FREE TIPS that will make you save money

I am ALWAYS looking for flight deals. We are in June, and I am planning a weekend for February. Why? Because I have a low budget, but I still want to travel. So I have to organise myself.

We have visited Amsterdam, London, Sevilla and other European cities. With this guide, I am sharing simple methods to help you organise your future trips.

Booking flights tickets

I always use Google Flights to find the best deals on the internet. This tool is uncomplicated, free and gives a view of price evolutions. If you really want to go somewhere, you can register on google flight to receive alerts when prices change.

With Google Flights, you can choose flexible dates and see all the flights during this period. Let's take an example. In the following picture, I am looking for a weekend in October.

You had chosen a period, the departure city and the passenger number. Google Flights show you a list of flights.

We are going to narrow the research by using filters :

✈️ Fix a maximum price regarding your budget

✈️ Maybe you have a preference for an Airline company. You can choose one or more

✈️ Set up the flight duration

✈️ Some flights have stopovers. You can choose to see only flights without stopovers. 

Two options suit my need: Barcelona and Lisbon. I want to travel to Barcelona.

I choose these flight tickets. Below, you can see "Booking options". Google Flights shows you the websites where you can buy these flight tickets at different prices. Vueling is the best option. 

IMPORTANT/ Sometimes, when you are choosing your tickets, there are others flights options in case the time doesn't suit you. 

🫶 Congratulations, you have found your flight tickets ! Now, let's find you an hotel. 

Hotels

I always book my hotel several months in advance. First reason, prices are low. Secondly, it permits me to spread the payement if I pay with PayPal. Please, be careful with this method.

Let’s make a point on the different hotel types:

🏨 Hotels are establishments offering a standard services like a bedrooms and cleaning.

🏩 Hostal or Hostels are juvenile hotels with bunk beds, shared bathrooms and kitchens. It's perfect for [solo] travellers who want to meet people. In general, men and women have separate rooms.

🛍️ Boutique Hostels are establishments with distinctive and charming concepts. The decoration is designed and beautiful. French people call them "Hotel de charme".

🛏️ The Bed and Breakfast is an establishment runs by locals, directed toward people with low-budget.

🏢 Apartment Hotels are equiped and ready-to-live hotels rooms. It's perfect for long stays.

🌇 Resorts take more place than an hotel and offers different amenities : bedrooms, beach, spa, pool, all inclusive restaurants, sports activities, etc.

🛎️ Inn's are all the hotels you can find in the countryside.

🛣️ Motels can be found on the edge of major thoroughfares, allowing passing motorists to take a break.

Now, you're ready to find your hotel. First, open an incognito internet page and decline cookies every time. Prices can increase because of them.

Use Google Hotels. You can narrow your research by fixing a maximum price, the type of establishment, etc. Plus, it gives a view of the room prices on different websites.

🔵 Use intelligent key-words regarding what you're looking for: "cheap hotel Barcelona", "hostel Barcelona", "Hotel Sagrada Familia"

🟡 Always narrow your research by using filters. If you select "Pool", Google shows hotels with a pool. You can select multiple filters at the same time.

🔴 When you move the map, the research is updated, and you'll see hotels available in this sector.  

Booking.com

If you book directly on Booking.com, create a Genius account. You’ll have reductions on several hotels. Plus, you’ll collect points and receive advantages. It’s FREE. 

[If you like to use Booking.com, Hotels.com or this kind of website, you need to create an account. They offer discounts on hotels, and It's FREE]

Hotel's official websites

Sometimes prices are lower on their website. You HAVE TO create a client account. Hotel chains offer up to 10% of reduction in bedroom prices. And you'll collect points to use afterwards.

Breakfast can be an option when booking a room. We never took any breakfast. We prefer tasting the local one. It's cheaper, and is a part of the travel experience. 

Maïssa

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[Budget Friendly] My hotels review (I tested all of them) 😏

Money shouldn't stop you from traveling! I started traveling when I was still a student. At that time, I had a tight budget (€100/night). I've had some very good experiences, as well as some bad ones. I share with you the best (and worst) hotels for small budgets. * you can book directly via my links. Thank to you, I’ll receive a commission ❤️

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