Here Some Tips to Travel on a Budget
Nothing comes in the
way of a wayfarer itinerant, not even an entry-level salary or a loan. If you
have your concept clear a “too expensive travel” is just an age-old
notion. Here’s a summation of what
travel hackers suggest about traveling on a budget.
Invert
the Search
Rather than deciding
where to go, and check for the cheap flight deals first. Flight tickets form almost 50% of your travel budget.
Know
Where to Look For Cheap Airline Tickets
Finding a cheap airline tickets is the battle half won but getting it is challenging and stressful. Look
at the right place, there are many travel brokers and consolidators that sell
flight tickets at prices you won't get in the open market. Sign up for their
email and newsletter so you are the first one to know of the price drop, flash
sale and big discount seasons.
Flying
In Lean Season & Odd Hours
Look carefully at the time-frame you are targeting as it will impact drastically on the budget.
Traveling in off-season or shoulder season can be most rewarding plus you can
equally enjoy the place with lesser crowd and of course, discounted prices
everywhere.
Best deals on flights
are offered in the morning and on travel on Tuesdays & Wednesday as per
extensive fare studies. Fridays and Sundays are the costliest.
Here’s a continent-wide
list of the right time to book flights from the US.
• Central America: 60 days
• South America: 80 days
• Canada: 60 days
• Mexico: 60 days
• Caribbean: 75 days
• Asia: 90 days
• Europe: 100 days
• Africa: 120 days
• Middle East: 120 days
Use
Travel Cards
Travel cards are the
best way to make your trip cost fractions of the original price. Start
funneling as much money from these cards to earn a chunk of bonus miles. You
can earn from flights, car rental and using partner hotels. Use it for paying
corporate and personal expenses that are reimbursable.
Credit
Cards That Give a Dollar for Each Dollar Spent
Credit cards earn
higher points and give better redemption. You can earn 2x points every dollar
spent. Don’t hesitate to make a couple of credit cards, longer credit history
means better credit scores too. Cards like Chase Sapphire offer 60,000 points
as a sign-up bonus at the onset.
Airline loyalty
programs offer a lot of advantages for frequent flyers. You can earn mile points
on a flight and non-flight purchases, priority access to seat sales, entry to
many on-ground sporting or music events, travel fairs, etc.
Loyalty program for
Southwest comes with a companion pass that lets you fly a companion for almost
free. It also allows redeeming points towards extra bags and security fees.
Airlines like Delta and American will let you use earned points for an upgrade
to their Business or First class.
Buying
Medical Insurance
When traveling in
unpredictable conditions its best to get insured towards the expensive medical
issue or non-refundable cancellations.
Travel insurance can
give you peace of mind in the event of bad weather, a taxing trip involving
physical risk, and of course losses on a cheap non-refundable cancellation.
Eat
Locally or Cook At the Hostel
Skip 3 meals a day,
stay at a hostel that offers free morning breakfast. Fill up so you only need a
light lunch or a take away in the afternoon. Either cook at the hostel or try
cheap and tasty food served locally. Save more by shopping for food at a local
grocery store and refrain from eating at pricy restaurants.
Share
Your Trip
Its best to travel in a
group or with family and friends. There are many sites like cheaptickets.org
that offer fabulous discounts on group travel. Besides cheaper airfares, you
can share the cost of lodging and food and divide tasks among yourselves.
Always
Consult Locals
Locals are a great
source of first-hand advice on everything from accommodation, food, local pick
on sites and can also help in getting things cheaper.
Look
For Cheap Places to Travel
As explained, look
for cheap deals first and then decide on the place. Choose the best travel sweet spots and destination with
an unpretentious lifestyle, lower currency rate, and more moderate living
standards yet having alluring travel prospects. Take for example; a night stay
at a beach bungalow in India can cost just $10 a night as opposed to booking an
expensive Caribbean resort. A guesthouse in Honduras comes for just $20-30 a
night and meals for as low as $2-$3. These local people are too happy to have
business from you and serve you really well.
The most tourist-friendly destinations in popular locations are usually
overpriced and will dig too deep into your wallet.
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