With January being a particularly harsh month on the wallet, I joined forces with the lovely Skyscanner folk and a few other budget travel experts earlier this month on #Skychat ( runs monthly, every second Tuesday ) to unearth the best money saving travel tips and secrets. Here is a summary of the very exciting chat and all the 45 fantastic tips that were shared. Big thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to take part. Love to hear your feedback about the tips shared and please feel free share your own tips in the comments section below.
 
What are your money saving tips for booking flights and accommodation?
Some of the best tips from this section of the chat emphasized the importance of booking flights on specific days, group travel reducing costs, using comparison sites for getting the best rates and many more.
A1 Tuesday is always the cheapest day to depart and Tuesday/Wed to return. Flying on these days you can save on average £60/€80 #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A1: Book a hotel with free cancellatoin as "safe option" and start looking 48 hours before for some deals like priceline #Skychat
— lunchforone (@lunchforone) January 12, 2016
A1 Do proper research before your trip. Use hotel comparison websites and of course use @Skyscanner to find the best flights #skychat
— James Merriman (@mezzarino) January 12, 2016
@BudgetTraveller A1: book as a package deal and try and travel with more people = price goes down #Skychat
— Nicki Sunderland (@eatlivetraveldr) January 12, 2016
A1 Accommodation: Find the rate online and then negotiate direct with hotel/hostel. Always likely to get the best deal 😉 #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A1. Points, sales, flexibility. @Skyscanner #skychat
— Charles McCool (@CharlesMcCool) January 12, 2016
@Skyscanner using a calendar that shows when the flights are cheaper and go out of summer and holiday season #SkyChat
— Stepherella ?? (@StephRosPhoto) January 12, 2016
A1. For me @Skyscanner works well to book flights & accommodation on a budget #skychat
— Travable (@ABehl_) January 12, 2016
A1: When #airlines introduce new routes, they often offer low introductory fares. So, keep on eye on who's who @your local airport. #Skychat
— Laura Powell (@dailysuitcase) January 12, 2016
A1: Here's our top 20 travel hacks https://t.co/VilLyF0B93 ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
The best things in life are free! What’s the best free (or cheap) things to do around the world?
We had some brilliant suggestions in this section of the chat. They included opting for walking tours, watching sunrise and sunset (completely free!), exploring parks and green spaces, museums museums and more, free music gigs in diverse cities, hiking, volunteering and of course beer drinking!
A2. Easily waking around new cities and ducking into little shops, trying local food and experiencing the culture @Skyscanner #skychat
— Kayti Clayton (@kaytiVStheworld) January 12, 2016
A2: Watching sunset & sunrise #Skychat
— lunchforone (@lunchforone) January 12, 2016
@Skyscanner A2 exploring parks and public spaces is something I love to do on a trip. #skychat
— Rachel M. (@wayfaringrachel) January 12, 2016
A2: Take a hike. Walking around a new place is a great way to shirk jet lag and to orient oneself. @Skyscanner #Skychat #Traveltoppers
— Laura Powell (@dailysuitcase) January 12, 2016
A2: Love to go to (free) music gigs. Here’s a list of places to find live music for free in London & Paris https://t.co/KbqnBUU0kK #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A2 @Skyscanner #SkyChat hiking! far or near, it's a great way to explore a place. Just look! https://t.co/Vp9GWlDwAi pic.twitter.com/UVtoL8YWU7
— Claudia Tavani (@Claudioula) January 12, 2016
@Skyscanner A2: volunteer abroad. Lets you walk in the shoes of somebody else while you travel, you get to help, and it's free! #SkyChat
— Still D.R.A.I. (@YEGSportsGuy) January 12, 2016
A2: If you are in NYC, visit Metropolitan Museum of Art +MoMA ( Friday 4-8pm) where you pay as you wish.https://t.co/kJ0El2sCxe #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A2: Travel longer – here's our budget travel hacks for the world's most expensive cities https://t.co/L92Vxtq2ac ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
Q2 fav cheap activity – get a beer and people watch in a city centre outdoor bar, take it all in & likely meet locals #skychat
— Tom Whittles (@Thomtastic) January 12, 2016
A2: Most festivals are free. Dare I mention #MustLovefestivals? 😉 #skychat
— Alastair McKenzie (@alastairmck) January 12, 2016
We’ve all been caught out, but what tips do you have for avoiding rip-offs on holiday?
Our #Skychat participants had some great suggestions for avoiding holiday rip-offs. They included being aware and using common sense, avoiding tourist traps, not buying currency at the airport, tips for overseas mobile internet usage and brushing up on those haggling skills.
