KUWAIT: Summer is the peak time for travel, and with the increase in travel demand, costs often soar, making it essential for travelers to find ways to reduce expenses. The Kuwait Times spoke with travel experts to learn more about the best ways to travel on a budget that can offer the best solution to explore more areas. In order to guarantee the best ticket prices, you must book months before the trip date.

According to Muhammad Yassin, an employee at a tourism company, ticket prices that were booked six months ago are usually 10 percent lower compared to tickets booked days before the trip date. He added, “People usually make the mistake of deciding to travel late, and this causes them to pay more. With the development of technology, it is possible to know and compare ticket prices by using some websites. Turning the notification on can help track price changes, as alerts can be received when prices rise or fall, which provides the opportunity for quick reservations in the event of a low-priced ticket.”

“In order to guarantee the lowest prices, people must be flexible in dates, as ticket prices during the weekdays are considered much cheaper than traveling on the weekend or during peak periods and holidays,” he continued. Yassin revealed that some airlines offer travelers their transit tickets to extend their trip to the transit destination, noting that people can travel to two countries with one ticket.

For his part, Abdullah Baraa, a traveler, said that he uses credit card points to cut costs, saying, “Points allow me to buy travel tickets or book hotels, which can save me a lot of money. In addition, travelers can also enjoy some lounges for free in some airports, depending on the type of credit card.”

Baraa indicated that while traveling, he always makes sure he travels in groups or to get to know other travelers so as to share the costs. “I go on a lot of road trips. Sharing the costs of transportation, food, and accommodations with other travelers makes it easier to explore more cities or travel to neighboring countries,” he explained. Regarding eating during travel, he said, “If there is a long layover, it is better to eat and stay outside rather than eat and wait at the airport. You can also benefit from airline loyalty programs. One of the airlines gave me two coupons to eat for free inside the airport.”

For exploring the country, Baraa revealed that he uses many applications to cut costs, saying, “I use free tours, where you can explore the place with locals for free. I also use Google Maps a lot since it shows the time and cost of all kinds of transportation, which makes you arrange everything according to your budget.” As for accommodation, he chooses hostels, saying that they are the best option for solo travelers, but if the person is traveling with her or his family, they can search and compare between the apps or search for a house swap for free accommodation.