Former spy reveals cheap travel tips

If you can do so on the cheap, so much the better.

Wolverhampton-born Gavin Stone did this intelligence work for the Government, corporate and private sectors.

He became very adept at gaining classified information that he could use to his own advantage, and it also taught him how to have the financial upper hand when jetsetting around the globe.

While he is obviously unable to reveal too much about his work, he’s been more than happy to write a book about the travel element — and he can maybe help you save some cash, too!

“I can’t be hugely specific about who I’ve worked for,” Gavin admits, “but the majority of it was covert surveillance.

“Often, I had to travel for next to nothing or for nothing at all, and similar techniques can be used by everyone — but all the tips and tricks I give in the book are ethical and above board!

“Last year was a good example, when I decided to take my other half to Portugal. The flights worked out at £13 and the accommodation was free, so it was a pretty cheap holiday.

“You can generally go to airports and get last-minute deals if you know who to talk to and the right things to say.

“One of the easiest methods is to fly via somewhere else, much like the young lad who flew from one part of Britain to another via Germany.

“It’s known as ticket-splitting.

“This was all much harder before the internet, of course. Another thing to remember is to stick your computer into ‘incognito’ mode, because the travel sites recognise where you plan to fly from and end up, so they organise a plan and price. You have to trick it!”

The only time Gavin was unable to do all his globetrotting on the cheap was when his mysterious bosses sent him on a mission at very short notice.

He simply didn’t have the time to do it cheaply — but as he points out, he didn’t limit himself to flying in planes.

“Flights aren’t the only way to go,” he says. “I have also used ships, and the last time I did that was to Brazil.

“A lot of people don’t realise that cargo ships have a passenger area.

“When you get on board a container ship, don’t expect the entertainment you get on a cruise, of course!

“It is like hitchhiking on the water, really, and if you go down the dockyards and ask around, you can get a deal.

“I have also flown to Paris for absolutely nothing!” Gavin reveals.

“This was at Halfpenny Green, Staffordshire, where I asked the pilot if he was full. Often, they have a four- or six-seater going empty, and they’ll let you on.

“They are glad of the company, and I’ve never been asked to show my passport, either.

“Although possibly that’s not so good, if you are going into a country with surreptitious intention!”

You can purchase How To Travel The World For Peanuts by Gavin Stone, on Amazon here or view Gavin’s Facebook page here. 

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