The summer is finally here, which means it is time to pack the bags and take a vacation. Planning a trip is exciting, but it can get quite stressful when the costs start adding up. It’s always good to save some money here and there and pack extra cash for your days off.

Little tricks and hacks, such as using a VPN for online purchases or getting the right credit card can help travelers manage and save their budget in the long run. 

With that said, here are five unexpected ways to save some money while traveling.

#1 Use the Right Credit Card

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to think ahead and get a credit card that rewards your purchases with points. Even though this hack won’t save the traveler’s money on the spot, it will help them collect points and build a budget for their next adventure. Think about it: if you are going to make a purchase using a credit card, you may as well use a card that will bring you benefits in the long run.

A great example is the American Airlines Aadvantage MileUp card for travelers. This card rewards users for every purchase they make, and it even gives them 25% off on food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights. Since you’ll be spending your money on daily purchases anyway, using this card will help you collect points that can be redeemed for free flights, discounts, or even free accommodation.

#2 Switch Lunch and Dinner

You obviously won’t be skipping meals to save money, but there’s one hack that will make a big difference in your wallet. 

In most restaurants in popular tourist destinations, dinner is far more expensive than lunch. Since most travelers plan to have dinners out, it is only logical for restaurants to charge more and make more profit.

However, if you have access to a kitchen in your Airbnb or apartment, try to replace dinner with lunch by cooking meals in the evening and eating out during lunchtime. Another good way to save money is to shop for groceries and organic goods at local markets rather than grocery shops because local spots are far cheaper.

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#3 Change Your Currency at the Bank

Going to the bank to exchange the currency might sound like an extra errand on the to-do list. Butit is worth it in the long run. Local banks often have the best exchange rates, which can save some of your travel budget.

On the other hand, tourist destinations are known for absurd exchange rates and fees that will cut your budget down. Some local exchanges don’t have extra transfer fees at all, so make sure to do some research before exchanging the currency.

#4 Look for Free Activities

Not everything you do on your vacation has to be paid for. Most cities offer a variety of free activities at parks, shopping centers, and outdoor areas. Some areas even have free museums, live music, and walking tours, all of which are great activities that won’t cost a penny.

The best way to find free activities at your next location is to use the Facebook events section to filter search results by date. You can also Google the destination along with “free activities” and see what comes up.

#5 Use a VPN to Purchase Online

Another way to save money for travel experiences is to use a virtual private network when making online purchases. What is a VPN and why should you use it? VPN (virtual private network) allows you to create a secure connection and hide your IP address. That means using a VPN service to virtually change your location can help you access better deals and lower prices. Third world countries often pay less for certain products and services because of their economic standards. You can read here more: https://nordvpn.com/what-is-a-vpn/

Therefore, if you change your virtual location to one of those countries, you will be able to find much lower prices on items and deals that you’re interested in. Besides, a VPN comes with other advantages such as increased online security thanks to data encryption.

Conclusion

Remember these five money-saving hacks for your next travel adventure. Keep in mind that most travel destinations have great free activities and that you don’t have to spend your money to have fun while on the go. Use a virtual private network to save money when shopping online and try cooking your own meals instead of paying for food at restaurants. While you’re at it, use a rewarding credit card to collect points for the next trip, and you might even score a free flight.