Author: scatty

The average cost for a vacation for two people can end up costing thousands of dollars for just one week. Because of this, many have put off going on vacation, and it seems like airlines and hotels don’t want to cooperate with your money-saving efforts. In fact, more than half of the people in the United States alone resist going on vacation because they simply can’t afford it.

Not all hope is lost, though! If you’re one of the millions who are in dire need of a vacation but don’t think that you can afford it, we’re here to help. Here are five essential tips on how to find the best deals on airfare and accommodations.

Be Flexible

There is that old myth there are certain dates that are cheaper than others, with the adage saying that Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly. While that may be the case for the most part, there may still be cheaper deals on other days of the week. Because of this, being flexible with your dates could end up saving you hundreds on your trip.

Many flight planning websites are getting much better at providing user-friendly calendars where you can find the best prices within the date range that you’re looking for. If you’re flexible with the time of year in which you want to travel, that will save you even more. Flying after the holidays can end up being the cheapest time of year as there aren’t any big travel days in January or February while the winter months are still ongoing.

Look at the Luggage Fine Print

Many of us have had that moment where we thought we found an amazing deal that could have saved us over $100. However, when we get to the final checkout, we find out that the added fees end up costing just as much or more than the other ticket prices.

With that said, you’ll want to always check the fees that come with every ticket. Budget airlines like Spirit are great if you don’t have a carry-on, but bringing luggage can more than double your ticket price. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, has no hidden fees.

Sign Up For Mailing Lists

One of the first things that you should do is look up all of the airlines that operate in the closest airport to you. Jot all of those down, and then visit their websites. When you do, sign up for their mailing lists, and they’ll be able to provide you with the best deals of the year. Oftentimes, there will be flash sales where you can fly to certain places for as low as $29.

The only thing is, though, that these flash sales are typically only provided for people on the mailing lists. Make sure that you don’t have these airline emails sent to your junk folder, too. You won’t want to miss out on the deal of a lifetime, especially if you don’t have a particular destination in mind, which leads us to our next point.

Some Destinations Are Cheaper Than Others

A lot of people want to go on vacation to a certain destination because there are people there that they know. If you simply want to get away on a trip and don’t really care about the destination while also saving money, there are certain airports that are going to be much cheaper than others for various reasons, with the biggest reason being that the airport is in a place that relies heavily on the tourism industry.

For this reason, the United States cities that are the cheapest to fly to are Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada. These cities expect you to spend most of your money at resorts (and gambling in Nevada), so flights are dirt cheap. Other cheap airports in the United States include Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), and New Orleans.

Buy One Ticket At A Time

Sports fans know that it’s much cheaper to buy one ticket instead of sets of two or more. This is because it’s hard for people to dump off just one ticket in between other sets, and the box office is willing to sell them for a cheaper price. The same thing applies to airlines, and sitting two or three people next to each other is a big part of supply and demand. Families want to tend to sit next to each other, and airlines can charge a premium to have you do so.

If you’re not traveling with children, buy your tickets one at a time so that you can all get cheaper seats. Most of us end up sleeping on an airplane, anyway, so it really doesn’t matter for most to have our loved ones sitting just inches away for the next couple of hours. Splitting your ticket purchases can literally save thousands, and you may still end up getting lucky and sitting next to each other (or at least in the same row).

Australia isn’t one of the most visited countries in the world with an average of nearly 10 million tourists per year (placing it far outside of the top 10). However, there are plenty of people who want to go to Australia, and for good reason. Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, amazing people, and a great culture.

If you’ve been wanting to head down under but are not sure if you can afford it, there are plenty of ways to save big on your trip. Here are five essential tips for visiting Australia on a budget so you can experience the amazing country for yourself.

Don’t Try To See It All

People who have never been to Australia might not realize just how massive it is. There are certain cities that come to mind first, and most of them are on the east coast, so people think that they can knock out all of them in one trip. However, the major cities are all pretty far away from each other, and most need a full-fledged flight to get from one to another.

