Traveling is one of the most important things that we can do. It’s no surprise that our space exploration satellites are called Explorer and Discovery! The problem is that traveling is also a very costly affair, and that alone can act as a barrier to your dreams of regular globetrotting. However, there are a number of tricks that you can make use of, and some expert advice that will reduce your travel costs considerably, and allow you to get the best holiday no matter your budget. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your holiday expenses, then these tips are the best place to start.
Arrange your own excursions
If you’re planning to do some exploring while you’re on your travels, then you may be tempted to sign up for a registered excursion. These coach or boat trips can certainly take some of the stress from your travel plans, but they can also have a heavy impact on your wallet. It’s far better to plan your own excursions, because not only are they cheaper, but you also get the chance to customize your trips to your own tastes, and you may even be able to avoid the crowds at the same time. The further that you get from the beaten track, the more likely that you’ll find real food at the prices that the locals pay, so avoid the busiest spots and go explore.
Use destination-based travel sites
One of the best tricks that seasoned travelers use is to avoid the usual travel sites. While they may be easy to use, they are also very basic when it comes to giving you a price, and the prices that they offer are not always the best available. Instead, look at native sites, and depending on your destination country, you might find the deals are much better. If you’re flying to Mexico, instead of doing a search for ‘cheapest flights to Mexico,’ it’s often much better to search for ‘vuelos baratos a mazatlan’, which will give you local prices that might not be as high as you were expecting.
Getting your money ready
While you may not want to set up a new foreign bank account while you’re on holiday, you can still get the most for your money with a little preparation. Of course, you could switch bank accounts to whichever high street branch is offering the best currency exchange rates, but that can take time. The trick is not to buy your holiday currency from the first place available, but instead to look around for the best exchange rates. It’s remarkable how few people do this, and the difference it can make to your wallet can be holiday-changing.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to mean bedsits and economy food. With a little groundwork, you can very easily enjoy a much better holiday than those that don’t have to worry about their budget, and your experience will be all the better for it. So don’t leap onto the first ‘bargains’ that you find, and take some time to do some preparation and research, and you might find that you end up spending less and experiencing more.