12 Tips on How to Save Money on Travel – Cafes and Getaways

Travel Tips

12 Tips on How to Save Money on Travel

Last Modified: June 4, 2023

Traveling during the shoulder season is one of the best money-saving tips for any trip. No matter where you plan to go, the peak season will always mean that prices for plane tickets, transportation, accommodations, and attractions go up.

In general, peak season tends to be around the middle of June to the end of August due to warm weather and summer vacations for families. Planning a trip in May or September can save you several hundreds of dollars on plane tickets and even a good bit on accommodations.

Traveling off-season will give you even more savings. These usually are winter months when fewer people travel to these destinations. As a result, ticket and accommodation costs drastically decrease as the demand dwindles. But, of course, popular winter destinations such as Switzerland or Norway will be busy during this time. 

You also want to ensure there aren’t any holidays or events going on as those with up the price. Cities like Vienna and Brussels are known for their beautiful Christmas markets, so traveling during the holiday season will be more expensive. Places like Monaco (which stays pricey all year round) will be even more so during their famous Monaco Grand Prix in May. 

More tropical destinations, like the Greek islands or the Amalfi Coast, will not be as crowded. The one word of caution when planning to travel during the off-season is to research what is available during those times. Many tourist destinations, such as Santorini, shut almost entirely down for the off-season.

Another simple but underused tip is to book your accommodation as soon as you’ve set your travel dates. The longer you wait to book your hotel, the higher the rate will be, especially in popular destinations that have a low inventory to begin with.

I remember booking our hotel for London eight months in advance. I went back to the site about four months before our trip to see if there were any new deals available and instead saw that the same room was now $1,000 more than what we had reserved it for. 

In addition to booking early, do some research on where you’d like to stay. A rule of thumb is that the closer to the city center you are, the most expensive. Staying in less popular areas can save you a lot. Also, many hotels have huge savings if you are willing to reserve a nonrefundable room.

No matter where you travel, there will be various free things to do there. Looking for free attractions is a great way to experience a new place without spending much money. You would be surprised at how many free attractions you can find in many destinations. 

For example, there are dozens of things to do in Rome that won’t cost you a penny, including the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. The churches in many places are also free to enter. You can visit the historic Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica without purchasing a ticket. 

If you are a nature lover, you can find plenty of free things to do outdoors. With beautiful parks, hiking trails, and outdoor activities, you can easily fill an entire day up . And in many cases, you can still witness the wonders of a city’s architecture without spending time and money on a guided tour. 

Again, do some research! Did you know that museums and art galleries in London are free? And that even famous museums in Paris like the Louvre are also free on the first Sunday of every month? Many attractions also give discounted and free admission tickets to EU members, students, and young children.

Another simple way to save loads of money on your trip is to walk as much as you can.  Besides being free, walking allows you to go at your own places and sightsee. Walking in a new city is one of the best ways to experience it, and you will most likely stumble across a hidden gem or two that you would miss if you were using public transportation.

Of course, some places will be too far to walk to. In those cases, try to take public transportation over a taxi. A bus or train will only cost a couple of euros, while taxis can be a huge expense if taken all the time. 

Most European cities have incredibly efficient public transportation systems that are straightforward to follow. However, being in a new city without speaking the language can make using buses and trains a little more complicated. Most places now have free transportation apps that tell you exactly what train to take and what station to go to.

Another quick way to save money is to avoid eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a sit-down restaurant. Eating out for every meal can quickly add up, especially if you are ordering a glass of wine with your entree. 

Take advantage of the free breakfasts many hotels offer, grab a pastry at a nearby bakery, or find something tasty at a local market. Many countries in Europe have outdoor and indoor markets where you can get fresh produce for next to nothing.  

Buy some fresh ingredients and have an outdoor picnic instead of spending all that money at a restaurant. Most European cities have plenty of green spaces and parks where you can go. 

And don’t rule out street food, either! Try some famous socca in Nice from Chez Thérésa for just €3 or grab some fish and chips to go in London. Not only are these cheap meals, but they are delicious too. 

When traveling to a place with a different currency, you will have both an exchange rate and a transaction fee. The exchange rate can be either good or bad for you, depending on where you travel. However, you will have a transaction fee no matter where you go. 

Although it is only a couple of dollars, if you get dinged each time you use a card, you can quickly rack up $50 in fees in a week of traveling without even noticing.

To avoid this, stick to cash or use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. travel cards such as American Express will not charge a foreign transaction fee on your purchases. My go-to form of payment when traveling is my Amex Platinum Card. I save money on transactions while racking up points for my next trip.

Cash is another great way to avoid all those extra fees, but you want to carry only a little at a time. If you prefer to use cash for most of your purchases, you will need to use an ATM at some point. However, it is still better than paying foreign transaction fees for every purchase. If you need to withdraw cash, bank ATMs charge a lower withdrawal fee. 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT |Skyscanner is the top search engine for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices. 

VIEW ACCOMMODATIONS |For booking hotels and vacation rentals Booking.com is a top resource . They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.

PLAN TRANSPORTATION | Discover Cars is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.

SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS | There are many top companies available in Europe. Get Your Guide is one of the best sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE | Having travel insurance is always a good idea. World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies.  It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens. 

Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.

Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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