Tips for saving Money New!

Tips for Air Travel: (Return to menu)

- Friday, Sunday and Mondays are the busiest travel days during the week and will have higher fares. 

- Late night flights (red-eye) are often cheaper than daytime flights. 

- Check for dates near your desired stay like a day before or a day after.  Sometimes fares will be cheaper. 

- If your traveling alone and are flexible, consider flying "standby".  You can't actually buy a "standby" ticket but this is what you do.  You buy the cheapest ticket on the day you want to travel, usually the last flight of the day, then you go to the airport on the day of your travel at the time you want to fly out and request a standby seat.  Worst case scenario, you'll have to take your original flight, but most times you will be able to get out sooner.  This does not apply to Southwest airlines unless you have a full-fare ticket. 

- Buy your ticket at soon as possible during the summer, spring break, the week of Thanksgiving and the week of Christmas.  During the rest of the year, good deals can be had 3 weeks in advance all the way up to the day of travel.  I usually buy my tickets 3 to 7 days before I travel but I buy 3 weeks in advanced whenever possible.  Check airfares often as fares can change from day to day. 

- If your flying into a major city with more than one airport, check fares to all airports.  Also consider flying into a nearby city.  But of course consider the cost to transport between airports and the city that the clinic is in. 

- Smaller cities and airports will usually cost more, especially at the last minute.  Airports with one or two airlines will be really expensive no matter what. 

- Use a website like kayak to find the lowest fare.  Once you find it, provided that it's not involving multiple airlines, you should go directly to the airline's website to book the flight as most travel websites charge a $5 booking fee.  You can also use travelocity's "nearby" date search with will give you the fares for up to 3 days before and after the dates you desire. 

- Try to carry on everything, 1 carry on bag and a brief case or purse.  Most airlines are now charging $15 to $25 for the 1st checked bag and $25 or more for the 2nd.  

- If you have to check a bag, pack most of your crap in your checked baggage.  Carry on rules change every other day and you don't want to have to send anything home or worse, have it confiscated.  Visit the TSA website for current list of what you can and can't bring with you. 

Okay, so no more Skybus!

Tips for Train Travel:  (Return to menu)

- Nearly all train routes except for a few on the east coast only run once a day.  Plan to arrive the day before.  Do not plan on arriving 2 hours before your screening or check in!  Amtrak trains are notorious for running late due to fact that they operate on leased tracks and do not have right of way.  I have never been on a Amtrak that did not arrive at least 3 hours late.

- Bring your own bottles of water or buy from the snack bar.  The free water they provide is warm and you don't know how long it's been in the tanks.  Drink 2 to 3 litters a day.  It can get warm on the train and you will get dehydrated.  Drink lots of water! 

- If your cheap, bring you own meals.  The snack bar and the dinning car are expensive.  Plan on spending $15 for lunch and $20 for dinner. 

- Buy your ticket as soon as possible.  Amtrak tickets go up as seats run out.  Though you can buy tickets before departure, you run the risk of paying more due to seating availability. 

- Check the historical arrival times.  A good indicator of routes that chronically run late. 

Tips for Bus Travel: (Return to menu)

- Don't do it!  Okay, well, sometimes you have no choice. 

- Be aware that having a ticket does not guarantee a seat on the bus.  If there are too many people for the schedule, then some people will be left stranded till the next schedule. 

- On long-haul trips, plan to arrive the day before you screen or check in, especially during the winter months.  Make sure there is at least 2 additional bus schedules that will still get you to the clinic on time in case of bus breakdown, delays or you miss the bus while taking a dump in a dingy gas station bathroom. 

- As much as you don't want to, drink lots of water.  It is very hot on the bus and you will get very dehydrated.  I usually print a copy of the bus schedule and pinpoint when the stops will be, then I drink a bunch of water 45 minutes to 1 hour before each stop so I can pee when I get there. 

- Don't sit in the rear of the bus.  Diesel fumes will not be good for you.    Plus the smell of the toilet.  Sit up front near the door so you can get some fresh air at each stop. 

- Traveling on Friday or Saturday will usually cost a few dollars more and will also be more crowded.  Try to travel during the week if possible. 

- Bring ear plugs.  They will allow you to sleep better but be aware of transfers you may have to make so you don't sleep through them!

- Greyhound offers 7 day advance discounts to most locations. 

- If your traveling in and around Chicago, try Megabus.  You have to book online with a credit card but if you book far enough ahead, you can pay as low as $1.00 plus .50 reservation fee.  Of course the rock bottom seats are limited and usually mean far advanced reservation. 

