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Oh boy! It appears at least one budget airline smells blood in the water as Southwest just put the kibosh on their long-standing policy of “bags fly free”.

One might think when that shocking domino fell, it would kickstart a trickle-down fee-economics effect, but so far, so good for travelers’ wallets.

Time will tell if Southwest loyalists will stick around, but one competitor has decided to fill the gap by putting their well-documented strict (and controversial) baggage policies behind them, allowing travelers to check bags for free…at least for the summer.

Frontier Airlines, who were recently under public scrutiny for admitting to Senate they were compensating gate agents to target passengers’ bag sizes, resulting in extra fees or denied boarding, have now turned a corner.

According to a press release, not only will Frontier be offering free checked bags, but a whole bunch of other freebies that just might lure travelers back in to trust their airline.

“At the end of the day, travelers just want to be valued”. “We’re bringing back the things people love about flying – free bags, free seat selection, and flexibility – without the extra fees. No games, just great value.”- Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines

Frontier’s Summer Of Freebies

Who could’ve seen this coming? The most notoriously stringent budget airline in the States is showing some grace.

Of course, one has the right to question if it’s in good faith or simply a marketing ploy, given how surprising Southwest’s sudden shift in policies was last week.

Regardless, every Frontier traveler flying from today through August 18 has the chance to score some major freebies.

So, let’s break this down.

Free Economy Bundle:

Any avid budget traveler knows most airlines in this category have tiers to choose from, and that’s where most make the mistake of not reading the fine print.

For the time being, you won’t have to as all travelers will receive the perks of Frontier’s Economy Bundle:

• Free carry-on bag (in addition to ‘Personal Item’)
• Free seat selection
• Free flight changes

One Very Important Detail: Don’t Miss The Deadline

Again, every time you book a trip with a budget airline, reading the fine print is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your budget flight indeed remains a budget flight.

I’m not talking about going line by line through the never-ending Terms of Service, rather reading the details of the itemized charges before checking out and making you understand your baggage allowance.

In this case, with the new promotion, all travelers will need to book their summer trip by March 24 or else you’ll miss out on the deal.

How To Score A Free Checked Bag

Scoring a free checked bag is slightly more complicated than other aforementioned freebies. Those are available from today through August 18, but the free checked bag promotion has a shorter window.

Unfortunately, spring breakers won’t be able to pack their beer bongs, novelty hats, and inflatable flamingos without paying a very confusing checked bag fee (see here).

The free checked bag requires a promo code: FREEBAG. Easy enough, right?

This code is valid for all bookings between May 28, 2025 and August 18, 2025 and the same March 24 booking deadline applies.

In the terms of the promotion, Frontier states: “To receive promotional pricing, customer must enter promo code FREEBAG during new flight purchase made by 11:59pm Eastern time on March 24, 2025 for travel from May 28, 2025 through August 18, 2025. Limit one free Checked Bag per person, per direction, weight limit applies“.

It doesn’t appear Frontier is limiting travelers’ free bags to only domestic routes, and they actually fly to some really cool international places, such as Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, and most recently, Aruba and Honduras.

My Experience Flying Frontier

I’ve flown Frontier too many times to count, but also too many times I care to remember — and it’s not just the bag-policing.

I’m not here to trash the airline, but when their CEO releases quotes like “We’ve always had heart” after paying gate agents to target their own customers and “If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent”, I don’t know about you, but it rubs me the wrong way as a passionate traveler and journalist.

Especially, when I just tried to fly Frontier March 16 from San Francisco to San Diego with what should’ve been a seamless hour-and-a-half long flight only to be delayed for about 3 hours and ultimately cancelled ‘due to weather’, yet somehow Frontier’s San Francisco – Los Angeles flight still managed to take off that same evening.

Funny how that works.

Frontier left us with no option for a direct route back to San Diego in the coming days. The only other option was to take a 15-hour journey with a long layover for what should have been an hour-and-a-half flight.

My girlfriend and I reluctantly decided to bite the bullet by overpaying for a rental car and drove overnight back home to San Diego that there’s less than a zero percent chance Frontier will reimburse.

