Money in walletSource

There are very few people in the world who are satisfied with standing still. Most of us experience the wanderlust bug at least once in our lives and why not indulge? Traveling is wonderful for expanding your horizons, learning about new cultures and breaking you out of the shell you’ve made for yourself. That being said, it’s anything but cheap. Traveling, especially internationally, comes with a hefty price tag. But if you’re willing to do some planning and be open to new options, you might be able to plan your adventure for less than you expected.

Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind that may save you a few bucks.

  • Beware of hidden fees. The biggest fees you’re going to want to watch out for are your phone, bank and airline fees. If your current phone charges outrageous fees for roaming, consider switching to a service like mobi-data.co.uk that’s built for frequent travelers. And if you’re going by plane, check to see if there are fees associated with checking your luggage or bringing a carry-on. A lot of companies charge for you to check bags now, even if it’s only one, so packing light may save you some money.
  • Airline points, airline points, airline points. If you don’t already have a credit card that gives you miles for money that you spend, get on it now. The easiest way to fly for cheap is to get a card that will help you get to your goal. Look specifically for cards with miles that work on airlines you frequently use and make sure you put all of your big purchases on it, even if you pay them back right away. If you get the right promotion, you may even get bonus points for just signing up for the card so keep your eyes peeled.
  • Be flexible with dates. If you have the time, being flexible about dates will surely save you money. If you’re able to travel during the week and not during the weekends you are more likely to find discount tickets. In addition, many airlines will offer reimbursements or free flights when they overbook a flight and customers are willing to wait to hop on the next one. It’s never a guarantee but it’s certainly worth the wait. Buying tickets in advance will also help you save money, although there are times when discount tickets pop up on the market when an airline or train isn’t able to sell all of its tickets.

Being open to other travel options will certainly help you when trying to save money traveling. While proper planning can eliminate a lot of the stress and can save you from paying lots of last minute fees, many times when it comes down to the line plans will have to change. Even the best-laid plans have to have a bit of wiggle room. The most important part of your adventure, however, is to have fun. So don’t let the stress of money get you bogged down.

Do you have any tips to save money while traveling? We would love to hear them!