10 Ways To Travel Smart and Cheap!
To travel smart and cheap is not so hard. It’s a myth that you got to have lots of money to be able to travel. Yes of course, you got to have money to travel. But, travel isn’t just about money. It’s also about planning, research, tricks and hacks that make travel possible for anybody and everybody.
If you ask me how do I manage to travel, I’d say it’s my curiosity that takes me places.
There are many times when we don’t plan properly or we rely on our whims and fancies. It’s okay to take a short trip or two without much planning and preparation. However, when you have a long vacation in the pipeline, it’s wise to plan ahead to save on money, time and energy.
Besides, planning and research give you better travel experiences. There are times when you miss out on something of your taste and preference due to lack of knowledge. It’s always good to know about the options that you have, so that you can decide well and make the best use of your money.
“You don’t have to be rich to travel well.” – Eugene Fodor
10 Ways To Travel Smart and Cheap!
Do the paper work. Set your preferences right.
It is always good to write down everything that you want to do – List down the places you want to visit, the distances, the mode of transport available, and the hotels that come within your budget.
Be sure about what you want to do and how you want to do it. If rest and relaxation is topmost on your mind, make a list of hotels that suit your needs.
When you have things written down on paper, you have more clarity about your travel plan and things turn out more smoothly when you reach your destination.
Research about your destination.
Make sure you know about your destination, at least a fair bit. Different places have different challenges. For instance, some hill stations have bad roads while some cities have huge distances. Therefore, you got to plan ahead and decide how you’re going to commute to be able to save on time and money.
Keep maps, important contacts handy.
Take print-outs of important phone numbers – hotels and travel agents/consultants. Save important maps on your phone, so that you are able to navigate even when there’s no network.
Being prepared for difficult or unforeseen situations will help you stay stress-free during your entire trip.
Take advice and tips from travel magazines/people.
Cash in on the knowledge of your friends or acquaintances who have already visited the destination you are planning to visit. Find out from them about the best accommodation, eating places, etc.
There are various travel magazines like Outlook Traveller, Lonely Planet, Travel & Leisure and others, which give good insight on all the aspects of a vacation.
Find like-minded travelers.
One of the best ways to save money is to travel with like-minded travelers – people who enjoy and prefer the things that you do. For instance, if you enjoy long treks in the mountains, you should not travel with a lazy bum.
Traveling with people of similar interests helps a great deal. It makes your trip more fun and budget-friendly as well. You can share some of your significant costs, such as accommodation and private taxis.
On another note, if you don’t have the right company, you can travel alone and savour more.
Book your accommodation.
Short-list three to four good hotels and contact their managers, inquire about their tariff and facilities. Consider the aspects like the hotel’s location – it should preferably be close to the railway station/airport and most of the tourist spots. Choosing a hotel close to all your points of interest will also be easy on your pocket.
Also, make it a point to look for excellent hotel deals on Booking.com for your travel dates. You’re highly likely of grabbing some great deals on the hotels of your choice. In fact, if you search for deals diligently, you can enjoy luxury on budget.
Make reservations in advance so that when you reach your destination, you have no worry on mind, but a happy anticipation to begin your holiday.
Pack what you need.
It’s not really about traveling light or heavy. It’s about what you would need on your holiday. Avoid stuffing your suitcase with the things that you know you wouldn’t need – laptop or books. Who would like to work or read on a holiday?
It’s important to pack smart for your trip. Keep in mind that what you’re keeping in your suitcase has to be dragged by you, unless you want to pay a potter!
Have a mental check-list ready before you start your trip.
Once you have booked your tickets and accommodation, it’s good to make a check-list of all the things you want to do during your trip. It could be a particular restaurant that you want to visit, a trek you want to take, or anything else.
Besides, make a list of things that you would need for your trip – camera, batteries, charger, medicines, basic first-aid, etc. It’s always better to have things that you might need on a trip rather than buy them for some ridiculous price when you need them.
Rest and relax.
The most ignored part – sleep. Take enough rest before your journey. To be able to make the most of your holiday, you need to be fresh. A headache or stress would ruin your trip – waste of both time and money.
Maintain A ‘Holiday Diary’ For Future Vacations
It may sound taxing, but it’s important and helpful. If you have jotted down the entire account of a trip, you can use the same format for all your future trips. You will have a clear picture of your expenses, which will keep you from going over your budget.
Well, these are some tips that I have learned through my travel experiences. If you have better ideas, please share!
What tips do you have for smart and cheap travel?
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