Liss Travels: 10 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

People ask me frequently, “how do you travel so much?” or “how do you have the money to take so many trips?” Most importantly, I prioritize travel. I love it. I am willing to sacrifice on other aspects of my life to be able to travel more. That being said, I do consider myself a pretty thrifty traveler. I love to research and I love to get the best deals. So, without further ado, here are my ten best tips to save money while traveling!

1. Stop what you are doing and sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights

Anyone who has listened to me talk about travel for more than 3 minutes has heard me talk about this site. There is a guy named Scott who literally searches for flights all day and then sends out the good deals. This site is actually how we ended up going to Ireland. We were like $400 flights to Dublin? Let’s book it! Here is an example of a Scott’s Cheap Flights email I got recently.

2. Be flexible with your dates

I typically use Skyscanner when I search for flights. On Skyscanner, you can plug in different destinations and dates and find the best deals. For example, here is a search ‘From Minneapolis and ‘To Dublin’ with an entire month (example: May 2018) of dates in the search. Flying mid-week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is usually cheaper than the weekends. Also, be open to weird flight times. I actually really like to take the red eye, and it’s usually cheaper.

3. Get a credit card with rewards

Every dollar you spend on a credit card that you’re not getting flight points for is just wasted (in my opinion). Tony and I both use Southwest Rapid Rewards and we very rarely pay for travel within the U.S. We also paid for our honeymoon flights to Mexico with Southwest points, and are saving up points right now for maybe Hawaii! Click this link to sign up for a Southwest Rapid Rewards card. You won’t regret it. 

4. Book an Airbnb

Airbnb is typically way cheaper than a hotel, especially in expensive countries. If you are traveling in a group, it is even cheaper. On our girl’s trip to Ireland, we stayed in this Airbnb and it was the cheapest I’ve ever paid for lodging on a trip. With an Airbnb, you also a lot of times have a full kitchen, so this can make meals a lot cheaper too.

5. Stay somewhere that is centrally located

Just because the cheapest hotel is by the airport, doesn’t mean that is the cheapest choice overall. The transportation costs from the hotel to the tourist destinations will add up. It is generally better to stay in the city center (even if it’s more expensive) because you won’t be spending an extra $50 on Ubers every day.

6. Travel in groups when you can

Splitting trips between friends is cheap (and fun!) Whether you are splitting the Airbnb, the hotel room, groceries, or a rental car, you are always going to save some money. I have gone on two different trips this year with friends, and saved a ton! 

7. Try cruising!

Many of you know that we are obsessed with cruising. It is super fun and also super cheap! The price of a cruise includes your room and your food and it’s significantly cheaper than what it would cost to stay in a hotel. I’ve answered a lot of questions about cruising in this post, so head over there and get your questions answered.

8. Don’t spend on breakfast

Book hotels where breakfast is included or get groceries and eat breakfast at your Airbnb or hotel. Breakfast is an added cost that can kind of sneak up on you. I also don’t like to spend a lot of time on breakfast because it takes time out of your day. I prefer a quick breakfast and then start pounding the pavement.

9. Eat like a local

Ask locals for restaurant recommendations that aren’t in tourist areas. In general, try to stay away from the tourist streets. There is generally a “six block rule” when traveling. Do not eat within 6 blocks of a major tourist attraction. I also like to eat local street food, pastries, and fast food. I try to pay attention where locals are getting a quick bite during their lunch break and then go and order the same thing.

10. Take advantage of everything that is free

There are a lot of free activities in the cities that you will visit. Do research ahead of time so you know what days certain museums or attractions are free. I also recommend going on a hike or going to the park or a beach. It is also free to walk! Walk everywhere you can and you can sight-see at the same time.