Travel Hacks That Will Save You Money and Time
Whether you’re traveling just to the neighboring state or across the world, there is something magical about experiencing a new location. Economists are pleased to note that the travel industry is booming, and, in 2022, 963 million people traveled. That’s a significant increase from 2021 (and, of course, from 2020).
This list contains valuable, easy-to-implement travel hacks that will not only save you money; they will also save you time. Be sure to read this list before hopping on your next flight or hitting the highway for a fun road trip.
1. Try Using A Luggage Storage Company Like BagsAway
What You Need: BagsAway account
Est. Cost: $1 per item per hour, starting price*
When you book online at the BagsAway luggage storage website, you have the freedom to go anywhere you want, while knowing your suitcases are safe. If you can’t check into your hotel yet but want to do some sightseeing, BagsAway will connect you to reliable storage locations for your luggage.
This includes hotels, cafes, local shops, and more. BagsAway has connections to storage locations all around the world, with overnight storage rates starting at just $1 per item per hour for some locations.
2. “Shoulder Season” Is The Best Time To Travel
What You Need: Airline tickets, hotel bookings, etc.
Est. Cost: Cheaper than average, usually
Shoulder season is a term you may have heard when it comes to traveling, as it is the period of time between low and high season when tourism is at a lull. Spring and autumn fall into shoulder season, for example.
Traveling is far cheaper during the off-season, as the demand is lower. According to Fare Compare, “dead zones” are the least expensive times of the year to book flights and hotels. Though the weather can be dicey, if you’re not bothered by the cold, traveling in the off-season is a smart idea.
3. House-Sitting Saves On Hotel Costs
What You Need: Trusted House Sitters account
Est. Cost: $199 annual fee for Trusted House Sitters*
“Free travel” is a phrase that is almost impossible to achieve, but there are plenty of hacks to help score low-cost accommodations. For example, sites like Trusted House Sitters connect homeowners to verified house-sitters.
These house-sitters get free accommodation, while homeowners get peace of mind. This is a great option for couples or solo travelers who don’t mind having to water the plants, feed pets, and look after the home. Rather than spend a lot of money on a hotel or ABNB, this is a valid cost-saving option.
4. Consider Opening A Travel Rewards Card
What You Need: Travel rewards card
Est. Cost: Annual fee, possibly
If you’re someone who travels a lot, consider opening a travel rewards card. This card operates like a regular credit card, except it gives you rewards points, cash back, and more when you are traveling.
According to Forbes, some cards stand out among others, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card. Be sure to compare rates and fees before signing up to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
5. Luggage Scales Are A Must-Have
What You Need: Luggage scale
Est. Cost: $10-$20*
We’ve all been there before; you go to the airport, place your bag on the luggage scale, and watch with dismay as your bag is “overweight.” You then either have to shuffle your items around or pay the excess-weight fee many airlines charge.
Prepare ahead of time with a luggage scale, a handy gadget you can pick up on Amazon for $10 to $20. This scale lets you weigh your bag at home, letting you know then and there whether your luggage makes the cut.
6. Pack Necessities In Your Carry-On
What You Need: Necessities
Est. Cost: $0*
According to the BoT, carriers handled almost 400 million bags in 2021, and they lost more than two million of those bags. This percentage increases during the busy holiday travel season, according to Fox News.
When you’re packing, be sure to bring a change of clothes, extra underwear, and must-have medications in your carry-on bag. That way, even if the worst comes to pass, you’ll have what you need to survive a night or two until you get your bag back.
7. Download Your Movies And Shows To Watch Offline
What You Need: Netflix/other streaming account
Est. Cost: $0 to download*
This hack is an especially good idea for parents who need to keep their kids entertained while on a flight. You might not know this, but you can download movies and television shows from your streaming services to watch offline.
Netflix, Hulu, and other streamers offer this for free to their subscription-holders. Be sure to download these shows and movies when you’re at home and have strong WiFi, as opposed to waiting until you’re in the boarding line at the airport.
