So, you’ve mastered the art of collecting Avios, but wouldn’t it be nice if there were more ways to save money on travel? Luckily, there's a whole toolkit of hacks waiting to help you squeeze even more value from each trip.
Here’s our list of the smartest money-saving travel tips to stretch those travel funds and help you enjoy more for less.
Travel During Off-Peak Times
In an ideal world, we’d all love to travel during the summer season or school holidays, but that’s also the time of the year when everyone else is travelling too. On the other hand, if you travel just before or after the busiest travel seasons, everything tends to be cheaper, from plane tickets and hotels to activities and dining. The weather's usually still good, but fewer people are around, which means your trip will be a lot more enjoyable.
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Pick Less Popular Destinations
Instead of the usual spots like Rome or Barcelona, why not try lesser-known destinations? The point of travel is not to tick places off a list but see parts of the world you’ve never seen before. Choosing off-the-beaten-path destinations also increases your Avios points value as you can get great deals for less. For example, travel to Corsica instead of Paris or Chiang Mai instead of Phuket. These can be just as amazing but a lot cheaper. You might be surprised by how much you can save money on travel.
Opt for Debit Cards with Perks & No Fees
If you decide a debit card is a good option for travel planning and holiday spending, be sure to opt for a card that provides you with perks and little, or no transaction fees.
Hilton recently launched the world’s first hotel debit cards in the UK: the Hilton Honors Debit Card and Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card, in partnership with Currensea. These cards allow you to earn Hilton Honors Points on eligible everyday spending, that you can then use on hotel stays and exclusive experiences. The cards also offer other welcome travel perks, such as free continental breakfasts, free Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades.
Travellers can also opt for a Currensea travel debit card - the Essential, Pro or Elite, which offer a whole host of benefits including concierge, airport lounge access and cash back on holiday bookings. Currensea cards are a travel debit card that link to your bank account, so you don’t have to worry about exchanging cash or topping up a prepaid card on your adventures. Get one for yourself here.
Use a Smart Wallet App to Save on Foreign Transactions
One of the smartest ways to cut costs while travelling is by using a digital wallet service like Wise (formerly TransferWise). Wise allows you to spend abroad like a local, offering real exchange rates with low, transparent fees—far better than the costly markups you’ll often face with high street banks or airport currency exchanges.
With Wise, you can hold and convert over 40 currencies in one account and spend directly using the Wise debit card, which links to your multi-currency wallet. That means you can avoid hidden fees and always get the best available exchange rate. You can even withdraw cash from ATMs abroad with low limits on fees.
Plus, when you connect Wise to your Apple or Google Wallet, you can easily tap and pay just like you would at home—no fumbling with cash or worrying about card losses. If you lose your physical card, you can instantly freeze it through the app and continue using your virtual card for easy spending.
And here's the added benefit: you can link all your other debit and credit cards in a digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Wallet) alongside Wise. That way, you have multiple payment methods on hand while staying secure—and without the need to carry all your cards physically.
This makes travel safer, smarter, and significantly cheaper than traditional banking and currency exchange options.
Skip Visa Fees
If you don't have a powerful passport, you'll often have to pay for visas to enter countries. Try to choose places to travel without a visa fee or at least know the costs upfront so you can budget accordingly. Websites like iVisa can help you figure this out easily.
Let Deals Decide Your Destination
If you're unsure where to go, use tools like Skyscanner's "anywhere" function to discover inexpensive travel destinations. This can lead you to unexpected and exciting places that might not yet be on everyone's radar.
Consider Package Deals
Sometimes, especially for exotic locations, it might be cheaper to buy a holiday package rather than planning everything yourself. Many travellers use package holiday sites like TUI to find these deals. It's worth comparing prices to see how to spend Avios points to book your entire holiday on BA.com
Choose Flights with Layovers
Direct flights are convenient but can also be pricey. A great money-saving travel tip is to choose a flight with a layover. They often come with a lower price tag since fewer travellers prefer them and can provide better Avios points value. Just make sure to carefully check the ticket details because there might be extra costs involved, such as needing to switch airports or staying overnight in a hotel.
Track Down Error Fares
An error fare (a mistake in flight pricing) can be a gamble but potentially rewarding. If you spot one, book it immediately, but only make further plans you can cancel without cost. Then, wait to see if the airline confirms the ticket, which could mean travelling very cheaply. Websites like Jack's Flight Club and Scott's Cheap Flights are good places to look for these deals.
Explore Companion Tickets
If you’re travelling with family or friends, save money on travel costs by selecting specific promotions. Some airlines offer companion tickets at a reduced rate. Check airline promotions early to find these deals.
Use Search Engines but Book Directly
Search engines like Skyscanner are great for scoping out flight prices, but booking directly with the airline is usually safer. Use these tools as a research method to compare options quickly and find the cheapest travel times/airlines. This way, you get the lowest price while still benefiting from the security of booking directly with the airline. If you do book through a third party, purchase travel insurance to protect against potential issues like cancellations or lost baggage.
Watch Out for Hidden Hotel Fees
Some hotels, especially in high-demand destinations, add extra "resort fees" for facilities like parking and WiFi. These are added to your bill every night, whether you use these services or not. So, when looking at hotel prices, always check the total cost, including these extra fees.
Ask About Room Upgrades
When you check in, don't be shy to ask if there are any better rooms available. Hotels often have fancier rooms that go unbooked, and you might be able to get an upgrade for a small additional fee compared to the cost of booking one initially. It's always smart to see if you can get a better room for a little more money.
