Escaping from the confines of a cubicle or a classroom and having a fun-filled vacation is something most people dream about. The good news is that you can enjoy your holiday without spending exorbitant amounts of money. Here are some tips:
1. Do Your Research
Think about it: What would you really like to do? Hit the beach? Go shopping? Climb a mountain? Visit a museum?
Once you've narrowed the field, it's time to dig into the details. Can you do these things locally? Do you know anyone who's done them before - and on a similar budget as you're planning? If you don't know where to begin, talk to friends who travel on a similar budget, contact a travel agency for educated opinions, or scour the internet for chat rooms and honest discussion on your vacation topic. A combination of these resources should give you a framework for your vacation itinerary and perhaps provide you with some tips on accommodations, places to dine and things to do.
Thorough research might also provide you with time-saving tips, help you avoid "tourist traps" and save you from miscellaneous hazards and hassles.
Whether it's for business <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> or pleasure, many people travel. Millions of travelers do it every year and if all goes well, they return home with good memories and great photographs. Unfortunately, not all travelers are so fortunate. Even in popular resort areas in countries that are generally considered to be safe destinations, travelers can fall prey to thieves and scam artists. The good news is that with a few simple precautions, you can dramatically increase the odds of an incident-free trip. Next time you head to an interesting and exotic location, be sure to pack these tips.
Think Before You Go
In many of the most beautiful parts of the world, corporate headquarters buildings and luxury <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> vacation destinations exist in the midst of stark poverty. The simple fact that you can afford to travel to such destinations may mark you as a rich tourist in the eyes of the locals. Designer clothes, excessive jewelry, the map in your hand and that expensive camera hanging around your neck all work to make you stand out from the crowd. Therefore, the first step that you can take toward ensuring a safer trip is to minimize the attention that you call to yourself, thus making yourself a less attractive target.
To keep your money <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> safe, you need to take precautions. Carry as little cash as possible, relying instead on travelers' checks <http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/travelerscheque.asp> and credit cards <http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditcard.asp>. Travelers' checks are great because they can easily be replaced if lost or stolen, and customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When possible, get the checks in local currency, and carry multiple checks in small denominations. Sign them as soon as you get them, and put the receipt in a separate location. Credit cards <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> are good too, because they can be canceled quickly should they be lost or stolen. When you must carry cash, carry only the amount that you expect to need for the day. Don't flaunt large amounts of cash in public, and exercise caution when exchanging money for local currency. If you must use an ATM, use one that is located inside a store or hotel rather than out on a street corner, and put the cash away quickly.
Consider carrying two wallets. One should be a cheap wallet or money clip containing a handful of small bills and a few expired credit <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> cards. If you do get robbed or held up, it won't be a problem to hand over this wallet to the crooks.
Also, remember to carry the majority of your money close to your skin. Put it in a money belt worn under your clothing, tuck it in your shoe, or sew an extra pocket inside your slacks or dress. When you need to access it, do so in private. Never carry a wallet in a back pocket, and never trust all of your valuables to a single location, including a purse.
Treat your passport, driver's license, credit cards and airlines tickets as if they were cash and protect them accordingly. Make copies of these documents prior to your departure, and keep the copies in a safe <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/traveltips.asp> place away from your other valuables. If you get robbed, at least you will have the copies to help establish your identity with local authorities.
Other tips include,
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Dress conservatively, wearing only a minimum of jewelry. Ladies, consider leaving that diamond ring at home.
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Don't carry an expensive camera on a strap around your neck - you're only putting yourself and your camera at risk.
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When possible, avoid walking anywhere alone. There is safety in numbers.
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Avoid high-risk areas. Getting off of the beaten path may be a great way to see how the locals live, but it also increases your odds of running into trouble.
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Never get into an unmarked taxi. Whenever possible, call for a cab rather than hopping into the nearest vehicle. Always make note of the taxi's number and driver's identification, if available.
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Never leave money, cameras, computers or other valuables in a hotel room. If you must, don't leave these items out in plain sight. Tucking them into a closet or sticking them in a drawer is better than leaving them out in the open.
Check Before You Leave the Country
Traveling outside of the United States provides access to countless destinations offering a wide variety of interesting new experiences, but there are some places that you just shouldn't go. If you're planning on taking a trip, play it safe and check the U.S. Department of State <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html> website - it can give you an excellent overview of the risks that you may encounter when you visit other countries. Consular information sheets are available for every country in the world.
