Work for your Vacation

A penny saved is a penny earned, right? It’s time to put that adage to work. Saving money on vacation is hard work, but it is work that puts dollars back in your bank account. If you think you can simply ask your travel agent for the best deal, you are missing a big part of the picture. Spend some time planning your trip and exhaust your resources. This will help you save your resources once you get to your destination.

Consider Many Types of Transit

Most people think a flight from point A to point B is the only way to go. Have you looked into surrounding airports? Have you considered buses and trains? Dividing your trip up into legs including planes, shuttles and buses can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if flights to Las Vegas are high for Memorial Day, consider a flight to St. George Utah. If you save $200, this will easily cover the cost of a rental car to get to Las Vegas. You’ll save on cab fare to and from the airport. If you have $50 left over in the end, this can be spent on a dinner or drinks for the night. You can also save this money, stay at a thrifty off-the-strip hotel, and drive yourself into town each night. The money you will save on cab fares and hotel will more than compensate for the rental fees.

Play with Your Travel Dates

If you have flexible travel dates, play around to see when the best times are to travel. Often, leaving and returning mid-week is cheaper than leaving on a Friday and returning on a Sunday. You will also find seasonal deals on travel to a number of locations. Choosing to travel to Chicago during the summer when the Cubs are playing, for example, can be expensive. Opt for the fall or holiday time when the whether is not as desirable. When you are travelling during the offseason, though, make sure you know what to expect in the weather. Even Caribbean destinations have an offseason when there is too much rain to enjoy the outdoors.

Use Guidebooks

The Internet is a great tool for booking travel. When it comes to reading reviews, learning about the destinations, and getting real information about the trip, a guide book can be preferable. Browse the travel section in your local book store to find one that is small enough to pack along for the trip. You will not regret having it when you need to know a good restaurant to dine at for under $10. Guidebooks offer great money-saving tips both before and after you reach your destination.

Don’t Pay a Penny More than You Want

If you get a quote that is too high, keep looking! Starting the hunt early gives you plenty of time to wait for the best option to come along. The hotel you want may be too expensive now, but if you wait 3 months, things may change. Sign up for emails or alerts on pricing for flights and rooms at your destinations of choice.

Tags: Alternative transit, Flexible travel dates

Protect Yourself While Traveling Cheap

Vacationing on a budget brings a host of hazards including illness, travel delays and unsafe conditions. Particularly if you are visiting a third world country, you need to consider your back-up plans for worst case scenarios. Assess the potential risks of your travel destination to appropriately prepare.

State Department Advisories

If you are planning a trip to Africa, the Middle East or South America particularly, there are some inherent risks due to political and social turmoil. You may think you are an experienced traveler and can handle the risks. You may also be traveling to a remote tourist destination far from the controversy. Do not be so sure. The US State Department issues regular travel advisories for areas at risk of problems like political coup, infectious disease or hostility toward foreigners. Check the website before you book plane tickets.

Travel Insurance

Buying insurance can bloat an already tight travel budget. This is not an expense to spare, however. Travel insurance is particularly important if you are taking cheap flights with multiple layovers; your luggage is easier to lose or damage. If you are staying in hostels, your belongings are at a greater risk of theft. Likewise, if you are staying in less expensive border towns, the security will be looser. Travel insurance can protect you in all of these scenarios.

Check Passport and Visa Rules

Traveling in Zimbabwe, you are required to keep two blank pages in your passport. Similar rules exist in a number of smaller nations. If you do not meet this requirement, you can be sent home or, in worst cases, detained. Just because you are backpacking, hiking or otherwise “roughing it” does not mean you will face less of these rules or regulations. You may meet more regulation in these less-modern hotels and motels than in fancy resorts. Arm yourself with the knowledge of your requirements and rights.

