How I went to Egypt for less than $1,000 and how you can save on your next vacation!
When people hear about vacationing in Egypt, they immediately think- "wow, it must cost an arm and a leg." The truth is, IT CAN. But, if you know how to shop for airfare- you might come out spending less than what you thought. Airfare is usually the most expensive thing when it comes to traveling. It can literally make or break an entire vacation. However- if you're a penny pincher, like me- here's how you can save some money when it comes to traveling...
1) Be flexible with your travel dates. Usually, the more flexible you are, the more money you can save. If you know that you can spare a couple of days here or there- select the travel dates that are the cheapest. My round-trip airfare to Egypt, which included a nice layover in Paris, France cost me $858. Yes, $858!! I went in September, which is not typically the tourist season, but it worked out perfectly for me. There weren't hundreds of people around touring the country, and my planes weren't overcrowded. When I originally looked up airfare to Egypt back in April, it was over $1,400. BUT- exactly TWO weeks before I was to leave for my vacation I looked into the Egypt trip one more time, and BAM! There it was- round trip airfare for $858. I left on a Tuesday afternoon and flew on AirFance. I had a 1 hour layover in Paris on the way, and a 18+ hour layover in Paris on the way back. It was like getting 2 trips for the price of one.
2) Do your research. If you have the time, and are willing- search multiple sites. Don't just look at one site and think you've seen it all. Even sites like Kayak.com that claim to show all the rates in one place, still leave some smaller sites out. Be diligent in your search. That's how you'll save the most money. Although it is time consuming, nothing is better than saving money!
3) Don't be afraid to fly on unheard of airlines. We've all heard of the big name airlines like American, United, Delta, Southwest, and others.... There are also smaller airline that go to the same places for much less than the other guys. They also offer many of the same amenities such as Wifi, blankets, and complimentary beverages and cookies. And if you're like me and want to see multiple places at one time- these smaller airlines make several stops in lots of different places, allowing you time to stretch your legs over lengthy flights, and see small portions of each city while you're there (depending on your layover times.) It's the best bang for your buck and you can't go wrong with this option.
4) Find a flight with multiple layovers. Sometimes we have to get there in a hurry, and it's true- the less layovers you have, the better. No one wants to keep getting on and off planes at all hours of the day and night. Not even the most adventures traveler. But, if you want to visit multiple locations all on one dime, then why not! Especially if you're traveling internationally. This is how you see the world at all one time. Some flights often have 24 hour layovers, leaving you maximum time to see a country or visit your favorite place. I find this to be the most inexpensive way to see more and pay less.
5) Pack light! I never pay to have my bags checked at the airport. I always travel light with a duffel bag big enough to fit all of my things, but small enough to be considered a carry on. That alone saves me time, money, and hassle at the airport. I don't have to wait for my luggage once I'm off the plane. I don't have to worry about lost or stolen luggage being the cause of my ruined vacation, and I don't have to think about paying extra fees. Simple and Easy, if you ask me. I take a small carry on, and a backpack for my personal items, like my toothbrush, passport, ID, money, and bank cards. Things that I can get to quickly if I need them without having to go through my luggage. I'm one and done!
6) Book in advance! If you can, always book in advance. I can't stress this enough. It makes all the difference in whether you spend $600 on airfare or $1,000. I know some things come up last minute, but most trips are thought of well in advance, leaving you more than enough time to plan, save, and book in advance. DON'T wait for better deal. Usually, the longer you wait, the higher the prices go. ALWAYS, always- BOOK IN ADVANCE!
Hopefully these tips will help you as you plan your next big adventure! The goal is to see more, do more, live more, not pay more! Share this blog if you're a traveler and help out some other travelers.
Peace for now!
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