10 ways to save money when you travel

Travelling on a budget does not necessarily mean that you will not be able to have fun; it just means that you will have more money to spend on another trip of a gift for a loved one.

Unless you are rich or famous, or have parents that will sponsor your trips, you will need to cut down on the amount of money you spend while travelling. Use these 10 tips to maximize your savings while on holiday.

Protect your belongings

Tourists just seem to stand out in a crowd and you do not want to make it obvious to would be criminals that you are the proud owner of some wonderful new gadget – you will be mugged! Make sure that you leave valuable items in your hotel room or conceal them under clothing or in a bag that is close to your body.

Shop around

Never ever take the first deal that you find. Do some research when it comes to flights and accommodation. There are many places that offer specials on a regular basis, you just need to find them and compare prices in order to find the best deal for yourself. Booking a stopover flight may end up saving you money in the long run, so be sure to check all the deals that are available.

Travel Insurance 

Having travel insurance is most likely the most important part of your holiday. You never know when a disaster could hit, and you need to make sure that you are covered in the event that something drastic happens.

When paying for your trip, pay with a credit card, as if anything goes wrong with your holiday such as the flights being cancelled you can claim on your credit card. Many companies offer loyalty points and these points offer you additional protection.

Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the most expensive parts of your holiday, simply because it cannot be avoided. The good news is that you do not have to stay in a five star hotel every night, try out one of the many hostels or backpackers in the area. Hostels are cheap and you may even be able to convince the owners to charge you less – depending on how good you are at bargaining.

Negotiate

There really is always a way to get what you want at the price that you want to pay, you just need to know how. Learning how to haggle with street vendors and independently owned shops will help you to find what you want for the amount that you want to pay. Many of the locals will try to charge you more than normal – just because they can see that you are a tourist! Do not allow yourself to be scammed out of your hard earned cash.

Exchange rates & Money

Many people think that they can exchange their money at the airport before they board the plane, and you can, but it will end up costing you a lot more. Rather try to get to a post office or travel agent ahead of time to exchange your money. If you really do not have time, then rather just use an ATM when you get to your destination.

If you lose your cash or run out, use a credit card and pay it back when you return home. Find a low interest rate credit card that means you can spend whilst you’re abroad and  not be hit with huge fees when you return.

Transportation

Why fly everywhere when you can save so much money by rather hiring a car or making use of a train? Most places have an online option for you to purchase travel passes before you leave for your holiday – give it a try, you will be amazed to see how much money you can save just by doing this.

Internet verses your cell phone

Avoid using your cell phone when you are abroad. The cost of international calls could end up costing you more than the entire trip. It is a much better idea to buy time at an internet café and chat with family and friends via Twitter, Facebook or Skype. It is also much easier to send pictures via social media site than it would be if you were doing it by phone.

Food and drink

Even though the touristy places are fun, they will not help you to save money. Speak to the locals to find out where you can get great meals and deals on food, or find a local supermarket and stock up on groceries. Making your own food will not only save you money, but it will also be better for your health and waistline.

The budget

Work out how much you can spend while on holiday and stick to it! There really is no point in spending all your money in the first few days – what are you going to do for the rest of your holiday? Figure out what the total amount is that you can spend, divide it by the number of days that you will be on holiday and try your best to only spend that amount.

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