Budget Travel Tips for Those Who Plan

Budget Travel Tips for Those Who Plan

Copyright (c) 2008 Kaye Dennan

If you are planning to travel on a budget and have the holiday of a lifetime, there is no reason why you cannot. Budget travel still makes exotic locations available and affordable.

Budget travel is more than just booking a cheap fare somewhere, it is also about the best value for your dollar. Budget travel is about compromising certain parts of your travel to get a better deal, about selecting one particular offer over another, depending what the package is and similar decisions like this.

You can only make these decisions if you thoroughly research your destinations. As we all know it is a great big, big world out there and to catch the tourist, operators have to be inventive in their promotions and at certain times will lower costs or add in extras to get the customers. These are the little things that can make a difference when travelling on a budget.

Your research will help you find these facts and figures and when you have the answers you are searching for, then you can go ahead and book.

By researching everything in the area you are planning to go to, you can establish if there are any special events on at the time you are arriving, which of course will elevate the cost of accommodation and blow out any idea of budget travel. Such changes can cost you extra money that you had not allowed for.

Be careful when booking ahead and read the fine print on anything that you are paying. It is often in the fine print that there are extra charges. Examples that I can think of are, being charged extra for a room with a balcony, extra costs for toiletries or car parking, to name just a few.

In certain places like Aspen for example, you are going there for the snow and the fun, so you could probably have just as much fun living in cheaper accommodation, whereas if you were going to a place like Ibiza you may wish to be able to have a room with a view and cut back on other costs.

It is all relative as what sort of holiday you are looking for, and what your travel budget is at the time.

With any travel that you are going to do overseas, don’t forget to check what visas, documents or other costs you may run into when entering different countries. These are all costs that you need to have allowed for when making decisions.

It is very important to check that the information you are reading is current. This is most important because if it is a couple of years old, anything could have changed in the meantime.

Budget travel can be just as much fun for you as for someone with an open check book. In fact you will probably meet more locals and have a greater experience by mixing with them. Locals make a trip. Beautiful views and clear blue oceans are one thing, but interacting with the locals is another. With budget travel you can experience both.

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8 Tips For Budget Travel

8 Tips For Budget Travel

It can be tough to travel on a budget if you aren’t used to it. But there is no reason why you should stay home just because you don’t have scads of money! So, grab that battered, second hand Lonely Planet Guide and get going with these useful budget travel tips!

- Stay close to home. Instead of a family vacation to Disney World, why not scout out a fun location closer to where you live? There are plenty of other theme parks to consider that won’t require airfare and staying in some of the country’s more expensive hotels.

- Do your research. Start looking online for travel deals at least three months ahead of time if possible. That’s how you find special deals. Also, booking ahead saves you money since airlines and hotels charge premium rates for last minute travelers. You can often find deals for entrance tickets to places like Disney World and other popular attractions online.

- Be flexible and book extra time off are two very good travel tips. If you don’t necessarily have to go to Acapulco, why not check out airfare to other parts of Mexico? Also, being flexible with travel dates is ideal since certain days tend to be cheaper to fly on (like Tuesdays).

- Eat in travel tips: Find a hotel that includes breakfast and you save at least -15 per person on food a day! If you are traveling near home, try packing your own food. Or ask for a kitchenette and hit the local supermarket once you arrive. Preparing meals in your hotel room can drastically cut costs.

- To save money, follow these travel tips. If you are driving across the country, why not check out that free opal museum in Arizona or the World’s Largest Ball of String? These sights are free, but they are still interesting and can provide topics of conversation on the long drive to the real destination!

- Look online for coupons for anything. There are coupons for just about everything if you really look. Print some out for shows in Las Vegas or to get 2 for 1 entry to a museum. You can also find travel tips online.

- Don’t rent a car. If you are going somewhere like New York, just ask your hotel desk clerk about the subways or buses. And if you happen to be in California, check that the hotel you are thinking of booking offers a free shuttle to Disneyland or anywhere else. Most hotels offer free or cheap shuttle service to and from the airport as well.

- Some good food travel tips: when eating out, eat a big meal for lunch and go small for dinner. Lunch menus tend to be just as filling as dinner, but far cheaper in most restaurants. Look for a menu of the day, as well. These can be special offers that include an entire meal, soup, entree, drink and dessert for a set price. For supper, split an entree between two people or just order appetizers as your meal. Asking for just water is a good way to knock about -6 off each person’s tab!

You can travel on the cheap, and it is worth a try, even if you do have a bit of cash to spend. Just follow the travel tips above!