Seeing more of the world is something many people wish they had more time and money to do,
and it’s easy to think it’s impossible for you. While travelling can definitely
be tough (and sometimes, yes, not possible), there are ways to make it more
inexpensive and less of a hassle. If you want to take more vacations in the new
year, there are some travel hacks for 2019 you need to take into consideration.
Part of travelling smartly is learning how
to do things like maximise your vacation time, find the best deals for airfare
and/or hotels, and knowing when to go to specific locations. The first thing
you need to do, though, is be willing to take your vacation days. There are
many who do not take advantage of their paid time off, and as a result, waste
both their benefits and the possibility of having an incredible experience.
Instead of being part of that statistic, use some tips and tricks to make
travelling seem more attainable and less out of your reach.
You also need to be willing to get
creative, be open-minded and flexible, and put some time and effort into
planning your trips. It might sound annoying, but it will pay off in the end,
when you get to go more places and spend less money. Of course, you shouldn’t
feel pressured to travel more in the new year — it’s something you should only
do if you really want to. And if you do, keep the below hacks in mind:
Take more small weekend trips
You don’t need to fly overseas on two-week long trips to take a
vacation. Sure, it’s nice to do that, but it’s also not realistic for many
people. If you get two weeks of vacation time (which is pretty standard), then
you should take off one full week, and split the other five days up into
smaller trips.
Plan a few three- or four-day weekend
trips throughout the year to places that are close by — maybe just up to a four
hour flight (or longer, if you don’t mind the travel time), or a car ride
that’s about the same duration. Explore nearby states and cities in just a few
short days for a rejuvenating break from daily life.
Take advantage of free stopover programs
Stopover programs are awesome, and not everyone knows about
them. A free stopover basically gives you the chance to get trips out of one
vacation without paying for extra flights. Although not every airline offers
them, a lot do. This is a great way to see two places in one trip without
spending a lot more.
Fly during the week
If possible, consider flying out and in during the weekend
instead of on the weekend. While it’s tough to figure out the cheapest day of
the week for every airline and destination, Airfare Watchdog says that, in
general, the cheapest days of the week to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So,
instead of going on vacation from Saturday to Friday, try leaving on a
Wednesday and coming home on a Tuesday. Same amount of days you’re taking off, and
you’ll save money on flights.
Apply for credit cards with travel perks
Applying for yet another credit card might not seem like the
best way to save money, but it is when it comes to travel perks. Certain credit
cards help you rack up frequent flyer miles without even getting on an
airplane, so that you can save money on your airfare, your hotel, your rental
car, and more.
Sign up for flight alerts
When searching for a flight do not search and book the cheapest
flight you see on the very first day you look. Instead, give yourself some time
and be patient. Sign up for flight alerts to stay on top of fluctuating prices,
or go to sites that also notify you when prices drop. You can also sign up for
airline newsletters, as some airlines will email you when they’re having flash
sales (which you should take advantage of!). Studies have found that the best
time to book a flight is between three weeks and three a half months in advance
of travel, so plan ahead.
Look into city passes
If you’re travelling to a major city, you should definitely
research city passes if you plan on going to popular tourist spots. These can
save you time and sometimes help you pass the line. Going to Portugal? Get a
Lisboa Card to get unlimited travel by public transportation, free entry into
museums, and more deals. Paris has the Paris Museum Pass, which gets you free
entry into more than 60 popular museums and monuments. Florence has the Firenze
Card for access to all major museums as well.
Travel during the off-season
Yes, there are some jobs where it’s nearly impossible to go
somewhere big on the off-season (like teaching). But if you are able to travel
whenever, consider going somewhere during their more low-key months. For
example, Italy gets super popular from June through August, but is much quieter
in the winter, from January through March. It’s also so much cheaper, for
everything from the flights to the food to the hotels. Yes, the weather isn’t
as great, but if you want to save money and skip the crowds, it’s worth it.
Look into Airbnbs instead of hotels
Hotels can be great when travelling: someone cleans up after you
each night, you might feel more secure, they have cool amenities, etc. But they
can also be really, really pricey. If your goal is to travel more by saving
money, you should look into Airbnb rentals instead, which are often cheaper,
especially if you’re going somewhere in Europe. You can usually find a small
apartment or home to rent for a few days for a much better price than a hotel.
Research to avoid unnecessary expenses
It sounds obvious, but many people don’t do this. If you’re
travelling to a foreign country, research their customs and do a Google search
on how to save money there so you can avoid unnecessary expenses. For example,
in many parts of Europe, like Italy or Spain, you’ll get charged for water and
bread at a restaurant. The waiter will offer both to you as if it’s free of
charge, but it isn’t. These little things add up!
Plan your trips in advance
According to Conde Nast Traveler, planning your vacation in
advance is the best thing you can do to make sure you actually take vacations.
Spontaneity may be fun, but it often won’t work in your favour: you’ll either
forget to plan something until it’s too late (and more expensive), or you won’t
be able to get the days off that you wanted. Sit down, make a list of where you
want to go during the year, look at your calendar, and figure out exact dates.
Then take off right away to make sure it happens.
Combine vacation days with public holidays
It sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying: add your vacation days
to a public holiday. For example, if you have a public holiday on a Monday, you
can also take off Friday and Tuesday, and make it a five day trip. Travel and
Leisure has a whole guide on how you can make 10 vacation days into 28, or 15
days into 45. Your trip might be more crowded, but could definitely be worth
it.
Compare and research before booking
Never go online and book the first thing you see. Ever! The
internet is great because it offers us so many options, and you need to explore
all of them to get the best deal. Once you find a hotel you like, research it
and read reviews, which often include tips on how to save money or get the most
bang for your buck. Put time into it to get the most out of what you’re
booking.
Add on to business trips, if you take them
If you already travel for work, take advantage of that by adding
your days onto a trip and staying a little longer. Going somewhere fun and interesting?
Add on a day or two to explore on your own. It’s maximizing your paid time off
and getting you a better business trip at the same time.
Don’t be afraid of public transportation
Public
transportation in another country (or even just another state) can seem scary.
You don’t want to get lost, especially if you don’t know the language. A lot of
people instead opt for Ubers or taxis or even private cars, and this can be so
much more expensive. Do some research before you go to make sure it’s safe, but
most countries in Europe offer amazing subways, trains, and bus systems that
are so easy to use and so much cheaper. For example, if you’re going into
London, look into the Oyster card, which saves you on underground and bus fare.
Just don’t rule it out! – Courtesy bustle.com
