Posts Tagged ‘Cheap travel’
Best Strategies for Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
One of the most expensive costs of travel is the airline ticket. It’s not always easy to find dirt cheap airline tickets when you’re traveling on a budget, but there are a few things you can do to track down the lowest possible rate.
Several online travel agencies and third-party sites allow you to compare cheap flights from several aggregators, but you may not always have access to the largest selection at any given time. Here are some of the best strategies for finding dirt cheap airline tickets:
1. Book flights at alternative airports. When you’re heading to a major city such as Chicago, New York or San Francisco, you may be able to find dirt cheap airline tickets that arrive and depart at airports on the outskirts of the city, or within a short drive from the major hub. Consider booking your flight at an alternative airport to save on the cost of your flight.
2. Travel during the week. Book your vacation during the middle of the week and you may be able to find some of the lowest fares on both domestic and international flights. Mid-week is considered to be the slowest times for major airlines, so you can find many great deals simply by booking a flight that returns and departs on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Cash in your frequent flier miles. If you’re part of a frequent flier program, or you have credit cards that allow you to earn frequent flier miles on purchases, you can lower the cost of airfare by cashing them in. Call your airline to find out how many frequent flier points and miles you’ve accumulated so that you can get a lower rate.
4. Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can travel outside a week before or after your ideal date, you may be able to get a better deal on your flight. Consider departing a few days earlier or later than initially planned and compare the cost of the flights. You may be surprised to find much lower rates simply because you’ve shifted your flight forward or back by a few days.
5. Avoid traveling on major holidays. Flights and travel packages are usually much more expensive over a holiday weekend and throughout the major holiday seasons. If you can help it, avoid traveling over the holidays or look for alternative travel and transportation options to secure the lowest possible flights.
There are several ways to find dirt cheap airline tickets, but you will need to plan ahead to get the best deals. Use these tips and strategies to find the best rates on airline tickets for both domestic and international destinations.
Tags: cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Secrets of Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets and Cheap Travel
If you’re like many travelers on a tight budget, you may be on a constant search for dirt cheap airline tickets and cheap travel packages. There are now dozens of travel sites that publish cheap airfare, hotel packages and travel deals, but only some are actually a good offer. In most cases, you need to time your booking and do some research to compare published fares and rates. Here are some of the top secrets savvy travelers know for getting dirt cheap airline tickets and travel packages:
Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
If you’re planning a trip overseas, or a trip that’s longer than two weeks, you can find dirt cheap airline tickets by booking two or more separate flights to cities along the route. In many cases, booking separate flights, instead of a nonstop or direct flight can save you a significant amount of money. Another way to find dirt cheap airline tickets is to either book several months in advance, or to book at the last minute.
Securing Cheap Accommodations
Instead of staying at a hotel or resort, consider renting an apartment, condo or staying at a locally-owned bed and breakfast. Renting an apartment for a week or month, or staying at a bed and breakfast is usually much cheaper than staying in a hotel or resort, especially during the peak season. Do some research about locally owned vacation rentals and book in advance to save on your overall travel package.
Other Ways to Save on Travel
In addition to finding dirt cheap airline tickets, securing cheap hotel accommodations and booking a cheap travel package, there are several ways you to save money on your entire vacation. If you’re staying at an extended stay hotel, condo or vacation home, you can cook your own meals and save money on the cost of food. Dining out expenses can really add up when you’re on vacation, so consider shopping at a local grocery store and making your own meals to save some money.
Another way to save on your travel package is to make a group reservation with friends or relatives. Traveling together can save you a significant amount of money on the cost of accommodations and even some forms of transportation.
There are several secrets budget-conscious travelers know when it comes to finding dirt cheap airline tickets and securing a cheap travel package. Use some of these tips to secure cheap airline tickets, reduced rates on accommodations and to save money throughout your trip.