8. Pacifiers Help Sore Ears On Flights
What You Need: Pacifier
Est. Cost: $2-$6*
A major reason that babies cry while on flights is because of the change in air pressure, which can be bothersome to their tiny eardrums. Children are more susceptible to this pain than adults, and they handle it, well, like kids.
If you have a baby, a pacifier can actually help mitigate ear pain during landing and takeoff. If you have older kids, giving them a piece of candy, like a Tootsie Roll, to suck on can help, as it will relieve pressure in their ears.
9. Always Keep A Second Copy of Essential Documents
What You Need: A copy of your driver’s license, passport, etc.
Est. Cost: $0*
This hack costs nothing, and it will give you major peace of mind. Not only that, but this is a wise hack, even if you’re not traveling. It is important to keep a copy of your tickets, travel insurance, passport, and other must-have documents in your carry-on.
That way, you’ll always have them with you, even if the airline loses your luggage. Yes, this info can be stored on your smartphone, but it is good to have physical copies in case you lose your phone, break it, or your battery conks out.
10. No Last-Minute Booking
What You Need: Book in advance
Est. Cost: It’ll be likely cheaper
Last-minute booking is never a good idea when you’re traveling and want to save money. It’ll cost more to book last-minute, and booking in advance is always a smart idea. Now, obviously, this hack only applies to situations that aren’t emergencies.
When you’re tired and jet-lagged, the last thing you want to do is figure out even more logistics. Booking transport in advance is a surefire way to save you money and lessen the stress of traveling, no matter whether you’re traveling via a Greyhound or Spirit Airlines .
11. Download Boarding Passes For Offline Use
What You Need: Smartphone
Est. Cost: $0 to download*
Picture this stress-inducing scene: you’re about to board your flight, but your phone isn’t receiving a signal, so you can’t download your boarding pass. This scenario is easy to avoid when you download your pass offline ahead of time.
Most airlines’ apps allow you to store your pass offline, making it accessible even if there is no WiFi. So long as you have your phone with you and the app on it, you will be good to go when you step up to the gate.
12. Sign Up To Receive Flight Alerts
What You Need: Flight alert app
Est. Cost: $0 to download, usually*
If you want a cheap flight hack, you can’t go wrong with downloading a flight alert app on your phone. This app will let you know whether your flight has changed or slowed down, as well as if it is on time, too.
These services also can send you price alerts when prices drop on flights to your destination (this works if you are flexible on when you leave). For frequent travelers, downloading this app onto their smartphone is a must.
13. Make Sure Your Headphones Are Noise-Canceling
What You Need: Noise-canceling headphones
Est. Cost: $10-$200 per pair*
Chatty seatmates, crying babies, the drone of the airplane, and more are all sounds that conspire to disrupt your peaceful flight. Luckily, noise-canceling headphones from brands like Bose, Apple, and more are there to save the day.
When you have these headphones (which vary widely when it comes to price), you will only hear the audiobook or music that you want to hear. Though many pairs aren’t cheap, they are worth the investment for those who want to travel in peace and relative quiet.
14. Always Bring A Portable Charger
What You Need: Portable charger
Est. Cost: $10-$30*
If you’re on the go a lot, then you know the frustration that ensues when your phone dies and you don’t have a charger. This is why a portable charger is a good investment, as it can help re-charge your phone in a bind.
Yes, these chargers do work a bit slowly, but they will get the job done eventually. You can find these chargers at stores like Target and Walmart, along with, of course, Amazon. Generally, they cost between $10 and $30.
15. Keep A Refillable Water Bottle With You
What You Need: Water bottle
Est. Cost: $5-$20*
You can’t take any liquids over a certain size through security, lest you want TSA dumping them out in front of you with a stern look on their faces. And yet, buying a $10 bottle of water at an airport is just as insufferable an option.
Bring a refillable, empty water bottle with you through security. You can refill it at drinking fountains and sinks in the airport, saving you money that you’d otherwise have to spend on high-priced airport concessions.
