The sport of finding low airfare

A good getaway is so much richer than, "I just need to know the site you use for airfare,"' yet I've heard this more than two or three times. You need to know more than a site for low airfare. This is especially true of airlines, which play the "low airfare" game with such skill. Some of them are notorious for this (ahem, Icelandair and Ryanair, I'm looking at you). They offer low airfare and then charge you for things like meals; they offer low airfare and have exceptionally low limits - with high financial penalties, of course - for carry-on luggage weights; and on and on. The result, naturally, is that by the time you add carry-on luggage and a meal or two, you're paying more than if you had chosen an airline that offers those things automatically.

Why does it matter?

The locations that most intrigue me all lie about 8 hours from my location in the U.S., or a standard U.S. work day, which is a good way to look at it. Why get revved up about anything?

The reason it matters - although you still shouldn't get revved up about it, and certainly never to a staff member or another passenger - is because your time and money may be meager, and you want to spend both as wisely as you can. True, it's probably 8 hours or less. But wasting 8 hours twisted over the Atlantic, or eating only food that's had more salt than you'd normally consume in 3 days, may start your getaway bloated and...well...yucky-feeling. It's inefficient and unpleasant.

Suddenly the sport of finding low airfare feels less appealing.

Instead, consider a more balanced, "big picture" approach. First, if you can, travel during the shoulder season or even during the low season. Airfare, lodging and food may be as little as half the cost, making every dollar go further. With rare exceptions, this is what we do. True, attractions may have shorter "opening hours" during this time of year, but we've found that major attractions are still open and we end up with a net greater amount of time to explore vs. wait in line. Shoulder-to-shoulder against crowds of strangers is a bad way to experience anything.

Second, consider what you need (not just what you "want;" remember, you don't need what I call a "WALL-E" vacation). For example, all I need in accommodation is a bed comfortable enough that I don't wake up sore; a shower and toilet in my room; and close proximity to either the things I want to see or fast, affordable transportation to those things. We usually find all these things in local hostels, and we pay one-quarter (or less) what hotels charge.

Third, invest in things that have a larger payoff than the monetary cost. That's a tough one, because it varies for each person. What is critical to you? For example, personally, comfortable airline seats are critical, because I can't sit in a fixed position for long. Getting comfortable airline seats enables me to carry my carry-on backpack more easily, experience more sites sooner; and consume less painkiller (which may be difficult to find in non-U.S. locations). But be aware! That isn't a pass for you to spend enormous amounts of money because it "has a big payoff." For example, I can afford a comfortable airline seat for about $140 on an international flight. I can't afford, nor do I need to pay, $3,000 more for a First Class ticket. Fourth, read my blog all the time. :)