Australia is about the same size as the United States, and should be looked at as such. Unlike much of Europe where you can take a cheap train ride from one major city to the other, Australia is much different. The distance from Brisbane to Sydney is about a 10-hour drive (1.5-hour flight), which is similar to the trip between Washington D.C. and Atlanta. With that in mind, try to stick to one major metro area on your trip.

Tipping Isn’t The Same

In the United States, tipping is seen as something that isn’t required, but people will drag you through the mud if you don’t tip a certain percentage or dollar amount for services. Normally, the standard is 20 percent of restaurants and then a few dollars here and there for others. If you’re visiting Australia from the United States, you might feel obliged to follow the same kind of tipping rules, especially because a lot of places leave tip jars.

However, if you don’t tip, people won’t look at you funny or chase you into the parking lot asking why you didn’t tip. Any time that you do tip in Australia, it’s because you want to show that person that their service went above and beyond, whereas here in the States we expect tips for even the most mediocre service. There are laws in Australia that prevent adding tips without knowledge, so don’t worry about being scammed, either.

Travel in May

May is the time of year when those of us in the northern hemisphere finally get to experience warmer weather after a long and cold winter. However, if you want to head to Australia for cheap, you should head there as soon as it starts getting warmer at home. That’s because Australian winter kicks off in June, and the temperatures start dropping around May, which means the prices start dropping, too.

Getting there can be a bit tricky if you don’t live on the west coast, though. There are only a handful of cities in North America that fly directly to Australia, and they’re all in the West. Dallas and Houston are the furthest east airports, with cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver all offering direct flights. If you live in one of these cities, travel in May, and head to Melbourne, you’ll be getting the cheapest possible flight.

Visit the Museums

One of the best ways that you can take in the Australian culture without having to spend a lot of money is by visiting the many museums that the country has to offer. No matter which one of the major cities you’re heading to, there are plenty of museum options, and most of them cost little to no money. Sydney alone has around a dozen great free museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Chau Chak Wing Museum.

Other fantastic museums throughout Australia include the Melbourne Museum, the National Museum of Australia, and the Australian National Maritime Museum. There are plenty of fine art galleries, too, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Beach It Up

If you’re a fan of the beach (and many of us are), then Australia definitely needs to be on your bucket list of places to visit. Almost all of the beaches in the country are free to visit, and there’s no shortage of them with around 12,000 in the country.

That’s more than 60,000km (37,282 miles) worth of coastline to visit. Australia offers up some of the best surfing in the world, and even in its coldest months, visiting the beach is still a fun activity. The best part, though? It’s almost always going to be completely free of charge.

The United Kingdom is not one of the 75 largest countries in terms of area, but the UK is still one of the most notable countries in the world. Very few countries have the type of history that the United Kingdom does, which is why so many people want to visit. On a yearly basis, the UK is one of the world’s most-visited countries with around 36 million people making their way there.

Because of the number of tourists packed into such a small country, visiting the United Kingdom can get rather expensive, and that has caused a lot of people to not live out their dream of visiting. However, there are plenty of ways to save big on your UK trip. Let’s take a look at five essential tips for visiting the UK on a budget that can make your dream of visiting come true.

Choosing The Right Flight

There are over 40 airports in total throughout the United Kingdom, though some of them are going to be much cheaper than others. If you want the absolute cheapest flight, London Gatwick is going to be your best bet while Manchester and London Heathrow are the other two airports where you’ll spend less than $1,000 on average with a roundtrip ticket from the United States.

Out of all of the European countries to visit with a direct flight from the United States, the UK has the most options. New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago all of course fly directly to London, while other surprising cities like Raleigh (North Carolina), Orlando, and Las Vegas are also part of the list. To save the most money, try to visit the United Kingdom in February or March when prices are the cheapest of the year.

Use The Great Public Transportation

The United Kingdom offers plenty of great public transportation options whether you’re looking to stay in London or visit the entirety of the UK. London alone has underground (The Tube) and overground train options to go along with double-decker buses that are world famous. Fares are quite cheap, and you can either pay as you go or obtain a prepaid Travelcard that gets you around the city.

