Cut Costs, not Corners: How to Travel on the Cheap


by Andrew Regan - Date: 2007-04-23 - Word Count: 431 Share This!

Travelling can be an inherently expensive activity, with transportation, accommodation, food, drink and activities to pay for, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs on each aspect of a trip - here are some top tips to help you travel for less.

No frills flights:

Of all the components of a trip, transportation is usually the most expensive part. However, the advent of low cost, "no frills" airlines has drastically reduced the cost of flying. These normally work on an early booking discount basis: the earlier you book and pay for your flight, the cheaper your seat is. New low cost airlines are springing up all over the world, offering more and more routes each month. Europe is especially well served by such airlines, but there are new lines opening in North America and Asia too. "No frills" airlines are exactly that: don't expect free food and drink, or reserved seating. However, it's always possible to buy refreshments on onboard, though a cheaper option might be to buy some at the airport after security and take it onboard in your hand luggage.

Value accommodation:

Great value accommodation comes in various forms. At the lowest end of the scale is camping. Best suited to the outdoor types, this is a very cheap form of accommodation, ideal if you can live without your home comforts for a few days! Campsites can be found in most rural areas and can vary widely from little more than a field, to fully equipped sites with modern amenities such as restaurants, swimming pools and gyms. If you prefer a bit more luxury, bed and breakfast accommodation can offer great value. Again, this type of accommodation can range from private home owners who rent out spare rooms, to major hospitality chains that offer bed and breakfast hotel packages.

Local knowledge:

One you've arrived at your destination, a good way to discover the best value places to eat and drink is to talk to the locals. Restaurants and bars in areas heavily populated by tourists tend to have higher prices than less touristy locations. However, even in tourist hot spots, it is possible to find cheaper haunts which are favoured by the local population. All you have to do is find them, and the best way to do this is to speak to the staff at your hotel and get their opinions.

If you book your flights early, do your research for accommodation, and talk to the locals, you should find that you can make your vacation budget stretch a lot further than you thought.

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels extensively.


Related Tags: travel, budget travel, low cost, cheap travel, bed and breakfast hotel packages, no frills

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels extensively.

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