Over the years, when my Facebook travel photos start popping up, my friends often ask how I can afford so much travel. I usually reply with, “How can you afford not to?”—just kidding! I typically explain how I find amazing travel deals and the research I do to explore the world affordably. The lowest I’ve paid for a flight was £8 to Gothenburg, with other prices not much higher. Here’s how I snag great travel deals:
1. Flexible Searching with Skyscanner: While many people know about Skyscanner, they often look for specific itineraries, which can limit great deals. The key is flexibility. Here’s how to use it:
a) Start with Your Location: Instead of inputting a specific airport, put in your entire country (e.g., UK instead of London). This opens up more airport options. If you’re in a large country like the USA or Canada, choose a smaller region, like New York State.
b) Destination Options: For the destination, select ‘Everywhere.’ This way, you’ll find flights going anywhere in the world from nearby.
c) Choose Your Travel Type: Decide between ‘Return’ or ‘One-way’ trips.
d) Be Open with Dates: Search for flights over a whole month or even the entire year to see all available options for the next 12 months. Choose the number of passengers and hit search.
e) Filter Your Results: You’ll get a list of flights to various places worldwide. Apply your budget to filter destinations that fit. Adjust dates and preferred airports if needed, and explore your potential adventure spots!
2. Finding Accommodation: Websites like Booking.com, Lastminute.com, and Opodo.com provide a range of lodging options. Prices can be similar, so watch for deals. For instance, Hotels.com often gives up to 20% off. If you’re traveling with friends, consider Airbnb or Roomorama for house or apartment stays, usually cheaper for larger groups.
3. Travel Insurance: Annual travel insurance is often more cost-effective than buying per trip. After 3-4 trips, it typically pays for itself, so it’s worth considering if you plan to travel frequently in the next year.
Remember, you don’t have to travel only during work days or use your holiday time—weekend trips are an option! It just means checking Skyscanner a bit more, but it’s manageable and can make your workweek more exciting when you know you’re heading off for a weekend getaway!
