Saving On The Cost of Popular Travel Destinations

Sure, Florida and Iceland are cheap right now — but it’s your dream to see Paris or Rome. Many places are top tourist destinations for a reason: there’s just something about them that captures the imagination and brings people back year after year. Unfortunately, in a supply-and-demand world these travel hot spots can be some of the most expensive places to see.

While it’s often enjoyable to take the road less traveled, that doesn’t mean you have to abandon all hopes of saving money on your dream vacation. Some serious comparison shopping for hotels and airfare is a must, but here are some additional ways you can stretch your budget.

Go on the shoulder season. It has to be Paris, but does it have to be Paris in the summer? If you’ve got some flexibility in your planning try the shoulder season instead. That’s the period between peak season (when prices are high and you’ll find crowds everywhere you turn) and low season (the best deals, but you take your chances with the weather).

When is the best time to go? Try booking your Caribbean getaway in the spring or late fall — you’ll miss the winter sun-seekers and dodge the worst of hurricane season. According to travel expert Tim Leffel, flights to Europe typically go down in price in October, and March to May is a great time to visit hot, dry countries like Jordan. (See his article on Transitions Abroad for full details).

On the flip side, be prepared to pay more if you plan to attend (or travel during) major events like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or Oktoberfest in Germany, or travel when everyone else is on the road too — like Christmas or March break.

Look for package deals. You might not be finding the deals on hotels and airfares you were expecting in this economy — individually, at least. Experts recommend looking at package deals for savings, and to read the details carefully to see what’s included. Meals, spa treatments, transit passes or museum tickets can all add value to your trip (if you use them). Something as simple as a good continental breakfast could save $10 a day per person — money that could be spent on admission fees or transit.

Another place for deals: “tourist menus” or prix fixe (fixed price) selections at restaurants. The choices may be limited, but they’re cheaper than a three-course meal.

Skip the hotel. A luxurious hotel has obvious appeal, but you don’t have to spend every night in one. If you don’t mind a little housekeeping and can live without the concierge, renting someone’s apartment or home can offer significant savings, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends. You’ll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and stay in an authentic atmosphere. (See vacation rentals the way to go for tips on finding a place.) If you’re brave, consider a house-swap with a local for little cost.

And it may be time to rethink your prejudices about hostels. The boomer travel market, and a growing demand for budget travel options, means that hostels are offering more… more privacy, more choice and more amenities. The dormitory-style, backpacker accommodations are still out there, but you’ll also find private rooms and unique venues for all ages from youths to “grey-gappers”. If an article on today’s hostels hasn’t convinced you, then perhaps HostelWorld’s list of romantic hostels will. Take the Rooms Deluxe Hostel in Valencia, Spain for example: it has 28 individually decorated, air-conditioned rooms all equipped with wireless internet access. Hostels can be found in many of the world’s priciest cities.

Another option for summer travelers: see if the local university rents out residence rooms. University campuses offer a scenic atmosphere, and you can preview residence rooms online. They’re also well situated — for example, the University of Toronto’s New College Residence rents out rooms from May to August at a fraction of the cost you’ll pay elsewhere in the downtown core.

Look further down the line. In hot spot destinations, anything outside of the “tourist” areas will save you money — like restaurants, shopping and accommodations. That stall on the bridge in Venice may be charging three times the price for the same item you’ll find in a shop a few blocks away.

If hotels are still your preference, get out the city’s transit map and start calling around based on area. Hotels further out along the subway or train routes are often a lot cheaper than staying directly in the city. However, you’ll have to weigh travel times and costs against the expense and convenience of being in the centre of things.

Prepare some of your own meals. At home, we know that convenience foods and eating out in restaurants is going to put a serious dent in our food budgets. On the other hand, preparing meals, shopping locally and eating seasonal foods are sure ways to save.

The problem with being on the road is we don’t have access to our favourite tools, and we don’t really want to spend much time cooking. The trick is to hit the local grocery store and pick up some foods that require little or no preparation. If you’re staying in a hostel or vacation rental that has cooking facilities you can save a lot of money by doing some simple cooking — think salads, stir-frys and sandwiches made from seasonal vegetables and fresh baked bread. Pack your own snacks and buy bottled water from the grocery store.

When you do eat out, take the time to savour your meal and enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant. After all, simply being in a café in Paris or a pub in Ireland is part of the cultural experience, whether it’s a simple drink or a full meal.

Seat yourself. Skip the sit-down meals at restaurants and find your own places to eat. Visiting the local bakery or bistro for juice and a muffin will be a fraction of the cost of breakfast in a café or restaurant. Head to the park, eat breakfast while you travel or plan ahead and eat breakfast in bed.

For lunch or dinner, picnics are easy to prepare — throw in a bottle of wine for a romantic outing, or take the family to a nearby park so the kids can burn off some energy.

Take advantage of free and cheap activities. There are a lot of things you can do to enjoy the travel experience that don’t cost a dime. Exploring on foot (or taking a walking tour) is one option, and free festivals, museums, and outdoor activities can also keep room in the budget. Shopping at local markets is part of the quintessential travel experience, and many public buildings like parliament, churches and libraries can offer a lot of insight into your destination at no cost.

In addition, major cities like Washington D.C. and London, England have a variety of museums and galleries that don’t charge admission. Even the Louvre and the Vatican Museums are free one day a month (the first Sunday and last Saturday, respectively).

Where can you find these deals? Try the local tourism bureau website and look for articles on “Free things to do”. Check out the websites for the attractions you want to visit and look for days or nights when the fees are waived or discounted. (See free things to do when you travel for more ideas.)

Buy last minute. Want to see a show in Las Vegas, or a play in London’s West End? If you’re not picky about what you see or where you sit, you can get tickets for steep discounts simply by walking up to the box office on the day of the performance. (A word of caution: large parties of people may not be able to sit together, so you’ll want to book ahead instead.)

In some places, walk-up fares are available for transportation – but it’s best to call ahead. For instance, in Ontario, Greyhound Bus Lines offers a discount for same day, round trip tickets (perfect for a mini-excursion), but you’ll have to book early for discounts on VIA Rail.

Pay cash and haggle. Travellers often make the mistake of not carrying local currency and spending their money on trinkets that will later end up in the trash. Save your money for unique and interesting items, like leather goods in Venice or an opal from Australia. Having cash in hand makes it easier to negotiate the price down or ask for a discount. You’ll also avoid foreign currency exchange fees on your credit card too. (To brush up on your tips, here’s an article on haggling for souvenirs).

You might want to skip the kitschy souvenirs as well — they’re overpriced in tourist areas and often end up getting tossed in the garbage later.

There are many ways to save, especially if you’re willing to do a little legwork to hunt down the bargains. One area you shouldn’t cheap out on, however, is travel insurance. Look for the “cancel for any reason” clause and make sure to check for exclusions. If you decide that this isn’t the year to travel after all, you’ll want to make sure your investment is protected.

Article source: Elizabeth Rogers of 50Plus.com