You work hard for it, so why put more money than necessary into travel?
Statue in Main Square, Antwerp, Belgium
Sometimes, the answer is because it’s easy. Searching a little harder for that cheap flight just isn’t worth the $20. Or maybe you want to stay in the dead-center of town and are willing to pay for it.
While these situations will always arise, and I’m a firm believer that there’s always a reason to splurge, you can also keep some cash in your pocket by following a few tips. When you reach your destination – go ahead and spend on a special souvenir or a gourmet meal with the money your savvy has saved you.
Here are my top tips for keeping your money during travel planning:
1. What country are you logged in as? When Americans log on to a European, Asian, South American, etc website from an American IP address, we are often directed to the American site. It is possible at the top of the screen (most of the time) to select a different country. For example, recently I was looking up flights on Iberia Airlines. I logged in as I was in Spain, or a Spanish citizen (with options still in English) and felt as if I was getting different fares.
Cathedral in Siena
2. Always research round trips. Exploring a larger region is part of what makes a big trip exciting – whether it is finally getting to Eastern Europe or exploring the east coast of South America. I’ve found especially in Europe, that for some reason, round trip fares (on planes, trains, boats, etc..) are often SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper than booking a one-way. Countless times in Italy I booked a round trip fare, never to return to Siena, simply because the fare was cheaper. Don’t lose out on cash because you think a one-way ticket is the only way to go.
3. Call and Ask. It’s a recession people – and often if you call a hotel and ask for their best possible price during a given period, they might just be able to offer you something to make sure you book. Now, this tactic DOES entail picking up the phone and talking to a real human (which many of us seem averse to doing these days) but with the invention of Skype and cheap international phone calls, anything is possible.
4. Give your Question a Google. There are many travel professionals out there (ahem..) that are sharing what they’ve learned from years of travel. Want to know where to dine in Munich? I’ve covered that. Need a cheap and cheerful pensione in Florence? You’ll find that here too. The web is full of inside tips if you take a few minutes to search for them.
Dolmen, West of Ireland. **There have been many last minute deals to Ireland. Pay less, see this!**
5. Don’t Always Book Ahead. Some websites offer discounts ‘only when purchased from home’ to American travelers for things like train or bus tickets. I’ve discovered that this is often a scam, a way to convince you that you’re earning a great deal and need to cough up a lump sum in advance before your trip. If you know you will be on the trains a lot and are covering significant distances, then alright, go for it. But if you are planning on seeing a few places in Italy, pay the individual fares, and you’ll likely come out ahead. There’s also a lot to be said for last minute deals these days, so don’t hand over your money too quickly.
Also – do your research on package deals. All of a sudden $2,000 to hike the Inca Trail might seem a bit ridiculous when you do a bit more research on the individual cost of things.
Go ahead and keep your money – you may just wind up traveling more.
Any tips to share with your fellow travelers? Share your thoughts on getting the best deals when planning your adventures below.
