10 life hacks from experienced travelers to help you save money

Jackie Chan said: “Travel! The money will come back, but the time will not.” In some ways he is right, but it is difficult to argue with the fact that financing affects not only the duration of the trip, but also its quality.

And what happens on the road! And what could be worse than being left without money in an unfamiliar place? Just remember how you had to frantically search for an exchanger to get the currency of a particular country as cash. Transportation, hotel reservations, food; All these issues need to be resolved before you can enjoy the culture of a new place.

However, experienced travelers have long searched for all possible force majeure in order to spend their holidays with maximum comfort and minimum expenses. We share life hacks that will help you save money.

Get a travel-friendly bank account

In order not to rush with cash and not look for an exchanger in a foreign place, open a bank account that will allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM at any time without paying transaction fees.

Rent out your accommodation while traveling

Extra money won’t hurt as long as you live somewhere else. Therefore, if your apartment is vacant, we recommend that you rent your accommodation for the duration of your trip. Some services offer home shifting services. If you don’t trust strangers, offer to stay with your friends and ask to compensate for some of the costs (e.g. electricity, water or internet) in return. Especially if you’re going for a month.

Choose your transportation wisely

All airlines and rail carriers have loyalty programs. For example, Russian Railways has a “RZD Bonus” program: for each trip the passenger receives points that can be exchanged for a free ticket. Additionally, some banks issue joint debit and credit cards with airlines and give holders cash back in exchange for “miles,” which can be exchanged for free flight tickets or discounts.

Save money on taxi

If you have the opportunity to take the bus instead of the train, take advantage of it to save money. Check out city transportation routes to avoid spending too much money on taxis. In addition, many drivers deliberately extend the route by holding tourists by the nose, thereby increasing the duration and cost of the trip.

Choose the right travel date

The cheapest time to travel is off-season, as well as the week before holidays and long weekends. Evening and night flights are usually cheaper than daytime flights. Also, it is best to buy tickets from Monday to Tuesday, as new tickets appear at this time.

Stupid tour collectors

If you are not flying direct, please note that most aggregators limit the selection by showing transfers between flights of partner companies. Therefore, search for yourself to find a more affordable and comfortable option. Some companies have services with a special smart route that shows offers from different operators. It’s also important to know that airline websites remember your search history and may increase prices for a route you were previously interested in. That’s why seasoned travelers share a useful life hack: search for tickets in incognito mode, clear your search history, or change your location entirely using a VPN. You will be surprised to see that prices will be lower on some airlines.

Subscribe to groups on social networks and messengers

Many travelers share relevant information in groups on messengers and social networks. There you can often find newsletters about cheap ticket sales. To avoid wasting time searching, turn on notifications and subscribe to newsletters of travel services. Subscribing to groups allows you to save on trips, plan a more interesting tour and create a profitable route. Audio guides are also an affordable and useful alternative.

Search for free museum admissions

Visiting museums, park communities, and other attractions can also be costly; so check websites in advance for days when entry is free for everyone. You can also enjoy works of art in churches, libraries, and other public places where events occur on a smaller scale.

Book hotels through services and aggregators

This way you can get a discount. Many companies have their own loyalty system. With the promotion, you can get certain bonuses, for example, a more comfortable room for the same price as the budget option or free breakfast and dinner. And yes, keep in mind that hotel stays on weekdays are generally cheaper than on weekends. If you are going on a light trip, say only for two or three days, then it would be wiser to opt for an apartment or hostel. When going on a family vacation, know that children under 12 stay free in many hotels. You should only choose to prepay if you are sure that the trip will definitely take place. In this case, hotels often offer discounts on food and other services. If your trip lasts more than a week in one place, it is better to first book a hotel for a few days and then look for cheaper accommodation. True, it is not possible to find an alternative in high season.

Buy food from supermarkets

It’s one thing to deliberately go to a restaurant to enjoy the delights of local cuisine, it’s another thing to come to the sea just to “lie down like a seal.” In this case, it is better not to spend a lot of money in cafes, but just buy food in the supermarket. Also pay attention to local travel websites that have filters that allow you to choose dining venues based on bill size and distance from your place of residence. Read visitors’ reviews before going somewhere. It may turn out that the most popular cafe raises prices and actually serves low-quality food. By the way, on the websites of some organizations you can pre-purchase a discount coupon that is valid when ordering offline.