Tags: budget travel, cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Tips for Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets Online
When you’re looking for dirt cheap airline tickets for your next vacation or business trip, you can find a number of great travel deals online. More and more travelers are making their flight reservations through online booking sites to take advantage of seasonal deals, last-minute offers and no booking fees. Whether you’re heading to Europe or across the United States, here are some tips for finding dirt cheap airline tickets online:
Purchase tickets early – Many of the major airlines offer dirt cheap airline tickets to customers who book at least 21 days in advance. You may be able to secure the best deals when you plan at least three to four weeks out.
Compare airline fares from multiple sites – Today’s online booking sites are becoming increasingly competitive and will post very reasonable fares just to win your business. Don’t be afraid to compare fares from different travel sites to find dirt cheap airline tickets to your favored destination.
Sign up for fare alerts – Many online booking sites send out newsletters or send out fare alerts on specific routes and destinations that interest you. When you’re looking for dirt cheap airline tickets, you may be able to secure the best deals by signing up for fare alerts or an email newsletter.
Be flexible about your flight time – If you can manage it, consider booking for an alternative date or time. In some cases, you’ll find the lowest deals on airline tickets when you book a week after your preferred date, or even book a flight that’s later or earlier in the day.
Consider alternative airports – In some cases, it can be difficult to find dirt cheap airline tickets to and from the major airport hubs and cities. You may be able to find lower airfare at an alternative airport that is less than an hour’s drive away, and will still save money when you need to take a cab or train to your destination. Consider alternative airports near your first choice airport so that you can get a better deal on airfare.
Snag a last-minute deal – Some of the major airlines will post deep discounts on airfare that is booked at the last minute. If you have the luxury of traveling at the last minute, consider booking your trip 48 to 72 hours in advance. You may be able to get the best deals, and may even be eligible for an upgrade with this strategy.
Tags: cheap airfare, cheap airline tickets, cheap tickets, Cheap travel
Making the Most of Dirt Cheap Airline Ticket Sales
When you’re searching for dirt cheap airline tickets for your next trip, you may be able to get a great deal when an airline advertises a sale. Some of the major airlines frequently offer deep discounts on standard fares, but these do have certain restrictions, including flight times and round trip booking requirements. How do you get the best deal? Here are some tips for making the most of dirt cheap airline ticket sales:
1. Consider the cheapest days to fly. In most cases, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and sometimes Thursday. You may also be able find dirt cheap airline tickets for departures on Saturday, depending on the season and the destination. The reason for this is that the airlines know that many people want to enjoy an extended vacation time from weekend to weekend, so they will increase their rates on weekend days.
2. Avoid flying on Friday or Sunday. Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive days of the week to fly, and are often not part of an airline flight sale. If you want to find the lowest prices on airline tickets, make sure you’re not booking a departure or arrival on a Friday or Sunday.
3. Upgrade your ticket at the gate. If you’re looking for first class tickets during an airline ticket sale but can’t secure one, you may be able to upgrade at the gate for a much lower fee. Many airlines won’t make first class rates eligible for their airline ticket sale, but you may still have the option to purchase an upgrade when you arrive at the ticket counter. It doesn’t hurt to ask, so consider this when booking.
4. Consider a package deal. Some airlines may post dirt cheap airline tickets in conjunction with a discounted hotel rate. Consider booking a package when the airline posts sale prices so that you are paying a lower fee for the total cost of your trip.
5. Be prepared to make a round trip purchase. Almost all airline sales require making a round trip purchase in order to take advantage of the discounted rate. If you only need a one-way ticket, you may need to look outside of the advertised sale for the best offer. In some cases, the round trip ticket purchase will actually be cheaper than a direct flight, one-way ticket, so plan accordingly.
Tags: cheap airfare, cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Best Time to Buy Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
The price of an airline ticket can vary significantly from day to day, and even from hour to hour. How do you find the best bargains and secure dirt cheap airline tickets to your preferred destination? The trick to finding dirt cheap airline tickets is to time your booking based on when the airline publishes their rates, review flight schedules, and consider the airline’s airplane seat inventory.
Here’s how to know when it’s the best time to buy dirt cheap airline tickets:
1. Review airfare publishing times. Most of the major airlines and online booking sites will load the latest airfares into their booking systems within two to six hours after the fares are released to the global distribution system. Global distribution typically occurs on weekdays at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on weekends at 5 p.m. EST.
