FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: travel

  • Find Cheap Hotel Prices

    Because finding cheap airfare is only half the battle.

    When planning any vacation or backpacking trip, getting there is only half the battle. Similarly, for anyone living and working abroad with plans to travel, getting to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Alaska or Australia is only a small part in the planning that needs to be done in order to travel as much as possible, and to do so on a budget.


    You need to find cheap hotel stays too! FRUGALMONKEY is here to give you a few tips on finding the cheapest hotel prices possible and advice on how to save money on accommodations while traveling.

    Now is an amazing time to travel with cheap oil prices and a lull in high-end tourism. This translates into excellent package deals for travelers. These deals don’t just stop at cheap airfare prices, but include discounts on hotel stays as well. Right now many airlines and vacation dealers are including hotel stays in their travel packages. So when booking airfare, look for deals that include a cheap hotel stay as well. Additionally, don’t forget about the discount travel sites such as Expedia, Hotwire and Travelocity. Not only do they offer good airfare deals but they also offer searches on hotel stays as well. You’d be surprised how many people didn’t know about the hotel deals they could be finding on discount travel sites. So check them out!

    Finally, one great way to save money on accommodations while traveling is to book your stay in a hostel. Hostels had once been viewed as a rustic way to travel. Today however, more and more hostels are catering to a crowd that values private rooms and bathrooms and better amenities. Many hostels have large private rooms with air conditioning, wireless Internet, private bathrooms, balconies and cable television all included in the price of the room. You might be surprised how nice some hostel accommodations are and how cheap you can find them. Check out sites such as hostelbookers, hosteling international and mini-hostels to find a luxury hostel for low costs and start saving now!

  • Flight Deals To Europe

    European travel is popular because of the wealth of countries and cultures within such close proximity to one another. Additionally, the use of the Euro among many European countries and the ease of traveling within Europe because of the Euro Rail, means Europe is a traveler’s backyard just waiting to be explored. Flight deals right now to Europe are at extreme lows. By utilizing travel auction sites and low oil prices you can find largely discounted flights from all over the world into nearly any European city. Another way to find flight deals into Europe is by calling airlines and asking them directly about flight discounts or packages they are offering. Many people don’t think of airlines as a good place to go, but often times they can offer you help on booking the cheapest flight possible into Europe. By planning your trip right, you could be traveling the Greek Islands or visiting castles in Germany. Don’t let the idea of an expensive flight deter you from seeing some of the most beautiful countries in the world. After all, now you know flying can be cheaper than you previously thought. Enjoy your European vacation, from FRUGALMONKEY!


  • Visiting The Hawaiian Islands

    Ever thought of visiting the Hawaiian Islands? 


    Traveling to Hawaii to experience the most tropical of the United States has become somewhat of a time-honored tradition for US citizens. The ability to access exotic tropical weather, gorgeous beaches, SCUBA diving, exquisite golf courses, remote islands, lava fields, amazing restaurants and breathtaking hikes without having to travel internationally is a hard bargain to beat no matter where you are from. For those lucky enough to live in the Western United States a trip to Hawaii is no more than a puddle jump, or a few hours flight, into one of the most popular travel locations in the United States.

    Hawaii’s economy is to a large degree deeply rooted in tourism and it’s easy to see why. With such a strong allure in terms of sunny weather and exciting outdoor activities, Hawaiian vacations are on par with the splendor of the Caribbean without the hassle of international travel. While Hawaii does lend itself to exclusive or high-end tourism, the islands have a lot to offer someone traveling on a budget as well.

    Traveling between the Hawaiian Islands is only accessible by flight or by the Super Ferry developed in 2007. While flights to Hawaii are traditionally viewed as expensive some of the smaller airlines offer inter-island flights for very reasonable prices. Additionally, with the price of fuel being so low traveling among the Hawaiian Islands can be done for much cheaper than you might actually think. You can also take cruises to Hawaii, which sail among several of the more popular Hawaiian Islands giving tourists a taste of Hawaii’s many island flavors. Check out some of the excellent cruise and vacation packages (including airfare and hotel stay) available online now, and you’ll be island-side in no time!

