Fly
Some people still prefer taking to the air to get where they need to be. If this is you, don’t worry, you will still be able to save money on your travel. If you really want to save money, plan your trip in advance and visit the discount sites to find better deals. Be advised that you might be charged a service fee if you book through any of these sites, but it won’t be much. Maybe $5 or so. It is worth it because they are able to combine different flights from a variety of airlines in order to get you great prices. Remember that the further in advance you book, the less the flights will cost.
Off Season is Better
If you are looking to avoid crowds while you save money, the best way to accomplish both of these things is to travel during the off season. For example, if you travel when schools are in session, you can get cheaper flights and hotels while seeing the sights you want to see without having to share the air with ten thousand other tourists. The thing you need to remember is to plan your vacation and travel when there are no school or religious, or even national holidays. Avoid seasonal events that tend to draw massive crowds too. If you absolutely can’t travel during off peak times, try the off peak days then, such as in the middle of a week.
Got Miles or Points?
The chances are good that you might have airline miles from a credit card that you thought were just a waste. If you are planning to travel anywhere, why not go ahead and use them? Yes, travel loyalty programs have been getting increasingly restrictive, but it is still relatively easy to get a big bump with the miles. Many of the credit cards that are travel branded will offer up to 50,000 miles as a sign up bonus. This can be enough miles to get a round trip flight all the way to Europe. Also, a variety of shopping opportunities will give bonuses for the money you spend and there are also a variety of loyalty programs that constantly offer deals and promotions. Using points and or miles for travel is known as travel hacking and it has become more widespread and because of this, it is now easier than ever to get the points you need.
Stay Off the Beaten Path
Cheaper places to eat and stay can many times be found just a block or two away from the main route in many tourist areas. These hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and shops often get overlooked by tourists who are intent on staying right where all of the action is. For example, getting a condo right on the beach can cost much more than a comparable room that is only a few blocks away from the waterfront.
