The year I travelled around the UK, Western Europe and the Middle East was also the year I was a “starving” student, living off (interest-free) loans. It’s a cherished memory that reminds me that no matter how hard I think taking a trip might seem, there’s always a way. 

Back then, I chose to prioritize building up my travel budget over eating out, buying new clothes and other non-essential splurges, and I still use the money saving tips I taught myself, even though my student days are long behind me.

Whether you’re trying to make it home for the holidays or simply escape the rainy season this winter, these travel hacks will help you get to your destination.

Know the hidden costs of travel.

Even though I’m now working full-time, I know how travel can feel out of reach—especially during the holidays. Adulting is expensive (and the additional holiday season costs can put a strain on any budget – especially if you’re a generous giver). 

But travelling continues to be a priority for me, so I include it as a permanent budget line to help me get a solid handle on the costs I’ll need to cover. This has helped me to develop lifelong habits that help make travel an annual reality. 

In addition to the essentials like accommodations, food and transportation, be mindful of these often-overlooked expenses that can sneak up on you:

• Foreign Transaction Fees: Using your credit card abroad? Many banks charge around 2-3% per transaction in foreign fees. Look for a travel-friendly credit card to avoid this.
• Tipping Practices: Tipping customs vary widely by country and can add up, especially in destinations where service charges aren’t included.  For example, in Japan, tipping isn’t customary and can even be seen as rude, while in France, service charges are typically included in restaurant bills, so only small tips for exceptional service are appreciated. Researching the local tipping norms to budget accordingly can help you budget more accurately and avoid cultural missteps.
• Local Taxes and Fees: Many cities and countries have tourist taxes that can catch you off guard, from nightly fees at hotels to entry taxes at airports.  For example, in Italy, many cities charge a “tourist tax” per person per night at hotels which is allocated at check-out. Check these in advance so they’re not a surprise at check-in or arrival.
• Pricey Souvenirs: Cutting back on buying these little trinkets can help your overall budget. While they may seem small, they can add up quickly. A better option could be buying more practical and affordable items like food or locally-made goods. Skip the magnets and mugs.
• Baggage Fees and Overweight Charges: If you’re traveling light, this may not be an issue, but airlines vary on baggage policies, especially for budget carriers. Factor in checked bag fees and check weight limits before packing.  For added peace of mind, some Vancity’s enviro™  Visa* cards offer delayed and lost baggage insurance—covering essential items if your baggage is delayed over 4 hours or lost, provided you use your card to book your travel.
• Roaming Charges and SIM Cards: International data usage can be costly. If your phone plan doesn’t include free roaming, consider a local SIM card or an eSIM for affordable data access.
• Unexpected Weather Gear: If the forecast shifts, you might need to buy extra items like umbrellas, raincoats, or even seasonal clothing. Keeping a small cushion for weather-related needs is a good idea.
• Emergency Health Costs: Even if you have travel insurance, you might need to cover upfront costs for minor injuries or doctor visits, as some places don’t bill insurance directly.
• Transportation in Remote Areas: If you plan to explore outside urban centres, additional transport like ferries, regional buses, or even rideshares can quickly add to your budget.

For added peace of mind, some Vancity’s enviro™ Visa* cards offer delayed and lost baggage insurance—covering essential items if your baggage is delayed over 4 hours or lost, provided you use your card to book your travel.

These hidden costs can significantly impact your travel budget, so factoring them in early can keep your holiday stress-free. Adding all of this up may come as a bit of a shock, which is why the next several steps are critical: I do everything I can to leverage opportunities to make travel more affordable. Here’s how.

Take advantage of travel hubs.

The first strategy I learned was to carefully consider my travel home base—and how to make it work to my advantage. For example, as a student I was in the UK, which is how I was able to travel that part of the world relatively cheaply—and I made the most of it. Now that I’m back in Vancouver, getting to faraway destinations is a little harder. 

