How to Cut the Cost But Not the Fun in Your Next Travel

So you love to travel but don't exactly have the big bucks to splurge on what you might think are necessities. This article hopes to give you some helpful tips and pointers to reduce your expenses but not your fun. First things first, PLAN AHEAD. Someone once said "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That is so true when it comes to traveling. Just by planning ahead and working out your traveling period ahead of time you can save a lot of money. Below are 10 tips to help you in your cost reduction process:-

1. If possible plan your travel at least 2 - 3 months in advance. You will usually be able to get better rates for airfare and accommodation if you book them early.

2. Don't pack in your whole house. Seriously, some of the stuff you think you might need, you don't really need at all. Leave the picture of your dog at home! Travel light. Not only will you save on having to pay for excess baggage, it will be easier for you to move around. You will most likely be buying some souvenirs. You need space for that.

3. Opt for a bed and breakfast or a backpackers' inn instead of a hotel. Some of these places are quite decent, really. Be sure to check them out at travel review sites such as tripadvisor.com

4. If breakfast is included with your stay, eat in and eat heartily. There's no reason to go out and pay for a meal unless there's a local delicacy you're dying to try out. Most of the time, especially in Asia, the local delicacies are the street vendors. Leave the fancy expensive restaurants alone.

5. When eating out, order water instead of a juice or soft drink. Besides it being healthier, you save money too.

6. It would be helpful to stock up on some ready to eat food such as energy bars, instant noodles, bread, etc. from the nearest grocery store or supermarket instead of popping into a restaurant every time the hunger pang strikes. Pack a sandwich when going for day trips.

7. When shopping, go where the locals go. Learn the art of haggling. You'd be surprised how much you can save. Often times, prices are marked up just for tourists. If possible, have a local friend with you to assist with the haggling.

8. As much as possible, travel by public transport, avoid taking cabs or taxis as they cost a lot more. Most cities would have tourist information centres where you would be able to obtain information about these services. Walking is good too, that way you really get to experience the place.

9. When sight-seeing, try to go to places where you don't have to pay. Ask the operator of your hotel or inn for advice on these places. If you need to go for a paid tour or sight-seeing attraction, it will be helpful for you to make friends with other tourists and form a group. Some establishments do offer group discounts.

10. Last but not least, you can say "NO". Don't always feel you have to buy something or take up a tour offer if you do not wish to. That is your right as a tourist!

Adrian Moen is a photography and travel enthusiast and runs a blog called cutiDeals which provides information on the latest travel deals available in the Malaysian market. To receive a free ebook and the latest travel deals via email, click here: http://cutideals.com/cutiupdates

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It’s Travel Time! Select The Best Season For Travel Bargains!

If you want to travel cheap, then pay attention to the different travel seasons. Like most things, every travel destination has its high, low and shoulder seasons. So if you want the best travel bargains, you need to know the season for the destination of your choice. For some travel destinations, a high season can be a couple of weeks throughout the year. For others, it may just be all summer. Even though it may be cheaper to travel during low seasons, but you want to avoid those travel destinations. Afterall, they are called low seasons for a reason. That particular destination might be very hot or may be raining non-stop. So at the end, instead of going on a cheap travel, you may just end up sitting in your hotel room. Hence, the best option to get good travel bargains is during the shoulder season. Shoulder season refers to the period between high and low season. This is when travel prices have begun to drop. This price drop is related to the lower demand for the destination and does not refer to the lack of value. For many travel destinations, the shoulder season begins in the fall when college students begin to go home. Fall is also a good time to visit many European locations. The temperatures are cooler, the crowds have gone and the prices on accommodation and meals are lower.In the Caribbean and Mexico, the shoulder season is during late spring. There are good travel bargains because most tourists from colder climates are enjoying better weather at home and no longer need to escape to a warmer country. Most travel guidebooks and travel websites will have information on the best time to visit a specific travel location. Alternatively, you could ask your travel agent. No matter what, always check one of these travel sources for information.Finding great travel bargains is possible in all seasons. But it is generally most difficult in the summer time when people are most interested in going for vacations. Winter is an excellent season to visit many travel destinations, but remember that it is high season for destinations such as ski resorts.You could travel to Asia during winter as it is often cheaper in the winter. Many travel destinations in Asia and Europe have winters that are less harsh than in many parts of United States. So you may just want to be on the lookout for good travel bargains for a winter vacation for yourself or your family.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
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