Traveling on a budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on comfortable accommodations and decent flight times. In fact, savvy travelers already know how to maximize their travel budget and take advantage of low prices on travel packages, airline tickets, and other travel-related expenses. Planning ahead will usually give you the upper hand when it comes to playing the vacation-booking game, and there are several tricks and tactics you can use to slash those costs even further. Whether you're dreaming of a trip to the Bahamas or looking to book an overseas adventure, make sure you're aware of all of the different deals, discounts, and specials available to your destination of choice.
Here are 11
tips to help you slash travel costs with ease :
1. Fly in
to Alternate Airports
Don't
overlook the opportunity to fly in to an alternate airport when you are heading
to a major city or other hub with multiple airports. Flights to alternate airports
can end up being slightly less expensive than flying into a larger,
international airport in the same city. In some cases, you might also be closer
to your final destination and be able to skirt traffic. Just make sure to
calculate taxi
fares from all airports, so you aren't paying extra for ground transportation
when flying in to an alternate airport.
2. Book
and Fly on the Right Day of the Week
Shop for airfare
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, says Travelzoo's Senior Editor GabeSaglie. Most airlines publish their sale fares on
Tuesday--this is when competition to match those fares begins each week. You're
also likely to find a better deal when you fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or
Saturday. This might mean you have to wait a few days to secure that vacationpackage, but you could end up saving a significant amount of money on
those airline tickets.
3. Book
Group Travel
Earn bonus
miles when booking a group trip by paying for travel expenses using a travel
rewards credit card. The best travel rewards card program will allow you to earn extra miles under your own account, and you can have the group members
pay you directly in cash for their portion of the trip. Buying airline tickets with a rewards
credit card is a smart move for most--especially if you travel frequently and
are planning on taking another trip in the near future.
4. Plan
Ahead for Holiday Weekends
Holiday weekends will be
among the priciest times to fly, so unless you're heading to a destination
specifically to celebrate the holiday,
steer clear of those long weekendtrips to save some money. The weekend before or after a major holiday
weekend usually commands lower rates and fares.
5. Seek
Out Off-Peak Deals
Do your
homework to find out which destinations are currently in their off-peak season.
You'll find that many destinations around India have
very attractive package deals during the spring and early summer months.
Traveling during the off-peak season could save you up to 50 percent or more off your entire vacation package.
6. Keep
Your Passport Up-to-Date
Don't wait
until the last minute to update your passport information if it's expired. The
application process can take up to six weeks and you'll need to pay a set of
fees for the service. If you're an avid traveler, make sure your passport never
gets too close to the expiry date before you request a renewal.
7.
Subscribe to Deal Sites
Groupon
Getaways, Travelzoo, and LivingSocial Escapes are just three of
the leading travel deal sites that will
keep you in the know about the latest deals and discounts. You can also sign up
for free membership-only sites like Jetsetter
or Spire to get exclusive,
pre-negotiated rates at many luxury hotels and travel packages around the
country.
8. Learn
to Pack Properly
Overpacking
can lead to extra checked baggage fees, so make sure you're packing only what
you really need. If you're planning an extended stay trip, get quotes from
shipping service providers that will be able to ship and pick up your items at
your destination of choice.
In some cases, shipping your belongings instead of carrying them in a suitcase
will end up being less expensive.
9.
Negotiate Hotel Rates
If you can't
find Great deal on a hotel and flight Package through a third-party
travel
site, consider calling the hotel
or resort directly
and inquiring about the best available deals. Sometimes the rates extended by
the hotel end up being lower than rates published online. Hotels may need to
fill rooms at the last minute and some will be open to negotiating a rate or
package deal.
10.
Research Ground Transportation Options
Don't wait
until you arrive at the airport to figure out how you are going to get from the
airport to your hotel or resort. Research taxi service providers and rental car
companies before you leave so you can negotiate a rate or book a great deal.
Waiting until you arrive won't give you any time to compare prices, so you'll
end up just paying any price as you go.
11. Look
for Freebies and Deals at Your Final Destination
Search like
a local for free attractions in the area, free events you could participate in,
and free guided tours that may be available at different venues throughout the
town or city you're visiting. Keeping activity costs low means you can spend
more on a great meal and splurge on other travel expenses if you want to. You
could also check out the daily deal sites at the city you're visiting to see
what types of discounts may be available for local activities, events, and
dining destinations.
Consider buying a "city pass" or similar activity card that lets you
visit several attractions for one low price. Save even more with a discount
that reduces the ticket prices of some of the most popular attractions in the
city.
