Pre-planning is key to cost cutting
Travel during off-season to save some cash
Shop for souvenirs and gifts at local flea markets
Whether it's chilling in Rome or shopping in Paris, there are loads of ways to save cash
Visiting a foreign land is usually high up on our bucket list. The panoramic views around the globe can be an enthralling experience. However, a foreign trip could mean a hole in your pocket. Rather than enjoying the trip, you might end up being frustrated with budget miscalculations.
Here are a few steps that can help you save that extra buck and ensure a hassle-free journey:
Things to Do Before You Travel
1. Planning ahead is key to cost cutting as you can avail various discounts. So when you decide on a destination, check when is the off-season to travel and the rates of the destination.
2. Choose pre-planned travel packages or group tours to avoid having to decide places to visit once you arrive. This will also cut down on your expenses considerably.
3. Ensure you book flights through a flight carrier's official website rather than using travel portals. Many a times travel portals have hidden or extra charges. Besides, you can also benefit from loyalty programs if you're a frequent flyer.
4. Invest in a travel insurance that suits your needs. Missing baggage, thefts, medical emergencies can all be covered with the right insurance. In addition, you can club your medical insurance with travel insurance to avail extra benefits.
5. Carry a traveler's credit card to avoid expensive international transaction taxes on your regular credit or debit cards.
6. When booking hotels, check on the Internet for the hotel's policies, ground reality and worth for money.
7. You can also save money by calculating the weight of your luggage beforehand. This way, if shopping during your trip is on your mind, then free some luggage space to avoid any extra charge later.
Things to Do During Your Travel
1. Instead of an international roaming card, opt for Wi-Fi hotspots that are generally cheap or free. You can make important calls using various applications like Skype or WhatsApp.
2. For transportation, use public buses and trains rather than traveling in taxis or private vehicles. This will also give you a sneak peek into the life of the locals.
3. Most tourist places levy an entry-fee. However, if you are a family with children below 12 or adolescents in college, you can avail various discounts. Hence, carry age proofs.
4. If restaurant food is expensive to indulge in daily, you can fix yourself small meals by buying groceries from the local markets.
Things to Do After Your Travel
1. On the last day of your journey, exchange foreign currency locally to earn a few extra bucks. Use airport duty free shops or local markets to shop for gifts and souvenirs to avoid spending a large chunk of money.
2. Avoid buying any items that might incur huge custom taxes.
3. In addition, keep a tab on your luggage weight to avoid paying extra baggage handling fees.
Traveling abroad may not necessarily be an expensive affair. Take care to avoid obvious mishaps and play by the rules to have a good time in a lesser budget.
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