  • Living Rent Free While You Travel

    It might sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. Or rather, it isn’t too good to be true if you simply know where to look.


    The cost of living is one of the largest factors sending people home while they are living or working abroad. The cost of rent, maintaining a tight travel budget and finding cheap flights all contribute to the expense of traveling. So for people who live or work abroad being able to maintain that status is second to none.

    There are more than a few ways to procure yourself a situation that allows you to live rent-free while you travel or live abroad if you just know where to look. One of the more traditional methods is by working for a business or company that will cover the cost of living as a part of your job, while you travel. Jobs such as working on a cruise ship, working at a resort or even working for an Alaskan fishing company are all probable ways to earn money, experience travel and live rent-free.

    This small handful of industry jobs represents opportunities where it is common for companies to pay a portion or all of their employee’s living expenses. Naturally the degree of how much and in what capacity varies from job to job and company to company, but it is very common for travel jobs such as these to provide employees with free-rent in exchange for work. What makes these jobs even better is that while employers cover a portion of living expenses, these jobs also allow you to make money as well. This means that for travelers that the savings potential is huge because of the money employees can save in not having to pay rent (one of the largest living costs by far!).


    It simply comes down to a trifecta of needs that are met by finding jobs on cruises, at resorts and other travel related industry jobs: the desire to travel, no rent and the ability to make money!

    For backpackers who are looking to travel and cannot commit to a full-time job for months at a time, or anyone who wants to see the world and avoid footing the bill, there are several less traditional methods of living rent-free while living or working abroad. One of these newer trends is in the Couch Surfing phenomenon that is sweeping the backpacking crowd and making huge waves among budget travelers. Couch Surfing is an online social network of travelers and travel lovers that organizes a database of people who are looking for a place to crash with those that have room to offer. All over the world, through this social network of travelers people are finding friends, advice and places to stay at no cost. The site is mainly geared toward backpackers and world travelers who are trying to save a penny while seeing the world. Yet, the network is expanding readily into large cities where when people can’t offer a couch or place to stay, they instead will offer job advice and insider tips for their city to fellow traveler.

    Whether it be through more traditional means, or by finding an open couch in Moscow, there are ways to travel and live abroad without paying any rent.

  • Teaching English: The Good The Bad and The Ugly

    Learn some tips and tools of the trade about teaching English in order to extend your trip abroad.

    FrugalMonkey is dedicated to showing you how to travel cheaply, take advantage or find cheap travel deals as well as learn how you can extend your stay by working abroad.


    Our advice is basically derived from the desire to tell you how you can travel as much as possible while spending as little as possible along the way. That way trips last longer and experiences are that much better. Thousands of expatriates (or those living in a foreign country – most commonly used to denote English speakers living abroad) turn to teaching English abroad in order to extend their stay and make money. While teaching English isn’t as easy as 1,2,3, we’ll give you the A,B,C’s about the main differences in teaching English while living in South America or Asia.

    Expatriates commonly teach English as a second language. Or as its referred to in the industry, TESL. This type of English teaching commonly takes place in either Asia or South America where it is becoming more and more prevalent that businessmen and children have a command of the English language. As such, for young English-speaking adults, teaching English as a second language in South America or Asia is an excellent way to make money while also traveling and seeing the world.

    Teaching English in Asia tends to be more lucrative than teaching in South America. With the large abundance of travelers in South America (because of its affordability) and the low rate of pay due to currencies in South America, teachers rarely make more than enough to pay rent and handle living expenses. Although, if you’re interested in hiking through Patagonia or learning Spanish while you teach others English, you won’t need much more than this modest salary. There are pay offs to living abroad other than making money after all. Luckily with the cost of living being so affordable, expatriates teaching English find that the salaries are usually enough to keep them afloat.

    Asia however, boasts the ability to make thousands while teaching English. The tough part about this job is that it can be harder to procure than an English job in South America. Mainly because when the pay is higher, the qualifications a teacher must meet go up as well. If though, you are an education major, have any formal training in grammar or have experience teaching, you are among the lucky few who will have an easier time finding an English-teaching job in Asia.


