Tips for Making Travel More Affordable

For many people, traveling the country or even the world can feel like a pipe dream. But if traveling more is on your bucket list for 2022, don’t let fear of the price stand in your way! There are many ways to cut costs and find deals when it comes to travel. 

Airfare

It’s easy to start looking at flights to your dream destinations and be immediately discouraged by the prices that come across your screen. Thankfully, there are many tricks to getting affordable flights. Flight prices can fluctuate frequently. If you have time before your trip and are flexible with your dates, you can start watching flight prices. Platforms like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner are great for getting an idea of which dates will have cheaper prices, and if prices will rise or fall around certain dates. Don’t forget to set price alerts on flights you’re watching! This will tell you if prices are about to rise or fall.

A few other ways to cut flight costs include:

• Buying flights to destinations when they're not in their peak seasons 
• Flying in the middle of the week 
• Taking red-eye flights 
• Cutting back on your baggage
• Using budget airlines

Flexibility is key!
 

Accommodations

Hotels may be nice, but they are definitely not the cheapest, and they are by no means your only option. Accommodation alternatives like Airbnb or CouchSurfing can be affordable options. 

If you’re feeling more adventurous, hostels can be great places to stay and meet people. They are usually very affordable, and offer great opportunities to socialize. Some of them even offer private rooms! 

Do you have a friend or family member that lives in a city you’ve been meaning to visit? Plan a trip to visit them! Sleeping in someone's spare bedroom or even on their couch might not be the most glamorous, but it’s cheap and gives you the chance to visit with a loved one. Bonus: your accommodation comes with a local who can show you the sights!
 

Food

Two words: grocery shopping! While eating out while traveling can be fun, the bills add up fast. Making a trip to the grocery store when you first arrive and eating the majority of your snacks and meals by cooking at home can save you a lot of money. Most accommodations offer access to a kitchen.

If you are going to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, lunch time typically offers cheaper meals than dinner. If you’re feeling like grabbing a drink, be on the lookout for happy hour deals! 
 

Activities 

Taking guided tours or visiting local attractions can be a lot of fun, but they can also be expensive. There are plenty of cheap and free activities you can do while traveling that still allow you to see the sights. Consider simply taking a walk or bike ride through town. Are there natural areas nearby? Maybe go for a hike or visit a beach. Many museums offer free admission or discounts on certain days of the week. 

Tourist attractions can have raised prices. To get the real experience of a city while also saving money, go off the beaten path. Go where the locals go. If you’re really feeling stuck, a quick Google search of “free activities near me” usually does the trick.

As always while traveling, no matter what you are doing, be safe and be aware. Do your research, be aware of your surroundings, make sure a friend or family knows your whereabouts, lock up your valuables, and trust your gut. 

Did you know MFCU VISA reward points can be redeemed for travel perks? That’s one great way to save on traveling! Start getting rewarded for the everyday purchases you’re already making, and start earning rewards towards your next trip today.
 

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