c/budget-travel-hacks

Shoutout to the hostel that overbooked and left me stranded

I booked a cheap hostel months in advance to save cash. When I got there, they had no record of my reservation, and I spent twice as much on a last-minute hotel.

Regional train passes in Italy saved me so much money on my last trip. What are your favorite transport hacks?

Paper maps from tourist info spots used to be my go-to for saving cash. Now my phone dies halfway through the day, and I end up buying overpriced coffee just to use an outlet.

Update: Noticed a weird thing about booking flights on Tuesday

I always heard you should book flights on a Tuesday for cheaper rates. But after tracking prices for a month (just out of curiosity), the best deals popped up on Sunday nights. It saved me like a hundred bucks on my next trip. Now I'm wondering if the old advice is just wrong, or if it changes a lot.

Used to avoid public transit abroad, but figuring out the metro in Seoul saved me so much money.

My airport bus ride showed me how green travel can be cheap too

I found that using the city bus from the airport saves money and helps the planet.

Vent: Giving up on shared dorms actually cut my accommodation costs.

I found private rooms in guesthouses were often cheaper and more comfortable than crowded hostels.

Telling a taxi driver my plans was a BAD idea for my wallet

I was in a taxi in Mexico City and the driver was REALLY friendly. I told him ALL about my hotel and when I was leaving town. Later that day, someone tried to break into my room. I think the driver told someone. Now I only give VAGUE answers to questions. It saves MONEY and stress. Please be CAREFUL who you talk to.

I used to think train passes were a scam until I cracked the code

Back when I first traveled Europe, I bought point-to-point tickets everywhere. Then I learned about regional passes and flexible dates, which cut my rail costs in half.