Posts Tagged ‘Cheap travel’
Finding Cheap Hotels: 8 Tips
The cost of your lodging is going to be the most expensive thing you purchase on a vacation after airfare. If you can find a better hotel deal, you will be able to splurge more on other aspects of the vacation. Start with the basics when you are looking for a good rate.
1) Ask the hotel
Just asking the hotel directly can easily get you hundreds of dollars in savings. Ask about promotions, deals for AAA members or seniors, and how the hotel would recommend saving money. Especially in a recession, hotels want your business. If you tell them you need a better deal, they may just work with you to make that happen.
2) Shop around and track quotes
The Internet makes it very easy to track and compare quotes from a number of hotels. You can check sites like Hotels.com and Expedia.com daily, and you can even set up alerts for when the price of a hotel drops below your budget. If you’re not willing to do this, consider contacting a travel agent. Often, the fees you pay to book through an agent will be only a fraction of your savings.
3) Make price a priority
If you are flexible on all points but price, you will save the most money. Don’t get set on a specific hotel property. Instead, set your budget, and make this your only criterion. You may have to rough it a little more than you would like. But, its worth it when you can enjoy a better dinner each evening.
4) Skip the 800 number
Look for the contact information on a hotel’s actual site. The 800 number that you may be using through the hotel owner (aka Hilton, Hyatt, etc) is often to an agent who does not have the most information. You can call the branch of the hotel to speak with a local manager and usually find a better deal.
5) Book last minute
If you’re willing to wait until the last minute to book you’ll find the prices go down. This is only really a priority if you are driving to your destination. Otherwise, you may find yourself very stressed come the day before your expensive plane flight. Making your booking options really flexible helps you keep price as the #1 criterion.
6) Celebrate flexibility
Don’t go when you want to go, go when the price is low. You may have to travel in the off season to do this. Most locations have a lot of advantages in the off-season though, not the least of which is less crowds and cheaper air fare.
7) Book your hotel with your plane ticket or rental car
Travel agents and booking agents are happy to offer incentives for you to package your purchase. These companies have usually negotiated these deals with the hotel. They have done the legwork for you, and you can take advantage of this if you are willing to book all at once.
Buy local
Avoiding large hotel chains can save you money and add charm to your trip. You may find better service and accommodations at a local inn than you will at a large hotel. Read reviews online to determine which location is most in line with what you need. Remember: hostels are a great option for budget travelers.
Cheap Travel to England
For the past year, travelling to England meant facing a terrible exchange rate with the pound. The rate has changed, and it is less expensive to travel to the UK with dollars today. Saving on hotels and travel will allow you to enjoy more of the fine dining England has to offer.
Budget Hotels
Seek hotel chains that are based in the U.S. if you are not opposed to “buying American” even though you are abroad. Booking rooms at a Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Premier Inn will put you right in the thick of a lot of tourist destinations without paying for the historic or local flavor of other accommodations. Booking early will save you money on all accounts as these hotels do tend to get full.
Apartment Exchange
Nearly every city in the UK has apartments available for rent. If you live in a desirable location, you can seek out a home exchange to save on any money spent at all. Otherwise, inexpensive apartments can still be a bargain. You will likely have the flexibility and space to cook meals at home and stay in on occasion, saving you money over hotel options.
Hostels
If you are not concerned over privacy of your accommodations, staying in a hostel may allow you to enjoy many benefits while keeping your expenses low. Foremost, you will have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and engage in more community activities. Hostels are also often close to transportation and major attractions, making them very convenient.
Bus and Coach Travel
Taking the bus or National Express Coach will likely save you money over the railways. You can also seek out seasonal offers for discounted rates. These sell-out very quickly and are typically not offered year round. If you find a good rate, booking in advance is the best way to assure you will get the rate in the future. Travelling by bus means travelling light. Expect to have to walk a mile or more from the bus station to your ultimate destination. Skip out on toiletries and luxury items and opt for the essentials to make it easier on yourself.
Railways and Trains
Rail tickets are generally inexpensive if you book in advance. Like plane tickets, the prices can go up and down tremendously as the date approaches. By watching prices closely and booking when rates are low, you have a good chance at getting a ticket for as low as bus ticket prices. You will certainly save money over other forms of transit.
Money exchange tip: You may save from using an ATM in the UK over using a currency exchange service. The rates charged at currency kiosks in the airport tend to be higher than the foreign ATM fee, and ATMs are accessible throughout the UK. Bring travelers checks and some pounds for emergency, but plan on doing a lot of your exchanging once you get there.
Tags: cheap England travel, cheap european travel, Cheap travel
Ireland on a Budget
Ireland is extremely friendly to travelers and has a number of completely free day trips for you to take in. We will concentrate our conversation on a few locations, as Ireland is vast and spread between Northern and Southern Ireland.
