Top Tips for saving money while travelling:
1. Flights:
i. Use Points
Use points wherever possible, you will still have to pay the taxes but you can often save significantly and get a higher class level. Another option is to use points to upgrade from a lower class seat, just make sure when booking a lower class seat that it can be upgraded using points or an upgrade certificate. Airlines often have a lot of restrictions on these.
ii. Book In Advance Or Last Minute
If you have the time to plan in advance you can often save significantly on flights. Alternatively if you are flexible and don’t have your heart set on a specific destination you can save by waiting for last minute deals. It would not be recommend to try this last minute tactic during peak travel times.
iii. Travel Off Peak
This will not only save you on flights but likely everything else, accommodation, attractions etc. Another non cost benefit of this is less tourists, which should not be undervalued.
2. Accommodation:
Hotel accommodation is expensive even if you stay at a so called inexpensive hotel and then you usually can’t make your own meals. Opt instead to choose one of the following:
i. Stay With Friends Or Family
This is the least expensive option, usually a nice thank you gift is sufficient payment. There are some personal costs to this though such as loss of privacy and let’s face it sometimes Uncle Harry can be down right annoying.
ii. Rent A Flat
This will likely in the long run be less than a hotel room especially if you are cooking your own meals rather than eating in restaurants. Generally there is a minimum stay period so if you are only staying for a day or two this will not likely be an option for you. Another benefit of renting a flat is that you feel more like a local and less like a tourist.
iii. Use Points
If you are lucky enough to have points that can be used for hotels, use them. Often if you are a higher level member of a hotel point program you will get access to the lounge where you can have a continental breakfast, snacks during the day and cocktails at night. This can be a big savings. Also you will likely have access to the internet – another savings.
iv. Use A Home Exchange Service
If you have an apartment, house or cottage you can list on a home exchange you can save on accommodation costs by swapping your abode for someone else’s home. Generally this takes time an preparation so plan ahead for this.
3. Food
i. Make Your Own Meals
It can be as simple as some bread for breakfast which you can do even if you’re staying in a hotel and don’t have access to cooking facilities.
ii. Eat Out At A Different Time
Choose to eat out for breakfast, lunch or tapas instead of dinner. Often you will find this is less expensive and you won’t miss out of the local dining experience.
iii. Use The Lounge
As mentioned above, if you are staying in a hotel where you have access to the lounge, use the lounge for breakfast, snacks and/or cocktails.
iv. Eat In Residential Areas
Eat at restaurants outside of the “tourist areas”, opt instead to eat in more residential areas. This has more than an economic benefit, often the food in tourist areas is less authentic and not as well prepared. Plus wouldn’t you rather be eating with locals than tourists?
v. Buy Prepared Take Out Meals
Purchase prepared meals you can eat as a picnic. Instead of eating in a restaurant buy a sandwich from a bakery or some other prepared meal that you can eat on a park bench or somewhere with a good view. In some cities the best food is from a street vendor.
Buy bottled water or carbonated soft beverages etc from a grocery rather than a restaurant.
vi. Eat Like The Locals
Often following the patterns of a local, who knows the best food places and deals can save you on dining/food costs.
For example, the cost of a glass of wine is often the same or less than a coca-cola in a restaurant in France. In Bangkok for example most people eat from street food carts.
vii. Check For Restaurant Specials
This could either be a certain time of day or a special pre-fixed menu. Savings can be significant over the regular menu prices.
4. Getting Around
i. Travel Like The Locals
If taxis are cheap, travel by taxi but if they are expensive, take public transit.
In most European cities taking public transit such as the metro is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways of getting around. However in some other cities taking a taxi is a great way to get around.
In Bangkok for example, it is not uncommon to take a taxi to the sky train even if it is only a few blocks. The taxi driver won’t mind (actually they like it because the shorter trip is more profitable for them – and not very expensive for you) and you’ll save yourself from the heat. In Paris however the taxi driver will throw you out of the taxi if the ride is not long enough.
ii. For Intercity/Country Travel Check For Local Transportation Companies
If you are travelling between cities within a country of to a neighbouring country check to see if there are airlines trains or buses that go to your destination. Often the local airline will be less expensive than a major international airline. This can be especially true in Europe where there are numerous low cost airlines.
5. Culture/Entertainment
i. Do Your Homework
Before you go on your trip do a little homework on the top cultural and entertainment venues/sites for your destination. A little investigation in advance can save you a lot of effort and money while at the destination.
ii. Check For Free Events
Some cities offer a lot of cultural events that are free. Paris for example has a number of free city run museums which are free (except for special exhibits). London also has a number of free museums.
There are also a number of concerts held in Paris churches which are free. Picking up a Pariscope when you arrive in Paris will tell you all the events and costs happening in the city that week. Many other cities have these features in local papers or on websites, check around.
iii. Be Open To “Off Broadway” Type Performances
Don’t just be stuck on the idea of “Broadway” – top shows or drawn into the tourist performance. Often you will find that some of the lesser known theatres/entertainment can be fantastic and more authentic.
For example when in Buenos Aires rather than paying to see a tourist Tango performance so out in the evening to one of the Tango bars visited by locals and watch (or participate if you dare) in authentic Tango in an authentic atmosphere – way more interesting and a lot less expensive.
iv. Check For Free Sites
Often the best things in life are free a very true cliche – especially when it comes to architecture and landscape. Many destinations offer beautiful architecture which you can soak up just by walking around.
6. Shopping
i. Know The Specialty
Figure out in advance for what the place you’re visiting is known. For example buying silk in some parts of Asia, precious and semi precious stones in Brazil etc.
ii. Comparison Shop Before You Go
Know what is the best value and check out the prices of similar items at home before you go that way you’ll have a comparison in mind and know what great value is.
iii. Avoid Tourist Areas
Avoid shopping in tourist areas, you are less likely to find authentic goods and are much more likely to pay more. Find out where the locals shop and shop there.
Best advice overall for traveling less expensively – when in Rome… Basically if you follow the locals (not literally of course) you’ll have a more authentic and less expensive trip.
Bon Voyage
