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Cheap Travel is Possible
Traveling is a necessary escape for some people but often a luxury that isn’t considered affordable especially with added costs of transportation, food, living quarters, sightseeing, and shopping. Traveling though doesn’t always have to be associated as an expense. Here are some tips to enjoy your travels without breaking the bank:
TRANSPORTATION
Flying during certain times of year can significantly save money on your travels. Traveling is directly effected to the weather conditions of your destination. In general, during the winter months (January, February, March) there are cheap flights to New York, NY, Ireland, Netherlands, Dallas, TX, during the summer (June, July, August) there are cheap flights to Phoenix, Tucson, Memphis, and Las Vegas, NV, and during the fall (September and October) there are cheap flights to Japan, New Orleans, St Martin and Costa Rica, to name a few.
There is also a proliferation of cheap deals available online. Some of these deals include inclusive packages, where living accommodations and drinks are included. Websites such as Budget Travel Online, Travel Zoo, Orbitz, Cheap Flights, and even eBay offer numerous cheap deals that change daily. These sites offer email blasts as well that can update you about deals on a daily basis as well as cater these emails to your specific travel needs.
LIVING QUARTERS
- Staying in someone’s apartment or house for your trip can save a lot of money on living accommodations. There are numerous resources online such as craigslist and hideaways. Many apartments come with their own kitchens and laundry rooms, so you can eat in every now and again to save money and even pack less. They also offer a way for you to see authentic living quarters from your travel destination.
- Another alternative to hotels or hostels is to swap houses/apartments with someone you know in a place you would like to visit. If you don’t know anyone in your destination location there are numerous online resources such as singleshomeexchange.com and HomeForExchange.com that offer reliable swapping services.
- The same idea of having cheap flights during certain time of the year applies to cheap hosing. Check with hotels for their off-season rates to get the best deals.
CHEAP EATS
- One of the best aspects of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. This can be done cost effectively by eating breakfast at the hotel or apartment you are staying at.
- Another great resource is the free travel guides that are available at airports, hotels, or the tourism board. They contain local coupons for area restaurants that often include significant discounts on dinners.
- If staying at hotel asking locals for the best to eat is ideal so you can avoid the touristy places that are generally overpriced.
SIGHTSEEING
- Many museums offer connected passes where if you use them over a certain period of days you can get a discount.
- Many hotels and museums offer student, senior, and children’s discounts. If you fit into that category you can save anywhere from 10% to a free museum trip on certain days/times.