Updated May 28, 2020.

A flexible traveler is a happy traveler! Travelers are an interesting bunch. We come from all backgrounds, all over the world, and all chosen walks of life. But no matter what kind of traveler you are, whether you’re working the system for Business Class upgrades or just trying to find the cheapest tickets to anywhere in the world, savvy travelers are above all flexible. Here are 5 ways you can improve your globe trotting experience with a little flexibility! A happy traveler…

1. Is Flexible on Dates and Times

So you really want to take that trip to Guam in January. That’s a great time to go! But you’d hoped to leave on Friday—whoops! That’s going to cost you $600 more than leaving on Wednesday! Hotels are around $100 per night, though, so by staying two extra nights, you’re going to save $400 and get two more days in paradise! True story. Quick Whit is heading to Guam in January!

By exercising a little flexibility—working an extra hour per day to get another day off, being willing to leave at 6:00am or 10:00pm instead of peak times, or moving your trip backward or forward by a day or two—you can travel cheaper and/or longer.

2. Is Flexible on Location

So you’re just itching to fly off to Europe and visit the old world. But you only have a long weekend to travel, and you want to spend more time than that seeing all Europe has to offer. A flexible traveler can patiently wait until their vacation time accumulates to take a big trip, and they can also buy a less expensive ticket to exotic, old world Montreal, Quebec! They speak French, they have lovely cobbled streets, and it might just be the taste of Europe you need!

3. Does NOT Flip Out

No matter how much planning you do, sometimes things just don’t work out! But a flexible traveler (and a happy traveler) will make the most of any situation. Flight cancelled? Focus on getting a seat on the next flight—and be nice to the airline’s customer service! Unexpected festival that brought a million more people into town? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Or shift your plans a bit and see find some of the less famous sites in town.

More here: What to Do When Your Flight is Cancelled
and What to do When Your Miss Your Flight

4. Re-wears Their Clothes

Seriously, it’s ok to re-wear your clothes! Flexible travelers can handle getting stranded in an airport (or better, in a random city) for a day or two and enjoy it without feeling gross for wearing “dirty” clothes. They can travel longer and lighter, and they get more out of their time abroad.

More here: What Women Should Pack for Every Trip

5. Goes Carry-on Only

This is absolutely the best way to be flexible. When you check a bag, it might get lost. It might not make your tight connection, even if you do, and you’ll lose valuable sight-seeing time waiting at baggage claim! It is possible to travel any amount of time with only your carry-on and/or personal item. I’ve lost track of the number of times unexpected plan changes due to weather, mechanical issues, computer glitches, etc., and we got to keep our luggage when others didn’t.

More here: How to Pack the Perfect Carry-on

So, are you a flexible traveler? Did this post give you some ideas on how to be more flexible next time you travel?

Want more? Check out my Travel Tips Page for everything you need and more!

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