Tips to saving money on travel

Keen to stretch your travel dollars as far as they will go? Taking a holiday, visiting somewhere new, retracing old steps – these are some of the great pleasures in life and there’s no point wasting an opportunity to get out there. Here’s a few tips and tricks from Expedia’s experts on how to get the most bang for your buck on holiday.

1. Bundle for better rates

Book your flight and hotel together and you will actually save some money. No this is not about fixed package holidays – you can pick and choose exactly what flight and exactly what hotel you’d like to put on your itinerary. Expedia’s Out There study shows 81% of Aussies may not be getting the best deals, missing out because they’re not booking their flights and hotels together in a bundle.

2. Travel off peak

Europe may be cold in winter, but in some destinations you’ll stay for a fraction of the summer prices. And the snow-covered cities have a charm of their own.

3. Sign up for email newsletters

Deal alerts and subscriber sales are a great way to get a holiday discount

4. Know the baggage rules

If you’re only taking carry on luggage, check your bag will pass the airline restrictions. You don’t want to hand over your spending money before you’ve even boarded your flight. Find out more about airline rules here.

5. Pack snacks

On long haul flights avoid airline food that’s stodgy and will leave you feeling lethargic by bringing healthy snacks like nuts and protein balls. You’ll save money this way if you’re travelling on low cost carriers where snacks are not complimentary.

6. Do your research

Arrive in a city with some idea of what a few items cost – the major landmarks, bottled water, a sandwich, breakfast, beer. Use these as a barometer to make sure you’re not falling into any tourist traps. You can find this information out on blogs like Expedia’s Out There Starts Here.

7. Free days

Find out when popular attractions have free days or discounted entry tickets. Some museums offer entry by donation, others are cheaper when purchasing the various city tourist passes you’ll find online.

8. Events and eating out

Sometimes you’re travelling to a city for a specific concert, festival or event. Yes flights and accommodation can cost more during these popular peak periods, but often restaurants around the city will put on special meal deals to encourage patronage. Check on the event’s website for affiliated restaurant partners.

9. Go local

If you’re keen to cut down on food costs, pop into a local supermarket for a picnic lunch. In France, the cheese aisles are astounding. In Italy there’s often salami hanging from the ceiling. Checking out local chocolates and sweets is also part of the fun.

10. Stay connected

Look into getting a local sim card if you’re staying in one country for a while. Making local calls and using the Internet will be cheaper. If you have a smart phone, keep an eye out for cafes or stores with free wifi.