Flying to the Virgin Islands on the Cheap

The US and British Virgin Islands are the star attractions of the Caribbean. The islands' awesome mix of natural wonders, friendly atmosphere, and amazing resorts, is the reason why many tourists visit them all year-round. This is also the reason why traveling to these islands can dig deep into your pockets, however, there are some ways that you can save up on your tropical paradise vacation, by simply saving on your flight.

Many travel sites will tell you that traveling off-season is the way to go, and this is true. If you don't mind traveling without the herd, you can save serious cash in your visit to the Virgin Islands. It's just a matter of supply and demand really. The more people taking in flights, the more expensive the tickets are going to be. Peak seasons in the VIs are from November through May, while the off-season starts in the summer months to October. If you think about it, going off-season is making the most out of your summer vacation anyway, so it's a two-for-one deal.

You can also save up on the travel expenses by being a little flexible with your time. Certain airlines give cheap tickets for flight schedules that take in fewer passengers, just to fill in the seats. If you can bend your schedule for these types of flights then you're going to have more cash to spend on rum and grilled lobsters when on the islands.

Hunting for budget airlines is another way to go when flying on the cheap. With the help of the internet you can compare flight rates of different airlines that service the Caribbean. Big airlines in the US and UK usually give off deals for patrons looking to save some cash, so keep on alert for those. Also consider traveling in smaller planes; airlines such as Jet Blue, Spirit and ATA, have cheaper fares by default, and not only that, they also throw in irresistible budget deals.

Any constant traveler is quick to advise to travel light when boarding an airplane, especially if your visit is brief. The reason is not to uphold the chic traveler stereotype, but to avoid paying charges that airlines require for checked bags. Limiting your stuff and other gear to a minimum saves you from the hassle, and more importantly, save you money.

Trips from New York and Chicago to the Virgin Islands take about 3 1/2-5 hours. If you're flying within these areas, make sure you eat at home before taking your flight and bring some snacks like biscuits and crisps along, in case you get hungry. In-flight food and food sold on airport outlets are very expensive, so avoid getting hungry when flying. If you're taking a flight from California though, which takes about 7-8 hours, take a sandwich with you or buy something from outlets. They may be expensive still but they cost way less than those sold inside the plane.

Your dream vacation in the Virgin Islands waits for you, and it's not even going to cost you a fortune. If you're willing to travel during the summer break, and you're okay with bending your schedule to fit that of your chosen airline, you're pretty much there already.

Greg Hunt is a wanderer who has the knack for writing. Upon a trip to the Virgin Islands, fell in love with its hum and vibration. He currently resides in St. Thomas and works as a skipper for St Thomas Boat Rental.

Check out some of his works at Pirates Paradise Adventures.

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