Steve Robinson

Traveling Abroad on a Budget

Most well planned trips overseas begin by finding cheap travel options such as cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages.  Don’t stop there though if you truly want to make your trip affordable as well as memorable.

The following are easy ways to save money:

·       Do not spend money on expensive travel gadgets that you do not really need like noise canceling headphones for your flight or seat wicking underwear.  For the things you really need, such as luggage and guidebooks, consider borrowing vs. paying retail.  Travel guides can be found at libraries, used book stores and online.  Luggage can often be borrowed from family members or friends.

·       Traveling with friends means you can enjoy safety in numbers and share lodging costs.  Acceptable and often nice accommodations can be found in hostels and budget hotels in Europe.  You can significantly lower your lodging expenses by staying in a less desirable (though not unsafe) or more residential part of town away from tourist attractions.

·       Select a travel destination where public transportation is cheap and convenient.  If having a car upon arriving at your destination airport is not mandatory, it is almost always cheaper renting a car from a non-airport location.  If you only want to use a car during part of your visit, see if Zipcar’s are offered at your destination.  Zipcar’s is a car sharing service that provides a convenient, cost effective way to drive.

·       Take advantage of cheap food options.  Street vendors often offer tasty meals at much lower prices.  Whenever considering smaller food stands, make certain you select a clean vendor who thoroughly cooks his meats.  By purchasing some local cheese, fresh bread, seasonal produce, and a bottle of wine, you can enjoy a gourmet picnic for dramatically less than the cost of a restaurant meal.  Tourists buying meals from local grocery stores can often eat for $10 or less daily.

·       Look into free attractions and outdoor activities, such as parks, local concerts, and live entertainment at bars and coffee shops.  If you are willing to pay for entertainment, ask if you can purchase discounted entry by attending during off peak times, showing student ID, or qualifying for other discounts.

·       Keep in touch by using an online service such as Skype which allows users to make free calls worldwide to other Skype users and make inexpensive calls to cell phones and land lines.

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