Travelling, especially to a distant foreign land, is without a doubt one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences anyone can engage in. Not only does it open your eyes and mind to a world of limitless possibilities, but it also challenges you to embrace and accept different cultures, lifestyles, and people from varying backgrounds. What’s more, the new experiences gained after a stint of traveling and adventure boosts your resourcefulness, ambition in life, creativity, and passion of living. Nothing is quite as therapeutic as hitting the road.
Having said that, it is no secret that traveling frequently can be an expensive affair. And unless you’re on a corporate paid trip or vacation, your airfare, local transportation needs, hotel room rates, souvenirs et cetera, can add up quickly to your overall travel expenditure. Using the following apps and websites, you can stretch that hard-earned dollar to the maximum, travel on the cheap and still manage to save a few thousands for your next trip.
SkyClub.com
Who said you need to shell out several thousands of dollars to enjoy the perks of business or first class treatment during that 11-hour flight to Bangkok? SkyClub.com finds the best first and business class flight deals on the market saving you the hassle of doing this yourself.
Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight is an app that ever person should have on their phone or tablet. Using the app you can book last minute hotels up to a week outside your intended travel dates. The app features only the best hotels, sorted under categories like ‘hip’, ‘luxe’ or ‘solid’. If you find yourself in New York city where hotels are super expensive, Hotel Tonight will come in super handy and save you lots of cash. Taxes and fees are included when you pay up-front, so there are no surprises when you get to the check-in desk.
Hipmunk
Hipmunk is a great site that also comes with an app to help you search and compare flights, hotels, cars and packages. The best feature of this app is that you can discover the best dates to fly and you can also sign up for free fare alerts so you know when flight prices go up or down.
Airbnb
You don’t have to stay at a luxurious, utterly expensive hotel room during your next vacation. Airbnb allows you to experience a new town like a local by staying in someone’s apartment or home. Whether you choose a private room or an entire home, Airbnb is a lot more affordable than a hotel. Best of all you’ll have your own kitchen where you can cook your own meals, meaning you don’t have to eat out every night. For some inspiration, check out the most beautiful Airbnbs in Europe.
Hopper
If you’re visiting Italy in the summer months for example, flight prices can really jump, so it’s important to find the best deal. Hopper is a must-have app for the thrifty traveler that analyzes billions of flights to help you find the best deals and the best times to fly and buy.
Kiwi.com
Kiwi.com is a former online travel agency that is now dedicated to helping travelers combine the cheapest flights in a multiple-leg trip – even between airlines and carriers that do not normally collaborate on to one flight itinerary. The result is thousands of dollars saved every time you to travel internationally.
Priceline
What’s great about Priceline is the feature that allows you to bid on hotel rooms, allowing you to get hotels at super cheap prices. If you don’t want to bid, you can also check out their secret deals – you wont know the name of the hotel until you book, but you are guaranteed a hotel of the star rating you choose.
Travelling doesn’t have to take a toll on your wallet, as much as it is in every way worth each dollar spent. If you’re organized, smart and thrifty enough, you can see the world and relish foreign experiences at a fraction of the usual costs.
