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Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Smart Ways to Save on Your Next Indian Getaway
India, with its rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cities, is a dream destination for many travellers. Whether you're planning to explore the backwaters of Kerala, the palaces of Rajasthan, or the misty mountains of the North-East — there are plenty of ways to experience India on a budget without sacrificing the quality of your adventure. Use a travel search platform Flights often account for the largest share of travel expenses. One of the most reliable ways to find the best flight ticket is through a trusted travel search platform. Websites like Google Flights enable you to compare prices across airlines and dates, helping you secure the most cost-effective options. For travel within India, don't overlook the extensive rail network. The IRCTC Rail Connect app is essential for booking train tickets, which are an incredibly affordable and scenic way to traverse the country. Pro-Tip: Book flights and trains well in advance, especially during festival seasons. Travel on weekdays is often cheaper than on weekends. Stay like a local Instead of expensive hotels, consider authentic and affordable alternatives, such as guesthouses, hostels, or homestays. Online platforms like offer a wide range of local properties. Choosing accommodation just outside the main tourist hubs can also lead to significant savings and a more genuine local experience. Master local transport Once you're in a city, opt for its public transport system. Budget-friendly buses or metro services offer an authentic taste of everyday life. For convenient point-to-point travel, ridesharing apps like Uber and Ola are widely available in major cities and are often more affordable than traditional taxis. Get a taste of the local gastronomy One of the best ways to save money and experience true Indian culture is through its food. Skip the overpriced tourist restaurants and eat where the locals do. Look for busy local eateries, "dhabas" (roadside restaurants), or university canteens. Not only is the food more authentic and delicious, but it will also cost a fraction of the price. Use technology to your advantage Leverage technology to uncover the best local secrets. Follow Indian travel vloggers and bloggers on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. They often share insights on everything from hidden gems and cheap eats to tips for bypassing long queues at popular attractions. Additionally, having Google Maps for navigation and a UPI payment app like Google Pay or Apple Pay on your phone will make transactions seamless and save you the hassle of carrying large amounts of cash. By combining strategic booking with a willingness to live, travel, and eat like a local, your Indian getaway can be both incredibly affordable and deeply authentic. Let technology guide your planning, and remember to be mindful during your vacation to immerse yourself in the joys of travel.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
Google Data Reveals the Best Times to Book Flights for the Cheapest Airfare
If you're looking to save some money on your next flight, check with Google before you hit the buy a vacation can be stressful -- and expensive -- especially during peak travel seasons like the summer or the holidays. The good news? Our CNET experts have gathered a wealth of travel tips to help you find affordable flights and pack like a pro. That includes a deep dive into key insights from Google Flights data, so you can make smarter, more informed decisions when booking airfare. Google Flights has released a robust travel report after aggregating four years of airfare data and trends to provide US travelers with an overarching guide on finding the cheapest flights and the best times to book them. I have reviewed this report thoroughly and highlighted the most important takeaways below to help you find a flight in your budget and let you relax while traveling instead of stressing about money. For more key travel tips, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist. You should also review CNET's roundup of the best headphones for travel. How to Use Google Maps Like a Pro How to Use Google Maps Like a Pro Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 9:29 Loaded : 1.06% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 9:29 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to Use Google Maps Like a Pro What days are the cheapest to fly? CNET If you're planning to book a flight, you're likely trying to find the most budget-friendly option. According to Google Flights, the cheapest flights are available when flying on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Tuesday being the cheapest day, according to the historical flight data. Flying early- to midweek can save travelers 13% to 20% on airfare compared to flying on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with Sunday the most expensive day to fly. Do layovers on flights save you money? It may come as no surprise that flights with layovers are cheaper than nonstop flights but you may not realize just how significant those savings can be. The Google Flight data shows that travelers can save 25% by booking a flight with a layover instead of a nonstop flight. Which day of the week is the cheapest for booking flights? There are certainly cheaper days to fly, there aren't really cheaper days to book. "There's not much benefit to buying your tickets on a certain day of the week," according to the Google report. Google Flights does state that Tuesdays are typically the cheapest day of the week to book, according to the data, but Tuesday bookings are only 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day, Sunday. Is it cheaper to book flights far in advance? To wait or not to wait? According to Google, it's better to book your travel far in advance, especially if you need to fly on a specific day or time. There are some patterns you can analyze to decide