While you’re managing the rising costs of living, you don’t have to compromise on the joys of living – such as taking trips to your favourite destinations. With good research, advance planning, and some creativity, fabulous holidays can still be well within your budget.
Here are some handy tips to keep costs low:
1. Fly budget
Services offered by budget airlines, such as AirAsia, Scoot and Europe’s Ryanair, have improved greatly since the industry began – and they are still cheaper than full-fare airlines. Flying budget can now range from getting a basic seat to one that comes with frills. For instance, passengers flying on Scoot’s ScootPlus can expect a welcome drink when they board the plane, and a hot meal and beverage later on. Free Wi-Fi, seat selection and in-seat power are also included.
For greater peace of mind, buy travel insurance as soon as you purchase your air tickets. SAFRA members enjoy 20% off the purchase of any single trip plan with AIG.
2. Fly via another travel hub
If you’re flying long-haul, be adventurous and consider flying via a travel hub you may not usually use. For instance, when travelling from Singapore to London, it’s common to fly direct, or with the same airline and its alliance partners via a connection hub such as Dubai or Doha. You can instead search for other originating airports that may offer cheaper flights – such as Kuala Lumpur, where Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia are based – and fly to your destination from there. You will likely have to buy separate tickets, for each leg of your travel, but the savings can be significant.
Bonus: You can plan a side trip to explore a place you may not otherwise visit.
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3. Fly to alternative airports
Flying into smaller or lesser-known airports, or those that are further away from the city or tourist attractions, can often be cheaper than flying into a major travel hub. These airports usually have lower landing fees, and this in turn, can mean cheaper tickets. For instance, when flying to Tokyo, you can choose between Narita and Haneda airports as both cater to international travel. Do take note of their individual features – for instance, Haneda is nearer to downtown Tokyo while Narita historically serves more international flights.
4. Book your flights on Sundays
Airlines use dynamic pricing to set rates – this means that they use a complex algorithm that determines what the airfare should be based on real-time demand. While you can’t predict when prices will fall, you can more or less tell which day of the week tends to have the lowest prices. In general, flights booked on a Sunday tend to be cheaper. According to the Expedia 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, Singapore travellers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 11% on economy flight bookings and 36% on premium bookings.
5. Fly on Thursdays
Start your holidays on a Thursday, where possible. If you are able to fly out on a Thursday, you stand to pay less as trends have shown that Thursdays are generally the cheapest to fly, while Sundays are the most expensive day to begin your trip. The Expedia report found that those departing on a Thursday can save up to 30%.
6. Take a train
While slower than flying, travelling by rail is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Train travel can also be a more romantic and scenic way to move around while on holiday. Some of the most iconic train journeys include the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco in the US and Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (or onwards towards Bangkok in Thailand).
Continue your travel adventures by booking your activities on Klook, where SAFRA members get 10% off overseas activities with no minimum spend.
7. Pack light
Packing light means more freedom when you travel, starting with lower airfares. As most budget airlines have a separate luggage charge, you can save by bringing only a cabin bag or purchasing less baggage allowance. Some full-fare airlines, especially at the most affordable ticket tier, may also have a separate baggage option. Besides, with less to lug around, you can speed through bag claim, move around easily at crowded spots, and be open to last-minute plans and changes.
One way to pack less is to pick accommodations that come with laundry facilities. Book your accommodation through Agoda, where SAFRA members get $20 and $50 off with a minimum spend of $200 and $500 respectively on selected properties.
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