So whenever travel opportunities come up through work (i.e. someone else is paying the airfare and hotel), I try to add on some of my vacation days and use that destination as a jumping off point. Even if your work takes you to the most boring city, it may be a hub, which means you’ll have better options to go somewhere amazing. Have a conference in Dallas? There’s a 2.5-hour direct flight to Cancun when you’re done. Going to Newark for an AGM? Book an 8-hour overnight flight and wake up in Lima, Peru. 
It’ll be cheaper because you’re that much closer, and you’ll also have a head start on recovering from jet lag. And if you happen to be using Vancouver as your hub, there are plenty of fantastic options departing from YVR, especially during the holidays. For instance, flights from Vancouver to Las Vegas are often budget-friendly, with round-trip fare averaging around $132. Similarly, destinations like Portland and Seattle are accessible via short flights with round-trip tickets sometimes costing less than $100. Additionally, all-inclusive vacation packages to popular sun destinations such as Cancun, Mexico provide excellent value for those seeking a warm getaway during these dark, cold months.

My secret hack for cheaper flights.

I’ve had some unique travel adventures throughout my life. And as a writer on a tight budget, I’ve always had to find creative ways to save for them. There are sneaky ways to set fare alerts and use flexible-date tools—apps or websites like Google Flights, YVR Deals, Hopper or Skyscanner can help you track fare changes and view flexible date options. These tools can reveal surprising discounts, and setting alerts means you’ll know immediately when fares drop. 

Once when I wanted to go to Iceland to help rescue baby puffins, my proposed budget was blown before I could even sort out dates. All the usual tips to score a cheap flight, while valid, weren’t helping. Direct flights were exorbitant and adding connections didn’t seem to help – until I discovered a new (to me) hack: I made Iceland itself the layover.

Not using a points-based credit card is like leaving free money behind.

I discovered that when I booked a ticket to Berlin with a connection through Reykjavik, the fare dropped shockingly lower. For the same budget I planned for one trip to Iceland, I was able to get two holidays. This tactic, referred to as “hidden city ticketing” or “skiplagging”, can be particularly effective during the holidays when direct flights are at a premium. It works as long as you plan to enjoy all of your stops (just know that there are consequences to bailing mid-way through, so I wouldn’t recommend it).

Level up your travel experience using rewards points.

The tried-and-true methods of saving and budgeting for an annual holiday definitely work. But there are also other passive ways to “earn” your holiday that take no work at all. The easiest way is through credit card rewards points.

When you use a credit card responsibly (and pay it off in full every month), using it to pay for all your non-cash purchases is the smart move. Dining out? Buying presents? Picking up cat food? Put those expenses on a credit card and you’re that much closer to jetting off. Not using a points-based credit card is like leaving free money behind. A well-established card like Vancity’s enviroVisa with flexible rewards will help make your travel dreams a little more attainable, plus there are some enviroVisa cards with travel insurance coverage too.

You can use your points to pay for flights, hotels and even car rentals. But it’s worth noting that it can take awhile to earn enough points for those things. You can, however, easily accumulate points for little extras that can augment your travel experience. For example, if you’ve already secured your flight, you can use points to upgrade your seat. Same for your hotel room and car rental—use your points to level up. It won’t cost as many points to add to your overall travel experience. Some credit cards even give you immediate airport lounge access.

A few more holiday travel hacks.

Here are some additional tips to make your holiday travel wishes come true:

• Be flexible with your travel plans: When using your credit card points, be flexible with your schedule and be aware of blackout dates. Knowing this, it’s best to think a year in advance and book international flights up to 10 months before departure and domestic flights up to two months before departure for the most options. Admittedly, credit card points aren’t your best option for spontaneous travel, but you can start planning now for next year’s holiday!
• Aim to travel mid-week: Whether using points or cash, booking flights and hotels mid-week (Tuesday and Wednesday) will give you the cheapest options.
• Travel lightly: Try to only bring a carry-on bag. You’ll skip the line at baggage claim and, even better, skip the very real possibility of your bag getting lost. And as a final budget-bonus, if you learn to master this skill, you’ll never have to pay for checked luggage again.
• Stay loyal to one airline or hotel group: If you can, focus your bookings within the same airline alliance or hotel chain. This way, you’ll build up points faster and increase your chances of complimentary perks like upgrades and lounge access.
• Clear browser cookies before searching for flights: Prices can sometimes increase based on repeated searches. Clearing cookies or searching in an incognito window can help you avoid these increases.
• Use local transport apps: Avoid costly tourist transport options by downloading local transport apps like Citymapper or local rideshare services, which can often be cheaper and more convenient than taxis.

Find out how you can leverage your Vancity credit card for more rewards.

* Trademark of Visa Int. Used under license.