You are here

  1. Travel Tips
    1. Airline and Air Travel Information

      1. Airfare Restrictions
      2. Airline Alliances & Consumer Benefits
      3. Airline Check-In Options
      4. Airline Flight Trackers
      5. Airline Upgrade Guide & Tips
      6. Airport Security
      7. Booking the Best Airplane Seat
      8. Dealing With Lost Baggage
      9. Getting Bumped
      10. Legroom Guide
    2. Business Travel

      1. Frequent Traveler Reward Points
      2. Travel Gadgets
    3. Find the Best Airfare Deals

      1. Alternative Airports
      2. Booking Flights by Phone
      3. Cheap Airline Tickets Tips
      4. Cheapflights-ology
      5. Last Minute Airfares Tips
      6. Senior Traveler Discounts
      7. Travelnomics
    4. Hotel Planning and Booking Information

      1. Eccentric Hotels
      2. Eco Spas Around the World
      3. Eco-Friendly Travel and Ecotourism
      4. Green Hotels Heal Heart Body and Planet
      5. Green House
      6. Hotel Etiquette and Tipping
    5. International Travel Tips

      1. Currency Conversion & Exchange Rate Tips
      2. Embassies & Consulates Abroad
      3. Getting a Passport
      4. International Flights
      5. Understanding The Euro
      6. Vacation Shopping In Europe
    6. Special Interest Trips

      1. Adventure Travel in the Sun
      2. Babymoon Vacation
      3. Backpacking & Airline Tickets
      4. Best Family Beaches
      5. Brighten Up Your Holiday Travel
      6. Celebration & Festival Travel
      7. Chill Out on an Alaska Cruise
      8. Easter Celebrations Around the World
      9. Escape to Quebec City
      10. Exploring the Top National Parks
      11. Fall Weekend Getaway Ideas
      12. Floating Around the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradenew
      13. Gay and Lesbian Travel
      14. Girlfriend Getaways
      15. Going Green in Portland
      16. Great Golf Getaways
      17. Marathon Travel Plans
      18. Planning Your Spa Vacation
      19. Procreation Vacation
      20. Relaxing Weekend Getaways
      21. Romantic Vacation Destinations
      22. Singles Vacations, Trip Ideas And Flight Deals
      23. Spring Break Vacation
      24. Summer Cruising
      25. Take Me Out To The Ballgame
      26. Top Travel Destinations on the Big Screen
      27. Travel Like a Celebrity
      28. Unique Sites in the City
      29. Winter Vacation Travel Tips
    7. Travel and Dining

      1. Airplane Food: What To Expect
      2. Beer Lovers Airport Guide
      3. Healthy Eating at the Airport
    8. Travel Etiquette

      1. Airplane Etiquette
    9. Travel Health and Comfort

      1. Air Travel & Pregnancy
      2. Air Travel and Families
      3. Air Travel and Health
      4. Avoiding Jet Lag Tips
      5. Disabled Traveler Tips
      6. Staying Healthy at Sea
    10. Trip Planning

      1. 10 Things To Do Before Your Flight
      2. Air Travel Planning Tips
      3. Airport Amusements
      4. Buying Travel Insurance
      5. Eco-friendly Travel Preparations
      6. Family Travel on a Budget
      7. Gap Year Travel
      8. Luxury Travel for Less
      9. Stretch Your Travel Dollar
      10. The Best Packing Practices
      11. Time Your Trip
      12. Travel Tips for Women
      13. Traveling With Your Pet

Stretch Your Travel Dollar

Travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune

With gas prices at a premium and airlines adding fees to everything from ticket prices to luggage, it's no wonder more people are rethinking –and re-budgeting—their travel plans. Before you swear off travel altogether, consider some cost-saving options to help stretch your dollar and get you on the road, or in the air, this season. We consulted some budget-minded experts and got their travel tips for making the dollar go further.

Save For Travel

You save for retirement; start saving for travel. Sean O'Neill, senior editor of BudgetTravel.com, recommends putting aside some paycheck cash for travel funds.

“You probably already have your paycheck deposited into your checking account electronically. Why not put your vacation fund on autopilot, too? Each month, ask your employer to shift a sum from your checking into a savings or money-market account. You'll be more likely to stockpile enough cash if you don't have to think about the process,” says O'Neill.

Don't just stash that money in the mattress. Find a savings account that pays interest and you'll get more for your dollar over the period of a year or two.

Comparison Shop

Before you book your travel, shop around. Online travel sites like Cheapflights.com offer great deals from various partners, including airlines. When you book online, you also avoid paying an airline agent surcharge.

“When you're making comparisons, make sure the quotes you're getting include fees and taxes so you're comparing apples to apples,” says Leslie McFadden, staff reporter for Bankrate.com.

Once you've booked your travel, do some research on your destination and find comparison rates for tours, rental cars, excursions and other tourist activities. You're likely to find many of the top tourist activities in that destination offer additional sights to the tour, or coupons to other tours, which will save you money in the long run.

International Travel

Vacations abroad can be eye-opening experiences, and also very costly. If international travel is in your plans, carefully consider the destination and seek out vacation packages to help save a dollar or two along the way.  

One option is to travel to countries that use the dollar, or whose currency is linked to the dollar. The Caribbean and surrounding islands, including the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos, are a few places where the dollar is set. Countries in Central and South America are dollar-friendly and also provide a unique cultural experience.

If you do travel to another country and need a different form of currency, do your research before cashing out. Currency conversion fees at banks can be exorbitant.

“To reduce the costs that typically come from using a money-exchange bureau, use credit cards whenever possible and obtain cash at ATMs,” says O'Neill. “Currency-conversion charges could cost you up to 3 percent extra on every purchase and are rarely listed on credit card bills.”

Before you go, consult your bank's ATM withdrawal policy and also check with your credit card company about international conversion fees and rates. If you do your research ahead of time, you could wind up saving money when you spend internationally.

Travel Smart

Smart travelers know how to save money. From airline tickets to hotel rooms, there is always a bargain to be found if you're flexible and spend time researching. McFadden offers a few helpful tips to remember when booking trips and saving at your destination:

  • Travel mid-week to save on airfare
  • Use public transportation when you're visiting a large city.
  • Hotels at major cities are cheaper on weekends when business travelers are gone. On the contrary, leisure destinations and resort areas will be cheaper during the week.
  • Buy convenience items – sunscreen, lotions, shampoo, etc. – before your trip.
  • Once you arrive at your destination, head to the Chamber of Commerce. You'll find coupons for restaurants, activities and excursions that will save you money in the long run.

 

Now that you're armed with travel saving tips, book your next vacation knowing that you're spending wisely.

One last tip: When you're traveling, consider yourself a local. If you don't dine out every night when you're at home, don't do it when you're on vacation. If you take public transportation at home, use the same mode of transportation at your destination. If you do your research and plan your trip wisely, you'll stretch your travel dollar and you might even have an opportunity to splurge on something frivolous while on vacation.

Melanie Nayer

© Cheapflights Ltd

 

Updated September 2008