16. Google Translate Now Has A Camera Feature
What You Need: Google Translate app
Est. Cost: $0*
This Google Translate hack is little-known, despite its practicality. You can use your phone’s camera to snap a picture of text in front of you (on a sign or menu, for example), and Google will translate it.
Open the Translate app, click the camera at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, and point the lens at the menu or sign. The app uses augmented reality to auto-translate the text, providing you with a translated overlay on your screen.
17. Don’t Travel On Bottleneck Days
What You Need: N/A
Est. Cost: Your peace
“Bottleneck days” are specific days during which most people travel, particularly when it comes to the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. For Thanksgiving, you’ll want to avoid traveling during the weekend after.
For Christmas, bottleneck days take place December 23rd through the 26th. If possible, avoid booking flights, trains, and more during these days, as it can be a total nightmare to get through a station or airport during that time, thanks to the crowds.
18. Vacuum Pack Your Luggage
What You Need: Compression bags
Est. Cost: $10-$15 per pack*
If you want to save space in your luggage, you can’t go wrong with compression bags. You can find these handy bags on Amazon for $10 to $15 a pack, usually. They reduce the volume of your clothes by compressing the air around them.
This means you have more space in which to pack. If you’re packing light (or just want to have room for souvenirs), compression bags are a cheap must-have that will help you get the job done.
19. Your Pillow Can Be An Extra Carry-On
What You Need: Pillow
Est. Cost: $0, if you already have the pillow*
We have Chelsea Dickinson, known as @cheaptravelexpert on TikTok, to thank for this clever hack. Dickinson shared to her followers how she turns a regular, cheap travel pillow into an extra carry-on for her clothing.
All you have to do is unzip the pillow, remove the pillow material inside, and stuff t-shirts, underwear, and other clothing inside. This is, effectively, a way to cheaply bring an extra bag without paying a fee.
20. Tour Groups Are A Good Idea
What You Need: Tour group tickets
Est. Cost: $50-$500 for a tour*
You want to travel somewhere and see all you can, but where do you start? This is where tour groups come in handy. Tour groups cost $50 to $500, depending on how elaborate a tour, and they give you the inside scoop on what you need to see of a location to get the full picture.
Tour groups take away the need to plan logistics, which means you can sit back and soak in the history and information on the excursion. As an added bonus, tour groups are also an excellent way to make new friends in a foreign land.
21. Be Careful Who You Travel With
What You Need: A clear head
Est. Cost: N/A
Traveling can be very, very stressful. Between booking flights, picking where to eat, timing excursions, and more, traveling is not for the faint of heart. This is why it is important to be very careful who you travel with.
Choose your travel buddies carefully, as any issues you have with them before traveling will likely be exacerbated during the intense travel process. This hack is wise for any situation where you’re going to be under stress, as issues tend to pop up more easily if you’re dealing with difficult personalities.
22. Take A Universal Adapter With You
What You Need: Universal adapter
Est. Cost: $10-$23*
A lot of people forget about this hack, even though it is a metaphorical life-saver. If you are traveling to a new country, you don’t want to forget your universal adapter. This gadget costs $10 to $23, usually.
The universal adapter lets you plug in and charge your phone, camera, and laptop, no matter your location. Buying a universal adapter at the airport will be super expensive (borderline extortionate, really), so be sure to pick one up before you travel.
23. Google Maps Has An Offline Version
What You Need: Google Maps app
Est. Cost: $0*
This travel hack will help you not get lost, particularly if you are a tourist in a new city. Google Maps allows you to download offline versions of their maps. All you have to do is open the app and find the city you are going to visit.
Click the three dots at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and you will see an option to download the map offline. Be sure to do this when you have a strong WiFi signal. Once the map is in your phone, you can use it for navigation, even if you have no signal or data.
24. Roll Your Clothes
What You Need: Nothing
Est. Cost: $0*
Packing is always a battle, as you want to get as much stuff as you can in your suitcase without disorganizing it or going over the airline’s capricious weight limit. One way you can maximize space is to fold your clothes.
