Exploring multiple destinations during a single trip is an exciting way to experience new cultures, landscapes, and activities. However, traveling to multiple countries or cities can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways to find travel deals that allow you to explore multiple destinations affordably. Here are the best options for getting great deals while traveling to several places.
1. Round-the-World (RTW) Tickets
One of the best ways to explore multiple destinations on a budget is by booking a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket. These tickets are offered by major airline alliances and allow you to visit multiple cities and countries on a single ticket, often at a discounted rate.
- Airline Alliances: The three main airline alliances that offer RTW tickets are Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. These alliances provide flexible itineraries and allow you to travel across continents at a much lower cost than buying separate flights.
- Benefits: RTW tickets are typically cheaper than booking individual one-way flights, and they can save you time and money by bundling your flights together. RTW tickets also offer the flexibility of changing dates and destinations, although there may be a small fee for changes.
- How to Get the Best Deal: Plan your route carefully to maximize the number of destinations. For example, RTW tickets typically allow you to fly in one continuous direction (e.g., eastward or westward), so avoid backtracking to save costs. Booking early and being flexible with your dates also helps secure the best deals.
2. Multi-City Flights
Booking multi-city flights can be a great option for travelers looking to visit several destinations. Multi-city flights allow you to book multiple one-way flights under one booking, which can be more affordable than booking separate flights.
- Flight Search Engines: Use flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to find multi-city deals. Most of these platforms allow you to enter multiple cities as your departure and arrival points, giving you flexibility in planning your itinerary.
- How to Save: To get the best rates on multi-city flights, try flying into larger hubs or major cities and taking budget airlines for smaller routes. Keep an eye out for special promotions, and book well in advance to secure cheaper prices.
3. Budget Airlines and Regional Carriers
If you’re traveling within a specific region, budget airlines can provide cheap flights between multiple destinations. Many budget carriers offer discounted tickets that make it affordable to hop between nearby countries or cities.
- Europe: Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air dominate the European market and offer frequent flights between popular cities for very low prices. You can easily visit multiple European cities by booking short-haul flights with these airlines.
- Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar offer budget flights between Asian cities. They often have incredible deals if you book ahead, allowing you to explore countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore on a budget.
- North America: In the U.S., airlines like Southwest Airlines and JetBlue offer cheap regional flights that connect major cities. In Canada, WestJet is a popular budget airline for domestic travel.
- Tips for Booking: Always check for additional fees with budget airlines, such as baggage costs, seat selection fees, and charges for food and drinks. Flexibility with your travel dates can also help you secure the best prices.
4. Bus and Train Travel Passes
For travelers looking to explore multiple destinations overland, bus and train passes are excellent options for saving money while covering many cities or countries in one trip.
- Eurail Pass: If you’re traveling across Europe, the Eurail Pass allows unlimited train travel within a specific time period and is one of the most economical ways to visit multiple countries. With the Eurail Pass, you can hop between cities and countries in Europe with just one ticket.
- Bus Passes: In regions like North America and Europe, bus companies like FlixBus and Greyhound offer affordable bus travel between cities. Many of these services offer passes that allow unlimited travel for a set number of days, so you can explore multiple cities for a fixed price.
- How to Save: If you’re traveling overland in Europe, purchasing a rail or bus pass in advance will often save you money compared to buying individual tickets. Try to travel overnight on buses or trains to save on accommodation costs.
5. Travel Packages
If you’re looking for convenience and don’t want to handle all the details yourself, consider booking a travel package. Several travel agencies and companies offer packages that cover multiple destinations, tours, and accommodation, often at discounted rates.
- Tour Operators: Companies like Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, and Contiki offer budget-friendly tours that include transportation, accommodations, and activities in several cities or countries. These packages are often designed to be flexible and can help you explore multiple destinations in a short time.
- Group Tours vs. Independent Travel: If you prefer more flexibility, look for smaller group tours that allow you to explore multiple destinations at your own pace. Alternatively, some companies offer “semi-organized” trips where you get some structure but can explore at your leisure.
- Promotions: Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions or last-minute deals. Signing up for newsletters from travel agencies will alert you to special offers on multi-destination trips.
6. Airline Deals and Flash Sales
Airlines frequently offer flash sales and promotions, which can be a great way to secure budget-friendly flights to multiple destinations. Signing up for airline newsletters, using deal websites, or setting up price alerts can help you snag the best deals.
- Deal Websites: Websites like Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Airfarewatchdog specialize in finding and sharing discounted flights, including multi-city or RTW options.
- Price Alerts: Set up price alerts on flight search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner to monitor fares for specific routes and receive notifications when prices drop. Being flexible with your travel dates can help you find the best deals.
7. Use Points and Miles
Frequent flyer programs can be a powerful tool for saving money on flights between multiple destinations. By accumulating points or miles through credit cards or airline loyalty programs, you can often book flights for a fraction of the cost.
- Credit Card Points: Many travel credit cards allow you to earn points or miles on everyday purchases. You can use these points to book flights on airline partners within alliances or for multi-destination trips.
- Airline Loyalty Programs: If you fly with a specific airline or alliance, you can accumulate miles with each flight. Using these miles for RTW tickets or multi-destination flights can save you a significant amount of money.
- How to Maximize: If you’re not already enrolled in a frequent flyer program, it’s worth signing up to start earning miles. Look for opportunities to transfer points between programs (such as from hotel loyalty programs to airlines) for added flexibility.
8. Frequent Flyer Promotions and Special Deals
Occasionally, airlines and travel companies offer special promotions for frequent flyers or specific destinations. These offers may include discounted multi-destination tickets or bonuses that allow you to fly to additional cities for little to no extra cost.
- Frequent Flyer Bonuses: Watch for promotions that give bonus miles for flights booked within a certain period. This can help you accumulate miles more quickly and offset the cost of multi-city travel.
- Special Promotions: Airlines may offer discounted multi-city routes or limited-time sales, especially during off-peak seasons. Signing up for newsletters from airlines or deal websites will ensure you don’t miss out on these offers.
