When it comes to traveling, it can be a costly affair. Whether you’re jetting off to the Caribbean or doing a hiking vacation in some nearby mountains, somewhat locally to you, in the winter.
In this guide, you’ll get some top tips for saving money so that your travel plans can be a little more affordable this year.
Time Your Trip for a Better Deal
It’s always good to have some flexibility on the times of the year that you can travel to destinations, regardless of where you go. Traveling on the shoulder or off-season can be helpful, as well as clicking the button on travel searches that adds some flexibility to the dates you can travel within. Sometimes, it could be a case of saving a few hundred dollars on a flight or hotel stay.
Hotels will tend to be used by those on business, and so weekends will likely be cheaper. B&Bs are good for weekdays, so it’s worth shopping around to see what the best price is.
Build Relationships
Building relationships is always useful when it comes to getting good deals and for finding out the very best in terms of tips for booking hotels, travel, and packages in general.
For example, if you’re speaking to those experts who write travel blogs or offer newsletters where they’ve scoured the web for cheap flights or hotels, then you’re likely going to get some good deals out of this knowledge and connection. Be friendly with those around you who know what’s cheaper, and don’t forget to build connections with reception staff and bookers in general.
Consider Your Parking Needs
Parking can be a bit of a challenge, and while there are public transport options available, you might want to consider what parking options are available if you want the comfort and convenience of a car.
There are some useful airport car parking services worth checking out and planning to try and save you as much money as possible. Parking Up is a great example of an affordable service where you can get your car parking needs sorted well before the trip ahead.
Know What’s Included and What Isn’t With Packages
When it comes to package holidays, it’s always good to be aware of what’s included in the package and what you might not have that you perhaps assumed would have been part of the deal.
Look at what’s included in everything that the package is offering. From accommodation to transfers from the airport to the hotel. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting good value for your money. You’ll also not want the unfortunate situation where you’re on your vacation and you realize there’s no transfer coming or certain food, drinks, or activities aren’t included.
Be Loyal to Save Money on Hotels and Flights
When it comes to loyalty to a business, not all of them are in the giving mood. However, some will provide you with points on your purchases, which can then be converted into discounts on trips or even having a flight or hotel paid for completely with those points. In today’s travel economy, it pays to be loyal to a brand and start racking up useful points.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.