Top Cash-Saving Travel Planning Hacks
The best way to cut travel costs is to plan ahead: travel outside peak season, compare prices online, choose cheaper accommodation and use free tools to stay connected. Many people are put off by the idea of travel because they assume it will be too expensive, but seasoned explorers know there are always ways around high costs. This guide focuses on the preparation phase, with practical ways to save money when booking your next big trip.
In short:
- Travel in shoulder season (for Europe, May or September) instead of peak summer.
- Compare flights, accommodation and insurance, and look for voucher codes.
- Consider hostels or short-term rentals instead of hotels.
- Use portable Wi-Fi, a good phone deal and free video and messaging apps.
- Research attraction discounts, transport passes and local eating areas.
When is the cheapest time of year to travel?
Avoid the height of summer, when flights and accommodation rise sharply in price, and travel in the shoulder season instead. For a trip to Europe, May or September usually still offers good weather while being significantly cheaper and less crowded.
| Season | Prices | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Peak summer | Highest for flights and accommodation | Busiest |
| Shoulder season (e.g. May, September in Europe) | Significantly lower | Quieter, with nice weather |
How do travel websites help you save money?
Comparison websites let you check prices for flights, accommodation and insurance side by side, so you never pay more for the same service. Also look for coupon and voucher codes. If you are visiting Hamburg, for example, you can look up where to leave your bags in Hamburg ahead of time. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can save significant sums.
Which types of accommodation are cheaper than hotels?
Hostels and short-term rentals are usually much cheaper than hotels if you are willing to compromise on hotel service. Hostels also make it easy to meet fellow travellers. If you do not want to share a room, most offer private rooms, and facilities keep improving. For a place to yourself, sites like Airbnb list options for all budgets.
| Option | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Highest | Full service |
| Hostel (shared or private room) | Much more affordable | Budget travel and socialising |
| Short-term rental (e.g. Airbnb) | Varies, options for all budgets | Privacy and space |
How can you stay connected abroad without high costs?
Combine portable Wi-Fi, a suitable phone deal and free internet-based apps to avoid expensive data and call charges.
Why get portable Wi-Fi?
A portable Wi-Fi device lets you stay online from wherever you are without burning through mobile data. You are not limited to a poor internet café connection or waiting until you get home for a proper conversation, and you can use all the free communication apps available.
Is a special phone deal worth it?
Yes, if you need to make international calls regularly without connecting to Wi-Fi each time. Various deals offer cheap international calls, which is especially useful if you run a business and often speak to people overseas.
How do video chat services help?
Internet video calling services let you talk face to face across thousands of miles for free. Skype pioneered this (Microsoft has since retired it in favour of Teams), and services such as Zoom, Google Meet and WhatsApp now offer free video calls. Most also support instant messages, so you can arrange a good time to talk, and group video calls with several people at once.
How can social media keep you in touch?
Social networks and messaging apps let you share messages, photos and videos for free. There are many social media tools that keep you in touch with people. With services like Facebook Messenger you can see when someone was last online, which reassures parents whose children are travelling, and you can choose how publicly you communicate.
For quick messages, WhatsApp is hard to beat. It is free, has changed how people keep in touch across the globe, and you simply download the app to start.
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| Portable Wi-Fi | Reliable internet anywhere without mobile data charges |
| International phone deal | Regular calls without Wi-Fi, e.g. for business |
| Video chat apps | Free face-to-face and group calls |
| Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp | Free messages, photos and videos |
What should you research about your destination beforehand?
Look for attraction discounts, public transport passes and the areas where locals eat and drink. City attractions often offer discounts, and a transport pass can make getting around cheaper. Find out which neighbourhoods locals use and which raise prices because they expect large numbers of tourists. Being a savvy traveller does not take much work, but it can make a big difference to your budget.
- Discounts or city passes for main attractions
- Public transport passes
- Local eating and drinking areas versus tourist hotspots
Key takeaways
- Most savings come from planning before you book.
- Shoulder season and price comparison sites cut the biggest costs: flights and accommodation.
- Free apps and portable Wi-Fi keep communication costs low.
Travel planning FAQs
What is the shoulder season?
It is the period just before or after peak season, such as May or September in Europe, when prices are lower and crowds smaller but the weather is still good.
Are hostels only for shared rooms?
No. Most hostels also offer private rooms, so you can save money without sharing a room with strangers.
How can I call home cheaply while travelling?
Use free internet-based apps such as WhatsApp or video calling services over Wi-Fi or a portable Wi-Fi device, or choose a phone deal with cheap international calls.