These are the type of situations you can find yourself in by flying not just Frontier, but budget airlines in general.

Free checked bag or not, if your airline leaves you stranded, you’ll be forking over a lot more than the amount you saved.

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Last Updated 5 days ago

Ancient history, rich culture, and some of my favorite food in Europe. The reasons for visiting Athens this summer are endless.  

And now we’ve got one more reason to add to that list: A new budget nonstop flight from LAX straight to the City of Wisdom.  

This will be the only nonstop route between Los Angeles and Athens, making it easier than ever to visit this iconic Greek hub.  

A New Route For Norse Atlantic  

Norse Atlantic will operate this new nonstop transatlantic flight and will offer the budget fare options that the brand is known for.  

If you’re not familiar with Norse Atlantic, they’re a relatively new Norwegian low-cost airline, having only been founded in 2021. This isn’t the only transatlantic flight from Los Angeles operated by Norse Atlantic. They already fly nonstop from LAX to London, Paris, and Rome. 

The new route to Athens will launch on June 3^rd 2025 and will operate 4 times a week with fights on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Giving sought-after flexibility to your travel dates.  

Flights are already available to book now, so I did a little research to see how much they would cost.

Flying out on Friday, 6th, June, and returning on Friday, 13th, June, will cost $372 for the outbound flight and $236 for the inbound flight, giving a total price of $608.  

It’s worth noting that for roundtrip flights, a discount of up to 20% is applied, so these prices will be a little higher if you only want to fly one way for whatever reason.  

As is always the case when you choose a low-cost airline, the price will increase if you want any extras. The prices above are based on the cheapest ‘economy light’ tickets, which give you one personal item and one carry-on bag but don’t include any checked baggage. 

You will also be the last to board and won’t receive an in-flight meal if you select this ticket. This may be tricky when the outbound flight will take 12 hours 40, and the inbound flight will take 13 hours 30!  

To upgrade to an ‘economy class’ ticket, which includes an in-flight meal service and one checked bag, will cost an additional $72 each way at the time of writing.  

Why Visit Athens?  

Athens is often referred to as the cradle of Western Civilization, and if you have any interest in mythology, art, or history then there’s nowhere better to visit.  

One of the first things you should do in Athens is visit its many archeological wonders. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus often attract huge crowds of tourists, but for good reason. They’re spectacular and well worth exploring.  

Make sure you allow for plenty of downtime, though: Greek hospitality is legendary, and although the ingredients are simple, there’s no such thing as a simple meal. You’ll find that you’re encouraged to take your time when eating, and the service is so warm and attentive. Eating out in Athens is an experience!  

In fact, the people in Greece are one of the main attractions of the country for tourists. They’re warm and welcoming, and because the Greek economy relies so heavily on tourism, they’re genuinely pleased to see you.  

Whether you’re buying souvenirs or lost and asking for directions, expect big smiles and warm conversation.  

Of course, you can’t visit Greece without going to the beach, and Athens is well-connected to several highly regarded beaches. Edem Beach in Palio Faliro is a free-to-enter beach in the Athens Riviera and incredibly easy to get to from the city center.  

Want to explore a little further afield? As well as being well worth visiting in its own right, Athens is also the gateway to wider Greece.

Head to Athens port, and you’ll find regular boats to the islands of Aegina, Spetses, Poros, Hydra, and Andros.  

At just a 40-minute ferry ride away, Aegina is the closest Greek island to Athens and is a popular weekend getaway for locals. If you’re looking for a day trip or a short break, this is a great choice.  

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Last Updated 4 months ago

Mexico is the most popular vacation destination for American travelers. But that popularity comes at a cost….and a significant hit to your wallet.

Popular resorts like Cancun and Tulum are often big-budget destinations. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Enter Puerto Escondido. The new hot Mexican beach destination for travelers who have a tight grip on their purse strings.

Puerto Escondido is home to bucket list-worthy beaches, it’s the top-rated surfing destination in Mexico (and one of the best in the world), and boasts outstanding natural beauty, too.

Here’s the thing: Budget travel doesn’t have to mean inferior travel.