2. Wait for the latest flight schedules. If you can manage a last-minute booking, wait until the airline has published their flight schedule for a certain day and find out if there are any open seats available. In some cases, you will be able to pick up dirt cheap airline tickets when the airline has experienced several cancellations or a mechanical failure.
3. Find out what the airline’s seat inventory is. Airlines that are having trouble filling seats for a particular flight will sell some seats at a lower-than-average rate just to ensure the plane is flying at maximum capacity. If you can wait for a last-minute booking and don’t need to purchase the flight four to five months in advance, you could be paying a fraction of the cost of the regular price.
4. Book your flight in the middle of the week. Wednesday around 12:30 a.m. EST may be the best time to find dirt cheap airline tickets regardless of the time of the flight, simply because this is the time that many companies reduce their prices for the first 100 or so bookings. If you can plan your booking around this time, you may be able to get a great deal.
5. Check airfares posted on both third-party sites and the airline’s own website. In some situations, the best deal on airfare will be posted on the airline’s own site before it hits the third-party site. Take the time to check both sites so that you really are securing the best deal.
Easy Ways to Find Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets and Reduce Travel Expenses
Getting the best price on airline tickets isn’t always easy, but there are some tried-and-true tricks savvy travelers already use to find dirt cheap airline tickets for destinations around the globe. Here are some of the easiest ways to find dirt cheap airline tickets, and lower the cost of your next trip:
1. Book your inbound and outbound flights separately. Many third-party sites will encourage you to book a package for your flight and hotel, but don’t let those prices fool you. In some cases, especially for international travel, you can get a better deal if you book your inbound and outbound flights separately. Play with the numbers and see for yourself! You’ll be surprised how easy it is to find dirt cheap airline tickets this way.
2. Choose a room with its own kitchen. Food costs can add up fast while traveling and you can reduce travel expenses simply by doing your own grocery shopping and stocking up on healthy snacks. Find your way to the nearest grocery store that the locals use – not one that’s populated with tourists – for the best prices on everyday foods, and load up your refrigerator. You can order in or go out to eat for a special meal during your trip, but stick with ‘home-made’ meals for the rest of the day.
3. Book your flight as early as possible. Booking flights at least a month in advance can save you a significant amount of money, and give you your best choice of seats. Make your reservations at least 21 to 30 days in advance to snag the latest deals. Also consider booking a flight during the week instead of a weekend, since weekend inbound and outbound flights can be slightly more expensive regardless of when you book them.
4. Be flexible about your flight times. Sometimes the “red eye” flight or super early flight is almost half the price of a flight that leaves at a more ‘comfortable’ time, such as the mid morning or late afternoon. If you’re willing to get up a little earlier than usual, you can save a lot of money.
5. Take advantage of frequent flier miles. If you’re already a part of a frequent flier mile program, don’t be afraid to redeem your points. You can lower the cost of your flight and save on your overall trip costs.
Tags: budget travel, cheap airline tickets, cheap tickets, Cheap travel
Finding Cheap Hotels: 8 Tips
The cost of your lodging is going to be the most expensive thing you purchase on a vacation after airfare. If you can find a better hotel deal, you will be able to splurge more on other aspects of the vacation. Start with the basics when you are looking for a good rate.
1) Ask the hotel
Just asking the hotel directly can easily get you hundreds of dollars in savings. Ask about promotions, deals for AAA members or seniors, and how the hotel would recommend saving money. Especially in a recession, hotels want your business. If you tell them you need a better deal, they may just work with you to make that happen.
2) Shop around and track quotes
The Internet makes it very easy to track and compare quotes from a number of hotels. You can check sites like Hotels.com and Expedia.com daily, and you can even set up alerts for when the price of a hotel drops below your budget. If you’re not willing to do this, consider contacting a travel agent. Often, the fees you pay to book through an agent will be only a fraction of your savings.
3) Make price a priority
If you are flexible on all points but price, you will save the most money. Don’t get set on a specific hotel property. Instead, set your budget, and make this your only criterion. You may have to rough it a little more than you would like. But, its worth it when you can enjoy a better dinner each evening.
