Save Money While Traveling

Traveling involves a lot of trade-offs. Money is always a big issue after the decision is made to fly somewhere exotic or historical; can you afford to see all the sights and live comfortably? It's never easy to balance what you want to do and what your disposable income allows for.

In order to stretch your money the furthest, you need to look for deals from the get-go. All it takes is a little research and creativity, and with the savings, you will be better equipped to experience your destination to the fullest.

Plane ticket costsMost vacations involve flights, and this is where you should start saving money while traveling.

Travel during the low seasonIf you are averse to research when it comes to traveling, the easiest way to save money on flights is by vacationing during a destination's low season. This usually translates into hundreds of dollars in savings on a plane ticket.

You'll benefit the most from low-season traveling when the place you are visiting is hospitable year-round. Many exotic islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific, for instance, always have good weather -- it doesn't matter when you go. Visit Europe in the winter or early spring, and on top of a cheaper ticket, you'll find that attractions and hotels are less crowded.

Book earlyThose who only have vacation time during the busy winter and summer breaks can still find ways to save on their plane tickets. One method is to book months in advance. Those who buy tickets a year or eight months -- even three months in advance -- will find prices to be quite reasonable. Often, airlines will not make the price drop too obvious; if they give you a rate that seems too high, ask for a discount and you may score a deal.

Fly during the weekSimilarly, travelers who book flights that leave in the middle of the week often receive discounted prices. The reason is simple: Most people prefer traveling on the weekend, whether it's for business or pleasure. Pick a flight that leaves on a Wednesday, for example, and you could save a few dollars.

Go standbyA popular method of traveling among backpackers, students and the thrifty is flying standby. Airlines will inform these people of a flight opening only hours or minutes in advance; it is up to the traveler to be at the airport, ready to hop on a plane. As a "reward" for filling seats on short notice, standby fliers usually pay for tickets at discounted prices. If you're alone or simply don't mind the short notice, this is a good way to lower your flight cost.

Consider a stopover
Often, if you give travel agents a date of departure and a destination, they will return with dozens of opportunities. Many will disregard flights with stopovers because they're an inconvenience. The next time you travel, however, consider booking a flight with a stopover; you might have to sit at the airport for a while between flights, but you can save a substantial amount of money.

Browse the web
Above all, the best method to find the cheapest flight is to do research on the web. High season or low, London or Timbuktu, you'll find a ticket that's right for you. Why? Simply because you have access to virtually all the carriers (and flight finders like Expedia.com and Travelocity.com) the world has to offer. You'll be able to compare prices, find the best discounts and buy without leaving your chair.

Stay at a hotel for cheapOnce you've arrived at your destination, you should also be saving on lodging. Like the plane ticket, finding a comfortable, inexpensive room to sleep in requires planning. Some research can be minimal, such as cutting out a coupon from an "entertainment book" and using it at a Holiday Inn or a Best Western. If you want to save more than a few dollars, though, you'll have to work a little harder.

Search rooms onlineOnce again, the internet provides the best arena in which to find competitive hotel rates. Search sites like Hotels.com and compare prices from hundreds of hotels in cities all over the world. Booking on your own saves the extra cost of paying a travel agent for the job.

Ask about meals and promotionsIf you find that your package includes unnecessary extra fees, phone the hotel and inquire about them. For instance, you may not want the Continental breakfast included in the price, especially if you're staying in a party place and will be sleeping in past 10 a.m. every day anyway.

There are other important things to ask. Travelers who really want to save on meals should look for hotels that offer kitchenettes so they can buy cheap food from a grocer and take care of the cooking themselves. Also, there are often promotional deals that buyers aren't aware of. Ask about them and you might get a surprise, like a room upgrade or a discount.

Ask for company discounts
It won't hurt to ask your boss if your company receives any special discounts. Often, businesses that send workers all over the world have deals with certain hotels; even if you're going on a leisure trip, it may be possible for him to hook you up.

Rent an apartmentOne alternative is to avoid hotels altogether. We're not suggesting you wander the streets like a bum; instead, think about renting an apartment. This could be an ideal decision for longer stays; the rental cost will generally be less than the price of a hotel room. Finding an apartment usually requires connections, however. If you like this possibility, start networking -- who knows what could happen?

Stay in a hostelFinally, the most effective way to save money on accommodations is to stay in a hostel. These simple places may be little more than a roof over your head, but they serve their purpose and allow you to spend more money on cool attractions and activities. Scope out the safe, clean ones on the web or ask experienced travelers to direct you to the right places.

cheap ridesYou've found a great price for a plane ticket and booked your hotel room. The one question that remains is: How are you going to get around? There are always taxis, but they're often expensive, and in some places, unsafe.

Use public transitIf you're staying in a city that boasts a safe and efficient public transit system, use it. Metropolises like New York, Montreal, London, and Paris all have great train, bus and subway systems that are cheap, albeit a little dirty. Get a map of all the routes, purchase a daily or weekly pass, and be on your way.

Use the ol' railroad
When in Europe, most backpackers elect to hop from country to country by train. You'll find great deals for rail passes, and the trip is scenic, quiet and fast. In Australia, luxury buses tour the coastline all year long and students often take advantage of the low fares to travel Down Under. Trains and buses remain efficient ways of going from point A to point B, wherever you are.

Rent a vehicleIf public transportation doesn't give you the freedom you want, rent a car. Again, like renting an apartment, the cost pays off if you plan on staying at your destination for a while. Just make sure you know the written (and unwritten) rules of the road.

Map out your itinerary
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, you can save money by creating an itinerary. That is, plan out your days so that you are always visiting attractions in the same neighborhood, instead of crisscrossing around the city and wasting time and money.

General TipsThere are more ways to save when traveling than just with your plane ticket, hotel room and method of transportation. Here are some more tips:

* Visit countries with favorable currencies. If it's a toss-up between going to country A, which has a weak currency, and country B, which has a strong one, go to country A. Next year, country B's currency may get more competitive.

* Book everything as a complete package. Not only does this save you time, it may provide you with discounts as well. All-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, for instance, often feature these savings.

* Use your credit card. Purchase your plane ticket or rent a car with your credit card and receive free insurance if your card offers this benefit.

* Take advantage of contacts you may have at your destination, even if you don't know them too well. Often, friends and family are glad to show off their city to visitors.

* Travel with a large group to receive discounts on flights, attractions and hotel rooms.

* Look for promotions at the landmarks you visit. Sometimes, you'll find coupons that offer a few dollars off to see the world's coolest attractions; these can go a long way.

* Finally, compare all prices online. Don't settle for a package vacation, hotel room, train pass or plane ticket until you've visited a few travel and auction sites.

A dollar saved is a dollar earned
Whether you save $1,000 on a round-trip plane ticket or a few dollars at the entrance to the Louvre, you're doing well, my worthy traveler. Each time you pocket savings, you're putting yourself in a position to better enjoy your trip. Practice these research methods and your vacation will turn out to be even better than you expected.

original story: By Harry Marks
Travel Specialist
www.askmen.com