Last year, I had such a bad bout of anxiety I had to cancel a trip I had booked with some girlfriends to Budapest.This year, I was determined not to be held back by it, and to finally visit a couple of far flung places I’ve been dreaming about going to, I picked up some super useful tips, so I thought I’d share them in this here blog 🙂 …
My brother and his wife (who runs this awesome blog btw!), have been living in Singapore for a little while and I’ve been keen to see them; not to mention my ex housemate L having moved to Australia, it seemed it was high time to high tail it across the world.
I’ve picked up a few tips along the way for securing great flight and hotel deals, as well as alternatives to the usual. Grab yourself a cuppa, get ready to create a Pinterest board like this one and let’s talk through my tips for perfectly priced travel!
Saving
This is a tough one, but everyone has to start somewhere 🙂 for me, I found it easier to withdraw cash and put it in a jar. Even if you commit to just £10, or leaving all your loose change in there, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can total out your savings.
Flights
OK – this trick saved my travels. I’d been looking on Skyscanner for a while, going back and forth and checking what was available. I knew I had I needed £600 for the flights I wanted; London, to Singapore and returning from Melbourne back to the UK again… I was all ready and set to go, when the prices went up from £800, to £1200(!). I was gutted. My big sister saved the day though with this little trick!
When you’re on Skyscanner, you’re being cookied. They ‘watch’ you leave, and then return, and serve you higher prices as they know you have a strong intent to purchase, and are therefore more likely willing to pay more to secure your flights.
You can overcome this by either clearing your history or browsing in a ‘Private Window’. In the end, I got my flights for just under £600.
I’m a bit nervy when it comes to flying, so I was pretty chuffed to have locked in these flights with Emirates.
Hotel sites
Booking.com is great for loads of options. They show you the price % decrease. Booking.com will also serve you independent reviews however if you’re a worrier like me, or you just like to have a nose at where you’ll be staying just check the name on Trip Advisor or look directly at the hotel website. Again I’d advise doing this as a “superior” room which looked amazing from the pictures, was actually a “standard” room. Also great as most are pay on arrival, with free cancellation policies.
Air B n B – if you’re more in the market for a home-stay, Air B n B is your friend! You can select the various filters that you want (wi-fi, hot tub etc!) and then go from there. You can sense check what the owner is like by checking against the reviews. Cancellation policies here vary from host to host and you can incur a fairly big fee should you wish to cancel depending on what your host has opted for.
Also – if you don’t fancy ‘house sharing’ double check to see if the owner lives in the property too. You can also just do room rental which is a great option. It’s the perfect way for getting to be “part” of a city!
I’ve also been using Trivago to some degree which is really good and operates on a similar principle to Booking.com – I just think the user interface is much cleaner.
Pinterest
Not only is it GREAT for dreamy inspiration, but it will also help you find loads of great trips direct from travellers; we found some really good tips on visiting Bali in cute / handy little infographics. It’s the perfect way to pick up little tips that you would usually only get from people who have been to the more remote parts of the places you’re going!
I can’t wait to share my travels with you!
Kate x
The skyscanner tip is such a lifesaver isn’t it?! Similar with Expedia etc too 🙂
Good for you for working to overcome the anxiety, I can’t wait to see/hear about all your upcoming trips!
Hels xx
http://thehelsproject.com/
Author
Oh my gosh I know! I hadn’t even thought about the fact you could do that on the likes of Expedia – thanks for *your* tip!
Thanks hun, I’m really looking forward to them 🙂
Kate x
Great tips! I love finding a good deal on Air BnB. Also when it comes to saving, you’re right, you have to start somewhere. My boyfriend started putting all of the pound coins he received into a tub and soon he had a hundred of them!
Author
I know! It’s funny how quickly you save when you mindlessly collect!
Kate x
These are some great tips, Skyscanner and defo Airbnb’s have been used for our trip!
