Whether you have traveled before or you are just planning your first trip, tips from experts are always useful. Especially when it comes to packing or booking experiences and accommodation, things can be quite hard. The only way to learn how to travel better and smarter is to actually travel frequently. Maybe this is your plan, but that doesn’t mean that your first trips have to be chaotic. In contrast, you can learn from people who have done it all before you. Read below to discover 3 travel hacks experienced backpackers swear by.
It is not just the planning or the packing of your stuff that needs your attention. No matter how carefully you have studied the place you will go to, plans will definitely change once you arrive. Maybe it’s because of the weather, or an unexpected event. No matter what happened you can still be prepared and avoid upsetting situations. Of course, these tips will help you understand that everyone has to make mistakes before they actually learn how to do things. These experienced travelers were once where you are now. And one day, you will be experienced yourself.
1. Travel Hacks Experienced Backpackers Swear by: Benefit from your plane trips.
According to experts, frequent travellers should pick an airline and stick with it. Most of us just search online for the best offer, the cheapest flight, and just go with it. For most of us, it is actually quite a smart choice. But in the long run, you’ll see that picking a certain airline can have many benefits.
If you’re on the road frequently, especially for work, you can benefit from the loyalty you show to one company. The more you get to know the airline, its regulations, sales, and routes, the easier it will be to plan a trip. Make an account on the official website, subscribe to their emails, and check for sales often. If you make use of those customer benefits, the plane tickets you purchase will affect your next purchases as well. You might be rewarded with perks like upgrades, free checked bags, and most importantly miles. The more miles you gather, the better it will be for you. You can use these to have discounts on your next flights, or even get a flight for free.
In addition to all that, mark your calendars for big yearly sales. On days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, airlines usually have extremely cheap flights available. But in order to secure your ticket, you have to be fast with booking. Set an alarm on these days and go to the company’s website to check regularly. Even if you’re not sure where you want to go, the tickets are so cheap that you won’t regret purchasing them. And who knows, maybe a new, unexpected adventure awaits you.
2. Search for accomodation in the old school way.
This is a tip that you probably haven’t thought of. With internet bookings, everything is on the tip of your fingers at all times. But have you ever noticed how easily the prices go up on the things you search for? Or that sometimes there can be hidden fees and taxes that come up after you book your stay? Nevertheless, you can avoid all that. The best way to save on a hotel room or accommodation, in general, is very simple, and definitely old-school.
The first step is to do your research on the property you want to book. Get familiar with their normal rates, search across different websites and take notes. Then all you have to do is call the hotel directly. We know, it’s easier to just book it online but this way it is more direct and straightforward. When you call ask for the cheapest nonrefundable rate. They may present to you the exact prices you already found online, that’s a very real possibility. But keep in mind that hotels pay a markup of around 30% to booking sites in order to have clients through them. Most of them would prefer you book directly. In this way, you may be able to get a cheaper rate. If that doesn’t work, at least you’ll know you’re getting the lowest possible price for your stay.
3. Travel Hacks Experienced Backpackers Swear by: Plan your activities thoroughly before you arrive.
As mentioned before, your plans can change completely once you arrive at your destination. You can never control everything or force things to go according to plan. But the more prepared you are, the fewer things will go wrong.
First things first, when you browse the internet for things to see or do, use the labels in Google Maps to save the spots you want to visit. If you read about a restaurant or a museum that gets your attention, save it. Look up the location in Google Maps and flag it with the green “Want To Go” label. In this way, whenever you open the maps during your trip, you will already have plenty of choices. If you visited the place and you loved it move it to the “My Favorites” label. In the long term, this will serve as an excellent way for you to recommend places to people. And of course, you will have all your favorite spots in the world saved and available all the time.
Another great tip is to pre-download maps. You can never know if Wi-Fi or cell service will be available when you need it. In order to avoid anxious situations, download the maps of the place you visit on your phone. You will be able to navigate through the place and find your position no matter your circumstances. Safety always comes first, and in a new place knowing where you are and how to go to your hotel at all times can be time and life-saving.
Another thing you can do is ask at your hotel or hostel reception for a city map. They usually give them out for free and can be very handy. Some of them will include offers or activities such as walking tours you can take advantage of. Look out for and trust them more than your phone, as they are often locally made and include the best recommendations.
