What is “Travel Hacking,” & How Does It Work?
What I was seeing was unbelievable. I’ve been scouring the internet for a less expensive way to get from Kolkata to Bangkok since yesterday. And, after conducting several searches with different airlines and spending considerable time perusing websites that offer discounted flights, I discovered that the fee is $45 US. It was surrounded by prices ranging from $150 to $300 in the United States.
I didn’t give it much thought before purchasing the ticket that only goes in one direction. Because I was able to secure such a good deal, I was able to plan my entire schedule around this trip. What was supposed to be a quick trip to Bangkok turned into a two-month journey through Southeast Asia, with stops in six different countries.
And I was able to get by for two months on less than USD 900, which included all bus, train, and flight tickets. As a result, you could say I know a thing or two about travel life hacks, and I wrote this article to show you a few different travel life hacks that you can use to your advantage while traveling!
Make your flight reservation as soon as possible
There is a widespread misconception that buying a round-trip ticket is always less expensive than buying two separate tickets. According to my observations, this isn’t always the case. Round-trip tickets are typically less expensive than one-way tickets, but if you shop around carefully, you might find a fantastic deal like the one I found for my trip to Bangkok.
Consider taking your trip during the shoulder seasons
This is yet another of the fundamental recommendations for budget travel. Do some research to find out when the shoulder seasons are for the destination you want to visit. Furthermore, when I say “off-season,” I do not mean that you should visit Southeast Asia in September, when the rainy season is at its peak. Simply choose a season when the temperature is lower but it does not rain frequently. When there are fewer tourists, not only will the prices of everything be significantly lower, but you will also be able to get a more authentic feel for the location. You will be able to see how people live in that country and gain a great deal of additional knowledge.
Make your hotel reservations through online booking sites
There are numerous sites, including Booking, Trivago, and Agoda. You will almost certainly get a better deal if you use one of these websites rather than going directly to the hotel. If you want to save money on your next vacation, use the Booking code I provide to save up to 15% on any accommodation rentals.
Use Google to look for bargains
Before making any purchases, always perform a Google search with the words discount or code. This will assist you in locating the best deal. If you do it this way, you might end up with some really good deals. Make sure to do this at the same time as you book your flight and hotel.
Check out the current exchange rates
Keeping up with the global economy is always a good idea. Examine how the currency of the country you intend to visit compares to the currency of your home country. Because of the recent decline in the value of the euro in relation to the value of the US dollar, it is now an excellent time for US citizens to travel to Europe, for example (at the time of writing this article).
Consider taking organized tours
Even if you are traveling alone, you can still reap the benefits of group travel. Simply look into the costs of group tours to the locations you want to visit. Place all logistics in the hands of professionals. That also makes things a lot easier. There are a lot of businesses out there that want to cater to sole voyagers.
Hostels
Staying in a hostel is one of the most practical pieces of advice I can give to a budget-conscious solo traveler. When you stay in a room shared with other guests, you not only save money, but you also have the opportunity to meet new people. There are also numerous opulent hostels with swimming pools, fitness centers, and a variety of other amenities. You can also stay in people’s homes or participate in Couchsurfing. The most wonderful aspect of them is:
Examine Hostel Calendars
Many hostels offer a variety of different activities to their guests. Everything from themed dinner parties to cooking classes to excursions to well-known landmarks is available. Even if there is a fee for participating in the activities, it is frequently waived, and if there is a fee, it is usually much less than what you would normally pay.
Purchase a local SIM card.
When traveling to a foreign country, having access to maps is extremely useful, especially if you are traveling alone. When you’re traveling alone and there aren’t many people around who speak English, getting lost can be a terrifying experience. While I was in Hanoi, this occurred to me. You won’t get lost if you have a SIM card, and you won’t have to pay for cab rides or public transportation because you’ll be able to walk to nearby attractions.
Avoid going to the ATM if possible
If you use your card in a foreign country and withdraw money from an automated teller machine, you may be charged a high commission fee (ATM). Your bank will charge you a commission, and most automated teller machines will charge you a fee for using their services. Some financial institutions will provide you with a fee-free card that you can use while traveling in exchange for an annual fee. Your first step should be to look for banks in your country that provide this service.
It is not advisable to exchange money at the airport
Alternatively, you could exchange a small sum of money, which should cover the cost of transportation to your hotel. The exchange rates at the airport are terrible, and if you need to convert a large sum of money, you will almost certainly lose money.
Take twice as much money as you think you’ll need and half the number of clothes.
I understand that the topic of money has nothing to do with the title of the article. But I didn’t realize this until I’d tried and failed several times to withdraw money from an automated teller machine. And the reason I had to withdraw money from the ATM was because I was planning my budget down to the last penny, and I thought the amount I took would be sufficient.
It is never a good idea to plan out your exact budget in advance when going on a trip. And the part about the clothes is just to make it easier for you to move around while backpacking and to avoid paying extra luggage fees at the airport. Even if you keep it, you won’t be able to use half of it. If you want to learn how to pack like a pro and travel with as little as possible, check out our guides to minimalist packing and extreme minimalist travel.
Take advantage of public transportation
It is unnecessary to emphasize how much money can be saved by using public transportation. Some people, however, find overcrowded public transportation to be uncomfortable. Pickpockets are common in public places such as these. As a result, if you do not want to use public transportation, at the very least…
Give each other a ride
Passengers who use Uber or one of its many localized variants can split the cost of their ride and save significantly. You won’t have to struggle to explain where you want to go because the drivers use GPS, even if the driver doesn’t speak English. This is another benefit of this arrangement.
Look for freebies
One of the benefits of traveling alone is having complete control over when and where you go. In addition, many cities provide a wide range of free entertainment options, such as admission to museums, festivals, concerts, and other events. Even if you didn’t do your research in time, you can always go to the tourist bureau and ask for information.
Stop your never-ending search for mementos
Joey, I apologize for that. I know how much you care about the people in your life, but I must warn you that buying gifts for a large number of people can be both expensive and time-consuming. Simply make the most of your limited time by getting out and discovering new things about the city. If your family and friends genuinely care about you, they will understand what you are going through.
Accept the Couchsurfing challenge
Couchsurfing is the most well-known mobile application for tourists that allows them to spend the night at the home of a local. Even if you don’t feel comfortable talking to strangers in public or if doing so makes you feel awkward, you can still meet local people using the app. They are familiar with the area, and as a result, they can direct you to the best deals in the city. the ones mostly frequented by locals As a result, you will not only have a fantastic time, but you will also profit financially.
Limit your restaurant meals
There are also a lot of cheap restaurants, but you won’t be able to find them if this is your first time in the area. One of the most important money-saving strategies I use is to avoid eating out. Especially in Asia, where the street food is incredible. I lived on street food for the majority of my two-month trip through Southeast Asia.
Utilize the advantages that technology provides
Traveling, like all other aspects of life, can be made easier by technological advancements. Before you leave, do some research and download some useful travel apps. They will make your journey far more enjoyable. CityMaps2Go is my personal favorite because it allows you to access maps of different cities even when you aren’t connected to the internet and pin the locations on the map that you want to visit.
Purchase travel insurance
According to my understanding, the majority of frugal travelers will advise you not to purchase travel insurance because it is an unnecessary expense. And I agree; you’re unlikely to need travel insurance the majority of the time. However, the one occasion when you will need it will more than compensate for all of the other occasions when you purchased travel insurance but did not need it.
Take into account that choosing the right provider for travel insurance is critical. one that you can contact at any time, claim from anywhere in the world in an easy and straightforward manner, and get paid as soon as possible In my opinion, and based on my own experiences, World Nomads is the best option for travel insurance.
