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I really like using skyscanner as well. A few other of my go-to sites: Kayak, Priceline and Orbitz. Sometimes I do use Kiwi.com, but you have to be super careful since a lot of their flights are a combination of airlines. I really do like their map, though, since it gives you a visual of when it’s worth flying. I also look at Hopper which also gives you predictions as well. If I know that a cheap airline likely offers the city I want to go to – like Ryanair or Southwest – I go directly to their website. It’s normally cheaper or as cheap as the third party websites.
I tend to stay at hostels when I travel, and do my best to find one the closest to the center of town as possible. Hostels, when chosen correctly, can be a great place to meet people, as well as great beacons of information. I can get a lot of advice about the city, find out about tours, great places to visit, etc. It really enhances my trip! I have stayed at hostels that actually organize their own mini-tours, and those are always great. It is also great when they have a kitchen so you can cook if you want to. I have yet to try Airbnb, but I might take a look at it the next time I’m abroad!
I struggle to save money on flights and hotels, but I do make it up for it by extensively researching to make sure that I get the best possible hotel/hostel booked. I like to find places to stay that are close to what I want to see so I can save money on public transportation and also save time– I can hit up more places in a shorter span of time if I’m staying close by. I also make sure to book places with free breakfasts, free wifi, free lockers, free sheets, and also access to the kitchens. Sometimes you can also find hostels that have partnerships with different tours and you can get a discount on walking tours, boat tours, etc. The better the amenities the more likely I am to save money overall! To save money on flights, I extensively research to make sure that I won’t have to pay extra for my luggage. If I find out that meals/snacks are not provided for free on the flight, I make sure to pack a snack and fill up a refillable water bottle (after I get through security) so I’m not tempted to pay for the overpriced food on board.
If you find difficulty in adjusting to a new country, the best advice that I can give is to have a routine. Make every Thursday afternoon grocery shopping day, for example, and go to the same market. If you enjoy going to the gym, find a gym to join and make it a habit to go there. Be a regular at a small coffee shop, and study there once a week for example. Walk around your new city and get to know it well. Find a park to walk through. Don’t not stay connected with your family and friends at home, but make it a point not to feel that FOMO (fear of missing out) and explore your new city with gusto. 🙂