    The pay here will be higher and many teachers find that after a few months of teaching their bank accounts are doing better than they previously thought possible.

    Teaching jobs in Asia can be more demanding as well, and there is typically less time to dedicate to travel than for teachers in South America who work closer to 20 hour work weeks. Another big difference in teaching English between the two locations are qualifications. Teaching certificates and training are often considered more important in Asia teaching than in South America. If you have a masters degree and previous experience you have your pick of nearly any teaching job, however if you know little about teaching or have no experience, your best bet if you want the higher paying jobs in Asia is to procure a teaching certificate or undergo some training while you are there.

    Teaching English can be a great way to meet people, see the world, make friends in a new city and segue into other working or teaching jobs. It also is an excellent and popular way to sustain living expenses during your time abroad and is an experience you will surely remember for a lifetime. Check out FrugalMonkey for more information on living abroad and teaching English as well as related sites such as JobMonkey, where employers post for English teaching jobs regularly!

  • Take The Time To Volunteer

    People live abroad for varying reasons: to see the world, learn a new language, expose themselves to a new culture and to simply enjoy different experiences. FrugalMonkey’s entire section on volunteering abroad is a great place to learn about the many opportunities there are in volunteering while you travel. Volunteering can expose you to areas of the country you are visiting that you would otherwise never see. It’s a great place to practice a new language and it also gives you the opportunity to improve your resume. Graduate schools and colleges are always looking for volunteer experience – so think about enhancing your travel plans by volunteering!


  • Are You a Golf Fan On A Tight Budget?

    FrugalMonkey is always trying to keep an eye out for interesting flight deals for travelers abroad, but also locally and within the United States. A great way to find travel deals for budget travelers is in sporting events. For example, The Masters Golf Tournament that takes place each year in Augusta Georgia brings in hundreds of golf fans each year. Airlines know that people are making travel plans for upcoming spring and summer and are now offering deals on flights to Augusta for golf fanatics and sporting fans that won’t break the bank. Check out some of the airline auction sites for travel deals to the tournament in Augusta. They won’t last long and these popular flight deals are sure to go quick. Get a hole in one by taking our FrugalMonkey travel advice. You can thank us later. Oh, and tell Tiger we said ‘Hi.’


  • Air Couriers Are A Great Way To Travel Cheaply

    Find out about becoming an Air Courier and save potentially hundreds on airfare.

    Although traveling as an air courier isn’t as popular as it was before 9/11, and before the emergence of recent technologies, the practice is starting to make a comeback.


    Air courier travel allows hundreds of travelers the luxury of cheap travel for the exchange of a simple errand: delivering a package. You see, packages or special baggage cannot be sent on a commercial flight unless it is accompanied with, or being carried by a passenger on the flight. Often times, businesses need to send priority packages, deliveries, merchandise and other important documents on a very strict time schedule. Additionally, the cost involved in mailing, freighting and using other sending methods is more expensive than the cost of a commercial airline flight. Air courier companies purchase coach class airfare tickets and then resell those tickets to air courier travelers at a discounted price. In exchange for the discounted airfare, travelers supplant their luggage space with the shipping materials or documents.

    While travel discounts vary for air courier travelers and depend on several factors such as the timing of the ticket, most air courier travelers will receive 35%-50% discounts on commercial airfares. When companies are in a bind however, some travelers can receive discounts as high as 85% on ticket! This is an excellent way to cut down on travel costs and see the world. If you’re having a hard time booking airfare that fits your budget, then consider being an air courier. It represents a way to take advantage of some of the largest travel discounts available to travelers.

    Air courier travelers will often find cheap flights to popular travel locations around the world. Cities such as London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and even tropical countries like Greece, all have businesses that employ air courier companies to help them access and send documents. If you’re looking for a way to save money while traveling, consider looking into working for an air courier company.


    Not only is air courier travel a good idea for vacations but, it is ideal for last minute travel deals because airfares are highest the closer they get to departure dates. Therefore, businesses are constantly looking for travelers who are leaving right away or at the last minute.

