Getting There: Flights, Trains & Overland Travel

How to get from here to there without spending more than you need to. Flights are usually the biggest single expense, but they’re also where the biggest savings are - if you know where to look.

The smartest approach for most trips: fly between continents, go overland within them. A $30 AirAsia flight or a $15 overnight bus gets you between countries in Southeast Asia for a fraction of what a full-service airline charges.

How to Find Cheap Flights: Tools, Timing & Strategies

The best flight search engines, when to book, error fares, positioning flights, and strategies for finding the cheapest airfare.

Round-the-World Tickets: Are They Worth It?

How RTW tickets work, alliance pricing and routing rules, pros and cons, and when booking separate flights is cheaper.

Overland Travel: Buses, Trains & Ferries

The slower, cheaper, more interesting way to travel - booking long-distance buses, train passes, ferries, and shared rides.

Border Crossings: What to Expect & How to Prepare

Land border procedures, visa on arrival logistics, common gotchas, and tips for smooth international border crossings.

Key points

Use Google Flights and Skyscanner to search, then book directly with the airline
Flexible dates save more money than any other trick - Tuesday flights beat Sunday flights consistently
Budget airlines are transformative for short hops - just know the baggage rules before you book
Overnight buses and trains save a hotel night and a travel day in one move
RTW tickets make sense for 3+ intercontinental flights; otherwise book individually

More in the Travel Guide

Before You Go

Gear & Packing for Travel

Getting Started with Independent Travel

Guides for Every Kind of Traveler