Holidaying Cheap

Calling all the wanderlusters out there! We know you are itching to put on your travel shoes, but wait. We’ve got good news for you. Here are a few ways to save all your precious dollars before you go gallivanting across the globe.

With prices soaring sky high on every commodity and the recession digging deeper and deeper, traveling must be the last thing on people’s mind, one might suppose. Well, one would be dead wrong. People are still doing a great deal of traveling.

Traveling is a big expense. But let’s face it; we all need some good rest and recreation.

The first thing that you need to decide is what the purpose of your vacation is. Are you going with the idea of self- indulgence or just to savor the bounties of nature? Figuring this out early will make things clearer as to where you would like to be extravagant and where you would like to be a little parsimonious.

With a little bit of planning and organization, you can cut down on the following costs:

Travel Light and Cheap
There is no need to spend on items like hiking boots, sleeping bags or expensive travel guides. Having light baggage means less hassles and saving money too. You don’t want to end up paying for that extra heavy baggage.

Traveling Costs
Avoid traveling during the peak times of the year. Check in with the airlines or other travel agents to book your tickets when the rates are most favorable to you. Don’t forget to ask for special concessions for senior citizens, government employees, military personnel, and members of AAA or AARP

Lodging Costs
If the hotel you plan to stay at is not within your budget, don’t worry. One can easily find plenty of local places to stay at rent or as a paying guest. Moreover, it gives you a great chance to mingle with local people and understand their traditions and customs well.

Renting an apartment can help you save on lodging costs, especially if traveling with a group of friends. Most apartments come with a kitchen and you can save on the cost of breakfast and some dinners this way. House swapping is another way to cut down on your costs.

Know your Destination Well
It sure pays to know a little more about your destination. Do thorough research and find out the best economic places to stay. Useful information about the local geography can help you a lot. You can also prevent getting into undesirable situations this way. You can visit the Tourism office to get all the maps you want for free.

Money Management
Best way to access your money while traveling is to use your debit card as the fees are lower and you usually get a great exchange rate. Be sure to check with your card issuer before departing about any fees they may charge for foreign currency conversion. During traveling, it is strongly advised to use the local currency wherever you can.

Sightseeing Costs
Most of the times, you are approached by independent guides once you arrive in the tourist city’s airport or train station, or ferry port. There is nothing wrong in hiring them, but be careful about not be taken for a ride. Souvenir shops, restaurants and tourist sites will often give a percentage or per-head commission to tour guides. Hire them only if you really need them.

Local Travel Costs
While traveling in urban areas, always take the subway or bus system, as this means of transportation is very cheap; and efficient too. Look for deals on rental cars. Search online for discount coupons. If you want to explore a densely populated area, then put on your walking shoes. Choose a travel location that offers local transit, and take advantage of it.

Shopping Expenses
Most of the travelers get drawn into the souvenir craze and end up spending a large amount of their budget and time shopping for souvenirs. If you do have to buy some souvenirs, concentrate on buying from smaller local shops or rural communities. You will end up buying authentic stuff and at a much cheaper costs.

Food Expenses
Drink water whenever you can. Avoid beer and alcohol. Drink less booze and you'll save more dollars. Bringing multivitamin pills and powdered nutrition drinks to supplement a meager diet is a good idea. Search for the places where locals eat and you will find it to be cheap, plentiful and wholesome. An outdoor market or bazaar can be an exciting cultural experience. Stay at hotels that include breakfast.

Phone Bills
Use internet whenever you want to contact your family or friends. For example, you can call free at Skype. If you do not have internet access, buy prepaid local sim card.

Last but not the least, be friendly to everyone. Your smile can go a long way for you. Who knows, you may get a special discount, or free food, or even a friendship.