    To make yourself the most ideal candidate for air courier travel keep in mind that your luggage space is often exchanged for the shipping materials. Thus, packing lightly is key for air courier travelers. Also, wanting to see the world is one thing and flying to the Caribbean during peak travel months is another. Air courier travel offers the best deals for cities known for high commerce and often the best travel discounts will be in flying to Copenhagen in the winter as opposed to Rome in the summer. That isn’t to say travel discounts to excellent vacation spots don’t exist, but air courier travel ultimately exists for the purpose of varying business exchanges.

    For any traveler looking for a way to save on airfare, transporting documents for an air courier company should be a serious consideration. With airfare representing such a large portion of travel expenses, when you can save in this one area you can save a lot on the overall budget of your trip.

  • Finding Travel Deals and Discounts

    There are many places to find travel deals (besides FrugalMonkey directly of course!) where it’s easy to find cheap hotels and airfares.


    By visiting Travel Auction websites you can easily find some of the best and unadvertised travel deals out there today without breaking the bank. Travel Auctions are most popularly known for websites such as Hotwire, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. These websites are an online library of cheap airfares and hotel deals that allow vacationers to pick low cost flights based on flight availabilities through a variety of airlines. Oftentimes travelers can find extraordinary flight deals that would have otherwise cost thousands to purchase. The aforementioned Travel Auctions are some of the most popular and well known to travelers, but there are some other areas online where backpackers and vacationers can bid and purchase flights, hotels and even entire travel packages at large discounts.

    Ebay for instance frequently offers travel packages at very large discounts and is a great place to look for timeshare rentals, condos, hotels and even flight deals. This Travel Auction resource often goes overlooked because its bidding system and reputation are mostly known for retail purchases.


    However, now more than ever savvy travelers are booking high end deals at a fraction of the price using ebay and other online auctions to find and utilize cheap travel.

    There are seemingly endless online Travel Auction and budget sites where travelers can book deals and travel cheaply. Skyline, Priceline, and Luxury Line are just to name a few. The only downside in booking a trip via a Travel Auction site is there tends to be less flexibility in canceling and changing travel plans then when a vacation is booked through another venue. Be sure to read the fine print so you understand the terms of the sale before purchasing.

    For more travel deals and information on travel auctions check out FrugalMonkey’s entire section on saving via budget airfare and travel sites!

  • Budget Travel Blog Launch

    Welcome to FrugalMonkey’s official blog. FrugalMonkey is one of the best online resources for budget travelers, travel enthusiasts and eager wayfarers who are looking for travel deals and related information on a budget.


    FrugalMonkey provides the latest travel information regarding travel packages, working abroad, resources for travelers as well as travel advice from experts specifically organized by country.

    Too often travelers end up over-paying because they aren’t informed about travel deals and ways in which to travel cheaply or on a specific budget. Finding low airfares, hotels, hostels, rental cars and vacations isn’t always easy, which is why FrugalMonkey does the hard work for you. By providing access to cruise ship vacation packages, low air fares, work abroad information and other travel resources, FrugalMonkey could be considered a traveler’s most important travel accessory (second only to a map and backpack of course).

    Online location guides to popular travel locations such as:

    Expert advice is available free to help travelers plan the best vacation and travel experience possible. FrugalMonkey editors are constantly monitoring travel sites, country profiles, air fare deals, travel industry fluctuations and job opportunities abroad to update travel information so that FrugalMonkey can provide information that is current for travelers.


    New country information and travel deals are constantly being added to the large library of FrugalMonkey information so that travelers can find the latest travel deals and information right away.

    This blog highlights the newest and most popular travel information available within FrugalMonkey. Each week, new information regarding travel deals and prices will be updated along with travel tips and information. For the ambitious and long term traveler this blog will be an excellent resource for new work abroad opportunities as well as providing pertinent information and resources for expatriates who are currently traveling or living abroad.

    By leaving comments, passing along travel tips and offering advice, the FrugalMonkey blog allows travelers using this same resource to pass along helpful information to one another within a community of like minded and travel-eager vacationers. With this blog and FrugalMonkey itself, practically no travel related subject falls to the wayside. It’s all here and it’s all free – an even greater testament to the budget friendly ways of FrugalMonkey!