Travel on the cheap
Times are tough, but that doesn’t mean you have to kiss your dreams of travelling the world goodbye. You can still enjoy island sunsets and strolls through Parisian streets.
You just have to travel smarter.
Here are some money-saving tips from frequent flyers:
Book your air tickets well in advance. The closer to the time of the holiday you book your air tickets, the more expensive they’re likely to be. Sign up for special offer emails from airlines too, so that great deals get delivered to your inbox.
Travel light. Airlines charge extra if your luggage is overweight, so learn to pack light before your next trip. Only take the essentials and leave anything behind that you can buy for cheap at your destination.
Schedule flights for weekdays. It’s typical for air ticket prices to be more expensive on weekends and around public holidays, so try to travel on Mondays through Thursdays.
Use a travel card, also known as a pre-paid foreign currency debit card. These cards negate the need for carrying cash with you and let you shop and pay overseas, generally for less than the cost of using a normal debit card or credit card. Drawing money from ATMs carries a fee, so swipe instead, as it tends to be free of charge.
Do some of your shopping beforehand. You can save yourself a lot of money by doing online tax free shopping to get your hands on those designer perfumes. Your purchase can be delivered to your seat in the plane in some cases.
Turn off data services on your smartphone. The last thing you want to return to after your lovely holiday, is a bill from your cell phone provider for thousands of rands. If you can’t imagine not being connected to all your social networks, look into mobile hotspots, special travel deals or similar that would all help keep roaming costs down.
Avoid the tourist hotspots. Locals catch on to tourists’ favourite spots very quickly and then prices in these areas skyrocket very quickly. So book a street or two away from the bustling street or ask locals what’s a must-see in their town instead of consulting your Lonely Planet Guide.
Eat local. In many countries around the world, it’s much cheaper to enjoy traditional delicacies than to order Western meals. See as it as an adventure and properly soaking in the way of the locals. You might even find that your Pad Thai bought at a street vendor is much tastier too.