Everyone wants to save some money for the fun parts of traveling, but often the expenses of airfare, housing, and food make the budget tight. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can pinch pennies while traveling including when to buy tickets and affordable long-term airport parking at STL Airport.
Tip One: Fly on the “Cheap” Days
Did you know that the pricing of tickets changes depending on many factors including which day and time you purchase them? Domestic flights are the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. For international St. Louis travelers, purchasing flights on weekdays is usually cheaper than on weekends. Another thing to keep in mind while planning your trip is that booking a domestic flight a week in advance can save up to one hundred dollars and that tickets are typically cheaper when bought in the afternoon as opposed to in the morning.
This article goes into depth about how the timing of purchasing your tickets impacts its price.
Tip Two: Consider all of your Housing Options
Typically, the second biggest expense in traveling is paying for where you are going to stay. Here are a few options that may save you money in comparison to a typical hotel or resort:
Homestays
You can use companies such as Airbnb, Homestay, and 9flats to find houses, apartments, and even rooms to rent during your travels. These options can be significantly cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. Most of these options come with Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and even fun games you can play! It is a great way to travel and feel at home at the same time.
Bed and Breakfast
These options are also usually cheaper than the typical hotel if you do not mind sharing bathrooms, kitchens, and other common areas with other travelers. This is a great way to not only save money but to create relationships with other travelers as well. A great addition is that breakfast is served every morning which will save you money by taking away one meal you would have to pay for otherwise.
Camping
If you are going to an area where campsites are available this is a great way to save money, even if you chose to just camp for a few days and stay at a hotel for the rest of the trip. Benefits include saving money, viewing and being emersed in the nature of the area you are traveling in, and relaxing without the stress of the modern world.
There are many other lodging options available all of which you can read about in this article.
Tip Three: Save on Food
There are a lot of ways you can save money when it comes to eating while you are traveling. Some of the best tips are to go to the local supermarket and plan meals so that you are not eating out every day. The price of food starts to add up astronomically when you are eating out for each meal.
On the days you do choose to eat out, go big. Eat a big breakfast so you can skip lunch and snack instead or eat a big lunch to save prices on dinner. This is a great way to enjoy the food where you are traveling without breaking your budget.
Tip Four: Pack Mini Necessities
It is smart to plan and pack miniature-sized versions of products you have at home from the grocery store. You will be able to avoid paying hiked prices for items such as pain relievers or tissues if you end up needing these items while you are traveling. Average prices for a 4-pack of Tylenol are $3.00 at the airport and you can purchase a regular-sized bottle of the same medicine for $5.99 at the grocery store. It is very smart to have these items in your carry-on to avoid paying insane prices for your headache relief. Here are a few items to consider purchasing for your trip:
- Pain Reliever
- Tissue
- First-aid supplies
- Hand sanitizer
- Antacids
- Eye drops
- Chapstick
Tip Five: Skip the Expensive Rideshare to the Airport
Rideshares to and from the airport can cost you hundreds of dollars. There are also a lot of downsides to taking rideshares such as having to plan accordingly to the availability of drivers, space available in the car for your luggage, and the inconvenience of not having your car waiting for you when you return from your travels.
On-site airport parking can also be as expensive, if not more, expensive than taking a ride-share. Luckily, STOW IT offers the cheapest rates for St. Louis Lambert International Airport parking which is more affordable than ride-shares and on-site airport parking for long-term travelers. STOW IT partners with parking facilities in Missouri and allows customers to access long-term parking, storage, and shuttle services to-and-from the airport. This is a great option for long-term St. Louisan travelers who need monthly or yearly parking for long vacations or second homeowners.
STOW IT’s parking option allows you to conveniently drive yourself to the airport and leaves your car safe and secure while you are away. The cost of parking and convenience makes this a no-brainer! You can book your long-term airport parking storage at the STL airport here.