25 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Cheap rides

You’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 transit

If 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 vehicle

If 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 tips

There 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.

Save Money While Traveling Provided by AskMen.