In the face of rising travel costs, finding affordable ways to enjoy your summer vacation can be challenging. To help, we turned to two thought leaders for their insights on cost-saving travel strategies. Here are some practical tips to make your travels more budget-friendly.
What are some ways to make travel more affordable this summer in the face of rising costs? Here is what 2 thought leaders have to say.
- Pet-Sit for Free Accommodations
- Utilize Flexible Travel and Credit Perks
Pet-Sit for Free Accommodations
One great way to save money is pet-sitting. You, of course, have a responsibility to care for the pets while their owners are away, and in return, you get to stay at their place for free. That way, you don't have to spend money on accommodation at all.
You can find pet-sitting opportunities on dedicated online platforms, and you might have to pay a fee to use the platform.
Apart from staying for free, you have access to a (sometimes more than) fully equipped kitchen and can prepare your own meals. This will help you save some money too!
Julia-Carolin Zeng, Director, Charlie on the Move Ltd
Utilize Flexible Travel and Credit Perks
Discovering new areas and cultures doesn't have to break the bank. There are ways to enjoy your trip just as much (maybe more) while finding the best deals out there.
- Have flexible dates or destinations? Check Google Flights to pull in the best airfare rates.
- Rent equipment with your vehicle. Turo often has better rates than rental car companies, and you can also add on equipment for a far lower cost than finding a rental shop.
- Consider house-sitting. If you're traveling for an extended period of time, you may have the option to stay at someone's home for free in exchange for basic upkeep and watching the place.
- Use your credit card perks for hotels. A $250/night room can often be booked for as little as 10,000 points.
- Get off the beaten path. Touristy and highly trafficked areas can cost double or triple—find a local who will give you an inside scoop on where to go.
- Take a walking tour. Most cities have walking tours available; an added perk is you won't pack on those “travel pounds.”
Bonus: Do a ton of research. Read individual blog reviews of locations, resorts, etc. They'll usually be less biased than those on the big review websites and offer far more inside information.
Scott Sery, Writer, Sery Content Development
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