Trying to decide where to travel on your next vacation can be exciting, but there are many things to consider including your budget. You may feel like you need to cut back on expenses this year. If you are on a tight budget while planning this vacation, this article will give you some great money saving travel ideas.
Pack your own pillow. If you have trouble sleeping away from home, try bringing your own pillow along. Some people find it difficult to sleep in a bed that isn’t their own. Having a familiar pillow under your head can make a surprisingly huge difference. It could mean the difference between sleepless nights and being well rested for another day full of activities.
If you are arriving in a new city and don’t yet feel comfortable there, consider asking if your hotel provides an airport pickup service. This will allow you to avoid the pitfalls of baggage porters and taxi lines which trap many first time travelers. It also ensures you don’t get lost in the city and go straight to your hotel.
If you are traveling to an area where the tap water tastes strange to you, try using the hotel ice machines to get your water. The ice machines make use of water filters, so the quality is better but you don’t have to cover the expense of bottled water. This can be used for your coffee maker in the room as well as other drinks.
Limit the amount of luggage you take on your trip to a carry-on bag. Luggage has a nasty habit of getting lost in airports. Even if it does not get lost, you often spend an annoying amount of time waiting for it to show up on the luggage carrousel. Limiting the luggage you take to a single carry-on bag will eliminate this problem entirely.
When you travel to visit friends or family, be a courteous guest and do not assume they will make all your sightseeing plans for you. Many people assume they are there to be entertained, which is of course an incorrect assumption and generates bad feeling. Instead, do your homework ahead of time, let your hosts know what you’re planning to do, invite but don’t oblige them to accompany you, and spend your time together in good will, knowing you are being a gracious guest.
Get to the airport early to get a good seat choice. Most airlines ignore seat selections made when purchasing your ticket. When you get to the counter to check-in for your flight you can request the seat you want without too much hassle. This also helps you to be seated next to people you are traveling with.
When traveling by air, purchase your airline tickets as early as possible. Airlines that offer very low fares, like Southwest Airlines, have a limited number of seats available at the lowest price. By purchasing your tickets early you are assured of getting the best possible rates for air travel.
When you travel make sure you take a travel-size bottle of Febreeze or similar product in your handbag. The person who sat in the seat of the plane, bus, or train before you may not have had time to shower before sitting down for a long flight. Avoid spending your trip smelling the previous passenger’s body odor by spraying your seat with Febreeze.
Before you decide on a travel destination, make sure to read as many user reviews about the area as possible. Finding out what other travelers experienced can save you from staying in a decrepit hotel room, visiting a terrible attraction or eating a restaurant that it out of your budget.
If you are traveling overseas, you may want to consult a health practitioner about what vaccinations are recommended. Different areas of the world have different diseases and you always want to be prepared for what you are walking into. There are plenty of vaccinations out there that can keep you safe.
When traveling anywhere, don’t assume that the bus service will be bad. The bus services anywhere can be very helpful. They are cheaper than a taxi of car rental service and can be utilized anywhere that you go. You also don’t have to go through all the hassle of renting a car.
When you’re packing your luggage, put anything you might need before you get to your destination, on top. This will help keep you from digging through your entire suitcase to find a hair brush or a book. Not only can it save you some time and frustration, but you won’t have to worry about things falling out while you’re looking and end up getting lost.
When traveling long distances by car, you can save a lot of money by staying at campgrounds as opposed to hotels. A tent site will cost on average $20 per night, and usually includes facilities & most likely a camp store. Camping guides can be found for free at most rest stops and travel information centers.
Before leaving Fido home or at the kennel on your next trip, consider bringing him along for the fun. Many hotels are striving to accommodate their pet-owner clientèle, by turning their properties into pet friendly places. Pets often stay for free, and some hotels offer services like bringing a doggy bed to the room, and turn-down service with a biscuit instead of a mint! So, take along your pooch the next time you need to travel, you’ll both be happy you did.
To make traveling abroad a stress free experience, make sure to carry copies of your necessary documents. Immigration will ask for your passport, visa and intent of leaving as you exit the plane to enter the country of your destination. You are also required to have proof of where you will be staying. It is important to have back up in case you lose anything while traveling.
As stated in the beginning of the article, planning your next vacation can be exciting. Although, needing to stay within your budget can leave you feeling like your options are limited. Hopefully after reading this article you have some great new ideas for planning your next vacation on a tight budget.
