5 International Travel Savings Tips

Traveling abroad to international countries is exciting. You get to experience a wide variety of cultures, languages, people and foods! While international travel is often worth the money, many of us are still traveling while on a budget and we don’t want to spend more than we have to! Here are 5 international savings tips to consider if you are traveling to Paris, Italy or beyond!

1. First, air fare is often the most significant cost of any international trip. In order to reduce this cost and get the best deal, there are several things you can do. First, check out discount airline sites first where you will likely get the best rate and you can compare rates between various airlines. Some of these sites, like Travelocity, even provide discount coupons that you should eb sure to use before checking out. You may also consider connecting flights instead of taking one non-stop flight. While this may seem frustrating and inconvenient, it can really help to cut the cost of your flight, plus it gives you time to stretch your legs!
2. Travel light! It may be tempting to pack every piece of clothing you own, but try to limit your luggage to the essentials and what you will truly need on your vacation. Recently, airlines have been charging extra to check multiple bags. Try to just bring one small carry-on and check a larger suitcase if needed. Ideally, you could have one carry-on bag per person. This will help you to avoid waiting at the carousel for your checked luggage, and it will make moving through the airport less of a hassle.
3. Food is another large expense for international travelers. There are many things you can do to reduce this cost. If you have a hotel suite with a kitchen, consider cooking for yourself! Even cooking your own breakfasts can make a huge difference and can be much more affordable. Another good idea is to eat a larger lunch when eating out. This will ensure you aren’t as hungry when dinner time rolls around so you can choose smaller meals. Dinner is often much more expensive than lunch, so this can help you to get the same amount of food in your day without the high price tag.
4. Hotels in the most popular cities can be quite expensive. Instead of paying an arm and a leg for the ritziest, most convenient hotel, consider staying at the local town outside of a main city. These smaller towns are easier to get to, much more affordable, plus they are likely a quick 15 minute car ride to all the main attractions in the big city.
5. Finally, when renting a car, always be sure to decline the extra, overpriced charge for rental insurance. Pay using the credit card that you will use to protect you. Also, be sure to request a small, compact car or sedan ahead of time. Larger vehicles are more expensive to rent, plus they are more expensive to fill with gas during your trip!

When planning your fun activities in Paris or deciding where to stay in Rome, always consider these 5 essential tips to help reduce the cost of your trip. Be savvy about airfare and look for the best deal, avoid checking luggage if possible and pack light, cut back on food costs by cooking for yourself or eating a larger lunch than dinner, try to stay in a town outside of the city, and rent a small car. Sticking to these tips will ensure you don’t overspend, and they will help you to save more money to spend on fun sightseeing activities during your vacation abroad!