How to Reach Exotic Destinations at the Lowest Fares

Although the saying “Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” is more than true metaphorically, traveling can make you poorer money-wise. However, that doesn’t have to be so. There is no reason to spend thousands of dollars on plane tickets and hotel accommodation even if you are traveling to some distant exotic destination – from searching for budget accommodation to getting the best plane ticket deals, there are many ways to save money on your next adventure.

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It’s all about the timing

This is something most people don’t take into consideration when planning their holiday, but it doesn’t all come down to where you’re going, but when you’re doing it. Of course, the location plays a major role in this process, but all exotic holiday destinations can be visited at certain times of the year when the prices are lower. So, unless you really have to travel during the peak season (e.g. Christmas, summer holidays) you should avoid that period because the prices of plane tickets and accommodation tend to be much higher during those days. This also goes for the weekends and other special dates, so try to avoid them as much as you can, and you’ll save a huge amount of money.

Take a flight with a stopover

We all love spending as much time as possible flying and doing that during the day. However, traveling at night or taking a flight with a stopover might be more affordable than you can imagine. That’s why you should, in case you have less money than time, consider taking an indirect flight with a stopover. This might include waiting at the airport for more than a couple of hours, sometimes even for an entire day, but it can save you a lot of money.

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Don’t be afraid to change airlines

Being loyal to your favorite airline is a great personal trait in this day and age, but that’s no way to be frugal and cost-effective. You shouldn’t be afraid to check out different companies and make combinations that make sense when it comes to your budget. Depending on the time, day and destination, different airlines have different prices for the same flights. Take a good look at all of the options, it might pay off to fly out and back with different companies, even if this sometimes means taking off from different airports.

Consider an alternative airport

Speaking of different airports, do you have to take a flight from the biggest airport in your town or the one nearest to you? Sometimes it even pays off to take a bus or a train to an airport that is slightly farther away. This might not be the easiest thing to do – in the end, that’s why most people aren’t fans of this idea – but it’s certainly the cheapest, and if you’re all about saving money, this is the choice you should make.

Avoid the baggage fees

Traveling light is an essential way of saving money on baggage fees if you are traveling by plane. One way of saving on the fees is to wear the extra items instead of packing them in a suitcase. There are some products, such as a luggage jacket, which enable you to take your belongings with you. Making the most of these options might not seem like a lot at first, but if you take all the details into consideration, you’ll understand that it’s possible to be frugal and practical at the same time. Yes, you’ll have to do more work and think about certain details in advance, but keep your eyes on the prize and don’t forget how much money you’ll be able to save this way.

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Get your essentials in advance

When it comes to traveling, there are two types of people in this world – those who are organized and pack everything they’ll need at home, and those who travel lightly and prefer buying everything once they reach their destination. Even though the second option is easier and simpler, it’s not always cost-effective, so purchasing your essentials in advance is a better choice. So, figure out what you’ll be needing, depending on where you’re going – if you’re into swimming, get some new goggles, and if you’re into camping, think about finding a versatile OTF knife you can use in different situations – and pack everything at home instead of wasting money doing that after reaching your luxurious destination.

Keep an eye out for bargains

Signing up for email newsletters and following airline and cruise companies and travel agencies on Twitter and Facebook can keep you up to date with all the potential bargains that may be available. That way you will see if there is a last-minute way to reach a tropical resort, a cheap flight in a couple of months, or a great cruise you can enjoy if you’re a fan of water-based activities. Again, it’s all about the amount of work you’re willing to put in before you hit the road and how passionate you are about visiting amazing locations at reasonable prices. If that’s something you’re into, checking out different bargains and promotions might be just the thing you’re looking for.

Stay in a hostel

After you’ve organized everything concerning your visit to an exotic location, it’s time to relax and enjoy your time there. And the best way to do that is by staying in a five-star hotel that’s right by the beach or, even better, in the middle of the ocean. But, can you afford such a hotel or are you going to stay in a hostel instead? The times when hostels were dirty and poorly supplied are way behind us. Now they are clean, decent, and offer services such as free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. If you are traveling with more people, renting a room with four or six beds can be a lot cheaper.

Rent an apartment

If you’re not into hostels and still can’t afford a nice hotel, going for an apartment might be a good alternative. This is a great option for people traveling in groups, especially if you scout places in advance and rent an apartment using websites like Airbnb. You’ll probably be able to find tons of places to choose from, and if you’re a frequent user, you might get a special bonus or two. In the end, staying in an apartment, unlike staying in a hotel, enables you to save money by preparing your own food instead of eating in the hotel or eating out.

Get off the beaten track

Traveling to Fiji, Virgin Islands, Seychelles or Bora Bora sounds fantastic, but those are pretty expensive destinations. Instead, take the road less traveled and visit places like Malaysia, Greece, Ecuador, Uruguay, Mozambique, or Peru. These locations are just as wonderful and majestic as those we’ve mentioned first, albeit less popular with global travelers and therefore less expensive. So, if you want to have a great time and save a few bucks here and there, picking one of these locations makes a lot of sense in the long run.

Read more: Five Secrets To Scoring Fantastic Deals On Cheap Flights To India

Save money while there

A considerable part of your travel budget is spent after you arrive at your destination. Make sure to minimize that sum by eating cheap local food, buying fresh products on the market, cooking, going on foot, using public transport, etc. You can also do some work there and earn money instead of spending it. Teaching English, working in a restaurant, or becoming a local tour guide might not seem like the perfect way to spend your holiday, but just remember that you’re doing these things at an exotic location where you can still enjoy yourself after you’re done with your work. This might not be the easiest and most enjoyable thing to do, but when it comes to the money you can make and save this way, it’s a win-win scenario you should at least take into consideration.

Give your contribution

Volunteering can be a great way to save money on your travels. More often than not, volunteering takes you to exotic destinations and enables you to truly connect with the local community. Most volunteering programs offer free accommodation and food as well. In addition to that, you’ll meet tons of amazing people and make new friends who will take your traveling experience to a whole new level. You’ll be going from one adventure to the next, and that’s something you can’t put a price on, which is why volunteering is becoming more and more popular with people of all ages, especially those in their twenties. These people value experience, friendship, and enjoyment above everything else, which is why becoming a volunteer who gets to travel the world for free is something they’ll love the most.

As you see, traveling to exotic destinations can be done on a shoestring budget. All you need to do is stop making excuses and dare to try! And once you do it once, you’ll continue visiting exotic places using these hacks over and over again!

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