Dublin
You can get a free walking tour of Dublin for your iPod from VisitDublin. The 12 guides also offer maps for you to print and take as you go. Much less expensive than paying for a tour, and you have the freedom to go at your own pace, lengthening time at the places you’d like to view longer.
A walking tour of Dublin is not complete without tours through famous garden grounds in Phoenix Park, which is the largest green space in Europe. The National Botanical Gardens are additionally free to visitors. Because Dublin weather is moderate year round, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the parks no matter when you travel. A whole day of family fun for zero dollars.
Speaking of zero dollars, all of Ireland’s National Museums are free to the public. The list includes the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.
Belfast
A walking tour of Belfast will reveal the complexity of its residential quarters. Similar to townships or neighborhoods, the quarters each have their own theme. For example, Queen’s Quarter is famous for its student-friendly living complete with universities and museums.
St. Anne’s Cathedral is open to the public for sweeping views of the Roman architecture. The cathedral has a rich history to provide plenty of opportunities to dive into Irish culture. The new “Spire of Hope” is 100 meters tall and a feat of modern engineering placed marvelously with the antiquity of St. Anne’s.
Complete your Belfast tour with a trip to St. George’s Market. This location boasts year-round Friday farmer’s markets since 1604. The history of the landscape mixed with the jazz and music of the modern culture set in a picturesque Victorian neighborhood. Fridays and Saturdays are both great days to visit, and the market will not disappoint in terms of culture and fun.
Quick Tips
There are a few sites in Ireland which are not offered for free to the public. If you are looking for ways to save, try the Ireland Visitor Discount Pass, which reduces prices to historic scenes throughout Ireland. You can print a pass from the Culture and Heritage Ireland site and enjoy the discounts year round.
Dublin has a similar discount offer, called The Dublin Pass, which comes at a small fee of $20 each day. This pass then admits you to over 30 attractions. The pass is sold in blocks up to 6 days, and you will be required to have one for each person.
The Heritage Card will get you in free to any site maintained by the Office of Public Works. The price varies, but it is around $30, and you will make up those discounts likely in the first day of usage.
Cheap European Travel: Part I – Getting There
Many people are looking to cut travel expenses to Europe because of the weak dollar against the euro. While the exchange rate does not lead itself to inexpensive travel, the cost of travel has dropped dramatically. Everything from plane tickets to local subway fares may be lower because of the global recession and the decrease in travelers heading to Europe. Here are some quick tips on how you can save in your travel and accommodations on a European trip before too late.
Cheap Plane Tickets
The cheapest plane tickets to Europe are available if you are willing to have multiple layovers. Depending on where you are flying from in the US, this most likely means a stop over on the east coast. The longer the layover, the better chance your ticket price will drop. The same goes for getting to Europe; if you can stop in London, Madrid or Paris before heading to your ultimate destination, you will save money over tickets directly to smaller cities. Travelling midweek will also drop your plane ticket drastically. Summer months tend to be heavy for European travel, but the end of the summer sees a slightly lower volume of travelers, meaning better deals for you. Try signing up for alerts from airlines to watch ticket priced if your travel dates are flexible.
Cheap Hotels
If you are renting a car, you will find many hotels outside of major cities that have great deals. Driving in Europe is not easy. You will have a very compact car with a number of differences, the least of which is you are on the wrong side of the car. Roads are extremely narrow, very crowded and most cities are not planned. However, thousands of travelers navigate these conditions each year. Renting a car should be reserved for the experienced traveler. If you can stay outside of the city, you will find budget hotels all over. For example, The Hotel Formule 1 has about 300 hotels in France. While there is a sink in each room, there is a shared toilet and shower. Sacrificing a private toilet can save you tremendously with rates starting at under $40 a night. For a step up, try Premiere Classe which has a private toilet and shower in each room. Be prepared to spend closer to $60 a night in Première Class hotels.
Cheap Rail Tickets
One of the best ways to get around Europe once you are there is by rail. In fact, you may consider flying into a large city and taking a train to your ultimate destination to save money. EuroCheapo has a full list of rail schedules and prices to assist you in planning your trip. Anytime you are planning to travel a significant amount by train, remember to pack light. You will be carrying your luggage on foot to most of your destinations from the train; some times, you may be walking multiple miles. Packing light is key to all European travel, but do not pack too casually. Jeans and t-shirts are a dead giveaway for American tourists.
Tags: cheap european travel, cheap tickets to europe, cheap trains in europe, Cheap travel
Mexico is Still a Bargain
The H1N1 flu virus has taken a bite out of Mexico’s tourism dollars, and this is making an already cheap vacation even cheaper. Forbes recently stated “you can still find cheap, safe vacations” in Mexico. Mexico has always opened its arms to American tourists. If you are looking for good destinations, stick to the tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta that are less affected by violence and corruption than the more congested, native cities. There are a number of factors that make Mexico a good option for those looking for an inexpensive alternative to a Caribbean island vacation.
