Vacations can be a no expense spared dream trip or a backpacking excursion undertaken on a strict budget. Obviously it’s fantastic if you can afford to travel first class and stay in luxury 5* hotels everywhere you go, but realistically this is probably not going to happen and if you only have a tiny budget, here are some useful tips to help your cash stretch that little bit further.
Look for Budget Accommodation
If you can’t bear the thought of staying in a vermin infested hostel fully of party mad teens, look for five-star bargains on coupon websites or http://www.puntodevistacr.com/. And if you are willing to wait until the eleventh hour, you might be able to secure some great deals because hotels usually sell off their empty rooms at a heavily discounted price rather than have them sitting empty.
Airbnb is another good place to find top quality accommodation at a discounted price, but beware of handing over money to scammers advertising the best luxury villa in the world, only to discover it doesn’t exist. Alternatively, look at property swap websites if you live somewhere scenic and don’t mind letting strangers stay in your home for a week or two.
Find Cheap Flights
Flights can be really expensive, especially if you want to fly to a long haul destination, so it pays to shop around for a better deal. A recent study on airfares found that the best time to book a flight was 53 days before you want to travel. However, the optimum date varies according to where you want to travel to, so keep a close eye on fares and be willing to switch to a cheaper date.
It is also worth looking at code share flights. Often airlines code share with other carriers, so check to see if there are any price differences between the different carriers – you may be able to save a bit of money. Alternatively, save up frequent flier points and book a free flight.
Live Like Locals
Instead of booking an expensive all-inclusive stay in a luxury resort hotel, try staying off the beaten track and living like a local. Cheap accommodation isn’t difficult to find as we have already mentioned, and if you are willing to eat out in local places where the natives hang out, the food quality will be higher and the prices lower.
Buy Travel Accessories in Advance
Don’t be stung by rip-off prices at the airport – buy your travel plugs and neck pillows from discount stores and supermarkets before you fly.
Buy Travel Money in Advance
Buying currency at airports and seaports is tantamount to throwing your vacation money away. These places offer the worst possible exchange rates. You will enjoy a much better deal if you order foreign currency in advance, so shop around and check who has the best rates; then you will be able to spend more whilst abroad.
Being a savvy traveler means you can travel on the cheap – and have a lot more fun as a result.
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