I Used to Always Book Early But Lately...

I’ve always thought that with airline reservations, the earlier the better. As soon as I’ve got my travel dates set I’ve always booked my airline tickets asap. I’ve always believed that the further out you booked, the better the rate. I thought the longer I left it the higher the price would be. Or I wouldn’t get a ticket at all.

I still think there are advantages to booking early but lately I’ve really been wondering if I should have waited for last minute deals!

For instance, I confirmed a trip to London, UK a few weeks ago. I checked Air Canada and British Airways for fun, knowing their fares would be much higher, then booked on Air Transat which was hundreds less.

Today I get an email from Trip Advisor with an update on the routes I’m “watching” there. According to them, I could book on Transat for a couple hundred less if I booked now: $879 vs $1166.

I dunno. I think it could just as easily have gone the other way. Transat could have sold out and I could have been forced to fly BA for $1600. Just one of traveling’s many gambles I guess.

How far ahead do YOU book? Why?!

What’s the best deal you ever got by waiting until the last minute?  


The Travelin' Man

How to Travel Cheaply

Here's some great travel advice from one of the world's great travelers. Not me... Haha -- I wish! No, Graham Hughes.



How to travel cheaply? Unlock your phone. Don't get sick. Travel with a debit card and withdraw cash locally (I'd actually advise to travel with TWO debit cards AND a credit card). No Souvenirs. All great advice (although I do haul souvenirs home with me!)

Like these travel tips? Got a tip of your own to add? Please comment below or on Graham's YouTube channel.

Bon voyage,

Travelin' Man

I Found a New Way to Find a Budget-priced Hotel in Paris

I found a new way to find a budget-priced hotel in Paris. At least it's a new way for me -- I usually just Google "budget hotel, city" and then check travelers' reviews on Trip Advisor. This time, I searched for "budget hotel, paris" in Google MAPS and got a map full of choices!

I zoomed in the arrondisement I wanted.  When you hover over the markers you get a brief comment. Click on them and you get more info including the average price per night (which in Paris can range from €60 - €6000 so after location that's the second most important info!) and a link to the hotel website. For many hotels there are links to reviews on travel sites. I checked Trip Advisor for reviews and was glad I did.

The Agora Hotel looked great for €60 but the reviews were terrible:

"Filthy hotel, arrogant management. I don’t know where to start with this review, but I know it was one of the worst hotel stay ever. I never saw any 2 stars, yet 1 star, hotel that had a so unpleasant stay. "

"Hats off to their business minds to make use of such small cubicles as hotel rooms and still charge 180 Euros a night! Beware of this disaster of a hotel."

But then I found the Hotel Flor Rivoli and its reviews confirmed what it's website said: nice, clean, little no-frills budget hotel in a fantastic location (couple of blocks from the Louvre).

"I thought it was great! I had a single room on the top floor – it was clean, comfortable and contained everything I needed. The staff were friendly and helpful - and there was a lift"

"Obviously it's very basic, but it is clean and has everything you need (tv, hairdryer, extra pillows and blanket) which are the main things. Amazing location and friendly staff."

Parfait! Just what I'm looking for!

The reservation went smoothly. I was so confident that I took the option of paying in full in advance and saved about 10% on my €70/night single room. I'll let you know how it works out!

Try Google Maps next time you're looking for a hotel (or restaurant or whatever) and let us know how it works out for you.

Happy trails,

The Travelin' Man