When going on an overseas or interstate vacation, the bulk of your money would usually be allocated to lodging. But did you know that with the right hacks, you can actually save a significant amount? Having said that, do also bear in mind that a cheaper rate also means the need to compromise certain traits. For instance, do not expect to stay in a 5-star hotel for free.

Some of us do not mind staying at a simple place so we can better spend our money for entertainment, food and other experiences that we otherwise do not get to see in our country.

For budget travellers who are thinking of ways to cut down on accommodation costs, we came up with a guide to help you score cheaper accommodation for your next holiday. You are very welcome!

#1 BE FLEXIBLE AND CONSIDER A DATE CHANGE

Certain hotel rates are cheaper on selected days and that is primarily due to the lack of demand. Do expect a surge in prices during peak travel periods. Some hotels do provide an overall view of the different daily rates and you will realise that weekdays are typically cheaper. Most hotels also offer early bird rates—so do be flexible about changing dates!

#2 COMPARE PRICES ACROSS WEBSITES

The general rule of thumb is to NEVER settle for the first rate you are offered. Do compare your prices across various online booking platforms such as Agoda, Booking.com and the hotel’s official website. Tally the total prices—inclusive of taxes—and you will be surprised. Some differences could be negligible or significant.

#3 OR TAKE A GAMBLE AND BOOK IT LATE

Here’s the interesting thing—certain hotels do offer slashed rates when you make a last-minute booking. For instance, mobile application HotelQuickly allows hotels to push out unoccupied rooms at discounted prices. Some discounts are massive and can be up to 40%! Of course, you would probably have to compromise on the room of your choice.

#4 OPT FOR HOME RENTAL SITES

If a particular city’s hotel rate is way over your budget, then consider home rental sites such as AirBnb where you can book an entire place, a private room or even a shared room! Prices on AirBnb are usually cheaper and what you get in return is a much more spacious area. Yes, AirBnb lodging gives you more bang for the buck—especially when travelling in a group.

#5 BUY OVER SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOKING

Travel mishaps are bound to happen and sometimes travellers book accommodations that cannot be refunded. This is when Roomer and Cancelon come in handy. These platforms allow travellers to post listings of their booked hotel rooms and the public can buy these bookings off them at discounted rates. Talk about a win-win situation!

#6 STAY IN LESS FANCY HOTELS NEXT DOOR

Reputable global hotel brands are usually located right smack in the city centre. The location is ace but the price tag can be scary. Instead of resigning to fate, this is what you can do—consider the less fancy hotel next door which will offer you an equally superb location but less glamorous amenities. It’s all about a case of compromising.

#7 JOIN MEMBERSHIPS TO ENJOY PERKS

Certain hotels give you special discounts if you sign up for their newsletters or join their membership programmes. However, note that the latter usually involves a fee which might or might not work in your favour in the long run. However, registering as a user with Agoda and Booking.com is completely free and gives you access to exclusive special daily rates. What are you waiting for?

Traveling is exciting and fun – you get to discover a whole new world out there – but it’s also costly and can burn a hole in your pocket pretty fast. Plane tickets, accommodation, transport and food are just the tip of the iceberg – pile on exploratory activities and shopping sprees, and you’ll be watching your savings dwindle away in no time. So if you want to fulfil your globetrotting dreams without breaking the bank, read on for the top 20 tips on how to travel on a budget.

1. PLAN YOUR TRIPS IN ADVANCE

Plan your trips in advance (but not too far ahead – supposedly, the best window of time to book flights is about 45-60 days beforehand) and diligently scour the web for discounts and deals. The best days to book air tickets online are on Mondays or Tuesdays, and avoid weekends at all costs – that’s when prices skyrocket.

2. BE FLEXIBLE WITH DATES AND LOCATIONS

Be flexible with dates and locations, and try to travel off-season if you can. Tuesdays to Thursdays are usually the cheapest days to fly, and if you add more connecting stops to your itinerary, ticket prices will drop.

3. CHOOSE FEWER DESTINATIONS AND SPEND MORE TIME IN EACH.

This way, you’ll have time to appreciate each destination instead of going on a whirlwind trip where you barely scratch the surface anywhere. Besides, the more stops you have on your itinerary, the more time and money you’ll spend traveling and finding a place to stay.

4. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Heed the advice of travel tips and click on blogs and articles to read others’ past experiences, so you know what to expect and what to avoid – steer clear of the common mistakes made by those who have gone before you.

5. BUDGET YOUR MONEY

Be organised and disciplined – figure out how much you want to spend and allocate accordingly for your daily use. All this has to be done in advance, or you’ll be living large the first few days and surviving on nothing but cheap instant noodles towards the end.

