Six Easy Ways to Save Money When Traveling

By: Lina S. Yates

Got the travel bug? Sure, traveling's expensive, but once you've been bitten by the travel bug, you know you won't be happy just staying home because you have to save money.

Here's the key: do your research and follow a few simple guidelines, and you'll find bargains and get to where you want to go while spending a lot less money than you might have originally thought.

1. Don't follow the crowd. Not only will you pay more for everything, the places you want to go will be really busy. Be adventurous! Or go in the off-season.

2. If you're flying, do everything you can to lower the cost of transportation. Air travel, fcan make up a large part of your costs. When looking for airfares online, check prices for different times of the day, and different days of the week. Or fly in the middle of the week, rather than on a weekend. Even when you check prices can make a difference - try logging on after midnight, or on different days.

3. There are always alternatives to air travel. Be creative - think about a cruise, or a bus, or a train. Cruises are great fun, and bus travel can be a great way to get to your destination if you have time on your hands. Rail travel is another good choice when you have a few extra days available.

4. If you can drive there, consider taking your car. Gas prices are high, but it's always worth comparing the price of driving to any alternative transportation method. Remember, though, that you might have additional costs, like an overnight hotel or motel stay. And don't forget to get your car fully checked out before you leave.

5. Ask about cheaper room rates. When hotels have empty rooms, you can sometimes get a better rate. Hotels that cater mostly to professionals and business people, for example, tend to be less busy on weekends, so check to see if you can get a cheaper rate during those times.

6. Check out cheap accommodation alternatives. Bed and breakfasts are charming and may be less expensive than hotels. There are also retreat centers, hostels, timeshares, house sitting or even home exchanges. During the summer, many colleges and universities will lease out dormitory rooms and apartments.

Sure, you need money to travel. But you can definitely keep well within your budget. Research, and follow the tips above, and you'll be able to plan a trip well worth taking without breaking the bank.

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

Author Lina S. Yates covers life tips for all the tangents in your life at 99tangents.com. If you're thinking about a trip, or looking to save money on your next holiday, make sure you check out all the travel tips at 99Tangents.

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