Traveling and having a wonderful time doesn’t always have to mean spending big bucks. In fact, whether it’s snagging a free stopover, sipping homemade espresso instead of going for the overpriced lattes, or staying in university dorms over pricey hotels, savvy travelers know that very little moves add up fast.
That’s why we decided to make a list of tricks and tips to make our next adventure a lot richer in experiences and lighter on your wallet. So, let’s see what options are out there, and what we can do to have the best of both worlds, shall we? It will be fun!
Road trip for free with car relocation services
If you want a cross-country adventure without dealing with expensive car rental fees? Companies such as AutoDriveaway and Imoova are in dire need of drivers moving vehicles between cities, and they might often let you do it for free or for a small amount of money.
You might usually get five to seven days to fully complete the trip with a set mileage cap, but mind you, you’re fully responsible for extra mileage, late fees, as well as additional insurance. Our tip is to consider certain relocation deals, which can also include gas reimbursements or even ferry costs, as long as you check in advance.
There’s generally a link, typically held on your credit card, that gets easily returned upon delivery. But you should always confirm the terms upfront.
Score freebies from tourism boards
Did you know that some tourism boards already have a series of perks just for showing up? From shopping vouchers in Hong Kong, to free city tours in Singapore, to lucky draws for cash vouchers in Taiwan, the incentives are quite real.
In Switzerland and Germany, hotel guests even receive free public transit passes in select cities. Always check the official tourism website or airport welcome desks, since some perks are limited to the first few thousand visitors or need to be claimed on arrival.
Cruise for cheap with a repositioning cruise
Cruise ships sometimes shift between regions, and also need to fill cabins every spring and fall. Such repositioning cruises can sometimes last two weeks or even more, but they cost less than a one-way flight to Europe, with meals, entertainment, and lodging included.
Common routes include Florida to Barcelona, Rome, and Southampton, or Florida to Canada via Mexico. Our tip is that even if the fare may be cheaper, you will spend more days at sea, and need to budget for port taxes, gratuities, and a return flight.
Pet sit around the world
You can save on hotel and Airbnb costs with certain platforms like TrustedHousesitters, which generally match travelers with homeowners needing pet or even property care. It’s a win-win for long-term stays, especially in popular (and even pricey) cities.
Our tip is to start building your profile very early and make sure you include plenty of references, complete ID verification, and get the needed certification in CPCR or pet first aid, if you can. Premium members generally get early access to listings in competitive cities, such as London or Paris.
Swap your home with fellow travelers
House swaps aren’t exactly new, but you need to pay attention not to fall into scams. Facebook groups, for example, are full of them. Instead, you can try various platforms such as Kindred, which also include a thorough vetting process.
You can also swap directly or earn credits for future stays, which makes it an affordable way to travel like a local. Our tip is this, however: Kindred provides property damage coverage for as much as $100,000, as well as free cleaning and hosting kits. You should set expectations quite clearly, and you can do that by calling them before confirming your stay.
Score a luxury timeshare stay
You can simply skip the hard sell and go direct. Timeshare owners rent out unused weeks through sites like RedWeek, giving you access to resort condos at huge discounts. Units generally include kitchens, laundry, and resort perks such as pools and beach access.
Our tip: There’s a two-bedroom villa at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu for an affordable price. Moreover, their prices are known to drop sharply for last-minute stays. You should always confirm additional resort and cleaning fees before booking.
Maximize free city stopovers
Why pay for two separate tickets when certain airlines, such as Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Icelandair, offer these amazing stopover packages that also include hotel stays, domestic flights, tours, and local experiences, which are often free or at a small fee?
Our tip is that you might need to manually select the stopover when you’re booking, since it’s not automatic. Some airlines can come up with up to four free nights, and it mainly depends on your cabin class. Qatar Airways also comes with luxury stays with beach access, starting from only $31 a night.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: 11 Groceries to Buy Before Tariffs Skyrocket Their Prices
