3 September 2009
Ignore the nay-sayers. Now is the perfect time to take that dream holiday. Airfares are ridiculously cheap and hotels and travel companies are vying for business with crazy deals you may never see again. Consider a stint of travel as an investment in your own well-being, education and worldliness. Whether you take a road trip around Australia or fly out to Zimbabwe, it is highly unlikely you will regret your trip of a lifetime.
Below are some tips that may help you enjoy your trip without spending a year’s pay on it:
Buying airfares
Be flexible with your schedule and you may find the airfares are cheaper. Try to fly outside of traditional holiday times, if possible. Not only will you find cheaper flights, but hopefully you will also have to battle fewer tourists at your destination. When you decide where you are going, consider flying in to a smaller city rather than the most obvious capital city, as flights may be cheaper. Ask about student or pensioner discounts if you are eligible. If you are travelling to two countries and your airline is conducting a stopover, check to see if you can stay a few days at the country of the flight change instead of changing planes straight away. Often airlines will allow this for the same price.
Getting around
If you need a rental car at your destination, determine if your auto insurance also covers rentals. Waiving the rental company's insurance will save you a lot; however, make sure you are covered if you do waive the insurance. Look at the size of car you need and see if you can fit comfortably in a small car. Booking a large car can cost you more money and more fuel. Make sure you are aware of all the add-on fees. Examples of add-ons are airport fees, fuel charges, and insurance fees for additional drivers.
However, a cheaper option altogether is to buy a rail pass to travel medium distances. Bus tickets are also much cheaper, and can be a good replacement for taking one-hour flights (unless you happen to get a $10 flight on Ryanair or a similar budget airline).
Food
Food, annoyingly, is one of those necessities of life that can’t be ignored. Actually, I’m lying. I love food. And when I travel, my favourite thing to do is eat as much and as often as I can. I’m not the type of traveller who frequents large global food chains when I travel in order to save money. However, there are some tricks you can use to try to lower your food bill on the go while still enjoying local delicacies.
If your hotel or hostel includes breakfast in the rate, stuff your belly with it so you’ll be less hungry during the day. If breakfast is not included, visit a local bakery. Chances are the food there will be cheap and delicious. If you want to splurge on a restaurant meal, do it at lunchtime. Restaurants are often cheaper at lunchtime and may offer meal deals. Another good option is to find a local market. Not only will the food be cheap, but you will also get a great feel for the place you are visiting.
Travel light
Pack less than you think you will need. Not only will you have more room to buy things you like, but you will also find it far easier to move around with a lighter bag. Most importantly, if you are only carrying a small, light bag, then you are far less likely to opt for expensive taxi rides for the sake of convenience, as local buses and trains are very trying for the heavily burdened traveller.
Accommodation
Accommodation is often a major expense when travelling, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes it is best to book accommodation once you arrive at your destination – for instance, it is a regular occurrence on the Greek Islands for hotel staff to wait at the port for the passenger ferries to come in and compete with each other for business. On Ios I found a beautiful villa this way for only 10 euros per night. Consider options other than the standard hotels; would an apartment or hostel suit you better? Or perhaps a home exchange? There are several websites that you can register with before you travel (such as www.couchsurfing.com) that allow you to stay at someone’s house for free – but be prepared, because you will have to reciprocate.
Seeing the sights
Tourist attractions occasionally live up to the hype, but often they just aren’t the most interesting places to go to. Do not attempt to shop or eat in the vicinity of a tourist attraction, as you will end up paying inflated prices. Walking around a city can afford you a lot of enjoyment, and heading to villages and country areas can often be fascinating and beautiful, as well as less expensive than sticking to the city.
If you are in a city with lots of great tourist attractions, a ‘city pass’ might be a good option, but bear in mind that a lot of art galleries and museums are actually free to enter.
For more tips and tricks on travelling on the cheap, check out these articles:
50 ways to budget travel and save money on vacations
Budget tips for the frugal traveller
Related articles:
Baby Ain’t Cheap: Entertaining the Kids on a Budget
Aussies still spending! (But wisely)
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