Inexpensive Ways to Travel

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

• Select the desired city

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

• Click “Tracked flight prices”

Step 7

Scroll down to the city that was just added

• Click the bell icon to toggle notifications

Step 8

Scroll to the top of this page and toggle “Email notifications”

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:

• Sleeping in Airports

  • Home

• Other things this website covers:

  • Airport Guides

  • Airport Hotels

  • Airport Reviews

  • Things to do on a Layover

  • Airport Layover Sightseeing

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.

• Check the cancellation policy

• Free breakfast is nice when in a hurry but not required

Two Layovers

Don’t

• Not worth the extra time or extra money that can go towards your trip

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:

• Kill 3-4 hours at a museum or 1-2 hours at a cinema

• If you still have access to your stay, there’s always sleep

Nice to Know

If your layover is in Iceland and you are flying Icelandair

• Icelandair allows a free stopover for up to 7 days due to Iceland promoting tourism

  • Check out Reykjavik if you can

    • There is an option to buy bus tickets from the airport to Reykjavik on an Icelandair flight

  • Keflavik is a nice option too

  • Blue Lagoon is near the airport

    • Hot springs with geothermal seawater surrounded by volcanoes

    • Will not be open at times due to volcanic activity

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.

• If this happens:

  • Notify Airbnb immediately

  • Select the cancellation reason as: “host needs to cancel”

  • Seek credit or a refund with Airbnb Support as well as a new stay

tip Airbnb costs will be less expensive when you:

• Message a host and ask if they would come down on the price before you reserve

  • If they agree, they will send you an offer via link

• Book a longer stay

  • 2 to 4 weeks (possibly longer) can come with discounts

• Book closer to the check-in date as prices can go down though not guaranteed

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:

• Not super traveled like in Europe

• Generally not well-kept

• Can have sketchy characters living out of them

• Good hostels may be found in NYC but research recommended

• There may be exceptions but research 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.