0 Planning a Trip? Eleven Tips to Save Money When You Travel

Are you planning a holiday? With smart preparation, you can arrange a trip that will not overload your credit card. Here are eleven easy tips to help keep you within a reasonable budget.

Comfort Yes - Luxury No

Opt for budget rental cars, economy class plane tickets, and reasonably priced accommodations. Do you really need a suite, or will a standard room serve your needs? Would a homestay or hostel be acceptable? They are certainly not for everyone, but might work for you.

Book Tickets in Advance

You may be able to save a great deal by booking accommodations, flights, and rental cars in advance, especially if you shop for deals on the Internet. With early booking, you are also more likely to get exactly what you are looking for.

Compare Air and Train Fares

In some parts of the world, train travel is considerably cheaper than air. Eurostar tickets, for example, can be booked online for many destinations in Europe. Enjoy a speedy, comfortable trip for much less than a plane ticket. While you ride the train, soak in the panoramic countryside views and make friends with some of the locals.

Use City Transit Services if Possible

City buses, trains, and subways are cheaper than taxis. Not only do you save money, but you also have the opportunity to interact with other people. Talk to your concierge or another knowledgeable person about the safest routes as well as areas of the community that you should avoid.

Try a Bicycling or Backpacking Holiday

When you go bicycling or backpacking, you can explore the countryside without the expense of gas. Of course, this isn't for everyone or for every area of the world. However, it will save you money and keep you in shape. If you don't own the proper equipment, try to borrow or rent what you need.

Travel with Friends

If you are planning a solo trip, travel with one or more friends for safety and economy. Accommodations and other expenses can be reduced significantly in many cases.

Use Rewards Cards

Earn travel miles and discounts by making all your travel purchases with a rewards card. Plan a budget and stick to it. Try to pay off the full balance of your credit card when you return so that you avoid paying interest charges.

Join Travel Rewards Programs

Many hotels, airlines, and car rental companies offer programs for travelers. Even if you are not a frequent traveler, you should be able to find a program that will offer you some benefits.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Discounts are often offered to auto club members, veterans, seniors, and other groups. Always ask; and make sure you carry proper identification, registration cards, and other required documentation to qualify for the discounts.

Do Not Buy Anything on Impulse

Do you really need that expensive T-shirt or souvenir? Think carefully before making impulse purchases. Avoid expensive boutiques and restrict your spending to true bargains. In some areas of the world, bargaining is expected. Give it a try. You might turn that deal into a steal!

Avoid Paying for Wi-Fi

Search the Internet for "free Wi-Fi directory" before you leave. You might be able to locate hotspots in advance. If your hotel charges for Wi-Fi, investigate free services offered by places like McDonalds, Starbucks, and public libraries. You might be able to access nearby networks from your room. Check to see what is available before you sign up through the hotel.

Have a great vacation!

Read more articles to help you save money while you travel at 111 Travel Directory. You will also find over 1500 free travel tips at 1000 Tips 4 Trips, arranged in 26 different categories from Air Travel to X-tra Travel Resources.

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0 Planning a Memorable But Cheap Holiday

I'm sure you have dreamed about taking that perfect vacation. You've thought about traveling to exotic countries or considered taking a month or two from work to go backpacking. While it might not be possible to travel around the world or be away from work for more than 2 weeks because of time or financial constraints, it doesn't mean you can't have a great vacation. There are several things you can do to have a cheap holiday that's both satisfying and memorable.

• Look for cheap flights: With patience and careful planning, you can score some affordable tickets. Regularly check travel websites or an airline's homepage for special deals. This might mean you'll be booking your flight well in advance or you'll be traveling at the last minute, but the savings you'll get are amazing. Traveling during the off-season also means big savings.

• Learn to pack and travel light: If you're only going away for a few days, use a backpack or any hand luggage. Just bring the essentials and leave behind non-essential items like a hair dryer. You'll save a lot of time and money if you don't have to check-in or pay the baggage fee.

• Eat where the locals eat: Food is one of the biggest expenses a person makes when on holiday. Eating out can set you back a pretty penny, unless you eat where the locals do. Ask where the best local restaurant is and you'll eat well during your cheap holiday.

• Do your research and look for places you can go to for free: Before deciding on where you want to go, Google it and search for places and activities that you can go to for free or for a minimal fee. For example, look for free museums, parks, organic markets or open air performances.

• Go to the beach: This is a great place to go if you want to stretch your budget. You don't need to spend money to go sunbathing, read, play beach volleyball, swim or build a sand castle.

• Stay alcohol free: You might not notice it, but alcohol sometimes causes major spending during a vacation. Most of us can drink responsibly, but we sometimes forget this when we're in a different country and enjoying our vacation. Remember that a tipsy tourist transforms into a big spender at times. Think about this as well, we go on a holiday for a change of pace, not to keep doing the same thing in a different locale. If you're always hitting the bars while in the city, and you're still doing the same thing on your vacation, then what was the point of leaving?

• Go for a walk: Going around on public transportation can be expensive. One way to cut cost during your holiday is to walk. Get a map of the area and check areas that you can cover on foot. You'll save some cash and see more of the town. If you really need a transport, avoid taxis and go for other public transportation.

Everybody needs a break from time to time. Going on a holiday is a great way for you to recharge your batteries and learn more about yourself. Despite the sluggish economy, there's no reason why you should deprive yourself of it. With a little ingenuity and creativity, you can have that perfect cheap holiday.

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