Bring Cash Reserves

There are still a lot of towns, cities and even countries that do not take credit cards and traveler’s checks. When you are traveling to inexpensive destinations, you are most likely in places where Westerners do not like to go. Once Westerners frequent the areas, they become more expensive. Without a high number of Western tourists, these areas will not have Western conveniences like credit card processors. The good news is: unlike pricey European cities where the dollar is worthless, it is a hot commodity in developing countries. You don’t need much cash to live like a king, but you do need some.

Read the News

Many of us ignore the papers while we are on vacation. We turn to a good book, a cold drink and a little conversation. Do not ignore the news outlets while on vacation. Simply turning on the television for 10 minutes or picking up a local paper once every few days is all it takes. If the political situation is changing, if a flu pandemic is hitting the country, if a tourist has been beat and mugged down the street, it will be in the paper. You want to know about these things.

Tags: Passport, State Department Advisories, Travel insurance, Travel news, Visa

How to Take France by Train

Train travel is often less costly than air travel. Once you arrive in France, you can save money and time by avoiding airports and taxis all together. Simple trains run the entire length of the French Riviera. The key is to plan ahead for this type of travel. If you treat a train trip like any other, you will be overwhelmed. Know what you are getting into.

Step 1: Pick the Right Luggage

• Durable with solid sides – When you are traveling, you will likely have to load your bad into the cargo containers on the bottom of trains and buses. Most of the time, guests will do this themselves. This means the bags will be poorly stacked, and you could end up on bottom. Pick a bag that will not tear and has some structure in the sides to protect your belongings.
• Easily carried – You can walk from the train to many locations to save money as long as you can carry your baggage. The best choices have straps like a back pack or shoulder bag.
• Well-hidden pockets – You should carry valuables on your person at all times. However, you may have a few valuables or souvenirs to hide away in your luggage. Make sure your bag has a few hidden pockets for this type of thing.
• Bag within a bag – Having a smaller bag within your suitcase will allow you to leave your luggage behind if you get to a safe hotel. Look for a small bag that can be easily folded into a pocket then brought out for day trips.

Step 2: Pack Wisely

• Consider the weather – You will be covering a lot of distance from the north of France to the Mediterranean. Check the weather in each location you will be visiting. If you are traveling in spring or fall, the weather can be unpredictable.
• Layer your clothes – The key to dressing for all temperatures is to pack layers. Bring clothes than can be easily folded away or tied around your waist. A good windbreaker is an essential in some towns.
• Simplify cosmetics and toiletries – You are on vacation, give the hair dryer a break. The more you can cut down on your beauty routine, the easier your trip will be.

Step 3: Travel in Small Groups

• Break up for day trips – Even if you are traveling as a family, breaking into small groups can make your traveling easier. You will be visiting a lot of cities that could be explored for weeks. It may be necessary to take separate day trips order to make sure everyone sees what they want to see.
• Small groups are best for museums – Traveling through crowded sites like the Louvre, Versailles or historical ruins can be cumbersome for large groups. It can also lead to a chance of one person getting lost. Take on museums in teams of 2-4. Visit different exhibits at your own pace.

Tags: France, Train tickets

How to Honeymoon on $30 a Day

Your honeymoon is supposed to be relaxing, romantic and blissful. When it comes after an expensive wedding, expensive wedding band purchases and expensive flights to a far off location, though, a honeymoon can quickly turn into a financial headache. If you and your honey truly want to relax, you will need to find a way to save money while you are sparing no expense. Popular honeymoon destinations revolve around sun, sand and frozen beverages. Do not skimp on enjoyment; use your connections to your advantage.

Step #1:  Locate a Time Share

Do your parents have a time share? What about an aunt, uncle or family friend? Find someone in your family who has a few weeks each year at a resort chain. It’s okay if the particular resort is not in the area you want to visit. For example, if your fiancé’s parents have a place for two weeks a year in Disney World for their grandkids, you may be able to work it out. Ask if they would be willing to give you those two weeks as a wedding present. You may also be able to pay a small amount to them as they are already receiving a discount. Next, research the resort chain that houses their time share. Often, resorts have a few locations in Florida, a few in Mexico, a few in Costa Rica and even some in Alaska or Hawaii. Contact the agent in charge of the time share and ask to swap the location. You can trade the time in Florida for time in Belize if you request to do so early enough.

