7 Best Travel Hacks You Didn’t Know About: How to Save Money on Flights, Accommodations, and Activities

It takes a lot of effort and practice to master the art of travel, which is why it’s not something that happens overnight. It comes with its own set of difficulties, in addition to the most difficult circumstances imaginable. We’ve been guilty of always thinking about the easy way out or at least experiencing the least discomfort.

To keep the day from being ruined by a variety of possible travel calamities, you’ll need this list of the 7 best travel hacks. That’s right: there are a plethora of little-known secrets and methods that will overhaul the way you travel! Whether it be avoiding missing a flight again or hacks to pack more efficiently or saving money, these 7 best travel hacks will make the journey less stressful and more enjoyable.

Best Travel Hacks: Finding Cheap Flights

Did you know that you can often get cheaper flights by booking on Tuesdays? This is because many airlines release their discounted fares on Monday evenings, and by Tuesday night, the prices have gone up.

We like to use a combination of websites. Our go-to’s are Skyscanner, Expedia as well as Google Flights to compare flights.

Tip: Set up ‘ALERTS’ on Google Flights for when the price drops to your specified budget. This is one of our best travel hacks that has saved us hundreds of dollars.

Another great way to save money is to travel during the off-season. This is when travel costs are typically lower, as there are fewer people traveling and prices in your destination are fairly lower.

You can also save money on flights by being flexible with your travel dates. For example, flying mid-week is often cheaper than flying on weekends. And if you’re willing to travel during off-peak times (like early morning or late night flights), you can often get a better deal.

Tip: Try to search for flights using ‘INCOGNITO’ mode. If it yields you similar results, then it’s time to move on to using a ‘VPN’ to search for flights. Check the most affordable and effective VPN we use to save tons of money.

It’s worth noting that if you have credit card points, you can use them to reduce the cost of your flight. In our next blog article, we’ll reveal the best travel credit cards we’ve ever used to fly with points.

When booking we also use SeatGuru to choose our seats on flights. There’s nothing more distressing than being trapped in a seat that doesn’t recline, or finding yourself next to the toilet on the plane with strangers hovering over you the whole journey.

Accommodation

There are many ways to save money on accommodations while traveling. You can opt to stay in a hostel or guesthouse and Booking.com has plenty of good deals year-round. Try to also compare prices between Hostelworld and Agoda to see where you can get a better deal.

Another way is to use websites like Airbnb and VRBO, which allow you to rent apartments or houses from locals in the area you’re visiting. This can be a great way to save money, as well as get an authentic experience of the local culture. The hosts can be some of the best guides in town. This is one of our best travel hacks because we get to dive deeper into the local culture and pay local prices.

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Transportation

There are many other ways to save money while traveling. For example, you can take public transportation instead of taxis, or walk if your destination is not too far. You get to exercise and save money simultaneously. Win, win!

If you’re planning on doing a lot of travel within a country, it’s often cheaper to buy a travel pass. For example, in Europe, there are rail passes that allow you to travel on trains between countries for a certain number of days. Similarly in Japan, you can buy a rail pass for a different number of days where you can travel in-between cities.

We had purchased our Japan Rail Pass to travel between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka which was helpful. This can save you a lot of money if you’re planning on doing a lot of travel.

And finally, if you’re traveling with a group of people, it’s often cheaper to rent a car and split the cost between everyone. This can save you lots of money, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of driving.

If you travel by train or bus, try to make an overnight trip. Because they are a less popular choice, overnight trains and buses are often less expensive than standard routes. The benefit is that if you do this, you will be able to save a day’s accommodation as well as the initial savings on the ticket.

We did this when we traveled through Myanmar. We took an overnight bus from the capital Yangon to Bagan and back. You can check out our journey HERE.

Depending on what type of bus or train you opt for, it may not be the most comfortable sleep of your life, but it can work if don’t mind a little challenge (and the route is long enough). This is often cheaper and will give you a chance to experience the local culture. You can check out some of our BTS on our Instagram @wewanderlustco

Attractions and Activities

Many tourist attractions and activities offer discounts if you purchase them in advance. For example, the London Eye offers a significant discount if you buy your tickets online.

Likewise, many museums have free admission days or discounted rates for students or seniors. It’s always worth checking out the website of the attraction before you travel to see what deals are available.

You can also save money by doing free activities. For example, in many cities, you can take a free walking tour. This is a great way to see the city and learn about its history from a local guide. If you’ll be visiting San Francisco, check out our Free Things To Do in San Francisco.

And finally, if you’re traveling with children, there are often discounts available for them as well. For example, in San Francisco, the Japanese Garden offers free tickets for children under 5 years old.

Food

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to eat like a local. This means buying groceries at the market and cooking your own meals. Not only will this save you money, but it will also give you a more authentic experience of the local culture and cuisine.

Another way to save money on food is to eat at restaurants that are popular with locals. These establishments will be less expensive than tourist traps and you’ll get to experience the real cuisine of the country you’re visiting.

Tip: In Bali, you can eat at local restaurants called warungs. In many South East Asian countries street food is popular. You get delicious inexpensive food and you’re able to save more while enjoying the local cuisine. If all else fails, there’s always 7-11!

If you’re not a fan of cooking or eating out, one way to save money is to pack your own food. This can be as simple as packing sandwiches and snacks for the plane or making sure you have breakfast food in your hotel room. This will save you money and time, as you won’t have to go out searching for food when you’re hungry.

Shopping

When it comes to shopping, one of the best travel hacks is to wait until you’re in the country you’re visiting. This is because many countries have tax-free shopping for foreigners.

For example, in Japan purchases only at licensed stores totaling over 5000 yen on one calendar day qualify for a tax refund. Your passport is required when shopping tax-free. The program only applies to foreign visitors to Japan on a temporary basis! This initiative is for non-Japanese people who are visiting Japan for less than six months.

Another way to save money while shopping is to avoid buying things at the airport. This is because airports are often more expensive than regular stores. For example, a bottle of water at the airport can cost anywhere from $1.50-$12.00, whereas you can buy a pack of six bottles for around $2.00 at a convenience store in some countries.

Souvenirs

When it comes to souvenirs, one of the best travel hacks to save money is to buy from local markets. This way you’re buying from and supporting local artisans of that country. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll also end up with a more authentic and unique souvenir.

So there are plenty of ways to save money while traveling! With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can travel without breaking the bank!

We hope you enjoyed our 7 best travel hacks to save money on flights, accommodations, and activities.

Remember, Wherever You Go, Don’t Forget to Wander!