Ease of Travel
Direct flights are available to many cities in Mexico from most South and Southwestern cities in the US. Because Mexico is situated in an almost direct line south of the US, there is not a large difference in time zone as there may be for some more Eastern countries in Central and South America. This means your travel time and jet lag are cut back significantly. It also means your flights are generally less expensive, easily around $400. Be wary of tickets that are too cheap, as you may be purchasing in the off season. More than just cold weather, the off season at many Mexican destinations can be rainy.
Westernized Culture
In most of the tourist destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, you will find a highly Western culture. Most vendors and wait staff will speak English, and most restaurants and bars will have American brands. This may take away slightly from the cultural influx you may be seeking, but you can still find culture on day trips to ruins or remote beaches. It is best to stay on resort or in more tourist filled areas at night. While there is some risk of petty crime, these areas tend to have higher security and be well-policed.
Friendly to Tourists
Mexico cities rely heavily on tourist from the US. Beyond this, many Mexican natives have friends and family residing in the US. This means they are generally friendly to American tourists and welcome the influx of dollars each year. Unlike some remote communities that dislike the resorts and hotels brought by Western tourism, Mexican cities embrace this as a multi-billion dollar industry. You will find street vendors, hotel staff and local musicians welcome your family and your travel dollars. The dollar remains strong against the Peso, making this less expensive than many European options.
Protect Your Health and Safety
RE/MAX Investment Properties compiles reports on crime rates in Mexico. Recently, they found major tourist zones in Mexico are up to 26 times safer than some tourist zones in the US. Nonetheless, there are many slums in Mexico that are in close proximity to tourist areas. Always be aware of your surroundings, and always travel in groups. Carry some extra cash, but do not wear expensive jewelry or carry pricey cameras. You may opt for a disposable camera for the trip. Bringing your own toiletries and washing hands frequently can reduce the risk of infectious disease.
Tags: Cheap travel, hotel deals, mexico travel, travel safety
Cheap Disney Vacations
Once you get inside an airport or a sports stadium, prices on simple items skyrocket. Waters, sodas and bags of popcorn become high-priced goods. This is because you are in a bubble where no outside vendors are permitted. Disneyworld is the biggest “bubble” in the United States. All vendors, including hotels and transportation, are paying a premium to be located on the grounds. This means family fun comes at a very high price most times of the year. From dining to just getting around, you will be paying for the experience. There are little ways to cut fees though, making your dollars go further to get even more happiness from the happiest place on Earth.
Passes through Travel Agents
Disney offers a variety of group tickets. All of them are better deals than buying each park pass independently, but they also require you purchase tickets to a huge amount of activities. If you are looking for more flexibility, Disney travel agents may be able to supply this for you. Small World Vacations, an exclusive Disney agency, does not charge a fee for services. This agency provides custom packages, such as “Magic Your Way,” that allow you to start with the basics and add on from there. There are even options to add on for just a few of the tickets instead of the whole family. This means the adults can add a dining package, and the kids and babysitter can eat on the cheap. Taking a babysitter may allow you to enjoy many of the new additions to the family of Disney activities that are geared toward adults. Beyond the mouse ears, Disney has added many high end restaurants, night clubs, and even a Cirque de Soliel show. Ask a travel agent about enjoying these activities while your kids get the most of the children’s focus.
Discounts, Discounts, Discounts
If you are clever with selecting discounts, there are many to be found. For example, Disney passes are free on your birthday. If you plan your vacation around even one family birthday, you will receive nearly $100 in discounts. Plan to stay during a week when there is more than one birthday, and the savings will continue to rise. Disney also offers free passes with a military ID. That’s right: if you are home on leave, heading to Disneyworld, or Disneyland for that matter, is a great way to reconnect with your family.
Free Sightseeing
While not many activities are free: there are some things you can enjoy without a pass. In Orlando, Disney’s boardwalk has street performers, shops, a dance hall, a dueling piano bars and many other fun sights. Downtown Disney has fountain displays, a play area with thousands of Legos, and magic demonstrations. The hotels themselves can provide hours of sightseeing for the whole family as you gape at the execution of complex themes. Finally, about 20 miles south of Orlando, the Disney Wilderness Reserve has very inexpensive tours of a wildlife reservation. These activities will not dent your pocket.