A3 Use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Research tours & trips before travel to avoid being conned #skychat
— James Merriman (@mezzarino) January 12, 2016
A3 @Skyscanner #SkyChat watch out for scams. I wrote a post on scams in Cuba for @traveldudes that may be useful https://t.co/A1537gUXX3
— Claudia Tavani (@Claudioula) January 12, 2016
A3 Don’t buy your travel currency at the airport: terrible rates. Order onlineat a better rate+ collect your money at the airport #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A3. Local knowledge is key to avoiding bad deals. Chat to hostel staff for advice on booking tours and best places to eat etc #skychat ^Jo
— Hostelworld (@hostelworld) January 12, 2016
@Skyscanner When at a market or haggling never get out your money until you've agreed a price oh & learn to haggle! #skychat
— Jack H (@jaypeatravels) January 12, 2016
A3: Make sure to opt-in to overseas travel rates on your mobile contract – will save a fortune! ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
@BudgetTraveller do your research beforehand and do what the locals do(cab drivers give the best tips sometimes!) #skychat
— bagfullofbooks (@BagFulloBooks) January 12, 2016
A3: do you research, follow locals and barter like a mofo #skychat
— Claire (@iwanderandroam) January 12, 2016
A3: Be careful those sun loungers aren't 20 Euro per day… or find a quieter beach round the corner ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
A3: Here's how to beat 5 of the biggest holiday rip-offs https://t.co/eHkftU2CEu ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
When traveling on a budget where do you scrimp and where do you splurge?
The common consensus in this section of the discussion was to scrimp on accommodation and splurge on experiences. We had some fabulous suggestions for budget accommodations ranging from AirBnb, luxury hostels and even hammocks!
A4 @Skyscanner #SkyChat save on accommodation, splurge on fun activities and exploration. ALWAYS
— Claudia Tavani (@Claudioula) January 12, 2016
A4. I scrimp on accommodations. I stay in hostels and spend the saved money on meals, transportation, and the actual airfare. #skychat
— Bronxcentrica (@ShannonLGilstad) January 12, 2016
A4 I scrimp on flights+digs too. Love streetfood but also love to splurge on a good meal and bottle of wine. #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A4 Buy economy flights and cheap accommodation. But splurge on once-in-a-lifetime excursions when away #skychat pic.twitter.com/JtaHZ1tf2u
— James Merriman (@mezzarino) January 12, 2016
@Skyscanner save on Accommodation, @Airbnb has helped a lot. Splurge on the fun things – still shop aroundand look for a deal #skychat
— Jack H (@jaypeatravels) January 12, 2016
A4: When I was doing 1+ press trip a month I treated myself to 2 things: 1) hotel laundry & 2) a limo back home from airport #skychat
— Alastair McKenzie (@alastairmck) January 12, 2016
I love @BudgetTraveller 's list of the best 75 Luxury Hostels of Europe https://t.co/1dUw21WGc5#Skychat
— bagfullofbooks (@BagFulloBooks) January 12, 2016
Carrying a hammock with you can save you a long penny. You'll always have your private accommodation with you! #skychat #travel
— Laura Santanen (@UrbaaniLaura) January 12, 2016
Everyone loves a bargain! Best value destinations and tips for 2016? Go!
Some of our top value destination ideas for 2016 are: South East Asia (Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar,Vietnam, Sri Lanka), Latin America (Nicaragua), the Balkans especially Albania, Serbia, Macedonia and Poland, Portugal and Greece. If all fails then discovering anything within a 50km radius of your hometown i.e. going on a micro-adventure is a wonderful way to explore on a budget.
The great man Marcel Proust reminded us “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Irrespective of how near or far I travel I try to hold on to that feeling.
@Skyscanner A5 anywhere less touristy will have great deals! SE Asia and Latin America especially. #skychat
— Rachel M. (@wayfaringrachel) January 12, 2016
A5 Vietnam is currently running a trial until July you can visit for 15 days without needing a visa. Now is the time to visit! #skychat
— James Merriman (@mezzarino) January 12, 2016
A5: Best value destinations of 2016? Would say the Balkans & esp. Albania, Serbia, Macedonia. Also am partial to Poland. #Skychat
— Dan & Audrey (@umarket) January 12, 2016
A5 Indonesia, Vietnam, Portugal, Serbia + Greece- are my five top best value destinations for 2016. #Skychat
— Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) January 12, 2016
A5 @Skyscanner #SkyChat Nicaragua is UNBEATABLE https://t.co/OCFvZ2LoYV pic.twitter.com/SaMf3vhxeO
— Claudia Tavani (@Claudioula) January 12, 2016
A5. Right now? Maris Gras in NOLA! Round trip airfare around $250 from most major US cities, booked my trip last week! @Skyscanner #skychat
— Kayti Clayton (@kaytiVStheworld) January 12, 2016
A5: Amazing place – here's our guide to Nicaragua https://t.co/XDgTpGPm1Z ^Sam #skychat https://t.co/88e0IlbAgK
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
A5: Add #Cambodia to that list @BudgetTraveller Haunting history lessons to be learned there as well. #Skychat pic.twitter.com/0UieqfIITN
— Laura Powell (@dailysuitcase) January 12, 2016
@umarket @BudgetTraveller It sure does – Hopsters in Warsaw is a good bet https://t.co/IxTIVfss27 ^Sam #skychat
— Skyscanner (@Skyscanner) January 12, 2016
A5. We're seeing Myanmar, Belize, Philippines, Indonesia & Sri Lanka as our customers' top emerging destinations #skychat
— Hostelworld (@hostelworld) January 12, 2016
A5 Anything within 50km from home! One person's "other side of the world" is another person's "backyard" 🙂 #Skychat https://t.co/MSHpokVbgW
— Steve Biggs (@biggsy321) January 12, 2016
