Money Savings Tips – Travel

ElitePersonalFinance
Last Update: February 5, 2021 Save Money Travel

Travel costs can cost you dearly!

The major part of a vacation’s price is the transportation costs. There is the matter of plane tickets, car rental, and paid tours, none of which comes cheaply. Of course, this excludes accommodation charges, which can also be steep.

But travel experts agree that it is possible to cut expenses on your trip, even if you travel abroad – and still travel in comfort without spending a mountainous heap of money.

With peak holiday and travel season getting closer each day, it perhaps times to start thinking about how to minimize vacation expenses and begin taking advantage of money-saving opportunities.

Ways to Cut Travel Expenses

No matter where you are going, there are many ways to save on costs and still enjoy the quality holiday you desire.

Here are some ways to get the most out of your travel budget:

  • Fly midweek instead of weekends if at all possible. You can browse the internet to see the cheapest days to fly. In fact, you can do s survey for an entire month to see how you can fit your travel plans to get the best deals. The potential savings will be well worth it. However, unless time is more important than money, consider an indirect flight with a stopover. It is often a far cheaper option.
  • Travel in the off-season, or just before, or just after, peak season. Prices will be lower, shops and restaurants will be happy for your custom, and the tourist attractions will not be so crowded.
  • When it comes to accommodation, don’t even consider brand name hotels to save money. Some budget-type, family-run hotels and guesthouses are inexpensive but very comfortable and fantastic. Furnished holiday apartment rentals are also top-rated and a big cost-saver, especially if you travel with friends and family. The charges per person are often half of the hotel’s price, and you get a kitchen with self-catering facilities. This can save you megabucks by obviating the need to have all your meals in a restaurant. You can get details and book online.
  • If you are traveling abroad and want to do some foreign exchange when you arrive, don’t do it at the airport. The airports’ rates are the biggest rip-offs, as they are the worst rates you will see anywhere. You can avoid exchange fees altogether by using your debit card to draw cash.
  • Excess baggage fees are extremely high. Instead of cramming extra items into your suitcase, there some brilliant products on the market that let you take additional belongings on your person, which will not count as excess baggage. A good hand-luggage bag will allow you to take the maximum amount of luggage along without having to pay exorbitant extra charges. Always weigh your luggage before you leave home to avoid any nasty surprises when you get to the airport. Make sure exactly how much you are allowed, as some destinations and airlines may have different weight limits.
  • Over-the-counter meds can cost you triple the normal price at airports or tourist destinations. Items such as anti-inflammatory, cough medications, painkillers, and vitamins, can be securely packed in your hand-luggage bag. You may not need them, but they will cost much more than at home if you do.

These are just some of the methods you can use to keep money in the bank when planning your next holiday.

Score Big Time with Travel Credit Card

A travel-related credit card is a simple travel rewards card that offers a certain amount of miles per dollar spent on all purchases. You can earn unlimited miles and redeem them for statement credits on travel purchases, or let them accumulate to earn miles on your travel rewards. Over the period of a year, this could add up to thousands of miles.

All US air carriers offer a branded credit card that offers up to 30,000 bonus travel miles on sign-up and is awarded after purchasing. In effect, this is an immediate free ticket for an economy round-trip.

If you do not have a travel credit card, it might be a good idea to get one. By the time your next holiday comes around, your travel miles could pay for a big chunk of your airline costs, a tremendous way to save on a large part of a vacation’s price tag!

More Tips to Add to Your Experience when Travelling Abroad

  • There will invariably be people who don’t understand exactly what you mean in a foreign country. Stay patient until you can connect. Your holiday is too short to be frustrated and annoyed all the time.
  • Always keep some cash handy. If you lose your wallet, or your card stops working for some reason, or the ATMs are out of order, you will be glad to have some cash on hand.
  • Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, ID, birth certificate, health insurance card, and important phone numbers handy in case of emergency.
  • If you are having a problem going somewhere or doing something, try and find the right person to help you, instead of just giving up. Getting along in a foreign land need not be an uncontrolled wild ride if something threatens to go wrong.

Conclusion

All the tips to save money when traveling are not difficult to implement, but it may be a bit too much legwork for some folk. You might want to go online and book the first vacation that appeals to you. Well, it would be the surest way for you to spend much more money than is necessary.

If this is you, with just a little bit of effort, you could actually save a packet!

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