If you are going to be travelling abroad, it is important that you follow some basic tips that can help you save a significant amount of money. Travelling to another country can be quite expensive, so you will need to get all of the tips you can to stay within your budget. Even those who don’t have very much money can still travel abroad if they know how to do so properly. You might be surprised at all of the different ways there are to remain thrift when going on holiday overseas.
Select Your Airfare Wisely
It is important to remember that the cost of airfare varies wildly depending on the time of year and even time of day. The best way to save money on your plane ticket is to buy it anywhere from 5o to 100 days prior to your departure date. There is also a good chance that you can save up to 20% by booking it on a Thursday. A lot of airlines offer discounts on tickets in September, so you should keep that in mind as well.
Go Cheap When Dining Out
When you are looking for a place to eat while on vacation, choose a local street vendor or cafe instead of a high-class restaurant. This can help you save a lot of money on your trip while still allowing you to enjoy some delicious native dishes. You will be surprised when you discover just how tasty the food is at some of the less expensive places. Take some time to find out how much the food at each place in the area you are staying cost before going anywhere. A lot of the money that people spend on holiday goes into food, so it’s important to remember this tip.
Shop Around for a Car Hire
You should first ask yourself if you absolutely need a car while you are on holiday. If you do, you should take some time to review your choices. Spending an hour or so looking through discount booking websites can help you save a lot of money on a car hire. Make sure that you know what kind of cover you will have through your insurance company if you get into an accident. Some providers don’t offer any international cover, so you will have to check before leaving.
Take Public Transportation Whenever Possible
One of the more effective ways to save money on your next trip abroad is to take public transportation whenever you can. This is usually very cheap and can get you to where you need to be fairly efficiently. Not all cities offer the same transportation options, so you will need to look into this ahead of time. If the public transportation system is very good where you are going, you might not need to hire a car at all.
Learn About the Currency
Currency exchange rates fluctuate wildly, so you will need to get this information prior to leaving. You can save a lot of money by exchanging your currency beforehand. Your bank will most likely be able to help you with this. One of the worst things you can do is to use your credit or debit card abroad, as you will almost certainly incur hefty charges for each transaction.
Search for the Right Place to Stay
The accommodations you choose for your trip will be very important, so it will warrant a bit of research before making a final decision. A 5-star resort might sound very nice, but it is going to cost you a bundle. You will most likely be able to find plenty of great places to stay at a fraction of the cost. Make sure that you book your hotel room through the actual business instead of a booking site so you can potentially safe a little bit.
Use a Budgeting App
There are numerous mobile apps to help you stay within your budget while you are travelling. These apps will allow you to keep track of what you are spending at every stage of your trip. Those who use one of these apps will reduce their chances of going over their budget, which can have disastrous results.
Don’t Get Carried Away
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you don’t want to get carried away with your spending. It is easy to do this because you are on holiday, but it can really cost you (quite literally) in the end. You should always ask yourself if there is a cheaper alternative that you can opt for to save money. When you maintain this mindset, you will be able to have an enjoyable trip without worrying about exceeding your budget. Just because you are on holiday doesn’t mean you should be frivolous with your money.