I reckon you can have all the same cultural explorations, white sand beaches, and epic local grub at a fraction of the cost of a resort vacation in Cancun.

And to prove it, here’s a breakdown of the perfect trip to Puerto Escondido and how much it will cost:

Things To Do In Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is located on the Emerald Coast of Oaxaca and is known for its beaches and its epic nightlife scene.

One of the best beaches to explore in the area is Playa Carrizalillo, which is a calm cove perfect for swimming and kayaking.

This is one of the few beaches in Puerto Escondido where you could take out a paddleboard too.

Or Puerto Angelito. This is a more popular spot with tourists which means it is busier and has a more vibrant atmosphere.

But it’s a great place to eat seafood and sunbathe on the soft sand.

I love nothing more than spending time on the beach, swimming, and riding my paddleboard, but as an added bonus, these are some of the most affordable vacation activities: they don’t have to cost a penny!

Many turtles come back to the beaches along this stretch of the coast to nest.

Visiting the Baby Turtle Release Centre is a great way to learn more about these incredible creatures, and you can do your bit for their conservation by getting involved in the nightly turtle release.

You can hold the baby turtle as you gently release it into the sea and experience the site of hundreds of these tiny animals scuttling toward the water.

You’ll be asked to make a contribution of $150 Mexican pesos ($8) per person to take part in this.

If you’re in Mexico’s surfing capital, you’re probably going to want to surf.

Surfers travel from all over the world to ride Puerto Escondido’s famous barrel waves.

If you’re an experienced surfer then the best and most affordable way to do this is to just hire a board and hit the waves.

If you’re new to surfing then it’s a good idea to take a lesson or two first. Puerto Surf has a great reputation and you can choose between private or group lesson options (with group lessons being the most affordable choice.) A group lesson will cost 750 MXN ($39) and a private lesson will cost 900 MXN ($47).

Getting To Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido boasts its own airport (PXM) Airport which is obviously the most convenient option, but you can’t fly here directly from the U.S. right now as it isn’t an international airport.  

You’d have to fly to Mexico City and then take another flight from here.

The 2 cheapest airports to choose to fly this route in October are Houston and Chicago, at the time of writing.

From Chicago, from October 8 to October 15, flying economy class roundtrip, you can expect to pay $276.

This is flying with Vivo Aerobus, and as I mentioned above, you’d have a layover in Mexico City.

Or you could fly into Oaxaca (OAX), which is 131.3km away, with a range of transfer options available.

In October, you can fly directly to Oaxaca from Los Angeles, Dallas, or Houston. Flights from Los Angeles are currently the cheapest option.

Fly from October 7 to October 14 to secure an economy class round trip for $269.

You’ll fly with Volaris, and the flight time for this route is just 4 hours and 2 minutes.

There are flights with similar prices throughout October and November.

The drive time between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is just under 3 hours if you want to hire a car or a private driver. (Fun fact! It took me longer to get to Tulum from Cancun airport via private transfer in May)

Alternatively, you could take a bus, which would take around 7/8 hours, but on the bright side, the journey costs less than $20!

Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido

Where I was most pleasantly surprised when putting this piece together was just how affordable accommodation is in Puerto Escondido.

There are hostels available in the city for as little as $15 per night, and these are popular with both backpackers and surfers.

A huge majority of these have great reviews. But as I wouldn’t stay in a hostel myself, I won’t list any here!

A 3-night stay in the 3-star Hotel Camino Del Sol from October 16 to October 19 would cost $189, based on 2 people sharing a superior king room. That’s just $63 per night, and the hotel has a pool, air conditioning, and is close to the beach.

If you want to splurge on a 4 star hotel then the Hotel DC Boutique and Spa is just 50 meters from the beach and boasts a rooftop outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, and on site bar and restaurant.

For the same dates this would cost $268 based on 2 people sharing, which works out at $89 per night.

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Last Updated 2 months ago

I’ve always loved scouring for the best deals when it comes to travel.

There’s something about exploring someplace new on a budget that not only keeps you feeling content and worry-free but also gives you the opportunity to see far, far more than you would otherwise.

