Overview:
Destinations
Some countries are less expensive to travel to than others.
Generally expensive:
Western Europe especially Scandinavia
Singapore, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Israel, New Zealand, US
Generally inexpensive:
Many countries in Central and South America
India, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Hungary, Greece, Dominican Republic
Notes:
Some flights to places can be very expensive though the stays and food are not expensive.
Example: Argentina and Brazil
Coastal cities in the US are generally more expensive but are better to travel to
Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle and DC are similar to Copenhagen prices
New York and San Francisco are similar to Zurich and Singapore prices
Denver is similar to Berlin prices
Flights
Google Flights
I use Google Flight tracker to send me notifications of inexpensive flights. As flight dates get closer, airlines get more desperate to sell seats. They send out notifications of flights that have a lowered cost.
Tip
Overnight flights are great for sleeping, if you can manage to sleep. It’s not easy to acquire an overnight flight with this method (purposely) but it’s nice to have if it happens.
Steps | Instructions | Screenshots |
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Step 1 | Search “Google Flights” in Google |  |
Step 2 | Click “Google Flights” in the search results and type the desired country in the box that says “Where to?” |  |
Step 3 | A map of the country will populate
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Step 4 | Click “View Flights” |  |
Step 5 | On the next page, toggle “Any dates” |  |
Step 6 | Click the hamburger menu (3 horizontal lines) in the top left corner
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Step 7 | Scroll down to the city that was just added
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Step 8 | Scroll to the top of this page and toggle “Email notifications” Tip: If you are not receiving daily notification emails (depending on the amount of destinations selected) for flight updates, you may need to toggle notifications from your mobile device. |  |
Layovers
One Layover | |
|---|---|
Option 1: Sleeping in the Airport The airport seems like a lawless land; it’s a Wild West of claiming charging outlets, sleeping on the floor and taking suitcases into public bathrooms. It’s not uncommon to sleep in the airport and it’s generally considered socially acceptable. If you can manage being uncomfortable, cold, hungry, sore and consistently woken up by foot traffic or paranoia that some other weary traveler is going to steal your things, then sleeping in the airport is for you. Like most things, there’s a website all about it:
If your layover is during the overnight:
| Option 2: Stay in a Hotel or Airbnb The closest and cheapest stay is always better. I typically choose hotels instead of Airbnbs when I’m near the airport. The only accommodations needed are a bed and a shower. You will need enough time to get there, get ready for bed, sleep, get up, get ready and then make your flight.
If your layover is during the day: If your layover is during the day and long enough, go on a day trip and explore the closest largest city. Walk around, eat foods from that city or county and then sleep on the plane when you board. Things to note:
If your layover is during the night: Sleep in the airport or stay at a hotel or Airbnb for the night so you can sleep. When is a stay worth it?
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Two Layovers | |
Don’t
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Delays | |
Sometimes you will experience a delay. If it’s during the day, you can explore the area or eat somewhere. I recommend eating food from that country just to try new things. If you completely explored the entire city or area (like we did in Copenhagen), you can do the following:
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Nice to Know | |
If your layover is in Iceland and you are flying Icelandair
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Luggage
Tips
If possible, bring only one personal item
That is if the airline allows for a decently sized item
You will need to check their requirements
If needed, do one carry-on
Don’t ever check luggage
I avoid doing this so I can leave the airport right away and not have to wait for baggage
I avoid potential baggage complications including delayed or missing baggage
Stays
Tip:
Hotels are more expensive than Airbnbs, Airbnbs are more expensive than hostels, generally.
Airbnbs |
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Generally Airbnbs will be less expensive than hotels. Some may be centrally located. Some may be in a really cool neighborhood you may not have found while staying at a hotel. WARNING Airbnb hosts can cancel your reservation with little notice.
TIP Airbnb costs will be less expensive when you:
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Hotels |
Hotels will be more expensive than Airbnb; they usually have more amenities and are more centrally located. WARNING Hotels can overbook and (rarely) may not have a place for you to stay. In this case, they will likely direct you to a hotel nearby. TIP There’s usually a way to get breakfast on-site and this can be useful for when you need coffee or food right away. I typically go out and get breakfast to experience the city though. |
Hostels |
I’ve only used hostels in Europe (aside from the US) so I can only recommend those. Hostels are the least expensive out of the three and are perfect if you’re social and want to meet other travelers. WARNING Hostels in the US are not recommended:
TIP Hostels can vary from bumping party houses with live music to quiet but bustling atmospheres that double as meeting space for local professionals. |