We all have a dream holiday we want to go on for our next trip, but sometimes the costs involved can be just out of reach. However, if you're willing to make small sacrifices here and there, you can make almost any holiday destination fit into your budget.
Here are 10 Top Money Saving Tips that will help you go the furthest on your next holiday.
1. Consider cheaper accommodation: If you're splashing out on a faraway destination, why not cut back on your accommodation bill by skipping that fancy hotel. You could stay in a local hostel - most are more modern and comfortable than you think nowadays. Or buy a copy of the Lonely Planet and look alternative accommodation options that may not be found in your collection of brochures at home. I have travelled the world on Lonely Planet and personally trust what they have to say. I used to stay at a great 2 star hotel in Paris across from the Louvre. The catch was walking up the 5 flights of stairs to my room, there was no lift. But it meant I could spend more money on glorious French food and shopping.
2. Take the simpler forms of transport: You can save a lot of money by not renting a car or catching taxis, and depending on where you're going, you might see more of the scenery by taking a bus, coach or train. Many countries offer discount cards especially for tourists - this way you can travel around for days or weeks at a time for one low all-inclusive price.
3. Stick to the local produce: Wherever you go, it's usually the case that the local food and drink is less expensive than the import variety. Skip your favourite beer for a week and you'll be surprised at how many tasty alternatives you'll come across on your next holiday. Another good way to limit food spending is to buy your breakfast and lunch at the local supermarket instead of visiting restaurants twice a day. Bakeries offer a great insight into local food and local markets give you a fabulous local experience.
4. Bring a water bottle: It may seem obvious, but water is free almost anywhere you go. Invest in one water bottle that you can refill at the water fountain in the museum, park or other attraction, and you'll keep yourself hydrated and healthy without spending a penny. But first, please make sure you can drink the local water. I have found water to be one of the greatest daily travel expenses in some places, especially peak season in Europe. Expect to pay around $10 in some places.
5. Travel light: Almost all airlines have massively reduced the number of bags you can take in recent years, and many of the smaller carriers will charge you a fee for every bag you take. Make good use of your hand luggage and keep your checked luggage to a minimum to save on those annoying extra charges.
6. Skip the expensive attractions: Not everybody needs to pay top dollar to see the same sights that every other tourist sees - this especially applies if you're visiting a city you've been to before. Think alternative - find the less-visited parts of your destination that are often free, which will give you a more unique perspective on the place you're visiting. Again, Lonely Planet is great for this sort of information.
7. Travel off peak: It may sound obvious, but prices are of course much lower if you travel in Spring, Autumn or Winter. Many places do not require scorching sunshine or massive crowds to be enjoyed, and you'll benefit from shorter lines at the airport and fewer crowds in general wherever you go.
8. Consider a last-minute deal: There are some great bargains out there for anyone willing to book their trip just a week or a few days in advance. As long as you're not too picky about your exact destination, hotel or flight time, you'll probably find you can get a very special holiday for a very low price. And most last minute sites allow you to book up to a month in advance.
9. Leave your phone at home: The prices involved in using your mobile phone abroad varies from country to country, but one thing you can guarantee is that talking to your friends and family at home will cost a fortune. International roaming is one of the most underestimated costs of travel. Thankfully, modern technology means you won't be out of touch while on holiday. You can email your friends instead of calling - this also helps with the time zone changes - or you can use services like Skype and Google Talk to make cheap calls from your laptop or an internet cafe.
10. Take a free holiday: There's a new and growing genre of holiday out there known as voluntourism - sign up to work in a local farm or charity during your next trip, and your food and lodgings all come for free. Best of all, you'll return home with a happy glow knowing you've done your small part in making the world a better place.
Here are 10 Top Money Saving Tips that will help you go the furthest on your next holiday.
1. Consider cheaper accommodation: If you're splashing out on a faraway destination, why not cut back on your accommodation bill by skipping that fancy hotel. You could stay in a local hostel - most are more modern and comfortable than you think nowadays. Or buy a copy of the Lonely Planet and look alternative accommodation options that may not be found in your collection of brochures at home. I have travelled the world on Lonely Planet and personally trust what they have to say. I used to stay at a great 2 star hotel in Paris across from the Louvre. The catch was walking up the 5 flights of stairs to my room, there was no lift. But it meant I could spend more money on glorious French food and shopping.
2. Take the simpler forms of transport: You can save a lot of money by not renting a car or catching taxis, and depending on where you're going, you might see more of the scenery by taking a bus, coach or train. Many countries offer discount cards especially for tourists - this way you can travel around for days or weeks at a time for one low all-inclusive price.
3. Stick to the local produce: Wherever you go, it's usually the case that the local food and drink is less expensive than the import variety. Skip your favourite beer for a week and you'll be surprised at how many tasty alternatives you'll come across on your next holiday. Another good way to limit food spending is to buy your breakfast and lunch at the local supermarket instead of visiting restaurants twice a day. Bakeries offer a great insight into local food and local markets give you a fabulous local experience.
4. Bring a water bottle: It may seem obvious, but water is free almost anywhere you go. Invest in one water bottle that you can refill at the water fountain in the museum, park or other attraction, and you'll keep yourself hydrated and healthy without spending a penny. But first, please make sure you can drink the local water. I have found water to be one of the greatest daily travel expenses in some places, especially peak season in Europe. Expect to pay around $10 in some places.
5. Travel light: Almost all airlines have massively reduced the number of bags you can take in recent years, and many of the smaller carriers will charge you a fee for every bag you take. Make good use of your hand luggage and keep your checked luggage to a minimum to save on those annoying extra charges.
6. Skip the expensive attractions: Not everybody needs to pay top dollar to see the same sights that every other tourist sees - this especially applies if you're visiting a city you've been to before. Think alternative - find the less-visited parts of your destination that are often free, which will give you a more unique perspective on the place you're visiting. Again, Lonely Planet is great for this sort of information.
7. Travel off peak: It may sound obvious, but prices are of course much lower if you travel in Spring, Autumn or Winter. Many places do not require scorching sunshine or massive crowds to be enjoyed, and you'll benefit from shorter lines at the airport and fewer crowds in general wherever you go.
8. Consider a last-minute deal: There are some great bargains out there for anyone willing to book their trip just a week or a few days in advance. As long as you're not too picky about your exact destination, hotel or flight time, you'll probably find you can get a very special holiday for a very low price. And most last minute sites allow you to book up to a month in advance.
9. Leave your phone at home: The prices involved in using your mobile phone abroad varies from country to country, but one thing you can guarantee is that talking to your friends and family at home will cost a fortune. International roaming is one of the most underestimated costs of travel. Thankfully, modern technology means you won't be out of touch while on holiday. You can email your friends instead of calling - this also helps with the time zone changes - or you can use services like Skype and Google Talk to make cheap calls from your laptop or an internet cafe.
10. Take a free holiday: There's a new and growing genre of holiday out there known as voluntourism - sign up to work in a local farm or charity during your next trip, and your food and lodgings all come for free. Best of all, you'll return home with a happy glow knowing you've done your small part in making the world a better place.
| Bronwyn White has over 20 years experience in the travel industry. She has gained her experience as a travel agent, with airlines, government tourism boards and as a professional travel researcher (yes there is such a job). She consults on a regular basis to the travel industry and is often quoted in the press. Bronwyn also runs a travel information website dedicated to Seniors Travel http://www.newyoungtravel.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bronwyn_White |  |
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