Tips for budget travelere

Tips for a budget traveler

Top tips for a budget traveler and those eyeing a cheaper summer holiday

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Judging by the huge outflow of passengers from Houston during the hotter months, many residents will again pack their suitcases soon and head off somewhere cooler.

“There will always be a summer rush. We expect more people travelling out of Houston this summer, although Houston is home to high rollers who could afford to fly on business class and stay in luxury hotels, and still many Houston residents are always on the lookout for budget-saving deals.

You can score great deals by trolling booking websites like Cheapoair and Checkfelix.com, as well as travel newsletters and promotional emails.

There are a lot more tricks a budget-savvy traveler can do. All it takes is a little bit of research and a dose of good old common sense.

Travelers spend less on airfares, almost six per cent cheaper than the average fare, if they book six weeks before their flight, according to research released last year by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC).

The study reached the conclusion after reviewing close to $80 billion worth of ticket sales across more than 100 million transactions from January to December 2011 for various flights in the US. However, passengers are advised not to treat the study findings as absolute, as ticket prices tend to fluctuate.

“We’re not advising people to purchase tickets at this time during the cycle as there is no guarantee they will receive the lowest price of the year; it is just what the data indicates and we have seen this pattern over the last four years.

Buying tickets early, ideally two or three months in advance, are always the best way to get better deals. “If you want to travel this summer, you should start scouting around March. Savings could be about $250 per person if tickets are booked in advance.

Volunteer your services

Signing up to a volunteer vacation is a growing trend that allows travelers to donate their time and services to a non-profit group or community. Volunteers usually pay for their tickets, visa, food and accommodation, but the overall costs are a lot less than a package consisting of a five-star accommodation and a guided tour. However, the package costs were still a tad expensive for her budget.

Network with fellow travelers

There are global organizations that help you connect with people around the world. You just need to know where to sign up and interact with the members.

Register to be member of Couch surfing, an organization that boasts of more than 5 million members in 97,000 cities. The group facilitates culture sharing and hospitality exchange, enabling travelers to hook up with locals who are willing to provide free accommodation or hang out with them during their trip.

“If you know people from the places you’re travelling to, you can get advice from them. With their help, you would know the best-kept secret in a particular destination, and not miss important sites. You would know exactly where to go and how to get there. Effectively, you save time and money,” she says.

Go local

The best way to secure a good deal on air tickets is to book with the local carrier of the destination you are travelling to. This may not be true always, but works mostly.

If you need to book with a travel agent, book with a local agent from the country you are travelling to. This will easily save a few hundreds, if not you will be paying hundreds of dollars more depending on the duration and destination of travel.

Do a price research

Talking to friends who have been to the destination proves helpful when deciding where to stay for less. Comparing prices from travel agents in your city and those based in the country you intend to visit is another way to score a good deal.

Make sure you browse online travel forums as well. Forums collate first-hand reviews from travelers about accommodations, places of interest and other tips that may just help you sniff out a good deal.

Keep an eye out for tricky terms

Whether you’re booking a hotel, ticket or day tour, don’t skip the fine print, otherwise all those additional charges here and there can add up and drain your wallet dry.

If you’re offered a hotel stay half the normal price, for example, check what the price covers. Many “budget deals” have turned out to be expensive because the breakfast and taxes are not included, or that you need to pay for an extra bed.

Many resorts also offer cheaper prices for rooms that don’t have great views or those that have very limited space. “In most cases, they don’t give you breakfast for free,“Do little bit of investigation before you make the purchase. When booking a hotel, find out the room size. Some collect hefty cancellation charges, for example, so should know this beforehand,

Take public transport

The cost of transportation can cut a huge chunk out of the travel money, especially if you’re going to move around a lot. Ditch the taxi or rental car and take the train or bus instead.

Try a hop-on hop-off bus, as well, especially if you don’t have a guide and don’t know your way around.

Better yet, share a ride with fellow tourists so you can split the bill.