Jessica & James | foodandbaker.co.uk / foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Author
Amazing! Look forward to reading about your air B n Bs 🙂
Kate x
Fabulous tips! I’m not actually on Pinterest but I’ll need to make an account to join in on the wanderlust pics & inspo!
Charlene McElhinney
http://www.charlenemcelhinney.co.uk
Author
Ooh yes! Please do!
Kate x
Good luck on your travels, I hope you have a lovely time! Looking forward to hearing all about them!
Author
Aw thank you lovely!
Kate x
Love these tips lovely, thank you so much for sharing them. I’ll keep them in mind for next time I travel. 🌸💗✨
With love, Alisha Valerie. x
http://www.AlishaValerie.com | http://www.twitter.com/AlishaValerie
Author
Aw perfect I’m so glad they helped!
Kate x
I was absolutely amazed when I found out that you could be “cookied” when booking travel, it’s certainly a very cheeky approach, you wouldn’t think it’d be legal! I always book in a private browser now, it’s definitely a good way of making everything more cost-effective! I’ve always been a bit nervous about Air B&Bs but I think I need to give it a go!
So glad to hear that you’re not letting anything hold you back with your travels this year, you go girl!
Abbey 👾 http://www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
Author
Aww thanks for your lovely comment Abbey! I know I definitely agree it’s quite cheeky!
I had the same worry – I wasn’t too sure about them, but as it stands I find the reviews quite a source of comfort, as people tend to be very honest. I’ve also been quite fortunate in that the Air B n B hosts I’ve had have often offered (after I’ve stayed with them) to book with them direct in future, which means you don’t succumb to the % mark up that Air B n B put on top of the stay fare.
I’m super determined to get there this year 🙂
Kate x
Some really fab tips, hun! I always use Booking.com for hotels, it’s crazy how much the prices can vary so it’s always good to go for the best deal! xoxo I think saving up in advance is key, even if it’s just a small amount every so often like you said. You have a lovely blog, happy to connect! xoxo
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.com
Author
Hi Kay!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I def agree you find so many good deals on there don’t you! I’m so excited to book some more trips through them! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Kate x
Skyscanner and bookings.com is definitely a ‘go-to’ of mine!
It’s incredible that you’ve managed to overcome your anxiety! You go girl! Enjoy all your travels!
Steph
http://www.socialspying.com
Author
Awww Steph this was such a lovely comment, thank you so much!
Kate x
To save money I have a little rule that I don’t spend anything smaller than a £10 note! I put all £5 notes and change in a jar and it helps me save so well! The private window idea is fab, I never thought of that!
Hayley X
Lifethroughtsg.com
Author
Oooh I love that! I have a little jar too but just threw anything in there – great idea on nothing smaller than £10!
Kate x
These tips are perfect – better ones than a lot of travel tips I’ve seen! That cookies thing is so sneaky – good job your sister saved the day! I really want to go on holiday soon so I’ll definitely be using your tips. 🙂
Author
I know, she’s such a legend right! Aw thank you, hope you get your holiday booked ASAP! Thank you for your lovely comment 🙂
Kate x
Some great tips here! We’re going to be flying to New Zealand later in the year so I’ll be using some of these.
Author
Oh awesome! New Zealand looks so dreamy in pics! Have an awesome time x
I am going to the canary island in october and we booked our flights but not our hotel so this is going to be super helpful! xx corinne
Author
Yay I’m glad it could be of help!
Kate x
Ooh thanks so much for these tips! My other half and I managed to save a lot of money for when we went to Japan because of skyscanner, and even more so when we stayed at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. It makes me want to travel a lot more now!
Author
Same! I would travel all day if I could 🙂
Kate x
These are great tips. I certainly couldn’t travel alone – let alone all the way to Singapore and Australia! I bet it’ll be an amazing time though. I’m sorry to hear you had to cancel a trip due to anxiety; but sometimes your wellbeing really does come first! xxx
Author
m going to have to download some of the longest movies I can think of! Lord of the Rings trilogy any one? Ha! Thank you for your lovely comment – I def agree, sometimes you have to put yourself first!
Kate x