Travel is expensive enough these days, so it really pays to save money where you can (without cutting the fun, of course). Here are a few lesser-known web sites for bargain hunters.

Research airport parking. Off-site parking is sometimes cheaper, and you can take a shuttle bus right to your terminal. Check ParkRideFlyUSA.com to see what facilities are available near your airport. Be sure to compare off-site rates with those charged at your airport. To get your airport’s parking charges, Google the airport name to get to its web site, where prices are usually listed.

Look for freebies and specials. Check the web site of a city’s convention and visitor’s bureau to get tips on deals for tourists. Two examples: the web site for the city of Chicago (ChooseChicago.com) gives info on a free trolley to popular sites including Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue. And if you ski, the site for Park City, Utah, (parkcityinfo.com/quickstart) tells you how to get a free lift ticket the day you arrive in Salt Lake City.

Check the carry-on rules. I’ve had to discard perfectly good stuff at the security gate because I didn’t know what I’m allowed to carry on the plane. Now I check the Transportation Safety Authority’s web site. Go to tsa.gov and click on the “what to know before you go” tab.

Posted by Betsy Wiesendanger

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