*Disclaimer: Actual savings may differ based on individual travel choices, such as accommodation, flights, and activities. The 800 euros is an estimated figure.
In this post, I want to share with you the ways I save money when I travel. I will walk you through how I start planning a future getaway and how to save money at the destination. These are very simple things that anyone can do, provided you have the time and are willing to use your brain and do some legwork. Let’s get to it!
Booking Flights
Booking flights can be a hassle, if you have a lot of options. But it can also be expensive, if you don’t go though your options and simply pick the first option. I usually use a lot of time doing online searches for the best flights. After picking a destination where to travel next I usually go on Google, Skyscanner or Momondo to search for flights. After I have established an understanding of which airlines fly to the destination I go to the airlines websites and see what the prices are there for the flights. I usually manage to save 100-300 euro per person when doing this and find the best suitable flight time.
Most times the prices are cheapest when booking directly through the airlines own website or app. I prefer Norwegian when travelling, due to the fact that the price/ comfort are competitive compared to other airlines. I think the flights have only been delayed once or twice when I have used this airline and the flights have always gone smoothly. Another good airline is Finnair, that is reliable and safe, but expensive.
We almost never use travel agencies because they are more expensive than booking everything ourselves. Additionally, I find it less hassle to be in complete control of our travel plans, without relying on a third party to ensure everything goes smoothly. However, I understand that sometimes it might be easier to book through a travel agency, especially for certain destinations that may be difficult to arrange independently.
Booking Accommodation
I understand that many people use Airbnb, especially when traveling with a larger family or a group of friends. However, we have never used Airbnb while traveling in Europe because we prefer the convenience of hotel breakfasts and the services provided by hotels. As we don’t have experience with Airbnbs, I will only offer advice on how to find the best hotel at the best price.
First thing once the destination has been picked I start going through Hotels.com or Booking.com to find possible hotel choices. You can also use another site that has a lot of hotel options. I have found these two to be the ones to go to when you want to find suitable hotels that meet your needs. Once I have gotten a good feel about the prices, locations and availability of suitable hotels I choose aproximately 5 hotels.
After choosing the 5 most suitable hotels I check on Google and Tripadvisor what the hotel rates are for the date of travel. I also always check the hotels own besite what prices they have. Once going through the best options and weighing the cost and what you get for the price like location, possible breakfast, luxury stay etc., I book the most suitable hotel. This takes some time and the more time you are willing to spend on it the better your excperience will be. This method has consistently worked for my spouse and me. Never been dissapointed!
We usually choose 4-star hotels because they offer the best experience for a reasonable price. The locations of these hotels are typically excellent, often situated in the heart of the city. We prefer staying in central locations because we love to walk around and explore, rather than using taxis or other more expensive transportation options.
Travel During Off-Peak Times
When my spouse and I travel, we usually choose off-peak times, avoiding Christmas and the mid-summer months when travel in Europe is at its busiest and prices are high. This approach has made our trips much more relaxing. Often, we’ve been able to secure a row of three seats just for ourselves on flights, and we’ve found that hotel staff are more attentive during these less busy periods. Additionally, we’ve saved hundreds of euros by not traveling during peak times. I highly recommend this strategy if possible, as it not only saves money but also helps avoid large crowds at popular attractions.
Loyalty Programs and Rewards
Loyalty programs and reward programs have become increasingly popular as a way for businesses to encourage repeated use of their services. Personally, I find them useful as long as I feel that I’m getting something valuable in return. While you won’t get rich using them, you can certainly save some money, especially if you take advantage of these programs whenever you travel.
Many banks offer credit card points for using their cards, which can be redeemed for various benefits. Airlines often provide flyer miles that can be used for discounts on future flights, upgrades to better classes, or even free luggage allowances. Hotels also have loyalty programs that offer discounted room rates or points that can be redeemed on future bookings.
To gain more insight into these programs, you can check out my post on 56 great cheap travel tips.
Local Experiences and Public Transport
Living life similar to a local can have a great impact on your overall experience when you travel to a destination. You might eat more healthy and cheaper, not to mention better food. I think everyone has heard the phrase “just eat where the locals eat”. I think that phrase has stuck in my brain and I try to bare that in mind every time when travelling.
As an example we visited Rome years ago and tried different restaurants. Some where located near popular attractions and some where located on a side street further away from any attractions. Want to guess which restaurants served the best food for the best prices? Well you guessed it, the ones that were further away from attractions. Also, I have to mention that the best pasta I have ever eaten in my life has been in Italy!
Another example is from our last visit to London, which is an expensive city. Our hotel had the best location near convenient grocery stores, so we ended up buying some breakfast items almost every evening. The grocery stores had discounted prices for fruit packs every evening, so we ended up paying maybe less than 5 pounds for a healthy breakfast for two people per day. I don’t think you can get a hotel breakfast for that price. So use grocery stores, if you have the chance (and don’t have breakfast at the hotel).
Public transportation is usually very reliable in big cities at least in Europe. That’s my favorite means of transportation in my daily life and when travelling abroad. You can deffintely save hundreds of euros here aswell, compared to using taxis or expensive tours. My go to guide when navigating public transportation at a destination is almost every time Google Maps. I feel like it is just as reliable and easier to use than the local apps or sites.
Once again, I hope you found these tips helpful and that they assist you in reducing your travel budget in a way that suits you best. As the year comes to a close, I’m taking some time off to relax with my family, and I encourage you to do the same. But don’t worry, I’ll be back with fresh, exciting content next year!
In the meantime, why not check out some of my recent posts below? There’s plenty to keep you inspired and informed until then. For more travel inspiration and tips, follow me on Instagram.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year! 🌟
This post has been enhanced using AI for text improvement.
Comments
One response to “Travel Tips: 5 Proven Ways to Save Money”
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