This space-saving option not only gives you more suitcase volume; it also keeps your clothes from wrinkling. Folding creates edges that turn into creases, while rolling your clothing prevents it from those kinds of creases.
25. Try A Tech Pouch
What You Need: Tech pouch
Est. Cost: $5-$15*
Laptop cords, phone chargers, toothbrush chargers, and more all create a mass of easily-tangled cords in your suitcase. This can put a damper on the trip, as spending time untangling knots is a total drag.
Invest in a tech pouch, such as one from Day Owl and other brands. This pouch will keep your cords separate, unharmed, and untangled, making them easy to find in your suitcase or carry-on when you need them.
26. Pen Springs Safeguard Cords
What You Need: Pen spring
Est. Cost: $0*
Wave goodbye to damaged cords. The rough and tumble nature of traveling with a suitcase can cause cords, particularly delicate chargers from Apple, to break at the tip. You can avoid this for free by using a pen spring.
Take apart a pen you are not using, removing the spring. Then, coil the spring around the phone charger, right at the tip where most breaks form. The spring will force the charger to hold its shape, ensuring you don’t have to pay to replace the charger.
27. Buy Flight Add-Ons Before You Fly
What You Need: Flight add-ons
Est. Cost: 2-3 times cheaper*
There are plenty of flight add-ons from which to choose when you travel, but there is one common thing that unites them. These add-ons are all more expensive if you purchase them at the airport.
Seriously, their prices are borderline extortionate. When purchasing add-ons, do so well before you show up to the airport, lest you take a huge hit to your wallet. For example, adding a carry-on before you check-in often costs two or three times less than doing so when you’re checking your luggage into the airport.
28. Sometimes, Long Layovers Aren’t The Worst Thing
What You Need: Long layover
Est. Cost: Varies, based on airline
Schmiggy came up with this travel hack, and it actually makes sense. Though long layovers are often considered the boogeymen of traveling, are they really all bad? These layovers let you explore a new location.
According to Schmiggy, when she and her family book with British Airways, they often have to layover in London for a day or two. They use that time to explore the historic capital, all while their luggage is safe and secure with the airline.
29. Always Mark Bags As “Fragile”
What You Need: Fragile sign
Est. Cost: $0*
It’s all too easy to dent and mark luggage, particularly if you are traveling during the busy holiday season. Carriers just want to get the luggage on the plane, and they’re often not too careful with how they handle your stuff.
It might be a wise idea to consistently mark your bag a “FRAGILE,” as this places your suitcase at the tippy-top of the luggage pile. Theoretically, when your bag bears this red sign, cargo handlers will pay special attention to your suitcase.
30. Take A Picture Of Your Vehicle
What You Need: Smartphone
Est. Cost: $0*
Have you ever gotten back from a vacation, only to realize you have no idea where you parked your car? This nightmare scenario is all too common, yet it can be avoided very, very easily. Before you leave for your flight, take a picture of your car.
Be sure to include your car’s placement and relative signs around it. You can even open your phone and add the car’s location to your Notes app. This thirty-second process is free and easy, and it will save you a lot of frustration on your way home.
31. Hotel TVs Can Usually Charge Electronics
What You Need: USB port
Est. Cost: $0*
When you get to your hotel, check the television. There should be a USB port available on the TV, usually on the right side. This will act as a handy charging port, should you find yourself low on places to charge your phone.
The hotel TV should do just as good a job of charging your electronics as anything. Not only are USB ports usually available on the television, hotels also often offer ports on lamps and alarm clocks, too.
32. Don’t Forget Your Fire Stick
What You Need: Fire Stick
Est. Cost: $0, if you already have one*
When traveling, don’t forget your Fire TV Stick, lest you want to be stuck watching basic cable or paying a high price to rent a movie from your hotel. Having your Fire Stick lets you watch the shows you want to watch.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure you book a room with an HDMI hookup on the television, in order to take advantage of your Fire Stick. It only takes a few seconds to grab from your house, and you’ll be glad you did.