Look for Deals on Longer Stays
If you’re planning a longer getaway, be sure to ask about extended stay discounts. Hotels sometimes provide a night free or additional nights at a discount if you stay for a week or more. This can be a great way to find a deal in destinations where most people only stay for a few nights.
Bundle Travel Services to Save
You can often find discounts when you book your flight, hotel, and maybe a car rental together through online travel agencies. However, it's a good idea to check the prices of each part of your trip separately to ensure you're saving money by bundling them together.
Book Online in Advance
Booking activities or services online ahead of time can often help you save money. For example, booking a car in Iceland is usually much cheaper online, and similar discounts might also apply to tours. It's a good idea to look into these options, as the savings can be significant.
Choose a Manual Transmission Car
In many places, renting a car with a manual transmission is cheaper than renting a car with an automatic one. However, if you’re not comfortable driving a stick, the extra cost of an automatic car is definitely worth it to avoid potential issues.
Skip Extra Insurance
If you already have car insurance through your credit card or personal auto insurance, you might not need additional coverage from the car rental agency. However, it's important to double-check exactly what your existing insurance covers to avoid any unexpected charges after the trip.
Choose a Diesel Car
In some areas, diesel fuel costs less than unleaded gasoline. If you plan to drive a lot during your trip, choosing a diesel car could save you money on fuel.
Rent a Car Only When Necessary
If your travel plans include both the city and the countryside, it might be best to rent a car only for the countryside part. Many rental services allow car pick up and return at different locations, which can help avoid unnecessary rental and parking fees in the city.
Fill Up the Gas Tank Before Returning the Car
Rental companies offer to fill the gas tank upon return for a fee, but this fee is usually much higher than regular gas station prices. It’s more economical to stop by a gas station and fill up the tank before returning the car.
Pick Up the Car Away from the Airport
While renting a car directly at the airport is convenient, it can also be more expensive. Renting from a location outside the airport might be cheaper, though you should consider the cost of getting to this location from the airport to ensure you’re saving money.
Book Train Tickets Early
If you plan to travel by train, especially on popular routes like the Eurostar from London to Paris, booking tickets early is always smarter. As the travel date gets closer, ticket prices usually go up.
Train Passes Versus Individual Tickets
Train passes, such as Eurail in Europe and JR in Japan, can be cost-effective if you’re planning to travel by train frequently. However, it's a good idea to compare the cost of these passes with the cost of purchasing individual tickets for each journey to see which option is cheaper.
Choose Second-Class Seats on Trains
Unlike air travel, there’s not that much difference between First and Second class cabins on trains. Second Class seats are less expensive and often nearly as comfortable as First Class in many countries.
Compare Ferries with Flights
Although travelling by ferry is often more scenic, it's usually slower and not necessarily cheaper than flying, especially to island destinations. Checking both options can help you decide which is more cost-effective and time efficient.
Use Public Transportation
Public transportation options such as buses, trains, trams, and metros are usually much cheaper than hiring a private car or taxi. In Europe, buses can be cheaper than trains and might reach destinations that trains do not. When planning a route, it's worth comparing the two options.
Buy Public Transport Passes
If you’re planning to use public transport often during a trip, multi-ride or time-based passes (such as a day or week pass) can save you money compared to paying for each trip individually.
Explore Ride-Sharing Options
In areas not well-served by public transport, using services like Lyft, Uber or local options like BlaBlaCar and Cabify can be more practical and economical than local taxis. These often offer a good balance between cost and convenience.
Choose Overnight Travel Options
Taking an overnight train or ferry can be a wise choice for long distances. It saves the cost of a hotel for the night and can be a time-efficient way to travel.
Walk or Ride a Bike
Many cities offer economical bike-sharing programmes for both tourists and locals. Renting a bike for multiple days or simply walking are great ways to save money on travel while exploring a place more intimately.
Steer Clear of Tourist-Targeted Restaurants
If a menu is filled with pictures and multiple language translations, it often means that the restaurant caters to tourists, and the food might not be great or reasonably priced. Also, be wary of restaurants with someone outside, trying hard to convince people to come in and eat.
Opt for Set Menus
In many European countries, restaurants offer set menus that include a drink, an entrée, and another item like a salad, soup, or dessert. These are usually good deals and give a taste of local dishes.
Find Happy Hour Specials
Happy hours aren't just for drinks; they often include discounts or even free appetizers. This can be a smart way to save money while enjoying a night out.
Choose House Wine
In places like France and Italy, where wine is a big part of the culture, the house wine (usually served in a jug or carafe) is delicious and more affordable than buying full bottles. It's also possible to order just a glass or half a carafe if you don't want too much.
Make Use of the Free Hotel Breakfast
If you’re staying at a hotel that offers free breakfast, make the most of it to fill up in the morning. This can help cut down on food expenses later in the day.
Eat Breakfast in Local Cafes
If the hotel doesn't include breakfast, it's usually cheaper to eat at a nearby cafe rather than pay for breakfast at the hotel.
Make Lunch the Main Meal
Lunch prices are typically lower than dinner prices, so having the day's main meal at lunchtime is more economical. This is especially true in places that offer those set menus mentioned earlier.
Choose Street Food or Picnics
An affordable way to eat is to picnic with items from a local market or grocery store or try street food in cities known for it. Both options provide a chance to enjoy tasty and inexpensive meals.
Cook Meals
If you’re staying in a place with kitchen facilities, cooking meals can be a great way to save money. You can still enjoy local flavours but at a fraction of the cost of eating out for every meal.
