17 Travel Hacks to See the World Without Breaking the Bank
As the desire for remote work increases and digital nomads continue to live their best lives, people are realizing the value of world travel. It’s no longer for the rich or the nouveau riche. With the right resources and a few friendly tips from your fellow explorers, you can see the world without breaking the bank. Here are 17 tips to help you get started.
1. Only Bring a Carry-On
One of the best ways to see the world on a budget is to train yourself to pack light. The comforts of home need to remain there until you return. Nowadays, more and more airlines are charging for checked bags — even if you don’t exceed the weight limit. Learn how to live on less, make use of your local resources once you’ve landed, and pack only what you can bring in your carry-on bag.
2. Travel During the Off-Season
Paris in the springtime sure is splendid. Ireland in the summer is unforgettable. But, when you choose to travel during the off-season, you still reap many of the same benefits: you’re transported to another place (and sometimes another time); you get to take in new and different sights; you get to experience another culture.
In addition, you also reap new benefits: airfare is cheaper; Airbnbs are cheaper; the crowds are fewer and farther between. When you travel off-season, you get to enjoy the sights of a new city without getting pushed around and even enjoy more time with the friendly locals.
3. Research Your Credit Cards
Did you know most credit card companies include a foreign transaction fee when traveling abroad? That means you’re potentially losing on an exchange rate, already upside down on the interest rates that come with credit cards, and paying a 3% surcharge on every purchase you make. See if you’re eligible for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees like Capital One’s Venture Card, Bank of America’s Travel Rewards Card, or Chase’s Sapphire Preferred Card.
4. Compare a Few Travel Sites
With the world at our fingertips, lean into all your online resources when booking travel. If you live in New York and want to fly to London, be open to different flight paths to take you there. Use Google Travel to research flights, compare rates, and set alerts. Consider other apps, as well, like Kayak, Booking.com, Expedia, and Skyscanner. You don’t have to linger over all these apps for days. But, try to check all your resources before clicking Book Now.