You won’t have to rent a car to get from one city to another, as well. The United Kingdom has one of the best railway systems in the world that connects all of the major cities while also stopping in some lesser-known towns. Getting from England to Wales and Scotland is a breeze thanks to the railway system. The furthest you can end up traveling is around 24 hours if you’re going from Georgemas at the northernmost point to Penzance at the southwesternmost point.

Tour Memberships

One of the biggest reasons why a lot of us want to visit the United Kingdom is because of its rich history. The UK has plenty of museums and attractions dedicated to its history, and offers passes for some of the more popular locations. One of these is the English Heritage Pass, which gives you access to more than 100 locations throughout the UK including Stonehenge and Dover Castle.

You can get a nine or 16-day pass with one adult costing £45-53 depending on the number of days. Two adults top out at £90 while an entire family costs just £100 for a 16-day full access pass. Other tremendous passes include the Scotland Explorer Pass which gives you access to Edinburgh, Stirling, and Urquhart Castles, and the National Trust Touring Pass which gets you into plenty of great locations like Ham House, Castle Drogo, and Belton House to name a few.

Avoid The Fancy Restaurants

While the United Kingdom doesn’t get as much love for its cuisine compared to some of its European counterparts like Greece, Italy, or Spain, some of the best restaurants in the world are located in England. The super-expensive restaurants in cities like London will be easy to spot, and they tend to lure in tourists before hitting them with a massive bill.

When trying to save money on food, try to stick to ethnic restaurants that tend to have lower prices or even street food in the larger cities. Supermarket prices in the United Kingdom are comparable to those in the United States, so you can live like you normally would if you plan on staying for a while.

Have Fun At The Pubs

Outside of history, one of the big reasons why people like to go to the United Kingdom is to experience the culture, and the pub culture is big there. While certain pubs in London can end up costing an arm and a leg, more local pubs that don’t cater to tourists can end up being incredibly cheap.

British people aren’t likely to strike up a conversation with foreigners but can be very friendly after a few pints. Those local pubs can be a great way to learn peoples’ stories in the United Kingdom and have fun while not costing a fortune.

Spain is not even in the top 50 of the largest countries in the world by area, but that doesn’t stop tens of millions of people from visiting on a yearly basis. In fact, Spain and the United States tend to bounce back and forth between the number two spot of most visited countries in the world behind France.

With the tourism industry being a massive source of income for Spain, things can get quite pricey for visitors. This has put some people off from visiting Spain because they simply believe that they can’t afford the trip. If you’ve always wanted to visit Spain but don’t think you have the money, it’s still possible to travel there for cheap. Here are five essential tips for visiting Spain on a budget.

Find The Right Flight

Because Spain is one of the countries that are furthest to the west in Europe, there are more options to fly from North America directly. From the United States, you can fly directly to Spain from Philadelphia, Miami, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Newark (New Jersey). If you’re not on the east coast already, taking a connecting flight to one of these cities will be rather easy.

As for the cheapest airports to fly into when arriving in Spain, Barcelona is going to be your best bet while Madrid is a close second. Both airports have a long list of flights arriving and departing daily, and the sheer volume helps keep the prices down. Malaga and Palma de Mallorca are also good options, but typically if you’re only flying in from another European country. The cheapest months to visit Spain are from December to March, which are the coldest, but not nearly as cold as Canada and parts of the United States.

Take Advantage of Public Transportation

Outside of Asia, there are a couple of global cities that are world-renowned for their public transportation options. One of them is Santiago, Chile, and the other one is Madrid. We already pointed out that Madrid is the second-cheapest airport to fly into, and you don’t need a taxi to get you around the city. Even if you plan on leaving Madrid, there are plenty of high-speed railroad options to get you around the country.

Because of how well the trains operate in Spain, they can end up being pretty busy when traveling between cities. When you’re in the city, however, it’s a very cheap option that will save you a lot of time and money. If you want a super low-budget trip throughout all of Spain, there are plenty of buses that cost next to nothing. Either way, you can save hundreds by skipping the rental car and using Spain’s transportation options.