6. TRAVEL LIGHT

Pack light, because you’ll probably have to pay extra for luggage – especially on domestic flights within countries that only allow you to check in one bag. Just bring basic necessities and simple outfits that you can mix and match to make it look like you’re wearing a different outfit each day.

7. RESEARCH ON AFFORDABLE RESTAURANTS

Map out your meals and look around to find affordable restaurants nearby, so as to avoid making a desperate, last minute decision to satisfy your hunger pangs. Avoid hotel breakfasts if you can, because cafes nearby are probably more value-for-money; when in doubt, remember that vegetarian dishes are always the cheapest. Alternatively, if you’re staying at a place that allows you use of the kitchen, grab a bunch of groceries and cook your own meals – especially for dinner, since it’s usually more expensive.

8. MULTI-TRIP PASSES OR TRAVEL AT NIGHT

If you’re traveling within a particular country, keep an eye out for multi-trip passes or travel at night so you can sleep while on the go and save on accommodation. Public transportation is your best friend, but if you need to rent a car, choose one that lasts longer on lesser petrol (you can also try hitchhiking if you’re brave enough). For nearby destinations, walking is a great way to take in the sights and avoid piling on the vacation weight.

9. CHOOSE A DESTINATION WHERE THE CURRENCY IS WEAKER AS COMPARED TO YOUR COUNTRY’S CURRENCY

If you’ve got no particular preference for your destination, pick one where the currency is weaker for better buying power and suss out where to find moneychangers that give you the best exchange rates.

10. STAY IN HOSTELS, HOME EXCHANGES, B&BS OR HOME STAYS

Instead of heading to your favourite hotel chain, why not try hostels, home exchanges, B&Bs or home stays? Start by searching for apartments on Airbnb.com. This enables you to meet the locals and pick their brains for insider tips on the area; you’ll also come across fellow backpackers whom you can join forces with to snap up group discounts.

11. GO LOCAL AND ENJOY AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE FOR LESS

Head for street stalls, outdoor markets, family-run businesses or neighbourhood eateries filled with locals (and non-English menus) to enjoy an authentic experience for less.

12. SIGN UP FOR REWARD OR MEMBER PROGRAMS

Be ‘kiasu’ and sign up for reward or member programs. They’re usually free anyway, and you never know what you might get out of them.

13. STAY UPDATED ABOUT THE LATEST DEALS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Follow major airlines and ticketing sites on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to mailing lists of travel deal sites – they regularly share discounts, sales and promo codes that you can take advantage of.

14. SUSS OUT GOOD DEALS ON THE PHONE

Negotiate on the phone – especially with hotels – to get the best deals and to find out about promos not posted online.

15. STAY AWAY FROM TOURIST TRAPS

Stay away from tourist traps (they’re such a rip-off) and go off the beaten track. Sure, you can take in recommendations from your guidebook, but some of the best finds are hole-in-the-wall places or ones in side streets that visitors don’t know about. Why not veer off course and see what you stumble upon?

16. BARGAIN, BARGAIN, AND BARGAIN

Learn the fine art of haggling. Bargain whenever you can, whether you’re at markets, shops or even in taxis. As long as you’re not rude or demanding, there’s no harm in doing it, since they probably hike up prices for tourists anyway.

17. TRY YOUR LUCK AND ASK FOR UPGRADES

Ask for upgrades. What’s the worst that could happen? A curt ‘no’? Big deal! Just toughen up and raise the question – you could receive extra goodies without paying a single cent.

18. ASK FOR TIPS FROM FRIENDS

Get a little help from your friends – they might know people living abroad whom they can connect you with, and that could save you from paying for accommodation and gain you a knowledgeable tour guide.

19. LOOK OUT FOR FREEBIES

Keep an eye out for freebies. Some places offer free museum tours, or even free entry on selected days and times; plus, festivals, events and nature activities like hikes or walks along scenic routes are usually without charge – because the best things in life are free.

20. MAKE FRIENDS WITH LOCALS

Just have fun and be open to making new friends. You never know when you could meet a friendly local keen to show you around the ins and outs of the country.

About the writer:
Alicia Lee is a dessert junkie with a serious (and probably incurable) case of wanderlust. Never one to pass up on retail therapy, she loves a great bargain and can usually be spotted on weekends browsing through quirky shops or chillaxing at a quiet cafe.

Don’t let your savings account be an obstacle to your wanderlust – holidaying doesn’t need to be an expensive affair. Check out these 11 tips on how to save money before, during and after you travel.