33. Use A Cheap Pillbox For Small Items
What You Need: Pillbox
Est. Cost: $1*
Earring backs, earbuds, jewelry, and more are all tiny items that love to go missing in your suitcase. You swear you brought them…but where are they? Buy or repurpose a cheap pill box to keep this from happening.
You can find one at the dollar store for a buck or two. These cases are sturdy enough to safeguard your items in your suitcase, all while being organized enough to ensure nothing gets tangled or missing.
34. Doing Laundry On Your Trip Keeps Baggage Weight Low
What You Need: Access to laundry
Est. Cost: $4-$10 at a laundromat*
Consider ensuring you have access to laundry on your trip, whether that means booking a space with a laundry machine or knowing where the nearest local laundromat is (the former option is way cheaper, FYI).
Though the thought of doing a “chore” on vacation isn’t too tempting, doing laundry on your trip actually helps keep your baggage weight low. If you can do laundry, you can re-wear clothes, meaning you can pack less.
35. AirHelp Is A Great App
What You Need: AirHelp app
Est. Cost: 15% of total compensation (fee collected)*
We’ve all had this happen to us at some point. Either you miss one flight because the other was delayed, or your flight gets canceled for no reason, leaving you up a creek. The airline has to offer you just compensation, but how do you get what you’re owed?
AirHelp is the app for that, as it lets you avoid phone calls, unanswered emails, and long wait times. AirHelp is your middleman, acting on your behalf to get back the money the airline owes you. The service charges a fee, but, really, it pays for itself.
36. Special Occasions Can Equal Big Perks
What You Need: To talk to your hotel
Est. Cost: $0*
Special occasions can equal big perks, particularly when it comes to hotels. If you’re planning to travel and stay at a hotel in celebration of a birthday or anniversary, be sure to tell the hotel ahead of time.
Some hotels offer free celebration “upgrades,” like free charcuterie plates, flowers, bottles of champagne, and more. It’s a win-win situation—you get free perks, and the hotel gets a customer that will likely be loyal to them in the future, thanks to the special treatment.
37. Oversized Scarfs Can Be Blankets
What You Need: Oversized scarf
Est. Cost: $15-$45*
When you are traveling from a colder destination to a warmer one, you might not want to bring your bulky winter coat. But, you also don’t want to take up space in your carry-on by bringing a blanket with you.
Plane, bus, and train rides tend to be chilly due to HEPA filters and air conditioning, so wear an oversized scarf. This scarf doubles as a blanket you can wear while traveling, and you won’t have to pay extra to bring it onto the plane or train.
38. Use Budget Flight Websites
What You Need: Access to the Internet
Est. Cost: Cheaper, usually
There are plenty of budget search engines out there when it comes to travel, and you should take advantage of them if you want to save money. This goes double or those who are flexible with their travel times and dates.
Momondo, Skiplagged, Hopper, AirTreks, Sky Scanner, Kiwi, Kayak, and Expedia are some of the best deal sites around. If you set your filters to “anywhere” and “everywhere,” you can score some very cheap flights to interesting locations.
39. Become A Frequent Flier
What You Need: Frequent flier account
Est. Cost: $39-$450 annual fee, depending on the airline*
If you’re a frequent flier and traveler, you should definitely consider starting an account with your preferred airline. Otherwise, you could miss out on valuable miles that could count towards future trips.
A lot of airlines are part of Star Alliance and OneWorld, both of which are “airline alliances.” This means you could be able to transfer points to your main frequent flier account, allowing you to choose from a range of airlines and still get perks.
40. Don’t Forget To Ask For Upgrades
What You Need: Nothing
Est. Cost: $0, sometimes*
The worst they can say is no, as the old saying goes. When traveling, never be shy to inquire about upgrades and their pricing. Sometimes, you might have access to low-cost or free upgrades that a hotel or airline is giving away.