Hit The Hostels

Spain has some of the best hotels in the world, but they also happen to be some of the most expensive hotels in the world. While it’s the dream for many of us to stay in a swanky foreign hotel, it might not be doable if you’re on a shoestring budget. If you can’t find a cheap chain hotel (which is possible when events like football matches or fashion shows are happening), then hostels could do the trick.

Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have tons of hostels to pick from, and even ones that are rated four stars and up can cost just $25-50 per night. What makes these hostels even better is that many of them come with free breakfast all while promoting a safe environment. You’ll be shocked to see what you can get for $50 per night in a city like Madrid compared to the United States.

Fill Up On Tapas

Have you ever been to a Mexican restaurant and ended up filling up on chips and salsa so much that you don’t even come close to finishing your entree? That same culture of eating large meals for a long period of time is also found in Spain, and it’s actually taken a few notches further. Restaurants usually don’t even open up until late at night (8:00 pm) and you typically get complimentary tapas just by purchasing a drink.

With that in mind, try to order some of the cheaper entrees and save them for later. You’ll be eating so much tapas in Spain that you might not even get to that entree in the end. With that said, skip the Michelin Star restaurants and hit up small neighborhood dining options.

Stick To Small Cities

Spain has more large cities than you might think. Outside of Madrid and Barcelona, there are cities with over 1 million people including Valencia, Sevilla, Alicante, Murcia, Cadiz, and A Coruna. These cities can get pretty cramped hotel and restaurant-wise, especially if there’s an event in the city.

There are plenty of smaller cities and towns in Spain that have an abundance of natural beauty without the expensive features. The perfect way to spend a vacation could include walking around these towns and soaking it all in rather than going on a shopping spree in Barcelona.

Despite being outside of the top 70 in terms of largest countries by land area, Italy is one of the five most-visited countries in the world with more than 50 million annual visitors. There are plenty of reasons why people travel to Italy between the food, people, history, and much more. Because of the high concentration of tourists, Italy can also be one of the more expensive countries to visit.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If you’ve always wanted to visit Italy but have been afraid about draining your bank account, we’re here to help. Here are five essential tips to follow if you want to visit Italy on a budget.

Pick the Right Airport and Time

If you want to save the most money on your trip to Italy, then there are certain times of the year that will save you hundreds. It can get rather cold in Italy during January and February, and the lack of holidays during these months makes them the cheapest. The good news is that Italy, on average, doesn’t get as cold during the winter months as other parts of the world. The average high during January and February is between 52 and 55 Fahrenheit while the lows are typically around 37 degrees.

Certain airports are also cheaper to fly to than others. If you’re adamant about having a direct flight from the United States to Italy, the only airports that can get you there nonstop are JFK (New York City), Newark (New Jersey), and Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta). You can save money by taking a flight that has a connector, with Bologna and Milan being the cheapest airports to fly into.

Ride the Rails

If you’re a big fan of public transportation that works incredibly well, then you’ll be in awe of how efficient it is in Italy. With over 15,000 miles of rail in Italy, no city is going to be difficult or expensive to get to no matter which airport you fly into. Eurail and InterRail offer services throughout Italy, and you don’t have to get the international pass that’s offered by the services.

Instead, you can opt for a much cheaper option that allows you to travel throughout Italy, and it’s best to get a prepaid pass that allows you unlimited rides for a certain amount of days. City-to-city tickets are also available, which end up being the cheapest option if you have a very specific itinerary in mind. For the cheapest rides, you can expect to pay less than 10 Euros to get from one city to another.

Take The Walking Tours

One of the biggest reasons that many of us want to visit Italy is because of the historical architecture and beautiful cities. You can see the best of what Italy has to offer without spending a dime thanks to the walking tours available. Sure, you could walk around cities like Rome or Venice for free, but you could end up getting lost or wasting time by not seeing the best sites of the cities.

Instead, try to book one of the free guided walking tours that are available. Many of these tours are led by those with college degrees in Italian history and architecture, allowing you to get the full experience. To really capitalize on the tours, try to brush up on some Italian so that you can understand what the tour guide is saying while also making sure that you’re getting a legitimate tour.

