Smarter Travels: Travel Hacks Every Traveler, Should Know

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”-Jawaharial Neru

Every once in a while, it is imperative to take a break from the reality of life and give yourself the opportunity to see the world.

As it is, travel is integral to break the perpetual monotony of your routine—so much so that it is in fact, heavily encouraged. In this way, you would not only get to immerse yourself in different cultures, gain a broader perspective of the world and experience new heights; you would also be given a chance to do some reflecting—an introspection if you may. In any case, should you be planning any travel excursions in the future, it would bode you well if you considered the indispensable tips given below. Whether you are traveling local and are just looking for things to do in Makati or are seeking new adventures in foreign lands, here are some of the utilitarian travel tips that would be beneficial to the seasoned traveler as well as the first-timers:

1.) Use Flight Comparison Websites

If you want to bank on huge amounts of travel savings, always book the lowest possible airfare you can find. To do this, all you need to do is use flight comparison websites and select the cheapest airfare. Websites such as Skyscanner and Lowfares have it their business to provide their users with different airfares on dates they wish to travel. Choosing the lowest fare would not only guarantee you more savings, but it would allow you a little wiggle room as regards your budget.

2.) Book two one way tickets in lieu of a round-trip flight

One oversight even seasoned travelers commit is to book round-trip airline tickets instead of booking two one way tickets. Sure, this may seem a lot more convenient, but that convenience is not exactly free. You might be surprised, but if you booked from another airline on your flight back home, you would actually score major savings.

3.) Some airlines offer free stopovers

If you have always wanted to visit several countries without paying the exorbitant airline ticket price, your answer might just be free stopovers. A myriad of airline companies offers this such as Japan Airlines, Etihad, Air China, Thai Airways and Emirates. Just be sure to check the airline company’s list of international stopovers before you begin ticking off those countries on your bucket list.

4.) Download the airline's app onto your phone and go paperless

Go green and do your part on saving Mother Earth. In lieu of wasting natural resources, print screen your airline bookings and boarding pass and present this at the gate. Apart from being the more practical route, some airline apps would actually alert you if you have any upcoming flights and the like. Apart from doing your part in saving Mother Nature, you do not also have to worry about leaving and losing your boarding passes ever again (unless you lose your phone).

5.) Skip the line at arrivals by hailing a taxi at Departures

If you have not already downloaded Uber and Grab onto your smartphones, then you should. These booking apps would make your life so much easier when you are traveling. Furthermore, not only would these apps make your foreign commute a lot less of a hassle, but it also expedites the process of finding. It also mitigates the possibility of drivers scamming their passengers. However, if you are not in possession of a smartphone, there is no need to fret. The fastest way to find a ride is to make your way over to the departure area instead of queuing at the arrivals. Chances are, you can take the newly vacated taxi in departures and be on your merry way much faster.