Tips for Spending the night afar: (Return to menu)

I recommend staying at a hostel if your trying to save money on your accommodations.  Not every city with a clinic has a hostel.  I prefer to stay with Hostelling International as it is nationally organized group and I can expect the same services every place I visit.  The Hostel Directory is also a good resource for finding non HI hostels.  In either case, I recommend calling the hostel to make reservations as you pay an extra fee to use the online reservation system and most times it doesn't work or is confusing.  Nothing beats talking to a human.  If you've never stayed at a hostel before, it is basically rock bottom accommodations.  You get a bed, usually a bunk bed in a room with several people.  There is a shared kitchen and some living space.  You can meet travelers from all over the world.  Most hostels range from $18 to $30 a night and there is usually a limit on how many nights you can stay during a particular period.  If you plan on staying more than 9 times a year, you should purchase a Hostelling International Member Card for $28 a year.  You get $3 off the nightly rate at over 80 hostels in the US and more than 4,000 across the globe. 

You may also try Couch Surfing which is a website for finding or offering a couch for a night or more.  It is recommended that you "verify" yourself which includes a minimum donation of $25 and only deal with verified members. 

Tips for Driving: (Return to menu)

- Get an oil change before you go so they can check and fill all the vital fluids under the hood.  If you have an older car, get a tune-up.  Also make sure your tires have good tread and are inflated to the recommended PSI.  Bring an emergency kit with first aid, blankets, extra clothes and enough food and water for 2 days in case of breakdown.

- Fill up at gas stations away from the Interstate.  Local stations will be cheaper by ten cents or more per gallon. 

- Split up your driving on cross-country trips.  Don't try to drive to much as the stress can affect your blood pressure.  If you get tired, pull over for the night or at least a few hours of rest at a rest stop. 

- Drive with your windows up and your AC on.  Studies have been shown that you will get better gas mileage this way than driving with your windows down. 

- Join a motor club such as AAA or Roadside assistance service.  In case you break down, you will be able to get help at an affordable rate.

Virgin America

Wiki

Map

(877) 359-8474

Travel Booking Sites: (Return to menu)

Expedia (dot com!)

Reservations, vacation package discounts

Hotels.com

Deals on hotel rooms

Hotwire

Like Priceline but no bidding. No refunds.   Read restrictions carefully!

Kayak

Best for searching for low fares

Last Minute Travel

Last minute discounts

Priceline.com

Name your own price.  Must submit credit card  in order to make offer.  No refunds.   Read restrictions carefully!

Travelocity

Best for packages

Misc Sites: (Return to menu)

Amtrak

Route Map (PDF) 793k

Provides detailed information for many major cities including click and display routes.  Just zoom into a location and look for the bus icon and it will display bus routes that stop at that location as well as when the next bus will arrive.

Hotel Name (Return to menu)

Phone

Choice Hotels International

Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, Mainstay Suites, Suburban, Econo Lodge, Roadway Inn

(877) 424-6423

Extended Stay America

(800) 804-3724

Howard Johnson's

(800) 446-4656

InTown Suites

See Site

La Quinta Inns

(800) 753-3757

Marriott

(888) 236-2427

Motel 6

(800) 466-8356

Ramada Inn

(800) 272-6232

Red Roof Inn

(800) RED-ROOF

Studio 6

(888) 897-0202

Super 8

(800) 800-8000

Travelodge

(800) 578-7878

Hostels: (Return to menu)

Hostels are inexpensive alternatives to hotels geared primarily towards travelers.  Most hostels offer bunk bed dormitory accommodations for around $20 to $25 a night.  Most are relatively safe.  Be sure to keep eye on belongings and use lockers if available.  Most hostels have kitchens available to cook your own food.  Most hostels will be inhabited with foreigners so a great way to experience other cultures without leaving your own. 

Hostelling International

My preferred hostel to stay at

Hostel Directory

Place to find all hostels

We live in tough economic times where saving $8 dollars is like winning the lottery.  Here are some tips for saving money while traveling:

- Straddle your trips overnight.  This is not recommended if you are checking-in or screening in the morning but for pretty much any other time.  If flying and the airport is open 24 hours, camp out the night before if leaving in the morning or arrive late at night and camp out till morning.  Airports are relatively safe and if you bring a pillow and a small blanket, you should be alright.  You can often take a bus overnight.  Long-haul trains run all night.  A night spent travelling is a night you don't have to pay for a hotel. 

- Motel 6 is among the cheapest chain motels and most units are being renovated.  Some locations even have room service.  Ok, just delivery company that advertises with Motel 6. 

- Mexican buses are often cheaper than Greyhound and run to major cities throughout the country. 

- If staying at a motel for a while, try getting a weekly rate or staying at a weekly motel.  See if refrigerators and microwaves are available.  Cook meals at home and save some money rather than eating out. 

- Take public transit.  It is generally efficient and far cheaper than renting cars or taxis. 

National Average Gas Prices

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Updated on 10/23/08

www.jalr.org

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