7 Unusual Travel Hacks That Can Save You Big Money (If You Can Handle Them)

Aja McClanahan
·6-min read
©Shutterstock.com
©Shutterstock.com

You’re not alone if you are a faithful road warrior who gets high on chasing inexpensive travel adventures.

Plenty of jet setters are willing to take extreme measures to go on that next trip, though it may require an extreme level of flexibility and bravery.

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If you think you’re down, check out these travel hacks that might get you to your next adventure sooner than you think!

1) Go Off the Beaten Path

One thing you can do is nab accommodations a little bit outside the city center.

As long as the area is easily accessible by public transportation, you should be able to save money on a room. Plus, you can avoid “tourist trap” attractions for dining, gift shops and even excursions or activities.

Another way to take the “road less traveled” is to visit less touristy destinations, often considered “underrated.” For instance, instead of going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, you may opt for Penang, Malaysia, instead. If you’re planning a European vacation, check out eastern European countries like Croatia or Montenegro instead of more popular destinations like France or Germany.

Finally, if you have a flexible schedule, travel outside peak seasons for certain destinations. For instance, going to the Caribbean during the summer will be considerably less expensive than going during peak season, typically from December to April.

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2) Alternative Accommodations

Resorts, hotels and short-term rentals aren’t the only places you can stay during your travels. As long as you observe proper safety protocols, here are a few ways to get economical or even free accommodations:

  • House swapping or home sitting: Through dedicated websites or Facebook groups, you can offer low-to-no-cost accommodations in exchange for your own place or homesitting services.

  • Cultural exchanges: Sites like Workaway and World Packers provide a platform to connect volunteers and hosts who exchange service and labor for accommodations.

  • Hostels: Camp out in affordable, shared dormitory-style rooms. Hostels are ideal for budget travelers who are okay with basic, communal stays.

  • Boat crewing: Find free or greatly reduced passage on sailboats in exchange for your work on a marine vessel like a sailboat or a yacht.

  • Couch surfing: Stay at a local’s home for free, typically sleeping on the host’s couch or spare bed for a unique opportunity to connect with local culture and save on accommodation costs.

3) Get into the Travel Biz

Though this likely isn’t an immediate way to realize savings on your travel, you could earn extreme discounts if you can stay the course. There are varying levels of commitment, but there are a few ways to do this:

  • Become a travel influencer: Though not the fastest route to free or discounted travel, if you build a following, you can earn with collaborations, affiliate products and sponsored content, ultimately reducing your out-of-pocket travel expenses.

  • Become a travel agent: Plan destination weddings, group travel or even small getaways for family, friends and clients for commission-based earnings. You’ll also get discounts for booking your own itineraries.

  • Work in hospitality: Get a position in a hospitality and travel-centered company like an airline, resort, cruise or hotel chain. In the best cases, you might get free room and board. In other cases, you may get access to deeply discounted travel accommodations.

4) Become the Ultimate Opportunist

Essentially, you’ll be chasing travel deals based on sales and promotions rather than your preferred destinations on your preferred schedule.

To do this, get on the email lists of your favorite hotel chains, boutique hotels, airlines, and other travel-related companies for updates on reduced pricing. Several paid fare-watching services like Going and Faredrop also scour the web for good travel deals and deliver the alerts directly to your email inbox.

In this same vein, let Google Flights plan your next trip. Enter the location of your departure, and without adding dates or a final destination, Google Flights will show you flight recommendations and, sometimes, vacation packages for certain destinations. From here, you can choose something based on your budget and availability.

Lastly, You can get $1-per-day car rentals by renting from a car relocation service. Julia Chanen of the Lavender Travels explained how she’s used sites like iMoova to get incredibly cheap rentals.

“Rental vehicles around Australia often end up thousands of miles away from where they started since the country is so massive,” Chanen said. “Companies like iMoova, an international car rental company, offer these rental vehicles — often for as little as $1 a day — to be driven back to their original location in a set number of days.”

She commented on a great deal she got using the service, as well.

“For example, we rented a truck with a rooftop tent and drove 2,500 miles through the Outback from Darwin to Melbourne over 13 days, spending only $55 total on the rental. We also received a $250 fuel credit,” she recounted.

5) Consider Slow Travel

Slow travel typically involves spending more time in fewer destinations, allowing for a more relaxed and meaningful exploration of each place.

In this travel approach, you’ll choose a destination and stay for a longer period of time — from several weeks up to a few years. This might mean securing longer-term stays and employment in a destination, too. It’s not uncommon for people to teach English abroad or work remotely to finance this lifestyle.

Use a destination as a “home base” to get to nearby places at a lower cost. For instance, settling into a home base in the Caribbean or a similar archipelago makes it easier and cheaper to visit nearby islands by ferry or inexpensive hopper flights.

6) Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Flying by plane isn’t the only way to reach your next destination. Depending on where you are, you may be able to use other modes of transportation like buses, trains, ferries or public transportation.

For instance, many travelers prefer renting scooters instead of depending on taxicabs or car rentals in Southeast Asian countries like Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. You can take scenic cross-country or even international train trips on different railways in countries like the United States, China, Kenya, New Zealand, and plenty more.

These alternative forms of transportation can offer a more budget-friendly and immersive experience that allows you to explore new places and interact with locals while enjoying picturesque landscapes along the way.

7) Miscellaneous Tips

  • Get a cab away from the airport: Take public transportation or an airport shuttle to a nearby location, which often charges less when departing from an area outside of the airport.

  • Pack light: If you can travel with just a carry-on, you can save tons on baggage fees.

  • Use credit card points and travel portals: Get travel discounts by using points and card issuer travel portals for discounts on everything from fights to specially curated events.

  • Attend a timeshare presentation: If you don’t mind attending a rather lengthy, high-pressure sales situation, this can be a way to score free accommodation or discounts on things like amenities and excursions.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Unusual Travel Hacks That Can Save You Big Money (If You Can Handle Them)

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