Stick To Smaller Areas

With Italy being one of the most-visited countries in the world, many of the tourists that make their way to the country settle in large cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin. With that said, there are plenty of other great small cities and towns to visit that are going to be much cheaper, especially if you use Airbnb or VRBO to rent a home.

Some of the historical and gorgeous smaller areas to visit in Italy include Taormina, Brisighella, Sienna, and Alberobello. There isn’t really a bad place in Italy to visit if you’re trying to take in the history and culture while experiencing some of the best views in the world. In fact, the largest cities are the most dangerous, so you’re also staying safe while saving money.

Avoid Sit-Down Restaurants

If you want to save a few dollars (or Euros) here and there in Italy, try to avoid the sit-down restaurants and instead pick up your food to-go or from a grocery store. That’s because there are tacked-on fees when you sit down to eat. You won’t be expected to tip, which is good, but there are additional fees including paying for tap water.

One charge that you’ll be shocked to see if you’re from out of the country is the coperto. This is typically a 1-5 Euro fee, with some restaurants charging up to 20 Euros per person. This is simply a fee for sitting down and eating in the restaurant, and there is no maximum.

Germany is one of the most popular countries for visitors to travel to in the world with an average of around 40 million people per year, and there are a lot of reasons why. Germany has plenty of historic places for people to visit, some of the best infrastructure in the world, and some of the best culture, too.

Germany is also one of the more affordable countries to visit and is easily accessible. Many people have put off a trip to Germany because they think it can be quite pricey, but there are plenty of ways to save if you have ever wanted to visit Deutschland. Here are five essential tips to follow if you want to visit Germany on a budget.

Pick The Right Airport

If you’re flying in from another country, there are certain airports that are going to be cheaper than others. Frankfurt is the fifth cheapest with an average round-trip cost from the United States of just over $1,000. Those that fall into the three-figure category include Hamburg, Berlin Tegel, and Dusseldorf. If you want the cheapest round-trip flight to Berlin, though, then make your way to Berlin-Schonefeld.

It’s much smaller than some of the other airports, as Frankfurt and Berlin-Brandenburg are far and away the largest. However, there are plenty of destinations that offer cheap flights to SXF. There aren’t any direct flights from the United States, but plenty of connecting flights from places like London, Barcelona, and Istanbul. If you want to fly nonstop, though, there are a few cities in the United States that fly direct to Germany including Atlanta, Detroit, New York City, and even Denver.

Visit in Winter

There are certain places that lose their charm during the winter and make people not want to visit, but Germany isn’t one of them. Perhaps it’s because Germany isn’t really known for exotic beaches or a tropical atmosphere, but Germany in the winter is just as fun as Germany in the winter. There is a major price difference between the winter and summer months, so traveling during those months are going to save you hundreds.

December and January are exceptionally cheap, with February being the cheapest month to travel. If you’re from the northern United States, you won’t feel out of place visiting Germany in the winter, either. In fact, on average, Germany is actually a little bit warmer than certain states with an average low of 23 at its coldest and an average high of 41 (Fahrenheit). Sure, it’s not the most ideal situation, but it’s by far the cheapest way to see Germany.

Take Advantage of Public Transit

All of the major cities within Germany have great public transportation systems, and Berlin in particular is among the best. Berlin has consistently ranked in the top 10 of best public transportation cities thanks in large part to the Berlin U-Bahn. This rapid transit system is similar to that of New York for those who are more familiar with the United States, and it can turn into a party.

On weekend nights, you might find yourself swept away into the middle of a party while on the U-Bahn. As for the cost, you can get a reduced rate that’s lower than two Euros per trip. At most, you’ll still be paying less than four Euros per trip, and that’s if you’re taking the longest route possible. If you want to see everything, then a 24-hour ticket can get you anywhere you want to go for just 10 Euros with unlimited rides.

Skip The Hotels

There are going to be plenty of hotel options throughout Germany, but those are usually going to be the go-to for business travelers only. For tourists who want the full German experience without having to break the bank, there are other fantastic options. House and apartment rentals are available through sites like Airbnb and VRBO while there are also top-end hostels where you can meet other travelers.

