Overseas travel isn’t cheap. Any journey undertaken is most likely to involve spending on travel, accommodation, insurance, entertainment and shopping, most of these usually costing a small fortune each. If you have the passion to travel to distant countries or for extended lengths of time, don’t let the fear of what it may cost turn you off. If you put your mind to it, an overseas venture can be as expensive or affordable as you make it. There are always options.
Splash out on a first class air ticket or go one step cheaper on your flight than economy class by purchasing a budget airticket which strips your journey of the unnecessary and costly frills, for example, complimentary meals and refreshments and a gaming portal at every seat. Opt out of the flights that keep you fed and entertained and you can save yourself a bucket. All you have to do is bring your own entertainment and snacks. It’s only a matter of hours out of your life!
When you choose your accommodation, you can decide to live it up in a five star hotel where you probably won’t meet many locals or hit the hay in a downtown backpackers where you’ll be surrounded by the people of the county you came to explore. Five star hotels may offer air conditioning and round-the-clock service with three meals a day but you’ll never know what it’s like to sit in an over-crowded little café buzzing with accents you don’t understand and the humour in trying to navigate the menu, just hoping your meal doesn’t contain goats testes.
Travel Insurance is another cost that factors into most trips. It is not a luxury and shouldn’t be considered one. Everybody is at stake when it comes to the perils that can befall a holiday-maker, no matter how young or free of responsibility you are. Don’t buy your travel insurance from a travel agent. Always look around and you’ll find better value at an insurance broker like Downunder Travel Insurance. There are cost-effective, great value insurance packages out there to to trim the costs on your holiday.
When you’re going away, take time out to prepare before you go. You are sure to save money if you map out the sites you think you might want to see by flicking through a Lonely Planet or similar publication. That way you can budget for your entry fees and any other fees you may get jumped with unexpectedly and as any seasoned traveler will tell you, there are plenty of traps out there!
If you’re going to buy curios and momentos from your time away, have some fun in the local markets and avoid shopping malls. In the markets you can bargain with the vendors and walk away with all kinds of treasures and memories that you’ll never find on a high street shopping parade.
It’s easy to save money on your travels if you put a little effort into it and you’ll find that it’s more rewarding too.