We all like to save money on travel expenses whether we're spending the weekend at a B&B, planning a cruise to Scandinavia or booking a flight to Marseille. Author Jesse Clark of Soulful Travel shares his timely tips.
If you like to travel but don’t like the upward of $2,000 price tag to do so, never fear. There are plenty of ways to get off the couch and out of the house without taking out a second mortgage. Keep reading for a few tips on how to make 2020 your year to see the world. Bon voyage!
You Know What They Say About Early Birds…
There are many benefits of booking your travel early, including that you could save up to 10 percent on your flight, according to The Star. If you’re staying in a hotel, book this early as well since prices tend to climb higher with each passing day, particularly if you are traveling for an event or holiday.
Crowd Avoidance Is Key
If you like crowds and want to spend as much money as possible, by all means, book a Florida vacation during spring break. But if you would like to have a little bit of elbow room and extra money to spend on dinner and activities, Expedia asserts that it’s best to plan your vacation when everyone else is staying home. Glacier National Park, for example, is packed to the brim during the summer but is just as stunning in the fall once the kids have gone back to school. If sunny California is on your bucket list, Santa Barbara shines through the spring before surfers and beachgoers descend upon the city. These lulls in activity usher in a temporary era of low prices on hotels, private rentals, and even some restaurants.
Heading Out of the Country? Change Your Phone Plan
While the cost of data continues to drop, roaming charges are still surprisingly high. And although you likely won’t have a $200,000 data bill like one unlucky traveler once did, it’s in your best interest to check your potential charges before you go. Chances are, it’s $1 per minute or more plus access fees. Instead, switch to an international plan, which may cost as little as $5 per month. This way, you can send all your Insta-worthy photos to friends and family along the way and update them of your excursions without adding to the overall expense of your trip.
Practice Travel Yoga
How flexible are you? We’re not talking about your muscles and joints here. Having a flexible travel schedule with no preconceived notions about where you want to go is the absolute best way to get a great deal. Cruise lines, in particular, are well known to discount staterooms within 60 days of departure. Although you likely won’t get the best cabin and certainly won’t find a great deal during spring break, summer, or Christmas, if you’re open to a variety of destinations, you can get a rock-bottom price on a luxury liner.
Book Direct
A travel agency can absolutely get you a great deal if you’re looking for a specific itinerary. But if you just need a room for a few nights, call the hotel directly. Smaller inns and bed-and-breakfasts will often hook you up with a better price if you’re friendly, cheerful, and genuinely interested in their location. Be cautious, however, because most places put a no refund stipulation on lower rates.
Nobody should be denied an opportunity to leave their hometown because of money. But since travel isn’t free, you’ll have to get creative when you are ready to pack your bags. If you take away nothing else from the above tips, do remember that flexibility is your best friend when it comes to keeping your travel expenses down. What are you waiting for? There is an entire world at your disposal, and 2020 is your year to see it!
Contact Jesse: jesse@soulful-travel.com