Travel and tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. As a result, there are plenty of companies that have been created to help you explore… at a cost.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to travel well – choose a great destination that is pocket-friendly, use Google in Incognito mode to find the best rates, and check out the websites below for money-saving travel ideas. Be sure to check out before you board your flight!
Budget accommodation websites
Couchsurfing
This may not suit everyone, but for solo and couple travellers, Couchsurfing lets you stay with people just like you, for free. Live like a local and get the insider tips on the city you’re staying in.
HostelBookers
This site lets you find cheap hostels and hotels anywhere in the world. But just because you have a beer budget, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on champagne! Some of these hostels at HostelBookers are seriously beautiful, and if you don’t mind sharing a room you can stay for as little as $20 a night!
Home Exchange
Similar to Couchsurfing, if you want to live like a local, then HomeExchange is for you. Swap your home with a family, or stay with another family anywhere in the world. You don’t have to own your own home either, but check with your landlord beforehand.
All-in-one travel booking sites that save you money
BudgetAir
This site lets you book flights, accommodation and rental vehicles. With frequent sales and specials, keep an eye out for good deals on BudgetAir’s Facebook page.
Kayak
This is one of the best discounted- airfare ticket sites. Kayak searches more than 140 airlines and agencies, including Orbitz, Hotwire, and Travelocity to find you the best deals, all on one site.
Lastminute
For those of you who like spontaneous trips, then Lastminute is for you. With a huge range of hotel and flight options, along with city break packages and holiday ideas, this site inspires you as well as saving money.
Orbitz
With Orbitz, they guarantee that they will provide you the lowest rate possible. If another customer makes the same booking for a lower rate, the difference will be refunded to you!
Tripadvisor
For some people. the search for competitively priced accommodation starts-and ends- here. Tripadvisor not only clearly lists the prices of all available rooms in a certain area for the dates you want, but they also have a large database of reviews, making is easy to compare options.
SeatGuru
A part of the TripAdvisor group, SeatGuru is more than just a booking site. With detailed information and sitemaps of planes, intel on different airlines, and a host of other helpful information, this site is worth checking even if you don’t use it for booking. With loads of travel hacks, this is a site to save on your search bar.
Yapta
Have you ever wanted a personal assistant? You have one now, with Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant. This site will notify you if the prices for your desired flights drop, and will continue to do so even after you book tickets. This gives you an opportunity to ask the airline for a refund of the difference. If you pay $15, then Yapta will even contact the airline on your behalf. Basically, they want to save you money and will do everything than can to ensure your travel is as cheap as possible.
Local destination guides and travel information
It’s worth doing a bit of research before getting to your destination. Local guides can help you learn how to skip queues, get cheap tickets to attractions, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
BootsnAll
With a large community of like-minded people, this site encourages independent travellers. With loads of blogs and stories from across the globe, guides to thousands of cities as well as booking facilities, BootsnAll Travel has everything you need.
Frommers
With hundreds of trips categorised into ideas for families, women, seniors, single, and LGBTQIA travellers, there is something for everyone. If you’re looking for skiing, a cruise, or if you love the outdoors, they have holiday ideas too. Across the world, live like a local and use Frommers for reliable and honest information.
LonelyPlanet
The renowned guide to almost every destination in the world, LonelyPlanet has maps, currency information, climate guides, and everything you need to know so you can explore your holiday destination thoroughly. With their online Thorn Tree forums, ask for up-to-the-minute information and even find travel buddies.
Timeout City Guides
If you are an urban explorer, Timeout provides you a host of cultural information guides. Independent reviews are generated in-house and created by people in tune with the city. If you’re into film, food and drink, or entertainment, then Timeout can lead you to the hottest spots in town.
Viator
Use this site to book tours, tickets, daytrips, and to find loads of things to do in the city of your choice. From Rome to Auckland, use Viator to find out all the best things to do in each location and get the most from your trip.