whether it's better to wait for lower prices or book now based on specific scenarios, destinations and dates of travel. For domestic flights, the prices are generally at their lowest between 21 and 52 days before your trip -- with 38 days before departure being the cheapest day to book on average. For international flights, the prices are generally lowest between 50 and 101 days before your trip, but it's generally best practice to book as early as you can. According to Google, "Average prices don't meaningfully drop anytime before departure but they usually do start to rise within 50 days of the flight itself" for international travel from the US. Never miss out on the cheapest airfare again./Gianmarco Chumbe/CNET When is the best time to book a flight in every season? Here's what Google says about the best times to book holiday flights and vacation trips to certain popular destinations. Summer break: The cheapest domestic flights in July and August are usually available 13 to 43 days in advance, with 21 days before departure being the cheapest day on average to book. Thanksgiving: The cheapest domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday are usually available 26 to 59 days in advance, with 45 days out being the cheapest -- meaning it's best to book Thanksgiving flights in early October. Christmas: The cheapest domestic flights over the winter holidays are usually available 36 to 72 days in advance, with 58 days out being the cheapest. It's best to book Christmas or holiday travel in the latter half of October. Spring break: The cheapest domestic flights in March and April are available between 33 to 59 days in advance, with 44 days before departure being the cheapest time to book on average. When is the best time to book a flight to Europe? International flights to Europe from the US are usually cheaper 50 or more days before departure, with 94 days out being the cheapest day to book on average. As with all international travel, it's generally best practice to book as early as you can. When is the best time to book a flight to Mexico or the Caribbean? International flights to Mexico and the Caribbean are the one exception to the broader international trend, according to Google. That's because flights are generally at their lowest between 26 and 68 days in advance, with 44 days out being the cheapest. For more, check out CNET's picks for the best travel credit cards in 2025. You can also explore the 12 travel essentials you always need to pack and the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Cheap flights and free upgrades with expert holiday hacks
Flying on certain days can also help reduce costs. Midweek flights - particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays - are often the most affordable for international journeys, while Tuesdays and Fridays tend to offer the best value for domestic flights. Travelling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings, can result in further savings. How to get cheap flights and free upgrades for holiday 'By combining smart planning with the right perks and tools, you can make your holiday budget go further - without compromising on comfort or experience," says Andrew Harrison-Chinn, of travel perks and benefits company Dragonpass, with over 1300 airport lounges. "Keeping an eye on AI-powered travel aggregators that compare flight prices and offer tailored recommendations based on your preferences can help you secure the most cost-effective options. 'Setting up price alerts using tools like Google Flights or Kayak is a smart way to track fare fluctuations and book when prices drop. You might also try browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cookies - some travellers believe this can prevent dynamic pricing based on search history, though results can vary. "Using a VPN to check fares from different locations can sometimes reveal lower prices, as airlines and booking sites occasionally adjust rates based on your geographic region. In addition, websites like Voyage Privé offer time-limited deals on luxury holidays, giving you access to high-end stays at discounted rates." He also recommends leveraging loyalty perks and rewards programmes. "Many credit card providers and banks offer travel-related benefits like airport lounge access, Fast Track services, and more as part of their loyalty programmes," he says. Off on holiday soon? 🏝️ Don't miss Martin's quick travel tips!🛫 🚗 Cheaper car hire 🛍️ Zara shopping trick 🛬 Flight delay compensation (These graphics contain only a snapshot of full information given and should not be taken in isolation) *All information correct at time of… — The Martin Lewis Money Show Live (@itvMLshow) May 28, 2025 'Many financial institutions benefit from extremely competitive pricing of services due to the packaging up of products as well as being able to get cheaper pricing due to larger volume of customers. 'Having a relationship with the bank or card provider will allow you access to these packages of products. Should the package of products be relevant to you, say travel insurance, airport lounge and fast track access, hotel, and flight discounts, these are very efficient ways to get more value for less cost on your travels. "Some card providers even offer spend based rewards when you use their card abroad – for example spend X amount and get a free airport lounge visit – rewarding customers with their preferred behaviours." Don't forget loyalty points can often be used for holidays or extras, but they can take time to earn. Recommended reading: 'Alternatively, there are points-based schemes which take much longer to accumulate, however when you have sufficient points these can be redeemed against flights (bookings or upgrades) or other products and services to achieve significant savings.' His final tips are for the trip itself: "Don't forget practical tools like eSIMs when travelling abroad," he says. "If Wi-Fi isn't readily available, using an eSIM can significantly reduce roaming charges and keep you connected without the hefty fees."
