Getting There: Flights, Trains & Overland Travel
Getting There at a Glance#
Flights are usually the single biggest expense of a trip, which also makes them where the biggest savings hide. The smartest pattern for most travelers is to fly between continents and go overland within them: a $30 budget flight or a $15 overnight bus moves you between countries for a fraction of what a full-service carrier charges.
- Search on Google Flights and Skyscanner, then book direct with the airline. See how to find cheap flights.
- Flexible dates beat every other trick. Tuesday departures consistently undercut Sunday ones.
- Budget airlines are transformative for short hops. Just read the baggage rules before you book.
- Overnight buses and trains save a hotel night and a travel day in one move.
- Round-the-world tickets make sense at three or more intercontinental flights. Below that, book legs individually.
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.