10 best kept secrets for saving money […and feeling like royalty] when you vacation international

Traveling abroad can be expensive, especially when you're looking for cheap flights. But there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Here are ten tips that will help you travel smarter and cheaper.

1. Don’t start with cheap flights - pick a place with a lower cost of living

It may seem expensive to travel to places that nobody has been. Hours of planes, trains, and automobiles is something that only royalty has time and money for. But, the truth is, when going to parts of the world that your friends haven’t been - remote parts of the world, parts that take you to the opposite end of the globe, parts that are so foreign the written language looks like a picture to you - are the parts where you will typically have the best experience. Often, these undiscovered parts (well, undiscovered to your friends and family at least), have a lower cost of living and you can use your money to live like royalty.

This may sound crazy, but start by picking a place where the currency exchange rate is favorable to yours. This is a sign of a generally lower cost of living. If you use this as your starting criteria, all else will fall in place. The next set of tips will tell you how your international vacation can save you money, while offering the best experience possible.

2. Know peak travel seasons…and avoid them

Ok, so the reality is that there is no place in the world where someone hasn’t been, and often your selected vacation spot will get visitors from neighboring countries. Does Bali sound exotic? Yea, well, Austrians typically book month long stays in Bali just like Americans book weekend vacations in Orlando. Your desired destination is always a quick flight for someone, so know who is vacationing when and don’t assume international travel is as difficult for everyone.

3. Don’t obsess about how to find cheap Airfare — you’ll save money with other travel hacks

Once you selected an international destination with a lower cost of living at an off-peak season, it’s time to select your flight. People love to find cheap flights by booking well in advance. Some take their chances on cheap last minute flight deals. Give booking sites like Skyscanner or Momondo a try. They often offer better deals than airline websites or some of the more popular travel aggregators. If you don’t find a cheap flight though, that’s ok.

Don’t let the price of a ticket hold you back. The all-in costs, if you follow our suggestions (especially the next one) will make your experience budget friendly. Just know your total spending amount, and deduct the price of your ticket.

4. Swap or use points on vacation homes instead of paying for Airbnb or hotels

The best place to save is on vacation rentals. Ultimately, a vacation home swap or an Airbnb house swap is the best alternative. Why are Airbnb host swaps the best? Well, you can pretty much guarantee that the home you’ll be staying in is designed for travelers.

But, you may not be a short term rental host and that’s ok. If you can’t swap an Airbnb home, then you can certainly book one. With the48dots, you earn points every time you book a vacation home, and you’ll be able to use those points on future stays in any other vacation home all over the world.

Start stacking up those points so you can use them on your next vacation rental! Here a tip to start earning points: Signup and create a full profile! You get 1000 points just for doing that!

5. Get a driver, and let that be your guide

Ok, so you’ve saved money on a home swap, now how do you avoid paying for all those pricy tours that suck you in when you vacation international? Use a driver! A driver can be a perfect tour guide. You can usually rent a driver’s time for a full day. Ask where they go to hang out, what their favorite places are, and what they do for fun.

This is a great way to save while still feeling like royalty because, often, daily drivers are cheaper than getting Ubers or Taxis for one way trips.

6. Blend your trip with urban core activities and off-beaten-path adventures

The best things in life are free, and we aren’t just talking about home swapping. Often, you can ask your driver to take you to remote towns. In many countries, where culture is deeply preserved, this often winds up showing you a way of living that is foreign and unexpected. There are different smells (be it nature or cuisine), different ways of dressing, and often different ways of speaking that you just don’t pick up when you are in the cities that get the largest pins on a map.

So yeah, go check out small towns, towns untouched by the hustle and bustle of city life. Then, go back the thick of it. The contrast will often make for the best experience.

7. Balance what you pack with what you can buy in local shops

Let’s face it, royalty loves local treasures, and you’ll want to shop a bit too! Do your research before you vacation international. Find boutique shops with local designers in advance (please, for the love of travel, don’t buy name brands when you travel abroad). Usually, a group of boutiques will be clustered together, so even if you don’t know the exact stores or items search for clothing or home decor shops in advance. Then, just pack the bear essentials for a good day of walking around. It’s also a great way to learn a new city!

You may be thinking: how does shopping save me money? Well, make sure you save room in your suitcase for your new treasures! One unexpected cost that most people forget about is what airlines charge for luggage fees!

8. Eat the street food - it’s often the best thing when you vacation international

You’ll want to split your money out between street food and high end restaurants. You may think that food is usually cheaper and more authentic at local restaurant you pass in the street, so it’s tempting to go there to save money while traveling abroad. But, nothing compares to street food and you’ll want to spend some nights living like royalty in nicest, hard to get into, restaurants!

You'll find that the food locals eat on the streets is usually cheaper, more authentic…and even higher quality than what's available at local restaurants. Wait, did you say higher quality? Yes, street vendors often buy fresh produce and meats to cook a meal, whereas middle of the road restaurants typically buy lower quality and in bulk. This is true anywhere you go. So, save money on the breakfast and lunches, soak up the local scene.

Then, book a few really nice spots to eat at night. It’ll be worth the splurge if you took our advice on walking around and shopping all day!

9. Make friends

Do you know what royalty is great at? Getting into the most exclusive events! Often, these events aren’t advertised online. Sit at bars instead of tables, talk to locals instead of your social media friends, and make some friends! The locals will often let you know about the coolest events in town and if you hit it off, they will invite you to join.

Is language a barrier? Who cares. You’ll be surprised at how often gestures can communicate the full picture. And, after all, who doesn’t want a Lost in Translation moment?

10. Don’t plan too much once you arrive

Soak things in, follow your curiosity, let the new vibes take you in. The best part about taking a vacation international is that you just don’t know what will happen. If you spend your money on the right things, and save on the right things, you’ll leave yourself room to explore and get the most out of the experience.