That’s why when this study on the cheapest (and most expensive) U.S. destinations was released, I ran there looking for some ideas on that next great place to add to my bucket list – and that’s exactly what I found.

Of the top 100 travel destinations in the nation that were analyzed, these ones promised the best touristy allure – low price point balance:

Spots 6-10

Before we move on to the top 5 or the crème de la crème, as I like to call them, let’s quickly go through the places that were ranked sixth to tenth in the report; sure, they might not be the absolute cheapest, but they’re still gorgeous hubs that are very much worth a look:

10. Monument Valley, Utah
11. Bend, Oregon
12. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
13. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
14. Sedona City, Arizona

Now that that’s said, we can dive right into our No. 5 spot holder – Galtingurg, Tennessee.

5. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Don’t let Gatlinburg’s unassuming, small mountain town facade fool you – the Tennessee gem has been on almost every “Top Underrated Places To Visit In The U.S.” list this fall, and if this trend continues as is, you’ll soon be struggling to find a hotel to book.

That’s why for the best experience (and deals), I’d recommend coming here ASAP.

Sidney James Mountain Lodge has available rooms starting at just $58, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is just around the corner, and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only jaw-dropping this time of year, but free to enter, too!

4. Tybee Island, Georgia

If you feel like you’ve missed out on a relaxing beach getaway this summer, why not plan it now instead?

Located just a 30-minute drive from Savannah, this often-overlooked gem is actually the perfect place for those who want to go sunbathing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even dolphin-watching (tickets start at just $27.95 per adult)! 

Here, you’ll also find plenty of cute little restaurants that serve mouth-watering food at unbeatable prices – I, for one, will always have a soft spot for Sundae Cafe. 

3. Helen, Georgia

This next one’s for all of you looking to experience a slice of Europe right here in the U.S., and most importantly, on a budget.

That’s exactly what you’ll find in Helen, a small Georgia town that was built to replicate a Bavarian alpine village and is, of course, home to one of the longest-running Oktoberfests in the country.

From now up until October 27th, the event will be running nightly, complete with traditional music, lively dances, indulgent food, and lots and lots of beer.

2. Outer Banks, North Carolina

Coming back to a more typical U.S. hub, the Outer Banks in North Carolina are what I’d describe as a slice of coastal heaven.

Here, you can spend your days strolling through Jockey’s Ridge State Park, exploring the Wright Brothers National Memorial, or going in the water to kayak, paddleboard, or even surf – the best part is equipment rentals are notably cheaper now that the summer rush’s over, so if there were ever a time to try your hand at something new, it’s definitely now!

1. Charleston, West Virginia

West Virginia is quickly establishing itself as one of the country’s trendiest hotspots, first by breaking its all-time tourism record and now by having its gorgeous capital nab the No. 1 spot as the best-value destination in all of the U.S. – no wonder so many people are coming here!

The great thing about Charleston is that there’s truly something here for everyone.

Outdoor lover? Coonskin Park and Kanawha State Forest are not only perfect for hiking, picnicking, and everything in between, but they’re also completely free to enter.

City tripper?

The Clay Center for the Arts and Science, the West Virginia State Museum, and the Capitol Market are all must-sees.

Foodie? Don’t miss out on the chance to try a pepperoni roll (my top recommendation would be Swiftwater Cafe).

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Last Updated 1 month ago

When it comes to a place as iconic and stunningly diverse as Italy, it can be hard to pick a single place to visit and even harder to differentiate between the unmissable gems and the overhyped tourist traps.

Milan, in particular, has always been the subject of an ongoing debate among travelers, with some insisting it’s one of Italy’s most visit-worthy cities and others claiming it’s a waste of both time and money.

So I decided to take a leap and see for myself – is Milan actually worth visiting, and more importantly, can you do it on a budget?

After four amazing days in the city, I’m happy to report that the north Italian gem is not only one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen in my life, but I was actually able to have an incredible time on less than $100 a day.

Here’s how:

Finding Low-Cost Accommodation In Milan

Accommodation might be the trickiest thing to do on a budget in Milan, especially if you have certain expectations regarding location or overall quality, but it’s not impossible.

