While many tell you that their trip was a costly endeavour, the truth of the matter is that traveling really does not have to be expensive if you know how to do it right. Travel hacking is very easy to do and in the end, it can save you a lot of money on your vacation. The only guideline is that you have to be open to different possibilities, like taking a lesser-known airline or staying at a locally-owned hotel that is a bit off the main drag.

Use Public Transportation

Not all places require a car, in fact, most tourist locations are so condense it is very easy to walk from attraction to attraction. Long term travelers actually find car rentals to be a burden, not a benefit. Many of the biggest tourist destinations have great public transportations options. Numerous individuals have cited their European backpacking adventure was more fun because they got the EURail pass rather than renting cars.

Use Multiple Travel Aggregator Websites to Get the Lowest Fare

Cheaptickets.com and Kayak.com are great search engines that can help you save a bit of money on your traveling. They allow you to compare the lowest fares when it comes to flying to a destination. Looking at separate websites can be challenging and most people are not aware of lesser-known airlines that can fly you to the same destination at a much lower price. These aggregator websites provide that information.

Choose Good Layovers

No one wants to be running from one end of an airport to another end to make their next flight, especially if their first flight landed late. Give yourself extra time to catch the second flight. If flying internationally, get a layover in big cities. If you have a layover of seven hours or more, it is a great opportunity to get in a “mini-vacation” and see some extra sights. Not only that, but some airports even are extremely entertaining and provide much to do.

Use any Points or Rewards you May have Accumulating

When booking your flight, use any loyalty program rewards, credit card rewards of frequent flier miles you may have. It can save you a few extra dollars and sometimes they offer really great deals.

Pack Light

Packing light offers a variety of benefits. First of all, you do not have to worry about paying any overage fee if your bag is over the maximum weight limit. Those overage fees can be very expensive and put a dent in your travel budget before you even lift off. To even further expedite your trip, see if you can forgo checking luggage altogether. Yes, this means traveling extra light. Not only do you not have to claim and recheck your baggage for connecting flights, but you do not have to spend time at the luggage carousel fighting to get your bag and hoping someone else does not pick it up on accident.

Wait until you Touch Down at your Destination before Exchanging Money

Large financial institutions in your home location tend to charge large fees for exchange money, meaning you do not get the best exchange rate and lose money. Rather, wait until you arrive to your destination and use ATMs from bigger banks in the area. Also see if there are any “Change” stores, which are dedicated to exchanging money and tend to have a pretty decent exchange rate.

Know where to Go at your Destination

One of the first things you should do is go to a local tourism office to find out all the things you can do. Look for any free activities and attractions that seem like a good time, like museums, festivals and markets. Try to go everywhere on foot to experience more and save on the cost of traveling around. Lastly, get to know the locals in the area, they can tell you of inexpensive places to go and eat, so you do not spend a fortune.

Buy Souvenirs with a Purpose

Do not buy the teddy bear with the “I Heart Paris” t-shirt on because you think it is cute. Buy souvenirs that are functional and help you remember your time on vacation. Think about t-shirts, purses, authentic jewelry and so on. For everything else, take a picture – they will be your most valued memories anyway.

Do Not Travel during Peak Periods

You can save extra money if you visit tourist destinations during their “off season,” like ski resorts at the end of ski season or the Caribbean during the rainy season as it is less expensive. There is still much to see and do, you may just need to pack and umbrella.

Select a Hotel that Offers a Real Breakfast

While this may seem more expensive than going with a cheaper hotel that serves a small continental breakfast, think about it this way. A large breakfast gives you more energy and you will not be as hungry as you walk around, saving you money on big lunches and lots of snacks.