Genius Travel Hacks to Save Money That Airlines Don’t Want You to Know

“Traveling is expensive.”

How many times have you said that?

How many trips have you put off because you think you can’t afford them?

The truth is, travel doesn’t have to be expensive—you just need to know the right travel hacks to save money.

People all over the world are flying to dream destinations, staying in great accommodations, and experiencing incredible adventures without spending a fortune.

How?

They plan smartly, use the right tools, and take advantage of every possible way to cut costs.

But here’s the thing—airlines, hotels, and travel companies don’t want you to know these secrets.

They make money when you overpay for flights, baggage fees, and accommodations.

So, this guide will break down the travel hacks that airlines are gatekeeping—hacks that can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on your next trip.

Let’s get started.

1. Travel in the Off-Season to Save on Flights and Hotels

One of the easiest ways to cut down on travel costs is by avoiding peak tourist seasons.

Flights, hotels, and food prices tend to skyrocket during summer, holidays, and big events like New Year’s Eve or popular festivals.

Instead, consider traveling during the off-season or shoulder season—these are the times when destinations are less crowded, and prices drop significantly.

For example, if you visit Boston or New York in January, you can stay in a four-star hotel in a central location for as little as $100 a night.

Normally, those same hotels cost at least double or triple during peak seasons.

Yes, the weather will be cold, but if you plan to explore museums, restaurants, or historical sites, you won’t spend much time outdoors anyway.

Plus, with fewer tourists, you won’t have to deal with long lines at famous attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, or Boston’s Freedom Trail.

If Europe is calling your name, try visiting Paris, Rome, or Barcelona in winter.

Flights to these destinations are usually 30–50% cheaper than in the summer, and you won’t have to fight through crowds at places like the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, or La Sagrada Familia.

For beach lovers, consider skipping peak summer months and visiting places like Mexico, Thailand, or Bali during their rainy season.

A little rain each day isn’t a big deal when you’re saving hundreds of dollars on flights and accommodation.

2. Use Flight Search Tools Like Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” Feature

If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, one of the best money-saving tricks is using Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search feature.

Instead of selecting a specific location, just type in your departure city and search for flights to “Everywhere.”

The site will then show you the cheapest flights available to various destinations on your chosen dates.

One traveler shared that they found return flights from London to multiple European cities for just £30 using this method.

Being flexible with where and when you go allows you to discover affordable places you might never have considered.

For example, flights from New York to Iceland can sometimes be as low as $250 for a round trip.

A ticket from Los Angeles to Mexico City might cost under $200 if booked at the right time.

Even international flights, like from Chicago to Tokyo, can be found for under $500 during certain sales.

Skyscanner also lets you set price alerts for specific routes, so if you’re eyeing a trip to a particular city, you’ll get notified when fares drop.

Other useful tools for this include Google Flights, Kayak, and Hopper.

3. Plan Your Trip Around Cheap Flights, Not the Other Way Around

A common mistake travelers make is deciding on a destination first and then searching for flights—this often leads to paying more than necessary.

So, reverse your approach: look for the cheapest flights available and let that determine where you go.

A great way to do this is by searching for flights before booking hotels or planning your itinerary.

For instance, if you’re based in the U.S. and want to visit Europe, check which cities have the lowest airfare.

Maybe flights to Madrid are $400 cheaper than flights to Paris—start your trip in Madrid and take a cheap train or budget airline to Paris instead of paying extra upfront.

Google Flights is one of the best tools for this.

Use the “Explore” map to see which destinations are cheapest from your home airport.

Another smart strategy is to fly into a major hub (like London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt) and then use budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air to hop between countries at a fraction of the cost.

Setting up flight alerts and monitoring prices for a few weeks can also help you snag the best deals.

If you notice a price drop, book immediately, as fares can increase within hours.

4. Pack Your Own Snacks to Avoid Overpriced Airport and Tourist Food

Airports and tourist hotspots are notorious for overcharging on food.

At an airport, a small bottle of water can cost $5, and a basic sandwich might cost $10 or more.

The same goes for theme parks, museums, and other busy attractions.

Bringing your own snacks can help you avoid these unnecessary expenses.

Pack high-protein, filling snacks like granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, or even a small sandwich.

If you’re flying, TSA allows solid food through security, so you can bring homemade meals as opposed to paying for overpriced airport food.

For road trips, pack a small cooler with fruit, yogurt, and sandwiches.

This way, you won’t have to stop at expensive highway rest stops or fast-food restaurants.

Another great tip is to bring a reusable water bottle.

Many airports have free water refill stations, and most restaurants will refill your bottle for free if you ask.

This alone can save you $20–$30 on a multi-day trip.

5. Pack a Capsule Wardrobe to Travel Light and Avoid Baggage Fees

Checked baggage fees can add up quickly—some airlines charge $30–$50 per checked bag, and budget airlines charge even more.

Avoid these costs by packing a capsule wardrobe, which consists of a few versatile clothing pieces that you can mix and match for different outfits.

For example, a simple packing list for a week-long trip might include:

• 3–4 tops that go with everything
• 2 pairs of pants or jeans
• 1 lightweight jacket or sweater
• 1 dress or nicer outfit for evening wear
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• A few accessories like scarves or a belt to change up your look

Stick to neutral colors so everything matches, and use packing cubes or compression bags to save space.

