9 Genius Ways to Slash Costs on International Trips

2024-05-25

If you’re planning an international trip this year but you’re concerned about the cost, these hot tips will help you save on your next vacation. 

Don’t Put Your Plans on Hold

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Aleksandr Ryzhov

The world is in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, and it can be tempting to put travel plans on hold to save your hard-earned cash. But international travel doesn’t have to break the bank!

9 Cash-Saving Travel Tips

Image Credit: Shutterstock / lovelyday12

There are plenty of ways to reduce expenses before and during an international trip. Often, it just takes some extra research and preparation. Here are our 9 best tips for saving money on your next trip. 

#1. Keep Your Luggage As Carry-On

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Africa Studio

By only packing enough for a carry-on bag, you can pocket the extra cash you would have spent on checked baggage. If you’re taking multiple cross-country flights, this could save you hundreds in baggage fees!

Pack Light, Save More 

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sorapop Udomsri

Write a short list of essentials and keep your clothing list to no more than 4 or 5 changes. This should be especially easy if you’re traveling to warmer countries where you won’t need thick layers, coats, and other cold-weather accessories.

#2. Use Public Transport

Image Credit: Shutterstock / kandl stock

Getting familiar with public transport systems in a new country might seem daunting, but it will pay off big time. Trading taxis and rideshare apps like Uber and Grab for train tickets and bus rides will leave you with a lot of extra cash.

Transport Cards

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Drazen Zigic

Make sure to buy a transport pass in each city, which will give you an extra discount.

You can often find these passes at airports, and many international cities offer tourist-specific bus and train passes, like the Japan Rail Pass and the Eurail Pass.

#3. Shop At Grocery Stores

Image Credit: Shutterstock / 1000 Words

While it can be tempting to restaurant-hop while you’re on vacation, it can also burn a huge hole in your pocket.

Picking up snacks, fresh fruit, and quick meals from local grocery stores can be a great way to offset overpriced airport food and three-course meals at pricey tourist traps.

Check Food Costs First

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vladeep

While grocery snacks and meals are a great hack for very expensive countries like Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand, it’s less of a concern in more affordable regions like South East Asia, where many countries offer delicious meals for as little as $2 or $3. 

#4. Travel in the Off-season 

Image Credit: Shutterstock / J.Thasit

Many of the world’s top tourist destinations will ramp up prices during the busy season when these locations see the highest surge in tourists.

Take time off to travel during the offseason, when hotel, restaurant, and flight prices drop back down to their normal rates. 

Consider the Holidays

Image Credit: Shutterstock / NicoElNino

US holidays may also give you an idea of when to travel. Many Americans travel to Europe, Mexico, and other destinations for holidays like New Year and Christmas, so you know to avoid these periods.

But millions favor domestic travel over Thanksgiving, which means that flight costs tend to be lower around this time.

#5. Do Price Research First 

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Drazen Zigic

Get familiar with local prices before you travel. This will give you a better idea of a reasonable price for local accommodation, food, and souvenirs and what is purposefully overpriced for unwitting tourists.

Improve Your Haggling 

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Matej Kastelic

Doing price research will also help you avoid the “tourist tax” in cultures where haggling over prices is socially expected.

This way, you’ll know how low you can go without being rude, and you can identify when market vendors are haggling for unreasonably high amounts. 

#6. Use Travel Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ekaterina Pokrovsky

Airline and hotel reward programs are a must if you’re a regular traveler. Programs like Wyndham Rewards and Delta SkyMiles let you accrue travel points and spend them on free flights, room upgrades, and more at no extra cost. 

They’re Not Just for Flights and Hotels

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Taras Grebinets

Rewards points aren’t just for hotels and flights – they can also be redeemed for travel experiences, such as tickets to events, restaurant meals, spa days, and more!

#7. Keep a Decoy Wallet in Hand

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov

Traveling to countries with higher rates of petty crime can bite into your budget if you fall victim to thieves.

Consider keeping a secondary wallet with a small sum and some expired credit cards in your pants pocket to divert a thief and keeping your primary wallet in a less obvious spot, such as an inner shirt pocket. 

Research Crime Rates Before You Go

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB

You may be surprised by the countries that have relatively high rates of pickpocketing, such as Italy and Spain, and figuring this out beforehand will help you stay mentally prepared and cautious of your surroundings.

#8. Consider Hiring a Local Guide

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Arvid Norberg

While this may be too much if you’re on a tight budget, hiring a local tour guide, even if for a single day, may allow you to glean valuable money-saving tips from a local source.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tom Black Dragon

A guide’s job is to show you the local attractions, but they’re also there to share the local culture and help you navigate the city.

Most guides will be more than happy to share tidbits, such as where the cheap eats are, which supermarket and department store chains have the best prices, and who offers the lowest exchange rates, etc. 

#9. Use Price Comparison Sites

Image Credit: Shutterstock / McLittle Stock

In 2024, this is probably a no-brainer, but many are still faithful to specific airlines.

If you’re not picky about who you fly with, use price comparison sites like Kayak and Skyscanner to search and compare all available flights for your destination so you can find the cheapest options.

Set Price Alerts in Advance

Image Credit: Shutterstock / rawf8

You can set up price alerts with sites like Skyscanner and Trip.com. These alerts will let you know via email or text whenever your chosen flights go up or down and when any discounts are available, potentially saving you hundreds.

23 Steep Taxes Adding to California Residents’ Burden

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alex Millauer

California: a place of sunshine, innovation, and, unfortunately, some of the nation’s highest taxes. From LA’s beaches to Silicon Valley’s tech hubs, residents grapple with a maze of state taxes. Here’s a glance at 23 taxes that might surprise both Californians and outsiders. 23 Steep Taxes Adding to California Residents’ Burden

Cash in on Nostalgia: 21 Toys Now Worth a Fortune

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kostikova Natalia

Time to dust off the boxes and find that once-cherished toy from your childhood. For collectors and enthusiasts, they items have become valued objects and they can be worth big bucks – are there any of these in your attic? Cash in on Nostalgia: 21 Toys Now Worth a Fortune

Millennials Don’t Buy These 19 Products Anymore

Image Credit: Shutterstock / mariakray

Millennials are changing consumer habits, quietly replacing once-staple products and traditions. Often criticized for their disruptive preferences, this generation is reshaping the marketplace with digital expertise, ethical buying, and a taste for the unconventional. Millennials Don’t Buy These 19 Products Anymore

10 Reasons Firearms Are Essential to America’s Fabric

Image Credit: Shutterstock / rblfmr

Americans’ strong attachment to guns is influenced by constitutional rights, historical context, and cultural traditions. This article explores the cultural perspective driving their unwavering support for gun ownership, revealing the key factors shaping this enduring aspect of American life. 10 Reasons Firearms Are Essential to America’s Fabric

California’s 16 New Laws Raise Red Flags for Prospective Residents

Image Credit: Shutterstock / PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

California, celebrated for its beaches, tech prowess, and diversity, is now gaining attention for its recent legislation, prompting some residents to reconsider their residency. Explore the new laws of 2024 and the controversies and migration they’re stirring. California’s 16 New Laws Raise Red Flags for Prospective Residents

The post 9 Genius Ways to Slash Costs on International Trips first appeared on Thrift My Life.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.