Make a list of the essentials you need to bring and plan your wardrobe well to resist packing unnecessary items and cut down on baggage costs

BUDGET travel is the way to go these days. There are amazing hacks that let adventure-seekers save big bucks.

These practical pointers offer bargains and let travelers maximize their time on the road.

Book in advance

Always book your flight months or even a year in advance. Not only does planning your trip way ahead give you ample time to research for your trip, it also gets you incredibly cheap seats. Airfare goes higher the closer you get to the date of the flight.

Schedule your trip during the off-peak season—not only are airline tickets much cheaper, you can also avoid the crowds.

Airlines like Cebu Pacific come up with promos at least twice a week.

Pack well, travel light

A smart traveler packs well and travels light. This way, you save extra money from checked-in or excess baggage.

Rather than folding your clothes, tightly roll them into compact pieces to prevent wrinkles and to save precious luggage space. Packing cubes help organize clothing and travel accessories.

Another key trick to keeping your luggage light is to plan your wardrobe. Stick to a color palette so it’s easier to mix and match clothes, and bring versatile pieces that can go from sightseeing during the day to dancing the night away.

Accessories are a great way to spruce up your look.

Skip the fancy

You don’t really need an expensive hotel room if you are out exploring attractions all day (and night). Aside from being cheaper, staying in youth hostels offers the prospect of making friends.

Another option is Airbnb.com, where there are rooms, apartments and even villas being rented out by their owners at reasonable prices. This is also a sound choice for those who are thinking of staying for more than just a week.

Check online booking sites such as Agoda.com which have exclusive offers and discounts on different types of accommodations for every budget.

Find a host

For a more authentic experience, Couchsurfing.org lets travelers search for a local host who is gracious enough to let them stay in their place and even show them around.

Check out the prospective host’s profile and read reviews of travelers he or she has hosted.

Perks

Plan ahead and make sure to book your flight in advance to get the best seats at the lowest rates possible.

Do as the locals do, but take advantage of perks for tourists.

There is nothing more immersive than living the way locals do, which is also way cheaper than doing things like the typical sightseeing tourist.

Skip the fancy restaurants and experiment with the more authentic cuisine on the streets, or troop to hole-in-the-wall eateries.

Instead of renting a car or taxi, grab a map and explore the city or town by train, tuk-tuk, bike, tricycle or bus.

Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan have the Octopus card, EZ-Link Pass and Japan Rail Pass, respectively, that allow commuters to take all forms of transportation conveniently using just a single card.

Events and promos

Check out websites for coming events and promos happening on the date of your trip, such as free concerts, art exhibits and sales.

If you’re a student, bring your school ID at all times to score awesome discounts or even get to visit museums for free.

In the malls, inquire at the concierge about special discounts for tourists; have your passports or boarding passes ready. Many stores offer as much as 20 percent off in annual sales seasons.

With the widest route network, Cebu Pacific flies to 28 international destinations and 34 domestic destinations for as low as P588; cebupacificair.com; @CebuPacificAir on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.