Tags: cheap disney vacations, Cheap travel, disney vacations, hotel deals
Types of Travel Insurance to Save you Money
When you are travelling on a budget, insurance becomes more important. We have talked a lot about the importance of insurance on these updates, but many spendthrifts are still shying away. Yes, it costs you more up front. You will be tacking on anywhere from $15 to $300 for a trip (hopefully closer to the $15 if you do it right). In the end, though, the point of all insurance is to save you money. Here is a brief list of the different types of insurance and what each can do for you:
Single Trip Travel Insurance
This covers you for one-trip of the basics. Those basics, generally speaking, are loss of luggage, flight delays, cancellations, loss of travel documents and other strictly “travel-related” mishaps. Anything that occurs while you are at your destination, such as theft from your hotel room, may not be covered. At the very least, you should purchase single trip insurance to save you from fees. Airlines are less willing to reimburse tickets in this recession, and you will be stuck with the bill.
Annual Travel Insurance
This will cover all of your travels for one year. This may include business and personal travel. Any time you leave a certain radius of your house, typically out of state, your travel insurance will kick in to protect you. Flat tires, unplanned hotel stays and emergency room visits may be assisted even if you are just visiting Grandma for the weekend. Weigh the costs of getting single trip coverage for an average year, then see if annual insurance would pay off for you.
Family Travel Insurance
Exactly what it sounds like, family travel insurance covers all members of your family, whether you are travelling together or separately. Kid going to Europe for a school trip? Covered. Husband heading fishing in the mountains? Covered. For a family travelling in different directions or enjoying a few trips together each year, annual family travel insurance can pay off.
Backpacker’s Insurance
Backpacker’s have unique challenges in terms of insurance. They are typically staying in hostels or outdoors, their belongings are not well protected, they are engaging in more active and risky activities, and they are generally enjoying the company of other budget travelers who may not be the most white-collar crowd. All of these risk factors are the reason why backpacker’s insurance lines have been specifically targeted for unique challenges. Before you leave to backpack, ask your insurance company about what you should protect yourself for. Then shop around the Internet for the best deals.
Sports Travel Insurance
Whether you are enjoying winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, or water sports, like scuba and jet skiing, there are travel insurance packages to protect you. Loss of equipment can be very expensive as are medical emergencies. With good fortune, you will not need your insurance. Insurance is a great instance of an item it is better to have and not need than need an not have.
Tags: Cheap travel, cheap travel insurance, skii insurance, watersport insurance
Luggage Fees by Airline
One of the first travel factors to sky rocket in price in the recession is luggage fees. Airlines are facing increased expenses, mostly from growing fuel costs, and bad PR from a number of recent mishaps. They have likely conducted market studies showing the cost of tickets cannot go much higher without people deciding to stop purchasing them. The solution? Across the board the solution has been increases in hidden fees. Some airlines are much more egregious offenders than others.
Leaders in Luggage Fees
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides accurate information on all fees assessed by airlines over the past year. In a 2009 study, the Bureau reported the following luggage fee assessments:
1. American Airlines - $108,117,000
2. Delta Air Lines - $102,838,000
3. US Airways - $94,227,000
4. United Airlines - $59,102,000
5. Northwest Airlines - $59,786,000
6. Continental Airlines - $55,616,000
7. AirTran Airways - $30,881,000
8. JetBlue Airways - $12,603,000
9. Frontier Airlines - $12,456,000
10. Southwest Airlines - $5,982,000
Leaders in Passenger Carry
In what will come as no shock to those who have followed Southwest’s success in the industry, the airline additionally maintains the highest passenger numbers. Southwest has long been thought of as the only airline in the industry that turns a consistent profit. The Bureau reported the following in terms of numbers of passengers transported:
1. Southwest Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. United Airlines
5. US Airways
6. Continental Airlines
7. Northwest Airlines
8. AirTran Airways
9. JetBlue Airways
10. SkyWest
American Airlines still maintains a greater share of the flight market than Southwest, but only by just a touch, and its profits routinely fall short of Southwest’s annual returns. The moral of the story here is that luggage fees alone will not boost your profits. To those airlines who assess hidden fees, reconsider how you can gain loyal customers who will come to you first even if the ticket price is a little higher. This is what Southwest has done, and, in fact, their ticket prices are often the lowest.
Avoiding Hidden Fees
Ideally, you will locate a Southwest flight with no hidden fees at a low rate heading directly to your destination. In the real world, though, this is not always possible. You may have to hop a flight on the dreaded American Airlines, as so many of us do, to get where you are going. Read the baggage and fees policy before flying. Often, you may check one bag for free. American charges $15 for the first checked bag, making carrying on an attractive option. If you are travelling as a family, work to negate the total number of checked bags. Wear your heaviest, bulkiest clothes and assure each member of the family has the allotted 2 carry-ons. Most importantly, invest in a luggage scale. Narrowing all of your belongings into one bag will only save you money if you are not assessed additional fees for the weight of your bag. You can get luggage scales at nearly any airport store, but we recommend purchasing a quality piece. It often comes down to mere ounces of the standard 50 pound allotment.
Tags: Cheap travel, hidden fees, luggage fees
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
