Practical tips for saving money on flights and accommodation when traveling

Practical tips for saving money on flights and accommodation when traveling

The main components of travel expenses: airfare and accommodation.Saving on these two expenses can significantly reduce the cost of the entire trip, allowing travelers to invest more budget in other travel experiences, such as dining, attraction tickets, local activities, etc. Travelers can use the money they save to travel more often, increasing their travel opportunities. This is especially important for those who love to travel but have a limited budget.

How to save on air tickets

1. Book in advance

Plan your trip in advance :

According to the Travel Insurance Association of America, booking flights six weeks in advance can save you 30%-40% on airfares compared to booking them closer to departure. Specifically, airfares typically increase by about 20% within three weeks of departure.

Avoid peak seasons :

According to Skyscanner, airfares usually rise by 20%-50% during peak seasons such as summer vacation and Christmas. For example, airfares from the United States to Europe in the summer are more than $100 more expensive than in spring and autumn.

2. Choose flexible departure and return dates

Flexible dates :

A study by Expedia found that choosing flexible departure and return dates can help you save an average of 15%-20% on airfare. In particular, flights departing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are much cheaper than on Fridays and Sundays.

Avoid weekend travel :

According to the annual report released by CheapAir.com, Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest departure days, while Friday and Sunday are the most expensive departure days. For example, for flights from New York to Los Angeles, the fares on Friday and Sunday are 15%-25% higher than on Tuesday.

Choose a lesser-known airport :

According to AirHelp, flying from or to a lesser-known airport can save you 10% to 30% on your airfare. For example, flights from New York's LaGuardia Airport are about 15% cheaper than those from JFK.

Consider connecting flights :

According to a survey by Travel + Leisure, choosing connecting flights instead of direct flights can generally save 15%-25% of the cost. Although connecting flights will increase travel time, connecting flights are a good option if you are on a tight budget.

4. Use airline points and offers

Join an airline frequent flyer program :

According to data from FlyerTalk, after joining an airline frequent flyer program, frequent flyers can redeem tickets or enjoy discounts by accumulating points. According to the data, frequent flyers can save about 25%-40% of travel expenses by redeeming points for tickets.

Pay attention to promotions and discounts :

Airfarewatchdog's report points out that airlines hold about 3-4 large-scale promotions each year. By subscribing to emails and paying attention to social media, travelers can get timely information about these promotions, which usually saves 20%-50%.

How to save on accommodation costs

1. Book accommodation in advance

Plan and book in advance :

Studies show that booking a hotel in advance can usually save 15%-20% compared to booking close to departure. Expedia data shows that booking accommodation 1-2 months in advance can save a considerable amount of money, especially in popular tourist destinations.

Avoid peak seasons :

Like airfares, hotel prices are also affected by peak travel seasons. For example, during holidays (such as Christmas and Spring Festival), hotel room rates may be more than 50% higher than usual. A survey by Hotels.com shows that choosing to travel during the off-season can save you about 20%-30% of accommodation costs.

2. Use price comparison sites and apps

Find the best price through price comparison sites :

Using price comparison sites like Booking.com, Airbnb, Trivago and Expedia can help you find different prices for the same accommodation. According to research by The Guardian, using price comparison sites to book accommodation is usually 10%-15% cheaper than booking directly with the hotel's official website.

Check user reviews :

In addition to price, it is very important to check other travelers' reviews, which can help you avoid paying too much and staying in a place that does not meet your expectations. According to TripAdvisor data, 65% of tourists said that they would make accommodation choices based on previous reviews, which not only ensures the quality of accommodation, but also avoids additional expenses caused by unsatisfactory accommodation experience.

3. Choose short-term rentals and B&Bs

Choose a B&B or short-term rental :

B&Bs (such as Airbnb) and short-term rentals are often more reasonably priced than traditional hotels, especially for longer stays. According to Airbnb, short-term rentals are often 20%-30% cheaper than hotels of the same level. For example, a short-term rental in London can be more than 50% cheaper than a traditional hotel.

Good for groups and families :

If you are traveling with friends or family, choosing a short-term rental apartment or house can significantly reduce the cost of accommodation per night. According to HomeAway, short-term rentals for families or groups are about 40%-50% cheaper than the cost of multiple hotel rooms.

4. Flexible accommodation dates

Flexibly adjust your accommodation dates :

Like air tickets, hotel prices also fluctuate with the date. According to Skyscanner research, flexibly adjusting your accommodation dates, especially during weekends or holidays, can save 15%-25% on accommodation costs. For example, choosing to stay from Monday to Thursday instead of Friday and Saturday can significantly reduce accommodation costs.

Avoid holidays and major events :

Just like airfare, hotel prices can go up during holidays and major events (such as music festivals, sporting events, etc.). Avoiding these peak times or choosing accommodation in more remote areas can help you save a lot of money.

By flexibly applying the above tips for saving airfare and accommodation, you can not only greatly reduce the cost of your travel, but also invest the money you save in a richer experience. Whether it is choosing the best time to buy tickets, taking advantage of price comparison platforms, or choosing cost-effective accommodation, smart planning can make your travel easier and more enjoyable. Remember, travel does not have to be expensive. As long as you are good at using skills and strategies, enjoying a leisurely adventure is within your reach. I hope these cost-saving tips can help you plan your budget more efficiently and enjoy a wonderful travel journey on your next trip.