The no. 1 tip I can give you here is to prioritize Airbnb over hotels.

I know that Airbnbs have notoriously become more expensive than hotels in most destinations, but after searching for the perfect affordable place to stay for at least a month, I can confidently say that Milan is not one of them.

Places like these (1, 2) while unassuming, are still comfy, clean, and conveniently located, offering excellent value for the money (assuming you’re traveling with a companion, the nightly cost ends up somewhere around $40-$55 per person).

You’ll notice that both of these apartments are located in Porta Venezia – in my opinion, that’s the best area for a tourist to stay in the city.

You’re close to both the city center (~25-minute walk) and Milano Centrale, the main train and bus station (~15-minute walk), and believe me, if you don’t have your own car, you’ll want to be close to Minano Centrale because that’s where you’ll go for every day trip and airport transfer.

The neighborhood itself is peaceful but still lively and near great shops and bars, and you even have access to a beautiful park (Indro Montanelli). 

Getting Around The City

OK, so you want to be close to Milano Centrale for all inter-city trips, but what about getting around Milan itself? How do you do that and how much can you expect to pay?

The easiest and most convenient mode of transportation here is by metro, no competition.

There’s a station at almost every corner, and as long as you do your best to understand how the system works, you should get the hang of it in no time.

Basically, there are three main lines that cover most of the city, Red (M1), Green (M2), and Yellow (M3), each with its own set of stops which you can learn more about here.

Still, as a tourist, you might have a challenging time figuring out what station you need to get to and what line you should take, so I highly recommend you download the ATM Milano App.

You just type in your location and where you need to go, and the app will come up with an exact itinerary of how to get to the right metro station near you, what line to take, and where to stop, and it’s definitely a time and headache-saver.

Even with the app, though, you’ll still want to pay close attention to the signs and maps displayed inside metro stations as well as the digital displays inside the actual metros to make sure you’re going in the right direction.

As far as pricing is concerned, a single ticket (which can be used as many times as you want within a 90-minute time frame) costs 2.2€ or ~$2.5, while a 3-day pass costs 15.5€ or ~$17.

Eating Out And Well Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

Eating out in Milan can get pretty expensive – there are probably thousands of restaurants and fast food joints in the city and most of them are obvious tourist traps with sky-high prices and mediocre food.

With that said, there are still some places where you can get amazing, great-value food, even in more touristy areas.

Case in point, Luna Rossa.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but as soon as you get in, you’re hit with that typical Italian trattoria charm.

It’s busy, loud, and unpretentious – the food is great, the service is quick, and a main dish + glass of wine shouldn’t cost you more than $15.

Bonus point, it’s just an 8-minute walk from the Duomo.

Other places I ate at (and loved) during my trip to Milan include Fresca Pasta Club, Salad House, and Pizza e Mozzarella.

For dessert, my go-tos would be Gelato Fatto Con Amore and Spùn Tiramisù.

The Same Goes For Entertainment

With accommodation, food, and transportation covered, it’s time to delve into what it costs to do other touristy activities in Milan, you know, things like visiting a museum, exploring a historical attraction, or going out for a cocktail.

With museums, you’ll want to try your best to time your visit to Milan so that you’re here during the first Sunday of the month – some of the city’s most coveted historical and cultural attractions are free to enter on that day alone.

If that’s not possible, you’ll want to aim for either the first or third Tuesday of the month, when there will still be some gorgeous museums you can enter for free (places that charge anywhere between $5 and $25 per ticket the rest of the month).

With Duomo, you’ll have to pay for a ticket no matter the time of the month you go, but there are a few tips I can give you to get the most out of the experience:

• Only purchase from the official website or on-site
• Check discount policies
• If you’re reasonably fit, choose the Combo Stairs ticket instead of the Combo Lift – there are only 200 stairs, the lines for the lift can get insane during specific times of the day, and there’s no descending lift, so you’ll still have to make your way down by foot
• Make use of the 10% discount code for the gift shop that comes with any Combo Ticket

Now when it comes to bars, the best places to go for those on a budget are definitely neighborhoods like Porta Romana or Porta Venezia, where cocktails cost anywhere between $8 and $10.

