How to save money when travelling

Frugal traveling takes more than common sense though having that is useful.

When I was eleven when my grandma sent me on my first European tour and she wasn’t rich. What some people who THOUGHT we were rich then didn’t know is that as long as one is below twelve years old, you get fifty percent off the plane rates.

To travel cheap but classy is possible even today though. First, one has to determine ones vacation budget and where one wishes to take a vacation.Planning for a vacation a month or two in advance is prudent. The planning stage is when you are to choose your destination, determine your budget, take vaccine shots (depending on your chosen destination) like anti-rabies, anti-tetanus,anti-TB- plus other shots your doctor may recommend. Taking these shots actually may save you money because most of those who travel to “exotic destinations” pay a higher price when they get sick.

After deciding where you’re going, go online and do a research about that place.I do not personally recommend the “cheap hotel” ads, but I’d go for something like a “The Vacation Home Exchange” particularly if you plan to take your family along. This will cut you ALL your hotel budget and give you the choice of looking at houses/flats you want.If you intend to travel within the USA, it even gets better- because they do ensure that you get into a vacation home that has all the modern facilities you need. And the cost is 39.00 too join it!

If you decide to use the plane, schedule your flight on a Tuesday. For some reason, most airlines drop their rates considerably on Tuesdays. Or you can do what Laura Bauman did and stay online to track the cheapest fares of every airline :

Laura Bauman can testify to that. She went online every hour on the hour on the Spirit Airlines website one Wednesday looking for flights to Orlando, until “about 1:30 p.m., when I noticed they had their fares for $8 each way,” she says. “I punched in the days that they had available for tickets, and I was so excited to see that I was able to get my airfare.” 2008, Detroit Free Press.

Travel light and make sure that you bring clothing fit for the climate of the place. More important, wear the right comfortable shoes because you probably will do a lot of walking, hiking or climbing.If you’re going to Arizona or New Mexico or Orlando during the summer for instance, thin cotton tops and jeans would suffice.If you’re taking a vacation outside the USA, choose “cheap countries”. These are countries like Bangkok, Vietnam, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines where you can probably live on 15 dollars a day.

Use cabs only when you must while on vacation. Public transportation is the cheapest so use the bus, rail lines, subway system, or tram (if you’re in Europe).You cut about 25 percent of your vacation cost by learning to travel using public transportation plus you see more of the environs.

Shop at flea markets, malls and the marketplace. When possible (if you’re on a vacation exchange or home swap) cook you own food. Or eat at a huge meal at a restaurant during lunch and buy your fast food or snacks to get you through the day. If that doesn’t work for you, find a worker and ask them where they eat- workers usually know where the best and cheapest meals are served. If you’re in Europe do not miss the “traveling market” where they sell the best quality food at cheap prices and can be stocked and eaten.

Decide to enjoy your vacation even before you get there. There will always be petty annoyances but keep a positive spirit and make a DECISION to enjoy your vacation. You will.