How to Reduce Your Travel Expenses: Some Useful Tips
Last Updated : March 25, 2016, 11:29 a.m.
When it comes to travel, the word cheap doesn't have to be mean bad here. Yes, no matter which destination, you are planning to go, there is not only one, but plenty of useful ways through which you can reduce your travel expenses, and still enjoy your vacation at its best.
So, if you are a frequent traveller and love to explore different destinations, read these useful tips below to make your travelling an affordable activity which you will cherish lifetime.
Use Travel Related Credit Cards
With the help of using or signing up for travel related credit card, you can earn a lot of bonus points and can save lot on your travelling. These travel credit cards come with plenty of benefits, and provide you with the bonus miles, whenever you sign up with them for your first travel purchase. The best thing is that you can multiply the bonus by adding multiple users and cab avail many lucrative deals and offers offered by these travel credit companies. However, for a matter of fact, you can also go for a personal loan to cover your travel expenses. Yes, you can apply for personal loan with many lenders, offering best deals with low interest rates, and low fees & charges. You can easily get this loan from many lenders, offering great deals to you.
Travel in Off Season
Visiting Europe in summers and Caribbean in winters may be the best time, but avoiding the peak season will help you save more on your travel costs. Try to travel off season or shoulder season-before or earlier peak season. During that time, the prices are low , not only on flights or hotels, but with the local shops and restaurants as well. Shoulder seasons might not be warmest for you, but you will be rest assured with the prices.
Plan for Budget Destinations
One should plan to explore budget destinations to reduce his or her travel expenses. When it comes to budget destinations, it does not mean that only expensive destinations are worth exploring. Do your research online, and you will find some exotic backpacking destinations that are completely in your budget, and are definitely worth exploring.
Compare Fares & Airlines
Yes, doing this, will actually help you in grabbing a good travel deal. Before booking your air tickets, try to compare the prices of different airlines and with thorough analysis, find the one airline that is offering you cheaper airfare as compared to others. Plan your booking 4 to 5 months before your actual departure as last minute bookings will cost you more.
Try to Travel by Trains
Yes, instead of trying the air travel, just give it a short to trains as well. Book your tickets through trains, if you are not travelling out of country. Your journey through trains will be less expensive as compared to air travel, but the only thing you need to adjust is with the time taken by them to reach the destination. Try to plan your journey one or two days earlier than your actual arriving date, through this way you can save time and your money as well.
Visit Not So Famous Destinations
Think out of the box, when you plan your next travel. Visiting popular destinations will cost you more as everyone goes there. So, be more creative and come out with some untouched destinations. Try to find out the substitutes of famous locations like instead of planning to visit the Pairs, you can opt for other cities like-Athens and Budapest to name a few.
Negotiate on Accommodation
By negotiating on hotel deals, it becomes easy for you to save more. Try to bargain or negotiate with the hotel prices to reduce your travel costs. Talk in a polite and gentle manner, and compare the cheaper deals offered by other hotels. Do your hotel booking in advance, so as to avoid the last-minute hassle. If you book your accommodation last minute, of course the charges will be more than the usual price.
Avoid Big Hotel Chains
Skip the big hotel brands as they not only charge more money from you, but at times don't provide you with the best amenities and hospitality that you expect from them. While on the other hand, search some budget hotels because they not only satisfy you with their quality services, but make your experience more enjoyable as compared to big brands. They are definitely the good alternative, if you are looking for budget stay.
Use the Local Transportation
Yes, if you are in a new city, try to explore it through local transportation. Through this way, you can not only save on travelling locally in the city, but can explore the beauty of the city more precisely. However, you can also avoid local transport, if you can manage to walk by your own. If you have a company of family or friends, you can enjoy walking into the city and can avoid the local fares.
Take Free Tours
You can definitely pay for the sightseeing service on your trip, but there is no harm in availing the free walking tours. Yes, through these free tours, you can know the highlights of the city, and can get more about its culture. With the help of this, you can meet with the locals and save more money while exploring the city.
Thus, these are just few handy tips to drastically reduce your travel costs. However, travel is one such thing in which there is no certain limit to how much you can save. But by following these interesting tips you can stick to your budget, and make your travel memorable. So, plan your journey and start traveling!