Vacations and holidays form an important part of our lives and we all look forward to them. But they also bring with them unforeseen costs and unnecessary expenditures. Here are a few ways to help you save money during travel, enabling you to move around smartly within budgets.
Plan holidays well in advance: A well-planned holiday always gives you time to decide on the various aspects of the vacation - travel, stay, arrangements back home, good kennelling facilities for your dog, and so on. Apply for leave early and let your workplace know of your unavailability so you`re left undisturbed. The same goes to your travelling companions. Bookings during a holiday season or the `best time to visit` a destination are always more expensive, so book early or plan to go during the beginning or the end of the optimal period.
Get a preview of your vacation: It helps to do a thorough research online or through people who have visited the place before, even if it to your dream holiday location. Enquire about what the various places worth visiting, interesting activities and, more important, what not to do there. This way, you will avoid doing highly publicised but mundane activities that are a waste of money.
Cross-check ticket prices: There are various travel portals that show you the cheapest fares and good deals. It does not hurt to check out all of them and then choose the best prices. Most airlines also have great discounts if you book the flights on their Web site. Choose wisely and book early - it could save you a lot of money. But, most important, watch out for that hidden cost. Also ensure you do not pay anything at the time of boarding.
Flying is not always the best option: Flying is not the must cost-effective way always. You can also have a lot of fun with other methods of transport. While most prefer air travel to get the most out of holidays, some places might be cheaper and faster to get to by road or rail. Many destinations can be an over-night train or bus journey away and if you book in the A/C coaches, it can be more comfortable than delayed flights and expensive cab trips to and from airports.
Create daily budgets: Once you know all the things you`re likely to do on your vacation, create a daily budget for the duration of your stay. Since most tourist spots prefer to trade in cash, carry as much as your daily budget permits. However, do not put all your cash in one play. If you have travelling companions, split between them. This will help you be in check of your expenses and know when your holiday mood is eating into your pockets.
Try out home-stays: Vacations don``t always have to mean five-star stays. You can always try the various home stay options available which give you an authentic local feel and are lighter on the pockets. Most home-stays also give you great recommendations on the local sights and good eateries.
Check your ATM charges: If you`re travelling internationally, check with your banks on international ATM and usage fees. If you have the time, you could open a new account that facilitates easier transactions. Make sure you have more than one credit card.
We hope that these tips come in handy during your vacation and help you save money while having a blast on your holidays.
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