If you’ve been feeling the financial pinch, you may be thinking of cutting vacations out of your budget to save money. Here you will find some great ideas for traveling on a budget.
Travel can be a good way to get away from it all, but sometimes it is necessary to get in touch with the rest of the world. For this purpose, make sure your cell phone works wherever you are going or purchase a prepaid phone in your destination country. You will be glad you did if you lose your credit cards or passport and need to contact your bank – or embassy! – right away.
Family and friends can be very gracious in letting you stay in their home, while you are visiting. Show your appreciation by taking a small thank you gift for them. It will show your gratitude and make them more open to allowing you to stay there again, in the future.
Watch your important belongings when traveling. If you carry a purse, you want to make sure that it is tucked under your arm securely. If it has a long enough strap, you should have the strap crossing your body. You should avoid carrying bags with a zipper that is easy to get into because thieves could easily unzip the bag in a crowded location and steal important items. When buying a travel bag, keep this in mind.
If vacationing in an area you’ve never visited before, try to find a local to give you some information about the area. Major tourist attractions are always well marked and you’ll have no problem finding them, but learning about some local favorites can make your trip much more memorable and personalized.
Bring your own adapters, unless you want to buy over-priced ones. Many foreign countries have differently shaped and sized outlets. Buying adapters while you are still at home is much more cost-effective. Businesses in these countries have learned to take advantage of travelers who forget that the plugs are quite different from back home.
Weighing your checked bags before you arrive at the airport can save you money and frustration. Many airlines charge an extra $50 or more for checked bags weighing over 50lbs. This can result in spending more money, or having to leave items behind. Put your luggage on a scale at home before you head to the airport to save yourself a headache!
There’s a reason every diet program and nutritionist out there tells you to drink water and lots of it. Keeping yourself hydrated with water, rather than coffee, tea or soda, can prevent you from experiencing fatigue and excessive tiredness. These feelings are notorious triggers for emotional eaters. Drinking water before a meal also helps you to feel fuller faster.
You can never be sure how easy it will be for someone to contact you through your cell on a trip which means it is a good idea to leave a detailed list of your plans with a neighbor or friend. This allows them to attempt contacting you at a specific location in the event there is an emergency at home.
Searching for travel deals? Do not jump on the first package you find! There are some that will save you money. However, there are also some that will end up costing you more than it would if you would take the time and book everything individually. Break down the cost. Do some online shopping to compare before you buy!
Pack duct tape to use during your trip for any kind of breaking or splitting emergencies that can occur with your items. These rolls come in great for various items that may get damaged before or during your trip. Things that it can mend include sandal straps, purse straps, holes in your items, etc.
Make sure that when you are not the driver in a car trip, that you are getting sleep when you can. It is of utmost importance that everyone who drives is alert and well-rested since many crashes and deaths are associated with drivers who have fallen asleep behind the wheel.
When on a road trip with a toddler, try to start your trips nearer to the afternoon. Many times, young children will give you problems if you head out too early. Most toddlers will be ready for their nap in the afternoon and will be less likely to act up on any trip, when they are fast asleep.
A great travel tip if you’re looking to go on a cruise is to make sure you book the right room for you. Rooms in the middle of the ship tend to be the quietest. If you don’t want to climb a lot of stairs you should get your room near the main deck.
When you decide to do a city tour, make sure you stay with your group. Many great travel destinations offer guided tours so you can see the best sights in a short amount of time. If you let yourself get split up from your group, you can easily end up completely lost.
When traveling internationally it is important to keep up with your passport at all times. Many passports are lost or stolen while people are traveling because they do not pay attention to where they put them. It is important to put your passport in a safe location at all times.
When traveling, put a few extra large plastic bags in your suitcase for the trip home. A large wet bag can also work. The bags will come in handy for packing any dirty clothes, wet items, or opened toiletries on your way back home. This can help to protect your clean items from any messes.
As stated in the beginning of this article, you may be feeling like you need to skip your vacation this year, due to the recent state of the economy. Use these ideas to take a vacation without breaking the bank.