A recent trip to Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, had me thinking about travel, and the reasons why many people don’t travel more. After talking with several people about why they don’t travel more (and after observing many comments on blog posts and forums) I kept noticing the same response.
The answer? money. Most people don’t travel more and see the world simply because they think it costs too much money.
While having more money can definitely help you travel more, I don’t believe you need lots of money to travel and see the world. In fact, I know that because I live it. (and if you don’t believe me, ask this guy who traveled around the world for $418.00.)
There are many ways to cut the cost of travel and see the world for cheap. You don’t need lots of money, you just need to have a new mindset about travel and develop a few travel hacking skills, such as learning how to cut travel costs.
Here’s a list of some of the ways I cut the cost of travel:
11 ways to lower the cost of travel:
- Travel with a group of friends and split the costs
- Go for fewer days (Try the four day weekend: Friday through Monday)
- Capitalize on credit card bonuses and get free flights (this is my favorite!)
- Ask for travel gift cards for your birthday (like this Southwest Airlines Gift Card)
- Take advantage of Travel Credits when the opportunities arise (Sometimes, when you check in for your airline at the Airport Kiosk, the airline company will ask you if you’d be willing to take a later flight in exchange for $300 towards free travel. When this opportunity arises, take it!)
- Use Priceline.com, Airbnb, CheapHotels.com, and Hotels.com to find cheap hotels and places to stay
- Buy groceries and cook your meals, instead of eating out
- Stay with family, friends, or friends of friends (you can even pay them and/or help with dishes and cleaning the house! It will probably cost a lot less than a hotel too)
- Bargain with companies when you find a better deal elsewhere, and ask the company if they can beat the price (I’ve done this with car rentals before, and it works! Give it a shot, you might surprise yourself)
- Sign up for Travel Hacking Academy (only $17.95), learn, understand, and master travel hacking, and come up with even more ways to lower the cost of travel than what’s on this list!
- Use Kayak or SkyScanner to find super cheap airplane tickets (this is what I use when not booking with Award Miles or Travel Credits!)
What are some ways you use to cut the cost of travel? Do you have any favorite techniques or websites you use?
Leave a comment and let us know. I’ll update and add to this list over time, and if I think your cost-cutting idea is useful, I’ll add it to the list with a link to your Twitter or website (be sure to add your Twitter username and/or website with the comment!).
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