If You Get Robbed
Despite your best efforts, sometimes bad luck catches up with even the best-prepared travelers. If you have the misfortune of being accosted, do not resist. Hand over the requested items, and leave the scene as quickly as possible. It is better to lose a few dollars than to risk being injured. Report the incident to authorities, but don't expect the issue to be resolved. Petty crimes can be difficult to solve even when locals are victimized. When foreigners are robbed, the crooks and the cops both know that you will likely leave the country in just a few days. Unfortunately, once you are out of sight, you are also out of mind.
Online travel sites have lots of information and often can help would-be travelers find reasonable fares on hotels, cruises, flights and hotels. Major brick-and-mortar travel agencies should be considered as well.
As a vacation-goer, you should peruse newspapers, magazines and websites for advertised deals (or coupons) on items like hotels, rental cars or other methods of transportation you'll be using.
Major airlines offer some terrific money-saving packages. Also, many clubs or organizations offer discounts to certain demographics - being a veteran or a student might save you a few bucks. Finally, be sure to ask the travel agency, airline, cruise line, hotel or other vendor what discounts are available. That way you'll know if you qualify. Even booking online versus in person can save you up to 30% off the purchase price of some hotels and services.
3. Consider Multiple Sources for Pricing
Now you should know when, where and how you want to travel. The next step is to create a budget and price for it. Consider multiple sources in your price planning; don't just call the hotel and airline directly to make reservations. Call them to inquire about the price, but also determine if any of the travel websites enable you to plan, price and book the trip online. Remember that many travel websites direct travelers in bulk to certain destinations so often that the website can generally afford to offer you cheaper rates than you might be able to fetch on your own.
And don't forget to negotiate. Some travel organizations offer discounted rates to groups, when asked. If you don't ask, you might not get the discount. The lesson here is that when traveling (particularly with a large group), don't be afraid to ask for a deal. The same thing applies when dealing with a local vendor - negotiate! You've got nothing to lose by asking.
4. Pack a Lunch
Unless you are embarking on a cruise where meals are often included in the trip's price, the odds are that you will be spending a great deal <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/summer-getaway.asp> of your money on dining. Instead of eating at restaurants every day while on your trip, consider packing a cooler with your favorite lunch items, or a good old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich if that's your thing. When on a longer trip, visit the local supermarket each day to shop for your meals. Both of these ideas have the potential to save you lots of money over the length of your trip.
5. Stay Close to Home, or Have a "Staycation"
It should go without saying, but a great way to save money <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/summer-getaway.asp> is to find a destination that you and your family will enjoy that is within driving distance. That way you'll be able to avoid costly transportation, such as airfare.
In addition, due to increasing prices in travel expenses (like airfare, gas and food) many are opting to stay home in a "staycation". This is exactly like it sounds. You vacation from home and enjoy the local flavor of your area. The key here is to make staying home fun, so spend some of the money you are saving <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/summer-getaway.asp> on a park pass, hotel pool party or spa day.
6. Consider Joining AAA
The American Automobile Association <http://www.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/ZipCode.woa/wa/route> (AAA) is a group that offers roadside assistance if necessary (for a price), but it also provides some great travel deals. This is a large organization, so it can offer lower rates on hotels, cruises and other travel-related items. In addition, it can offer lower rates at many local merchants around your area, so you can take advantage of these lower prices <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/summer-getaway.asp> even when you are not on vacation.
7. Find the Value in Non-Peak Seasons
Certain destinations and activities are in high demand during certain times of the year. For example, a trip to a major ski resort is more popular during the winter season. Conversely, a trip to the New Jersey shore is generally in demand during the summer season. However, traveling when everybody wants to travel can be quite expensive, because merchants generally ratchet up their prices during these peak seasons.
When conducting your research, determine the peak season for the destination you're considering, and then, if possible try to avoid going at that time. This can help you cut the cost of your trip by 10-50%.
Also, consider the time of day for doing certain activities. Some things cost more at different times of day. For example, golfing is less expensive at twilight than in the middle of the day and a theater matinée is cheaper than the price at night. The time of day can also affect the cost of air travel, so keep this in mind when you search for flight information.
Bottom Line
It's a lot of fun to go out on the open road or to take to the skies or the seas and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. However, going on an adventure doesn't mean that you have to break your budget. By shopping around and planning ahead, you can make your vacation both fun and affordable <http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/summer-getaway.asp>.
Conclusion
Making smart and safe decisions when you travel will not only give you peace of mind, but should help to keep you out of harm's way. Traveling can be a great way to relax and slow down, or to explore exciting new locales and sample unfamiliar foods, lifestyles and activities. Whatever destination you choose, be sure to temper your enthusiasm with caution and remember that while the unfamiliarity of the places you visit makes them exciting, your lack of knowledge is also what puts you at risk. So the next time you pack your bags, take caution and common sense along with you.
