How to Travel Smarter in 2020?

The world has become smaller as the years passed by. Not literally, or through the internet, but with the growing trend of international tourism. Nowadays, you can book accommodations and airfare most cost-effectively, wherever and whenever. With such an opportunity available for the vast market, everyone is on the hook and making the most out of it.

How do you travel smarter in 2020? To escape the tourist traps, you have to be very diligent and creative in choosing the options available for you. Traveling does cost a lot of money, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Read more about it and consider taking up a travel sponsorship. It all goes down to planning effectively, investing, and making use of the things available for you.

Avoid newbie mishaps and travel smart with these tips:

PLAN SMART

Going on a trip without any plan can be exciting and adventurous, but can be very expensive. Consider your budget to figure out the number of days you are staying at the destination of your choice.

In planning your itinerary, don’t jam-pack all your activities in one day without considering the distance and travel time needed to jump from one place to the next. Plan smart, allowing free time where you can experience and enjoy the new city or country.

CHECK CREDIT CARD TRAVEL PERKS

Most credit cards have a partnership with various companies that can offer travel perks such as WiFi access and mileage points. Organize your credit cards and check the options available. You might be surprised to know that you are eligible to travel for free.

WATCH OUT FOR GREAT FINDS

Bookmark and set notification alerts for airlines and hotels you have been eyeing for. Often, they would strike deals that would blow your mind. One known hack is to book 6 weeks in advance, but sometimes, airlines give out discounts 9 months ahead. Check their calendar for the cheapest flight available. Thus, timing is key.

Use websites to check for the cheapest flight and hotels, but book them directly on their corresponding website. External sites can carry additional service charges the actual site doesn’t have.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

When traveling, the last thing you want is for your vacation to become a nightmare. Don’t rely only on the reviews on the website. Check social media to find tags associated with the hotel, Airbnb, or hostel of your choice. Getting raw images versus company-provided pictures will give you better hindsight of what to expect. Also, use these connections to speak directly with people who have first-hand experience before finalizing your decision.

PACK SMART

Whether it is a short trip or long-haul, your luggage should not drag you down. Often, people make the mistake of packing “everything” in their suitcase to ensure that they do not miss anything. However, this can translate to additional costs and be inconvenient to transport. Travel only with the essentials such as a shawl, cardigan, and weather-friendly clothes. Maximize the use of packing cubes and organize your things the Marie Kondo way.

To make things more comfortable, put them in the luggage that does not take a lot of space. Some countries are notorious for charging exorbitant fees for excess baggage. Avoid these fees and free up some space in your check-in baggage by squishing some of your essentials in your backpack. Just make sure that the size of the backpack can be placed in the overhead bins, so you don’t have to worry about the additional luggage cost. You can find some helpful guides and reviews online to choose the right carry on backpacks to bring with you as you stroll across the city or country. As long as you carry only what is needed in your backpack, then you’re good to go. For that, we made a list of some of the carry on essentials:

• Wipes or tissue
• Snacks
• Water Bottle
• Travel Documents like passport, tickets
• Compression Socks
• Electronic gadgets such as phone, charger, and adapter
• Wallet with cash and credit card
• Sweater and scarf
• Ear plugs or noise-canceling headsets
• Toiletries in TSA approved containers
• Travel pillow and a sleep mask

USE CITY TOURISM CARDS

City Tourism Cards are now available in various countries that give you discounts, free entrance to attractions, and even free transportation. Making use of these cards will save you tons of money and help you narrow down options on the places you should visit. Aside from this, once consumed, it becomes memorabilia of your trip.

The world is yours for the taking. Travel and experience as much as you can. Immerse in various people and cultures, and you will come back as a changed person. There is so much to see in the limited time that you have in this world. Remember, you don’t need to break the bank to make this dream come true.