If you’re set on having a drink with a gorgeous view of the Duomo, my top recommendation would be SunEleven Rooftop Bar – for just $16 a cocktail you get great service and the most incredible backdrop.

So, with all of that said, what can you expect the average day in Milan to cost you?

• Airbnb – $45
• Breakfast + coffee (espresso) – $6
• Sightseeing + museum tour – $0
• Lunch – $18
• Cocktail – $10
• Dinner – $15

All of that adds up to a total of $94, well under $100.

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Last Updated 2 weeks ago

When it comes to Europe, it’s almost impossible to pick just one place to visit.

It’s a beautiful, culturally diverse continent where almost every city has its own unique look and feel. 

Europe is also a destination with a reputation for knowing how to get your wallet out of your pocket! 

But visiting Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. You just have to choose the right destination!  

Spending time in London, Paris, or Copenhagen isn’t going to come cheap.  

But according to new research from Omio, the best low-budget destination for travelers in Europe is the beautiful and historic Spanish city of Granada.  

Free Things To See And Do 

One of the main reasons Granada ranked so highly in the Omio report is the abundance of free things to see and do in the city. 

In fact, the report states that there are a whopping 112 free attractions in the city. This includes 10 free-to-enter museums.  

The best of these include The Federico García Lorca Center, which is an arts and culture center hosting regular events and changing exhibits.

The center also includes a permanent exhibit of one of Granada’s most famous sons: The poet Federico Garcia Lorca.  

Close to the Alhambra you will find the Carmen de los Mártires which is a beautiful building with an orchard and European-style garden. A great place to take a moment of calm and relaxation.  

The Outstanding Alhambra

The most significant thing to do in the city is visit the iconic Alhambra: by far the most famous building in Granada.  

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex. It is built in Islamic style, and is the best and most well-known example of Islamic architecture not only in Spain but in Western Europe.

There is an entrance fee to see the main palace complex in the Alhambra (with prices starting from 10.60 euros or $11.50 per person) but if you only visit one sight in Granada, this should be it!  

The Palace is famous for its stunning fretwork, perfectly maintained courtyards, and numerous fountains.

But the Nasrid building, which is considered the heart of the complex, is where the royals actually lived and is the most ornate as a result.  

If you want to visit the site without spending a penny, then you can visit The Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts within the Alhambra complex, completely free of charge.  

Incredible Architecture 

The architecture in Granada is so outstanding that it should be considered an attraction in its own right.

Granada was the last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 so many of the buildings here have a distinctive Moorish influence.

In fact, you’ll wonder if you’re in Europe or in North Africa at certain points!  

Be sure to see the Catedral de Granada, even if you only admire the exterior architectural details.

Then go inside the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, which was built in a Renaissance style and is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.  

This was the first Christian monastery to be constructed after the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs and it exudes a spirit of celebration.  

You will need a ticket to enter, which you can buy in advance and each ticket is priced at 6 euros ($6.50) 

Granada isn’t the most walkable city in Europe. But the good news is that you can get a sightseeing bus tour ticket for just 6 euros ($6.50), meaning that you can hop on and hop off between all the city’s main attractions.

This is one of the most affordable sightseeing buses in Western Europe.  

Granada’s Nightlife 

Finally after all that sightseeing, it’s time to hit the town. Because Granada has a very active (and affordable) nightlife scene. According to Omio, there are a whopping 86 bars and nightclubs in the city where you can buy a beer for just over $2.  

What’s more, there’s no need to fork out for a pricey meal before you hit the bars.

Granada has a long-standing tradition of offering free tapas with each drink ordered, adding to the value of your night out even more!  

In most bars, you won’t have a choice of the tapas you are offered: a small plate will just be brought to your table with your drinks.

Other bars will have a chalkboard on a bar, and you can choose from several options, which often change on a regular basis.  

Some of the best free tapas dishes to try in Granada include calamares (squid), gambas (shrimp), Jambon iberico, or croquettes.  

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