B E F O R E  T H E  T R I P

1. CREATE A TRAVEL FUND

Every month, I put in a sum of money into a different bank account to save up for my trips. This is great because, for starters, you won’t be digging into your personal savings to travel, so you’ll always have money when you return. Second, by consistently making a deposit, you can amass quite a bit during the months you’re not holidaying. You’ll always have spare cash to travel – so no more excuses!

Obviously the more you put in every month, the quicker the fund will grow, but you decide this based on how hungry you are to go gallivanting in a foreign land. If you truly want something, you’ll find a way to make it work.

For example, shop less or eat out less so you can put more into the travel fund. If you can’t bear to not buy shoes or have a fancy dinner every week, then perhaps travelling isn’t your priority. And that’s absolutely fine, just don’t complain about not having enough money then.

2. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Start thinking of your expenditures in “travel money”. The $5 you pay for coffee every day could go to a new and exciting dish you can taste in a foreign land every day too. The $40 dinner every weekend could go to the accommodation you’re splitting with your travel partner. That $200 bag is literally equivalent to a return ticket to nearby countries.

3. BOOK AIR TICKETS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE

I almost always fly budget. And even then, I book about three months in advance and start looking four months before. I’ve always managed to travel at a steal. My return tickets to South Korea on AirAsia cost me $406 all-in, inclusive of one check-in baggage and a meal on the return leg. And whether you’re flying budget or not, always wait for a sale – they will come up. I’d once seen tickets to Oslo, Norway for $808 all-in on Qatar Airways.

4. COMPARE AIR TICKETS PRICES

Even though it is cheap, flying budget is not always cheaper. It is worth spending some time using fare comparison sites (or even going to the individual airline pages) to suss out the lowest price for your travel dates.

5. DON’T SPLURGE ON THE HOTEL ROOM

You’re only in there to shower and sleep. Also, how are you going to really immerse yourself in the culture of a place by staying in an isolated (albeit fancy) hotel room? Go for local homestays or individually-run, small guesthouses. Not only are they cheaper, you’ll get to interact with the locals – it is the best way to get travel tips, food or attraction recommendations and knowledge of what it’s like to be a native.

Pick a place that provides breakfast. I love using Airbnb.com because it ticks off everything on this list – yes, even the breakfast bit.

Read the top 10 things that we love about Airbnb.

D U R I N G  T H E  T R I P

6. LOOK OUT FOR LOCALS IN RESTAURANTS OR CAFES

You know how Singaporeans like to throng the cheap and good places to eat? Well it’s the same in every country. And I often look out for eateries filled with local folks, rather than tourists. That way I know I’m going to be fed well, with an authentic cuisine and my wallet isn’t going to take a beating.

For more suggestions, read 5 useful travel tips that everyone should know.

7. GO TO THE SUPERMARKETS THE HOUR BEFORE THEY CLOSE

In the large ones, you can find cooked foods like chicken wings, sushi and pizzas on discount – hello, cheap supper!

8. SHOP SMART

You didn’t just fly 3,000km to buy things from international brands already available back home. Generally, I follow this rule: if it is less than 30% cheaper than in Singapore – it goes back onto the rack. Alternatively, stick to street shopping. You’ll always find a smorgasbord of things you can wear at a fraction of a big chains’ retail prices – plus, you won’t see someone with the same thing back home.

9. BUY TICKET BUNDLES OR DEALS TO ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Look up deal websites (just type “deals ” to search) to score major discounts on attractions and activities. Alternatively, some ticket-booking websites also offer bundles to several points of interests with substantial savings. Just remember to read the fine print.

10. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is quite the no-brainer. However, if you’re in a group of three or four, sometimes it is cheaper and faster to grab a metered taxi to get to a nearby location. Think places like Hong Kong and South Korea – a $6 fare split four ways is about the same amount you’d spend individually on a subway ride, minus the hassle. This works best for fares under $10 – beyond that, your savings can’t compare to if you were to take a public bus or train. Remember that the little dollars add up!

A F T E R  T H E  T R I P

11. KEEP YOUR LEFTOVER CURRENCY

Many people like to change their foreign currency back to Singapore dollars upon return. I actually recommend keeping it for future travels instead (unless you desperately need the money). I’ve always found it a delight to see leftover money from the previous time because I now need to change less for the upcoming trip.

What’s even better is if I’d changed my currency at a better rate the last time. I like storing mine in ziploc bags so they’re easy to identify. If you do turn them back into Singapore dollars, deposit it into your travel fund account.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your travel saving tips?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com