A good hostel in Germany will only cost about 30 Euros per night. Also, Germany is consistently ranked toward the top by tourists for having some of the best hostels in the world. Between large houses and even castles, German hostels are a sight to behold compared to even some other developed countries. 

Street Food

When you’re on vacation in Germany and want to worry about making sure that your wallet doesn’t get too thin, you have to not worry about keeping yourself thin. The cheapest dining options in Germany are going to be the endless street food vendors who charge a fraction of what it will cost at a sit-down restaurant.

Fans of bratwurst will find countless options that are all competing to be the lowest price, while other great foods like kumpir and pretzels are just the tip of the iceberg of what to expect. The carbs might make you feel weighed down, but the cost will be worth it.

If you were to ask people from any nation around the world what their number one country would be that they want to visit, there’s a good chance that it’s going to be France. France, known for its fantastic history, great scenery, and safety for tourists, is a prime destination during all parts of the year.

On the other hand, the French know that tourism plays a massive role in the industry, and as such, are able to nickel and dime visitors. That’s where we come in, though. If you have wanted to visit France but have been put off because of the massive prices that can come with a visit, here are five essential tips for traveling to France on a budget.

Fly into Paris

There isn’t really a wrong place to fly into in France, but there are some airports that stand above the rest for international travelers. Nice Cote d’Azur Airport and Lyon Saint Exupery Airport are fine options, but if you really want to save money, it makes sense to fly to the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The largest city in France also has the largest airport and by far the most options.

Because of the multitude of options, flying into de Gaulle is fairly cheap. There are about 20 United States cities that fly directly to Paris, ranging from New York to Detroit to Los Angeles. No matter where you are in the country, there should be an airport within driving distance that can take you directly to de Gaulle without needing to stop in New York City, Montreal, or London along the way, all while saving you money.

Avoid the Toll Roads

Here in the United States, we’re used to toll roads which are mostly owned by private companies and offer the fastest way to get across large states on roads that are maintained frequently. We tend to think of other countries not relying on toll roads, but that isn’t the case. France is one of those countries that has a massive amount of toll roads, and they can add up quickly when driving around.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other roads throughout France where you can avoid these tolls. Though you’ll have to drive a few more miles (or kilometers, if you will), you’ll avoid the massive tolls and get more of the French scenery. If there are routes where it would make more sense so that you can save on gas, then it’s best to prepay for a toll pass as the cost will be a fraction of paying at the gate.

In Fact, Skip the Car

The toll roads can be unavoidable if you want to see all of France, but even then, you can skip them completely if you don’t drive at all. One thing that we Americans aren’t really used to is having access to railroads which will quickly take you from one major city to another. Sure, we have railroads, but they can be incredibly expensive and slow. That’s not the case in France where all major cities can be scene cheaply and easily.

Trains are running on a daily basis, and you’ll be shocked at how cheap they are. Paris and Nice are nearly 500 miles away from each other, so you might think that trip would cost over $100. However, it’s barely above $20 and the trip is just under six hours long. That type of value for travel can’t be beaten, so feel free to see all of France for just a few bucks.

Focus on Lunch

Dinnertime is huge for the French, and restaurant prices reflect that. While most of us are used to lunch and dinner prices being about the same for any restaurant picked at random, French dinner prices can be nearly triple the cost. If you want to visit France’s finest restaurants, going in the middle of the day could save you hundreds.

As for the smaller local restaurants, you can spend next to nothing for lunch depending on what you get. If you go for the plats du jour, you’ll get a dish that’s only a few bucks. Other cheap options are the formules and menus, which are two and three-course meals. If you plan on staying, fresh groceries can be bought at markets for cheap, too.

Visit the Vineyards

Let’s face it, one of the reasons why many of us want to visit France is because of the world-class wine. France is home to some of the best wines in the world, and buying them can be a lot of money when purchased on the shelves.

However, if you visit one of the wineries directly, you can save a lot. Even if you aren’t going for the top-rated wine in the world, there are plenty of fantastic vineyards to visit where you can get fine wine without breaking the bank.