I’m often asked how I afford to travel as much as I do without breaking the bank. In addition to some extreme budgeting, I’m very particular in how I spend my money while abroad. However, traveling doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think. Here are four apps I use to save money on flights and accomodations:
1. Skyscanner
Let’s face it, airfare tends to be one of the largest expenses when traveling, but it doesn’t have to be as expensive as it once was. With the breakout of budget airlines and falling fuel prices, finding flights at great prices is easier than ever.
Skyscanner searches dozens of sites to get the best deals for you. I’ve used Skyscanner to fly to around Europe, the Caribbean and all across the USA.
Just try it out for yourself
2. Airbnb
Airbnb helps ‘hosts’ offer accomodation to travelers in the extra space in their homes for less than a normal hotel room. It also has the added benefit of giving guests the feel of an actual home. Guests can rent out a room, or entire apartment or house.
I use Airbnb mostly when I’m traveling with groups and we rent out an entire apartment or house together. This also comes with the added benefit of having a kitchen to cook meals to save money and bond over a family style meal.
If you don’t have an Airbnb account use this link to save $40 off your first trip.
3. Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is probably the best way to save money on accommodation as it is completely free. The premise behind Couchsurfing is that people offer up their couches or spare rooms to travelers for no cost. Many hosts just ask for surfers to interact and share stories with their hosts. It’s a great way to network with other travelers in a particular area as well.
In addition to finding accomodation, Couchsurfing provides services to find and meet other travelers. The Hangout feature allows you find others nearby looking to hangout and you can also create events in an area for surfers and locals to attend. The feature I like to use is the ‘Upcoming Travel’ which allows you to share trips ahead of time and for hosts to offer you a place to stay and others to make plans to meet up with you. This feature helped me meet up with a local in St. Croix that took me and my brother out surfing. While we didn’t stay with him, he was extremely kind and gave us other tips for things to do around the island.
Couchsurfing limits introductions to 10 per week unless you pay to get verified in order to reduce spam.
4. Hostelworld
Hostels are one of my favorite places to meet others when I’m traveling alone. While hostels in America still have a ways to go, those in other countries around the world are miles ahead. My first experience with hostels was in Europe while studying abroad. I had never even really heard of them, but a friend told me about them and we used them on tons of trips.
Hostels essentially are budget hotels for travelers. You just have to get used to sharing a room with people you don’t know, but most of them are friendly and love to chat. I’ve never had any issues with my belongings but most offer lockers which I always use. Some hostels these days are actually really nice places and offer tons of amenities like game rooms and a bar. An average hostel in Europe cost me $20-30/night but as low as $7/night in Central America.
Hostelworld searches for hostels in the city you want to stay in and provides pictures, descriptions and reviews from other guests. I usually look for the cheapest with a review of 8.0/10 or higher.
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