I've spent over 8 months of my adult life traveling abroad. Much of it on less than $1500/mo for food, lodging, and airfare.
Here are the biggest hacks and tips I've learned. I give out travel tips frequently on Twitter, so tune in if you enjoy.
THREAD.
Here are the biggest hacks and tips I've learned. I give out travel tips frequently on Twitter, so tune in if you enjoy.
THREAD.
I'll cover strategy, airfare hacks, cost of living tips, and lodging. Asia will be the example, but the same goes for other continents.
Importantly, I have only ever bought 1 way tickets, and most lodging has been purchased 1 day to 1 week in advance. Apps and sites are key.
Importantly, I have only ever bought 1 way tickets, and most lodging has been purchased 1 day to 1 week in advance. Apps and sites are key.
On picking places:
-> $100 goes a lot further in China, Russia, and Thailand than it does in Norway and Switzerland.
-> $100 goes a lot further in China, Russia, and Thailand than it does in Norway and Switzerland.
After traveling 25+ European, Asian, and North American countries, most of these tips are the same for every geography and country.
-> Book 1 way air tickets...
-> Book 1 way air tickets...
If you book round trip, you've already lost flexibility, both in return date and what city you are forced to fly home from.
E.g. I went to Asia. I really wanted to go to Japan...
E.g. I went to Asia. I really wanted to go to Japan...
...instead I saved 75% of the airfare by flying into China.
Then you simply enjoy China, and find a cheap, shorter flight into Japan.
-> Flexibility is key here.
Then you simply enjoy China, and find a cheap, shorter flight into Japan.
-> Flexibility is key here.
Rather than saying I want to fly roundtrip to Tokyo, you say - I want to travel to Asia, and visit Tokyo.
Using major airfare hacks I'll talk about later - you pick what city has the cheapest flight into Asia. Then you make your way to Tokyo.
Using major airfare hacks I'll talk about later - you pick what city has the cheapest flight into Asia. Then you make your way to Tokyo.
-> Another key is time.
You cannot travel cheaply on 1-2 week trips to Asia. Cost savings come around 3 weeks to multiple months.
I recommend doing it after college or a job. Very few people have 2 months of PTO. Instead, give yourself 2 months between jobs.
Why?
You cannot travel cheaply on 1-2 week trips to Asia. Cost savings come around 3 weeks to multiple months.
I recommend doing it after college or a job. Very few people have 2 months of PTO. Instead, give yourself 2 months between jobs.
Why?
Airfare is a major, fixed cost.
If you only give yourself a 2 week window to go to Japan, you can only select tickets that are at the edge of this range. This is a losing strategy.
-> Instead, go when you have 1 month. Plan ahead.
If you only give yourself a 2 week window to go to Japan, you can only select tickets that are at the edge of this range. This is a losing strategy.
-> Instead, go when you have 1 month. Plan ahead.
-> About 3-4 months ahead of time start looking at flight aggregators, like Google Flights, Kiwi, Momondo, etc. This will give you an idea of which cities in the region offer the cheapest inbound airfare.
Do not book at this point!
Do not book at this point!
-> We are going to wait for the sweet spot of airfare: 30-75 days before a flight.
This is a judgement call. When you are in that window, pull the trigger when you see a price you like.
-> Do not book round trip! Or lodging (covered at end)
This is a judgement call. When you are in that window, pull the trigger when you see a price you like.
-> Do not book round trip! Or lodging (covered at end)
Round trip is going to force us to fly out of the same city and put a huge limit on us.
Want to hit China, Thailand, and Korea? Book inbound to China, fly to Thailand, then fly out of Korea. Round trip forces another flight back to China.
-> Round trip almost never saves money!
Want to hit China, Thailand, and Korea? Book inbound to China, fly to Thailand, then fly out of Korea. Round trip forces another flight back to China.
-> Round trip almost never saves money!
Yes. It's a huge misconception that flying on the same airline, roundtrip actually saves money.
It is almost always more expensive, limits your flexibility, and forces you to travel sub-optimally.
-> Don't pick a city/country, pick a region!
It is almost always more expensive, limits your flexibility, and forces you to travel sub-optimally.
-> Don't pick a city/country, pick a region!
I mentioned I wanted to go to Tokyo. However round trip, US to Tokyo was 3x as expensive as flying into China.
This isn't a rule, just what the prices showed me before traveling. I ended up in Asia, rather than Tokyo. This allows me to see...
This isn't a rule, just what the prices showed me before traveling. I ended up in Asia, rather than Tokyo. This allows me to see...
Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok and Tokyo for roughly the same cost as just Tokyo round trip.
-> Cost of living is important!
-> Cost of living is important!
Bangkok, Beijing, and Shanghai are much cheaper than Tokyo.
Rather than spending $2,500 in Tokyo for 1 month, I spend $1,600 to see Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, and Tokyo for 1 week each!
Rather than spending $2,500 in Tokyo for 1 month, I spend $1,600 to see Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, and Tokyo for 1 week each!
You have now hit 3 countries, for less $, and wider experience.
-> Do not book lodging in advance!
-> Do not book lodging in advance!
This is my biggest advice.
If you book hotels and AirBnB's ahead of time, expect very limited flexibility.
I am a planner type, but I have learned that the richest travels come with the greatest flexibility...
If you book hotels and AirBnB's ahead of time, expect very limited flexibility.
I am a planner type, but I have learned that the richest travels come with the greatest flexibility...
...Use apps like booking.com, AirBnB, etc. for incredible deals just 1 - 7 days before arrival.
I have never overpaid for lodging with this strategy, and it gives great flexibility. An exception would be going to the Olympics or FIFA.
I have never overpaid for lodging with this strategy, and it gives great flexibility. An exception would be going to the Olympics or FIFA.
I'll be making another thread like this for how to travel Europe cheaply. My experience includes visiting 10+ high cost of living countries on less than $2000/mo.
Tune in for more like this every week.
Tune in for more like this every week.