4) Skip the 800 number
Look for the contact information on a hotel’s actual site. The 800 number that you may be using through the hotel owner (aka Hilton, Hyatt, etc) is often to an agent who does not have the most information. You can call the branch of the hotel to speak with a local manager and usually find a better deal.
5) Book last minute
If you’re willing to wait until the last minute to book you’ll find the prices go down. This is only really a priority if you are driving to your destination. Otherwise, you may find yourself very stressed come the day before your expensive plane flight. Making your booking options really flexible helps you keep price as the #1 criterion.
6) Celebrate flexibility
Don’t go when you want to go, go when the price is low. You may have to travel in the off season to do this. Most locations have a lot of advantages in the off-season though, not the least of which is less crowds and cheaper air fare.
7) Book your hotel with your plane ticket or rental car
Travel agents and booking agents are happy to offer incentives for you to package your purchase. These companies have usually negotiated these deals with the hotel. They have done the legwork for you, and you can take advantage of this if you are willing to book all at once.
Buy local
Avoiding large hotel chains can save you money and add charm to your trip. You may find better service and accommodations at a local inn than you will at a large hotel. Read reviews online to determine which location is most in line with what you need. Remember: hostels are a great option for budget travelers.
Cheap Travel to England
For the past year, travelling to England meant facing a terrible exchange rate with the pound. The rate has changed, and it is less expensive to travel to the UK with dollars today. Saving on hotels and travel will allow you to enjoy more of the fine dining England has to offer.
Budget Hotels
Seek hotel chains that are based in the U.S. if you are not opposed to “buying American” even though you are abroad. Booking rooms at a Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Premier Inn will put you right in the thick of a lot of tourist destinations without paying for the historic or local flavor of other accommodations. Booking early will save you money on all accounts as these hotels do tend to get full.
Apartment Exchange
Nearly every city in the UK has apartments available for rent. If you live in a desirable location, you can seek out a home exchange to save on any money spent at all. Otherwise, inexpensive apartments can still be a bargain. You will likely have the flexibility and space to cook meals at home and stay in on occasion, saving you money over hotel options.
Hostels
If you are not concerned over privacy of your accommodations, staying in a hostel may allow you to enjoy many benefits while keeping your expenses low. Foremost, you will have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and engage in more community activities. Hostels are also often close to transportation and major attractions, making them very convenient.
Bus and Coach Travel
Taking the bus or National Express Coach will likely save you money over the railways. You can also seek out seasonal offers for discounted rates. These sell-out very quickly and are typically not offered year round. If you find a good rate, booking in advance is the best way to assure you will get the rate in the future. Travelling by bus means travelling light. Expect to have to walk a mile or more from the bus station to your ultimate destination. Skip out on toiletries and luxury items and opt for the essentials to make it easier on yourself.
Railways and Trains
Rail tickets are generally inexpensive if you book in advance. Like plane tickets, the prices can go up and down tremendously as the date approaches. By watching prices closely and booking when rates are low, you have a good chance at getting a ticket for as low as bus ticket prices. You will certainly save money over other forms of transit.
Money exchange tip: You may save from using an ATM in the UK over using a currency exchange service. The rates charged at currency kiosks in the airport tend to be higher than the foreign ATM fee, and ATMs are accessible throughout the UK. Bring travelers checks and some pounds for emergency, but plan on doing a lot of your exchanging once you get there.
Tags: cheap England travel, cheap european travel, Cheap travel
Ireland on a Budget
Ireland is extremely friendly to travelers and has a number of completely free day trips for you to take in. We will concentrate our conversation on a few locations, as Ireland is vast and spread between Northern and Southern Ireland.
Dublin
You can get a free walking tour of Dublin for your iPod from VisitDublin. The 12 guides also offer maps for you to print and take as you go. Much less expensive than paying for a tour, and you have the freedom to go at your own pace, lengthening time at the places you’d like to view longer.
