Guide to book cheap transport that almost feels illigal but isn’t

When you travel as much as we do, for a living, you bet we save wherever we can. And it’s common knowledge that more than half the expenses of a trip are owed to the travel. So this is our short (secret) guide that we always use while booking flights and other transport to avoid the exorbitant prices.

To answer your question, these methods are completely legal, even if most of them feel completely illegal.

FLIGHTS

• Flights are generally cheaper if you book after midnight, or in the early morning. If you’re booking on Tuesdays (at midnight) and Wednesdays, even better.
• Avoid booking flights on weekends.
• Always use incognito mode and clear cache and cookies. Airlines charge higher with search history.
• Tools:
  • VPN. Using a VPN from a cheaper country will save you tons of dollars.
  • Use Skyscanner or Kayak or Momondo and choose “anywhere” as the destination to get flights under 100$. You can also use these apps to compare prices across various airlines.
  • Studentuniverse: Check for student discounts on studentuniverse. If you’re lucky, you might even come across half-price discounts.
  • Mistake fares: Sign up for services like Scott’s Cheap Flights or Airfarewatchdog, which alert you to mistake fares that can be significantly lower than the standard prices.

TRAINS:

• Rail passes: Consider a rail pass like the Eurail Pass or Amtrak’s Rail Pass for multiple trips. It’s cheaper than buying individual tickets if you plan to travel extensively.
• Last-minute discounts: Some train companies release unsold tickets at a discount just a few hours before departure, especially on off-peak routes.

Buses

• Bus Company Loyalty Programs: Sign up for loyalty programs of bus companies like Greyhound or Megabus to earn points, which can lead to free rides or discounts.
• Apps and websites: Websites like Busbud or Wanderu allow you to compare prices from multiple bus companies, including some smaller or regional operators that might not show up on major search engines.

Car Rentals

• Corporate codes: If you work for a large company, check if they have corporate rental agreements that offer discounts. These codes can provide significant savings.
• Off-Airport Locations: While booking cabs to and from the airport, rent from a location a short distance from the airport, as airport rentals often include extra fees.

General Tips

• Use Multiple Currency Options: If booking through international websites, try switching the currency to see if prices vary. Sometimes, booking in the local currency of the airline can yield better deals.
• Bundle Travel Purchases: Consider using sites like Expedia or Travelocity, which often offer discounts for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals together.

These are some of our strategies for finding cheaper transportation options, but prices and policies can vary widely based on location and time.

Our mantra is: Book cheap and travel more. And you can make it yours too.