Save Money On Travel
Traveling to foreign countries can be among the most rewarding, eye-opening experiences you can have. Unfortunately, it can also be a serious drain on your wallet. We here at BCBR have done a fair amount of traveling over the years, and we've come up with some easy ways to save money during your next foreign adventure. Here are the top five:
Shop around for airfare
This seems obvious, but many people put off buying their plane tickets until the last minute and wind up paying way more than they have to. Ideally, you should start shopping to tickets as soon as you know you're taking your trip. Take your time and use the airline comparison sites to get the best deal. You should also look on the airlines' own websites as they sometimes run specials they don't advertise.
Get a guide book
I can't recommend this strongly enough for the budget traveler. A good guide book can tell you where to eat, stay, and shop in virtually any country in the world. They can give you a primer in the country's history and advise you on cultural norms that you'd otherwise have to learn the hard way. Plus, a guidebook can save you tons of cash! It will point out where the locals shop and eat, where the best budget hotels and hostels are, and if there are any tourist traps or scams to avoid. I've been throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Central and South America, and I've had a guidebook with me each time. The best, most comprehensive guidebooks are definitely the Lonely Planet series. They're put together by experienced travelers and are accessible for the rookie and veteran traveler alike.
Spend US$40 at the Lonely Planet Shop and receive free delivery and a free gift
Eat Local
Some travelers opt to eat fast food or prepackaged items when in a foreign country. Not only will this limit your exposure to the local people and culture, it will also be a drain on your wallet. Don't be afraid to try some of the local restaurants - not only will you usually eat at a fraction of the cost of chain restaurants, but the food will be much better and you'll also experience dishes you may never be able to try again. And you may actually like it.
Stay Local
After airfare, lodging is the single biggest expense when traveling. The big worldwide chains like Hyatt or Marriot may be well known, but they are also expensive. Smaller inns and hotels are usually cheaper, and many times the proprietors can offer you tips and insights about the country you'd never find at the big hotels. The more adventurous traveler can find accommodations for as little as $3 - $5 a night in boarding houses and hostels. A good guide book can offer you a range of hotel options, from super-budget to ultra-luxury.
Don't be afraid of haggling
This can feel unnatural to a lot of Americans, who are used to paying a fixed price on most things they buy. But haggling for small-ticket items like souvenirs is a way of life in many foreign countries, especially in smaller stores and outdoor shopping districts. In Thailand for example, its common for shop owners to quote a higher price to a tourist than to a local, for the simple reason that the tourist will usually pay it. When haggling, be pleasant, but be firm. My rule of thumb was that I'd offer half the asking price and work up from there. Usually my discount was 25% - 40%.