A walking tour of Dublin is not complete without tours through famous garden grounds in Phoenix Park, which is the largest green space in Europe. The National Botanical Gardens are additionally free to visitors. Because Dublin weather is moderate year round, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the parks no matter when you travel. A whole day of family fun for zero dollars.
Speaking of zero dollars, all of Ireland’s National Museums are free to the public. The list includes the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.
Belfast
A walking tour of Belfast will reveal the complexity of its residential quarters. Similar to townships or neighborhoods, the quarters each have their own theme. For example, Queen’s Quarter is famous for its student-friendly living complete with universities and museums.
St. Anne’s Cathedral is open to the public for sweeping views of the Roman architecture. The cathedral has a rich history to provide plenty of opportunities to dive into Irish culture. The new “Spire of Hope” is 100 meters tall and a feat of modern engineering placed marvelously with the antiquity of St. Anne’s.
Complete your Belfast tour with a trip to St. George’s Market. This location boasts year-round Friday farmer’s markets since 1604. The history of the landscape mixed with the jazz and music of the modern culture set in a picturesque Victorian neighborhood. Fridays and Saturdays are both great days to visit, and the market will not disappoint in terms of culture and fun.
Quick Tips
There are a few sites in Ireland which are not offered for free to the public. If you are looking for ways to save, try the Ireland Visitor Discount Pass, which reduces prices to historic scenes throughout Ireland. You can print a pass from the Culture and Heritage Ireland site and enjoy the discounts year round.
Dublin has a similar discount offer, called The Dublin Pass, which comes at a small fee of $20 each day. This pass then admits you to over 30 attractions. The pass is sold in blocks up to 6 days, and you will be required to have one for each person.
The Heritage Card will get you in free to any site maintained by the Office of Public Works. The price varies, but it is around $30, and you will make up those discounts likely in the first day of usage.
Cheap European Travel: Part I – Getting There
Many people are looking to cut travel expenses to Europe because of the weak dollar against the euro. While the exchange rate does not lead itself to inexpensive travel, the cost of travel has dropped dramatically. Everything from plane tickets to local subway fares may be lower because of the global recession and the decrease in travelers heading to Europe. Here are some quick tips on how you can save in your travel and accommodations on a European trip before too late.
Cheap Plane Tickets
The cheapest plane tickets to Europe are available if you are willing to have multiple layovers. Depending on where you are flying from in the US, this most likely means a stop over on the east coast. The longer the layover, the better chance your ticket price will drop. The same goes for getting to Europe; if you can stop in London, Madrid or Paris before heading to your ultimate destination, you will save money over tickets directly to smaller cities. Travelling midweek will also drop your plane ticket drastically. Summer months tend to be heavy for European travel, but the end of the summer sees a slightly lower volume of travelers, meaning better deals for you. Try signing up for alerts from airlines to watch ticket priced if your travel dates are flexible.
Cheap Hotels
If you are renting a car, you will find many hotels outside of major cities that have great deals. Driving in Europe is not easy. You will have a very compact car with a number of differences, the least of which is you are on the wrong side of the car. Roads are extremely narrow, very crowded and most cities are not planned. However, thousands of travelers navigate these conditions each year. Renting a car should be reserved for the experienced traveler. If you can stay outside of the city, you will find budget hotels all over. For example, The Hotel Formule 1 has about 300 hotels in France. While there is a sink in each room, there is a shared toilet and shower. Sacrificing a private toilet can save you tremendously with rates starting at under $40 a night. For a step up, try Premiere Classe which has a private toilet and shower in each room. Be prepared to spend closer to $60 a night in Première Class hotels.
Cheap Rail Tickets
One of the best ways to get around Europe once you are there is by rail. In fact, you may consider flying into a large city and taking a train to your ultimate destination to save money. EuroCheapo has a full list of rail schedules and prices to assist you in planning your trip. Anytime you are planning to travel a significant amount by train, remember to pack light. You will be carrying your luggage on foot to most of your destinations from the train; some times, you may be walking multiple miles. Packing light is key to all European travel, but do not pack too casually. Jeans and t-shirts are a dead giveaway for American tourists.
Tags: cheap european travel, cheap tickets to europe, cheap trains in europe, Cheap travel
