Tips for a budget
traveler
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tips for a budget traveler and those eyeing a cheaper summer holiday
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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