Step #3:  Upgrade to All-Inclusive

All-inclusive trips will save you money in the long run. They will also save you the hassle of carrying a large amount of cash or travelers’ checks. An all-inclusive trip budgets you for each day. Most resorts will allow you to upgrade from your standard time share rental to an all-inclusive package for $20-$50 per day. Your meals will be taken care of. In some cases, you will not have the option of eating breakfast or lunch on the all-inclusive package. Go to the market one day and stock up on food to keep in the hotel room. Aim for high-protein, non-refrigerated snacks such as trail mix, peanut butter and granola bars. Fresh fruit is often not expensive at local markets. This will save you on $12 burgers by the pool. As your beverages will likely be covered, simply getting by to dinner on high-protein snacks will keep your pocketbook full.

Step #4:  Book a Year in Advance

The key to making this scenario work is booking early. Time shares are not easily swapped for the exact week you are targeting. Ensure you will get your top choice by alerting the resort early. You may need to remain flexible in the timing; for example, considering leaving for your honeymoon a week late instead of the day after the wedding. Some couples prefer to have this time with family. Being flexible and booking early will additionally save you cost on your airline tickets. If you find out the weekend you are considering is a high-travel weekend, you will save money on tickets by remaining flexible.

Tags: All-inclusive, Book early, Cheap travel, Honeymoon, Timeshare

Will a Hostel Work for You?

Hostels are budget-friendly destinations where guests can rent a private bed or bedroom and share bathrooms, kitchens and lounges. If the word hostel conjures image of college Euro-trips, then you may need to rethink your perspective. It’s true: some hostels do cater to younger, hard party crowds. Other hostels, though, allow for whole families to rent a private room while sharing some of the public accommodations. Staying at a hostel may be a great option for a couple or family who is looking to socialize, be adventurous and enjoy a less formal arrangement than most hotels offer. To determine if staying in a hostel is right for you, understand what you are getting into, and weigh your options.

Advantages of a Hostel

The main advantage of a hostel is the price: staying in a hostel is significantly less expensive than staying in a hotel. Price is not the only incentive, though. In locations such as Australia and New Zealand, hostels offer an opportunity to spend more time connected with the beautiful landscape than most hotels do. There is easier access to the attractions such as hiking and beaches. In cities, hostels tend to be located close to busy areas or subway lines. Hostels also offer busy social environments. Most people in hostels are not looking to keep to themselves; you will have the opportunity to meet a diverse network of people to share your travels with. Some may be able to offer tips and advice in navigating your stay.

Disadvantages of a Hostel

If you want privacy, a hostel is not the place to be. Because the other people staying there are looking to meet and greet, you will not be able to simply keep to yourself or your travel companions. Part of the experience is making use of communal areas. As a result of the high amount of public spaces, hostels are not often the safest places to stay. You will have to guard your belongings closely and be certain not to leave anything lying about. Often times, people who are not staying in the hostel will have easy access to the hostel. When you arrive, check the security features. Take a look around to see that the windows and doors all lock. Check with the front desk regarding the policy for keeping those doors locked at all times.

Choosing the Right Hostel

What was once an underground alternative to a hotel has become a thriving industry. Today, hostels are legitimate businesses in the cities where they are established. You may check reviews of hostels online or through the Better Business Bureau. If you are travelling abroad, travel agents or the Chamber of Commerce may have information on where to stay and which to avoid. Hostelling International is a non-profit organization which encourages connecting with other travelers and the outdoors through staying in a hostel. You may check with Hostelling International to see if reports have been filed against any particular hostel. Ultimately, if you are debating hostel versus hotel, understand the differences and know the situation you are getting yourself into.

Tags: Cheap travel, Hostel, Travel alternatives