Travel Planning Tips & Links

I get asked various questions about travel and planning, so I thought I'd answer a few of them here, grouped into categories. I've also included tons of handy-dandy links to make it even easier for you! I tested out some of these tips on friends the last couple months and have gotten good feedback, so hopefully they'll help you too!

Flights: There are a ton of resources out there to find affordable flights. I generally use sites like Orbitz (link) or just plain Google flights to get a feel for prices and the best dates, and then I’ll go through the actual airline... whatever's cheaper! We recently used Kayak (link) which did something really cool. They have a system where they search different airlines and allow you to book with different currencies. Depending on the exchange rate, this can save you alot (we saved about $100)! I was also recently told about secretflying.com (link here - thanks Adam & MK!). This website exposes airlines mistakes (like when they post the wrong price for a flight and you end up going to Europe for $100). Skyscanner (link) was also a great resource when I was in Asia, that searched all the budget airlines and even mixed them to get a good deal! Another tip to cut fees is carry on your luggage (more on this later!).

This view never gets old

Reward points: I was never a believer in this until I met my hubby. Which is a shame because I had done tons of international and long-haul flights before that. He signed me up to all the frequent flyer clubs, and because of him, I even have status with United for a while now (here's the link to sign up to sign up for their program). Even if you aren't an avid flyer, once you gain some miles it comes with tons of perks like upgrades to business class and being able to use their lounge (hello free food and booze 🍹🍲. Completely worth it. We also have a credit card (or 2) that we use to get points which has been very helpful. In the past 6 months alone, we've gotten 6 flights free off points, even an international one! Literally $$thousands of dollars$$ in savings. It blows my mind every time we do this- best decision ever!

Hotels/Accommodation: Utilize vbro.com and Airbnb.com. They're private houses and apartments that people rent out directly to you. Read my Cancun blog (link here) on how good of a deal Airbnb’s can be. Most of our experiences have been at the same or even better quality than a 4-star hotel… for a fraction of the cost. People don't think to use them when traveling overseas, but do it! Before booking a hotel, just take a glance at their website first. Sometimes you can be very surprised and save HUGE! If an AirBnb isn't available or you're really set on a staying at a hotel, one website I've used for good deals on is booking.com.

View from our VRBO in Colorado recently 😃

Packing: I'm the queen of packing. 👸👑 I've done 2-3 week trips with one carry on; trips to several different countries and climates with one carry on. Why? Well mostly I just like not having to worry about them losing my luggage and always having my belongings with me. It also feeds my minimalist spirit and keeps me from getting carried away or stressing about stupid stuff (do you really need a top in every color and style? You'll survive I promise). Perhaps my biggest secret is doing laundry. Simple as that. We almost always do a load in the middle of our trip. It helps to feel fresh, recycle outfits, and it feels amazing not to come home with everything dirty. Pro Tips: Take basic pieces to mix and match outfits. Only take a couple pairs of shoes (major space saver). Look, vacation isn't a fashion show. You're likely traveling with friends or your partner, and guess what? They see you wearing the same ole outfits and no makeup all the time. They don’t care. I love being low maintenance. I take one outfit for travel days (days spent on a ferry or car or plane where the main purpose of the day is travel) and re-wear it – I mean how dirty do you get sitting on an airplane? For personal products, I usually take two zip lock bags. Not gallon sized, people. The small sandwich bags. One for jewelry, Q-tips, contacts, and toiletries*, and another for makeup. Again, you're likely traveling with people you're very comfortable with. I’m not gonna do a full face of makeup just to sit on the beach or walk through markets. I usually take eye makeup (eye liner, mascara, and 1 palette), a good tinted moisturizer, blush, and chapstick. My husband loves me just the way I am and could care less what I have on my face. And if you forget something, don't let it ruin your trips - just pick up a travel-size one in a convenience store or at the airport.

*Always take a few of your own toiletries. There's nothing worse than hotel conditioner. There's also nothing worse than waking up from an overnight flight and not having any toothpaste. You know yourself best. Take what you need so that you feel comfortable the whole trip!

Another perk of carrying on: your own person leg rest

Food: This can be another huge cost when traveling. We tend to choose hotels or Airbnb’s that have kitchenettes so we can cook several meals at home. We'll make a grocery run and get things for simple meals and snacks and usually the cost of 2 meals out can cover like 5 meals at home/Airbnb. This saves a ton of money and keeps me feeling good (I feel disgusting and sick when I eat out too much in a row). Also, buy booze at the grocery/convenience store; resort bars are such a ripoff. Having said all this, I must add... Enjoy yourself. Don't feel bad about eating out. I love eating the food in a new country, but when you do, try local places (google and check their reviews) vs. expensive chains/tourist traps. We did this in Cancun and saved a lot of money and had some of the best food ever!

Research: I don’t always book excursions or activities ahead of time, but I do research a lot before the trip so I have general ideas of options, price points, etc. You can get general guidelines for what you want to do and what's available so that you don't miss out or get side tracked. Also, always negotiate.

Why: Something else I get asked is how and why we travel so much. It’s simply, really. A) We feel like it. and B) We live modestly in many other areas and choose to spend our play money on traveling. It’s a personal choice. I don’t have name brand clothes and purses that cost an arm and a leg. We cook a lot so we don’t eat out every day (living in NYC, that gets expensive QUICK). We don't blow money or have expensive cable or expensive cars. To each his own. Different things make different people happy. I don’t judge you, you don’t judge me.

*Another tip: if you're trying to save for a trip, start a fund. Save a little each month by cutting back on meals out or coffees and save it. It will add up, I promise. My husband is great at finances and sets budgets to ensure we have money to travel every year (thanks babe 💋)!!

Traveling will always be our 1st love ❤

So there's a few tips to make traveling simpler and cheaper! I hope this helps! If you have any questions that haven’t been answered here or want to add anything, please leave a comment below! Or if you need help planning a trip, let me know-- I'd love to help!

**Follow me on Instagram for more travel inspo at @fancybutfrugaltravel, and please share this post if you found it helpful. 👍 Its likely that if you had one of these questions, your friends do too, so share the love and send them this post!

XOXO