How to Find Cheap Flights and Accommodation

Vancouver, Canada 2019

Many people ask me, “How do you manage to travel so much? You're always on the go! You must be loaded with money!” Well, I wish! But when it comes to travelling, I use this reloadable multi-currency card (click here), which helps me save on additional costs from currency exchanges, and the fees are truly minimal.

If I were loaded with money, I would be travelling 365 days a year. However, my trips come from my daily work and the money I manage to save throughout the year. So, I want to share my steps and tricks with you on how to spend less while travelling more, saving both time and money.

First and foremost, an important piece of advice: don't go where you want to go; go where it costs less. Many people say, “This year, I want to go to that country!” Unfortunately, that country probably came to mind because it's trendy at the moment. Instead, search for destinations where it's cheaper by using “Everywhere” as your destination, and particularly during off-peak periods when prices are lower. If your job forces you to take vacations only when your boss wants, then consider changing jobs. We're in 2021, and flexibility and mental well-being come first.

The photo above is an example of a search conducted on Sunday, July 11, 2021, for a departure within a week. Just imagine going to Dublin for only 32 euros! Click on the photo to check the prices!

Second advice: Use different websites to compare prices!

Even if a website claims to be a price comparison platform, it doesn't necessarily mean it offers the best rate. Each platform has its own partners and sponsors to promote. That's why I have selected some of the best booking sites (click here) to help fellow travelers.

Third advice: Learn to travel light.

A 30-liter backpack is more than enough for a weekend trip of 3-4 days, and even for a week-long trip in summer. My friend James from England lived in Australia with just a backpack weighing a total of 7 kg. Remember, you're supposed to relax and explore, not attend Milan Fashion Week and showcase 30 outfits a day. I often see people going away for 3 days with a 22 kg suitcase (which, on average, costs an extra 30 euros on the flight ticket), packed as if they were emigrating on the Titanic.

The ideal backpack should be waterproof, durable, lightweight, and well-organized to provide ample space for your clothes and belongings. Why a backpack instead of a trolley? Many airlines have started charging for trolleys under the pretext of space and consumption, but it's really just a way for them to earn more (except for priority boarding). Meanwhile, a 30-liter backpack fits perfectly under the seat and is not subject to additional costs.

Fourth advice: Travel comfortably and avoid metal accessories, bags, purses, fanny packs, shoulder bags, and other dangling items (unless it's your carry-on baggage). Opt for comfortable clothing such as sportswear, tracksuits, shorts, sneakers, hoodies, and t-shirts. Avoid wearing pants or garments that require belts or have multiple pockets with metal zippers. If you're traveling for business and have a formal outfit, make sure the pants have extra buttons to adjust the waist instead of using a belt. Remove watches and accessories and place them in your jacket before going through security checks. Don't complain about flight delays or being held up at scanners. Security checks are in place to prevent issues and enforce laws. You're not going to a nightclub or a tourist resort; we're talking about national security. Following these guidelines will also help prevent the confiscation of personal belongings.

Fifth advice: Check nearby airports, as well as trains, buses, or car-sharing options.

I recently had an experience while planning a trip with a friend. He wanted to depart from Rome, even though he would have to drive over 300 km to get there, simply because he had relatives there and thought it would be cheaper. However, by changing the departure airport to Naples, the ticket price became less than half, and we also saved about 200 km of driving. Isn't that great? Especially in countries like Italy, where travelling 150 km on the highway costs around 20 euros in tolls and fuel.

To estimate costs in Europe, you can use the website https://www.viamichelin.com/ to check routes, distances, and costs for various driving options. You can select the type of vehicle and compare different routes.

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Finding Flights

To find economical flights, the first step is to select the departure airport. Now, there are two scenarios: Do you have a specific time frame or a specific destination in mind?

I will now explain the key steps to finding tickets and saving as much as possible.

When it comes to choosing a destination, if you're unsure where to go, try typing “Anywhere” in the destination box. If the search engine doesn't have this option, then enter a city that you would like to visit.

For short-haul flights, it's advisable to look for direct flights or, at most, one layover with a minimum layover time of 1 hour to avoid missing the connecting flight in case of delays. Usually, direct flights are available for intra continental flights and for most destinations, especially during the summer. However, it may be more challenging to find direct flights during winter, so you may need to consider flights with layovers or nearby airports.

If you know where you want to go, but are flexible with the travel dates, some websites offer the option to select an entire month as the departure or arrival date or provide a price graph to help you find the most affordable time to travel.

Once you have found the destination and the right price, the next step is to check the airline carrier and their baggage policy (as the economy fare often does not include checked baggage) and proceed with the booking. Here are some of my favorite flight search engines:

Kiwi.com

Trip.com

Before making the purchase, you can compare the prices offered by both websites.

Finding accommodation:

Assuming you already have the dates and destination in mind, let's move on to the next steps. If you want to get an approximate cost, select dates that include as many weekends as possible to determine the maximum price you might encounter.

Once you enter the city, select the maximum budget you are willing to pay per night and choose the options that are important to you, such as 24/7 check-in, private bathroom, breakfast included, or if you need any assistance or if you're traveling with a pet.

At this point, a list of accommodations will appear. Personally, I further narrow down the options by selecting a maximum distance from the city center of 1km. This helps to avoid hotels that claim to be centrally located but are actually far away or situated on a hill 5km from the beach.

It's essential to ensure that the information provided by the accommodation matches your preferences and expectations. Always double-check the location and read reviews from previous guests to get a clearer picture of the property.

Finding affordable accommodations can be a crucial step in planning your travel. Fortunately, there are some effective tactics you can employ to discover the best deals on any platform. One key step is to utilize the sorting feature and select "order by lowest price" to generate a comprehensive list.

Once you have the list, you can further optimize your search by opening multiple tabs and comparing prices and offers. This allows you to identify the most cost-effective options that meet your requirements. To enhance your experience, remember to adjust the language settings or use the translate function (right-click>translate) to understand the content, and select your preferred currency for payment.

Personally, I have found great success using platforms like Booking.com, Hostelworld.com, and Hotellook.com. These websites offer a wide range of accommodations and competitive prices.

Do you have any special tactics for finding the best deals on accommodations? Share your tips with us!

Summary: Be Flexible with Dates: If you have flexibility with your travel dates, you can search for more affordable fares. Flight prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week and the time of year. Try to avoid peak periods and consider traveling on weekdays instead of weekends.

Use Flight Comparison Engines: Utilize flight comparison websites such as Kayak, Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Momondo to compare prices from different airlines. These platforms allow you to easily compare fares and find the best deals.

Set Fare Alerts: Sign up for fare alerts on these comparison websites or through airline newsletters. This way, you'll receive notifications when prices drop for your desired route or destination.

Consider Nearby Airports: Check if there are any nearby airports to your departure or destination that may offer cheaper flights. Sometimes, flying from or to an alternative airport can result in significant savings.

Be Open to Layovers: Direct flights are often more expensive than those with layovers. If you're willing to make a stopover, you can often find cheaper options. Just be mindful of the duration and connection times.

Clear Browser Cookies: When searching for flights, some websites may track your activity and increase prices based on demand. To avoid this, clear your browser cookies or search in incognito mode.

Book in Advance: Generally, booking your flights well in advance can help you secure better deals. However, it's important to also keep an eye out for last-minute deals if you have flexibility with your travel plans.

Remember, finding the best flight deals may require some patience and research. By following these key steps and being flexible, you can increase your chances of finding economical flights

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