If you need extra clothes, most places offer laundry services, and some Airbnb rentals even include washing machines.

If you’re traveling with just a carry-on, make sure your liquids follow TSA rules.

Bring travel-sized toiletries, solid shampoo bars, and minimal beauty products to stay within the limit.

Not only will this save you money, but it also makes traveling easier.

You won’t have to wait at baggage claim, worry about lost luggage, or struggle with heavy suitcases on public transport.

6. Get a Travel Credit Card to Earn Points and Rewards

Using the right travel credit card can help you rack up points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and even cash back.

Some of the best travel credit cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which offers 2x points on travel and dining, and American Express Platinum, which gives 5x points on flights booked through airlines or Amex Travel.

The Capital One Venture card is another solid choice, offering unlimited 2x miles on every purchase and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

Many of these cards come with welcome bonuses worth hundreds of dollars in travel rewards.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card often offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months—enough for a free round-trip flight.

So, if you frequently fly with a particular airline, consider getting their co-branded card.

Cards like the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card provide free checked bags, priority boarding, and additional miles on airline purchases.

Another huge perk of travel credit cards is free lounge access through Priority Pass or Amex Centurion Lounges.

Airport lounges offer complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating, making long layovers more enjoyable while saving money on overpriced airport meals.

Using your travel credit card for everyday purchases—like groceries, gas, and bills—lets you earn points quickly.

By paying off the balance in full each month to avoid interest, you can essentially travel for free using points and miles.

7. Use Big-Box Memberships Like Costco to Save on Gas and Travel Costs

If you’re going on a road trip, planning your gas stops at Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s Wholesale Club can save you a lot of money on fuel.

Gas prices at these warehouse clubs are typically $0.10 to $0.30 per gallon, cheaper than at regular gas stations.

Over a long trip, that could mean saving $50–$100 or more, especially if you’re driving across states.

Costco also has a food court with cheap meals, where you can grab a $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, a $1 churro, or a huge slice of pizza for under $2—much cheaper than stopping at fast-food restaurants.

Inside the store, you can stock up on snacks, bottled water, and travel essentials at lower prices than at gas stations or convenience stores.

For example, a 40-pack of Kirkland Signature bottled water costs under $5, while a single bottle at a gas station could be $2–$3.

If you don’t have a Costco membership, ask a friend or family member to buy you a Costco Shop Card (gift card) since non-members can use these to make purchases.

Some warehouse clubs also offer travel deals, including discounts on rental cars, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages.

8. Avoid Checked Baggage Fees by Packing Smart and Doing Laundry

Many airlines charge $30 to $50 per checked bag—and budget airlines like Spirit, Ryanair, or Wizz Air can charge even more.

Rather than paying extra, pack only a carry-on bag and do laundry during your trip.

Most Airbnb rentals, hostels, and even some hotels have laundry facilities, making it easy to wash and re-wear clothes.

In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, local laundromats will wash, dry, and fold your clothes for just $1–$3 per load.

Compression bags and packing cubes can help you fit more into a smaller suitcase.

One traveler shared that using a vacuum-sealed compression bag allowed them to pack a full week’s worth of clothes into a carry-on, making their trip easier and more cost-effective.

9. Take Public Transport Whenever Possible

Taxis and rideshares like Uber and Lyft can add up quickly, especially in big cities.

You can easily avoid this by using public transportation to get around for a fraction of the cost, at least sometimes.

Many cities offer unlimited transit passes, which are cheaper than paying for multiple one-way tickets.

In New York, a 7-day MetroCard costs $34 and gives you unlimited subway and bus rides—far cheaper than multiple taxi rides.

In Tokyo, the Pasmo or Suica card allows seamless travel on subways, trains, and buses and offers small discounts on fares.

In London, the Oyster Card caps your daily transport costs, so you never pay more than £8.10 ($10 USD) per day for unlimited Tube travel.

Many European cities, like Amsterdam and Berlin, also offer bike rentals for just a few euros a day, making transportation even cheaper.

Before you arrive at a destination, check if the city has an affordable public transport pass or an easy-to-use metro system.

10. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle to Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending

Buying bottled water every day can quickly add up, especially in expensive cities like Paris, New York, or Sydney.

A single bottle of water at an airport or tourist spot can cost $3–$5, which adds up to $100+ over a two-week trip.

Bringing a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter ensures you always have clean drinking water while saving money and reducing plastic waste.

Many airports now have free refill stations, and most restaurants or cafes will refill your bottle for free if you ask nicely.

In cities like Rome, Paris, and Vienna, public fountains provide free, drinkable water, so there’s no need to buy bottled water.

Some countries, like Japan and South Korea, have public water dispensers in train stations and parks.

If you’re traveling somewhere where tap water isn’t safe to drink, a bottle with a built-in filter can help you avoid buying expensive bottled water while keeping you safe from stomach issues.

Start Traveling for Less – Use These Hacks Now!

Now that you know these travel hacks to save money, it’s time to put them into action.

Stop waiting, stop overpaying, and start traveling smarter.

Use these tips to book cheaper flights, avoid hidden fees, and stretch your budget further—so you can travel more often and enjoy more experiences without worrying about money.

The world is waiting for you.

Don’t let high prices hold you back.

Start planning your next trip today and see how much you can save with these hacks!