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Cheap flights and free upgrades with expert holiday hacks
Flying on certain days can also help reduce costs. Midweek flights - particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays - are often the most affordable for international journeys, while Tuesdays and Fridays tend to offer the best value for domestic flights. Travelling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings, can result in further savings. 'By combining smart planning with the right perks and tools, you can make your holiday budget go further - without compromising on comfort or experience," says Andrew Harrison-Chinn, of travel perks and benefits company Dragonpass, with over 1300 airport lounges. "Keeping an eye on AI-powered travel aggregators that compare flight prices and offer tailored recommendations based on your preferences can help you secure the most cost-effective options. 'Setting up price alerts using tools like Google Flights or Kayak is a smart way to track fare fluctuations and book when prices drop. You might also try browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cookies - some travellers believe this can prevent dynamic pricing based on search history, though results can vary. "Using a VPN to check fares from different locations can sometimes reveal lower prices, as airlines and booking sites occasionally adjust rates based on your geographic region. In addition, websites like Voyage Privé offer time-limited deals on luxury holidays, giving you access to high-end stays at discounted rates." He also recommends leveraging loyalty perks and rewards programmes. "Many credit card providers and banks offer travel-related benefits like airport lounge access, Fast Track services, and more as part of their loyalty programmes," he says. Off on holiday soon? 🏝️ Don't miss Martin's quick travel tips!🛫 🚗 Cheaper car hire 🛍️ Zara shopping trick 🛬 Flight delay compensation (These graphics contain only a snapshot of full information given and should not be taken in isolation) *All information correct at time of… 'Many financial institutions benefit from extremely competitive pricing of services due to the packaging up of products as well as being able to get cheaper pricing due to larger volume of customers. 'Having a relationship with the bank or card provider will allow you access to these packages of products. Should the package of products be relevant to you, say travel insurance, airport lounge and fast track access, hotel, and flight discounts, these are very efficient ways to get more value for less cost on your travels. "Some card providers even offer spend based rewards when you use their card abroad – for example spend X amount and get a free airport lounge visit – rewarding customers with their preferred behaviours." Don't forget loyalty points can often be used for holidays or extras, but they can take time to earn. Recommended reading: How (and where) to get the cheapest airport parking this summer Best flight hack to stop passengers reclining their seats Hand luggage sizes for EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizzair, Tui and BA 'Alternatively, there are points-based schemes which take much longer to accumulate, however when you have sufficient points these can be redeemed against flights (bookings or upgrades) or other products and services to achieve significant savings.' His final tips are for the trip itself: "Don't forget practical tools like eSIMs when travelling abroad," he says. "If Wi-Fi isn't readily available, using an eSIM can significantly reduce roaming charges and keep you connected without the hefty fees."
Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Leader Live
Cheap flights and free upgrades with expert holiday hacks
Flying on certain days can also help reduce costs. Midweek flights - particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays - are often the most affordable for international journeys, while Tuesdays and Fridays tend to offer the best value for domestic flights. Travelling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings, can result in further savings. 'By combining smart planning with the right perks and tools, you can make your holiday budget go further - without compromising on comfort or experience," says Andrew Harrison-Chinn, of travel perks and benefits company Dragonpass, with over 1300 airport lounges. "Keeping an eye on AI-powered travel aggregators that compare flight prices and offer tailored recommendations based on your preferences can help you secure the most cost-effective options. 'Setting up price alerts using tools like Google Flights or Kayak is a smart way to track fare fluctuations and book when prices drop. You might also try browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cookies - some travellers believe this can prevent dynamic pricing based on search history, though results can vary. "Using a VPN to check fares from different locations can sometimes reveal lower prices, as airlines and booking sites occasionally adjust rates based on your geographic region. In addition, websites like Voyage Privé offer time-limited deals on luxury holidays, giving you access to high-end stays at discounted rates." He also recommends leveraging loyalty perks and rewards programmes. "Many credit card providers and banks offer travel-related benefits like airport lounge access, Fast Track services, and more as part of their loyalty programmes," he says. Off on holiday soon? 🏝️ Don't miss Martin's quick travel tips!🛫 🚗 Cheaper car hire 🛍️ Zara shopping trick 🛬 Flight delay compensation (These graphics contain only a snapshot of full information given and should not be taken in isolation) *All information correct at time of… 'Many financial institutions benefit from extremely competitive pricing of services due to the packaging up of products as well as being able to get cheaper pricing due to larger volume of customers. 'Having a relationship with the bank or card provider will allow you access to these packages of products. Should the package of products be relevant to you, say travel insurance, airport lounge and fast track access, hotel, and flight discounts, these are very efficient ways to get more value for less cost on your travels. "Some card providers even offer spend based rewards when you use their card abroad – for example spend X amount and get a free airport lounge visit – rewarding customers with their preferred behaviours." Don't forget loyalty points can often be used for holidays or extras, but they can take time to earn. Recommended reading: How (and where) to get the cheapest airport parking this summer Best flight hack to stop passengers reclining their seats Hand luggage sizes for EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizzair, Tui and BA 'Alternatively, there are points-based schemes which take much longer to accumulate, however when you have sufficient points these can be redeemed against flights (bookings or upgrades) or other products and services to achieve significant savings.' His final tips are for the trip itself: "Don't forget practical tools like eSIMs when travelling abroad," he says. "If Wi-Fi isn't readily available, using an eSIM can significantly reduce roaming charges and keep you connected without the hefty fees."
