From flights and hotels to meals and experiences, traveling can get expensive quickly. Many travelers look for ways to save money while out of the country. If you're planning on taking an international trip next year, you can avoid spending a fortune. Planning ahead and making budget-friendly travel decisions can help save you significant amounts of travel money.
Whether you're flying halfway across the world or taking a short cruise down the coastline, remember these international travel tips for the biggest savings on travel.
How to Save Money When Traveling Abroad
International travel can cost hundreds of dollars per person per day. Your trip could easily cost a couple of thousand dollars depending on where you're traveling and for how long. Luckily, these tips for international travel can help you make the most of your trip abroad.
Avoid Tourist-y Destinations
Big tourist destinations are almost always packed and busy. Because the demand for these locations is so high, the cost to travel there is also high. As such, avoiding tourist destinations is the best way to travel abroad cheaply. Opt for less popular destinations — you'll likely have a more unique experience at a much lower cost. You'll also avoid bigger crowds, allowing you to fully enjoy your trip.
If you have your heart set on seeing these top destinations, consider traveling during the off-season to avoid peak tourist season. Some destinations may be busy year-round, while others are relatively empty during certain seasons.
Learn to Use Public Transportation
Whether you're traveling between the airport and your hotel or between activities, the cost of taxis, Ubers and other ride-sharing services can add up quickly if that's all you use to get around. Public transportation offers a more affordable way to travel around a city. Do your research and find out what your options are — some cities lack reliable public transportation. If it's a valid option, purchasing a bus or train pass for your trip may be more cost-efficient.
In some cases, public transportation may also be faster or more convenient than trying to catch a taxi or Uber ride.
Consider a Travel Package
If you're planning an international trip and are overwhelmed by the possibilities and prices, consider a travel package. Travel packages are pre-planned trips that include several aspects of travel at a single, discounted price. Most travel packages include basics like transportation and accommodations. Depending on the package, it may also include meals, activities or other amenities. Many AAA Discoveries trips include roundtrip transfers and airfare, unlimited drinks, meals, entertainment, gratuities, taxes and more, all at one price.
Some travel packages can be cheap overseas trips and less stressful ways to travel internationally.
Use the Right Credit Card
Using the right credit card while traveling can significantly impact your spending. Some credit cards offer travel rewards that can make some aspects of travel more affordable. For example, some cards may allow you to earn travel points redeemed for flight discounts, while others may offer extra cash back on travel plans and purchases. If your credit card doesn't offer the best benefits, it's worth applying for a new card with good rewards.
Just be sure to avoid using cards that charge a foreign transaction fee if you plan to use them abroad.
Check in With Your Cell Company
If you try to use your cell phone overseas, you'll be charged roaming fees or international fees if you connect to cell towers. To avoid this, let your cell provider know you're planning a trip. Most carriers have international cell phone plans you can activate before your trip. Doing so allows you to use your phone without worrying about unexpected fees. Finding short-term coverage while you're abroad ensures you can still use your cell phone.
Make Travel Time Part of the Trip
While traveling internationally, you'll spend a lot of time traveling from place to place. The best way to make the most of your time and money is to look for ways to make travel time an experience. For example, book a dinner cruise or sightseeing train to see more while traveling. This type of travel allows your transportation expenses to double as entertainment expenses, making your vacation budget go further.
Use Layovers to Your Advantage
Many travelers avoid layover flights because they take more time, even though they're typically more affordable, and you can easily use them to your advantage with a little planning. Extended layovers allow you to explore a new city before your next flight. If you have more than two legs to your trip, make each stop a mini adventure. Some travelers even use multi-leg flights to stay at a destination and skip the later legs since direct flights can be more expensive.
If you really want to make the most of your layovers and budget, look for flights with the most or longest layovers.
Reduce Your Travel Distance
Typically, the further you go from home, the more expensive your trip gets. Staying closer to home can help reduce your travel expenses. For example, you don't need to fly across the world to experience international travel. Depending on where you live, you could take a road trip to Canada or Mexico. You could also take a shorter flight or cruise the Caribbean, Central America or South America. These destinations offer so much to see and do and can be much more affordable.
Take a Shorter Trip
Similarly, longer trips cost more money. The longer you travel, the more money you'll spend. Rather than traveling for a week or more, consider a shorter trip, like an extended weekend. Shorter, more focused trips may allow you to save money to be able to travel more often. If you find a destination you really enjoy or want to see more at, you always have the option to visit again when you save more money.
Plus, a shorter trip means less time you have to take off work, school or other responsibilities.
Travel With AAA
At AAA, we offer numerous ways to book travel and plan vacations. Whether you choose one of our pre-planned discovery trip packages or need help planning the fine details of your trip, we're here to make your vacation as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Enjoy discounted rates on trip packages, travel assistance and various other travel-related benefits and discounts with a AAA membership. AAA Members receive exclusive discounts when booking with us online.
Explore our travel options, services and resources to plan your next trip.
