How to Travel on the Cheap Without a Damn Travel Rewards Card

I really wanted to title this "I'm the poorest mother f**cker on Sesame Street and no one is helping me". These are not my words, they are Dave Chappelle's from his stand up on Sesame Street. Honestly, so funny.

Anyway, I don't want you all to be treated like Oscar the grouch, I wanna help y'all out! This is why I am writing this post and sharing with you some tips and tricks that Brian and I swear by to help make our vacations plentiful, yet affordable.

Travel Advice # 1: Know the best websites. There are two websites that Brian and I favor, and frequently use. Now, let's be clear, we are not expert travelers, but I do think we know a thing or two about finding a good deal. After all, we have managed to visit over 24 different countries (some of those 25 have been visited 2-3 times, btw) in just four years, so we gotta be doing something right. Regardless, everyone has their two cents about what sites are the "best", these are just our suggestions. Take it or leave it.

First one, is Sky Scanner. This lil website allows you the ability to select "everywhere" when you are choosing destinations, and it will sort based on the cheapest country first. I have posted a video below to show you exactly how I use this website. Many of you have heard of skyscanner, but on the off chance that you haven't - it's definitely worth checking out.

The next website we love is Air Wander. As I explain in the video below, this is an awesome option to breakup long haul flights. Additionally, if you an expat and you're looking to go back home, but want to stop someplace along the way, it's also a great tool to see where you can go for less. I actuall JUST used Air Wander about a month ago to book our flights back to Baltimore from AD. I'm a super nervous flyer, and despite getting much better, there is no way anyone wants to experience me on a 14.5 hour flight home. Not my husband. Not my seat neighbor. Certainly not the air hostess who keeps bringing me bloody marys every 30 minutes. You get the picture. I honestly think we have used Air Wander almost every time we have every flown home for the winter or summer. Give it a go, and here's how to use it below.

Travel Advice # 2: Don't be afraid to Air BnB. Seriously, we've done Air Bnb from big cities like Paris, to small cities like Olomouc in the Czech Republic. Even if language is a barrier, we've still managed. Install google translate on your phone just in case, but most hosts have a small level of English or have sent someone to greet us/check us in that speaks English. It's a HUGE, HUGE difference staying in Air Bnb's in major cities like Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and so forth. It takes some research on your end, but a little leg work up front on the area where you want to stay and the type of accommodation you are looking for will pay off big time. Know what you absolutely need in an apartment before you start searching. When we travel around Europe we have specific priorities that we want our Air BnB place to have. It will look different for every person, but here are some of our most important factors:

1. First, it has to have a central and walkable location. For major cities, that are super expensive, we don't mind having to walk 10-15 minutes to the downtown area, but we always make sure that the neighborhood is nice.

2. Second, if you are traveling with multiple bags or one big bag that is heavy, you will need to make sure that your location is a QUICK walk to public transport (if you don't take a taxi to and from the airport, which taxis in some cities can be $$$). The last thing you want is to be hauling your damn 25 kg suitcase down a cobblestone street in France for more than 3-4 minutes. Additionally, make sure that your accommodation has either a lift or is located on the first floor. I have been in situations where I have had to lug my ALWAYS OVERPACKED SUITCASE up three flights of stairs. Trust me, it's not fun, and Brian refuses to help because it's his way of shaming me for overpacking. Pssh. Whatever.

3. Check out the reviews of the bed if you're staying for more than 2 nights. Nothing worse than sleeping on a shit bed for several nights in a row. Or worse, sleeping in a FULL size bed as opposed to a Queen or King. Gross. I'm spoiled. Give me the California King please!

4. Look at the bathroom situation. European bathrooms leave much to be desired. The shower situation isn't always the best, and if you're picky - then just take a peek at the photos of the bathroom.

5. LAST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: ALWAYS READ THE REVIEWS. We won't typically book a place if there are less than 15 reviews. Usually it's just too new to get an accurate read. The reviews will tell you if the owner is a pain to deal with, any apartment issues, and most important (for me) how loud it is at night. When we stayed in Genova, Italy one summer, we booked a place that only had a few reviews. Let me tell you, FAT PROSTITUTES GETTING SCRAPPY OUTSIDE YOUR BEDROOM WINDOW AT 2 am IS NOT FUN. Lesson learned.

Travel Advice # 3: Research what's FREE before you go or look for deals ahead of time on popular attractions. While Brian and I love a good museum, and will definitely make sure to hit the best one (or two) in a city. We honestly prefer to spend out time walking around the city and soaking it up. However, depending on what city you are traveling to, make the most of the free stuff to do. Whether your in Rome and exploring the Pantheon or St. Peter's Basilica or in Vienna checking out Schonbrunn gardens, there are many free options that are equally as awesome as paying 20 Euro to get into a museum. Additionally, if you love good food and wine, research ahead of time as much as possible. I will totally stalk the crap out of facebook pages, blogs, trip advisor reviews to find the places that are offering the best deals.

Travel Advice #4: Pick the country less traveled. I'm going to let you all in on a little secret, because most likely, no one except a few family members and friends will ever read this. EASTERN EUROPE IS WHERE IT'S AT. Seriously. CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia. Go. NOW. Check out this article by US News. I will caution you that Prague, Budapest and Dubrovnik are not as great as deals as they once were. Still, they are cheaper than going to Western Europe. If you're passionate about doing one of the more traveled cities, I would recommend doing it as a quick detour. For example, flying in and out of Prague so you have a day and night there, but taking trains and doing the bulk of your itinerary in other parts of Czech or Slovakia.

What I'm trying to say is don't just pick the easy, popular countries that everyone knows about. Don't get me wrong, I love Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, etc. But, there is way more to this world than going and visiting Kings Landing in Croatia with every other American tourist. Be adventurous and try new countries that you typically wouldn't have picked. I'm telling you, we used Sky Scanner to find a spring break destination. Bulgaria popped up, and we were like "huh? ok". Booked it, and I will tell you it's one of the best trips I've ever taken in my life. The best part about it, it was SO CHEAP. We had a legitimate five course fine dining meal, with a NICE bottle of wine, for maybe 80 bucks total.

So, my point, is use the websites above, and if a quirky country pops up: explore it and take a new adventure! I promise you it will pay off!