August to September is a big period for travel. People from around the world use the end of summer to take last minute vacations with their families before the school season begins and the cold weather returns. Europe practically shuts down as people take most of the month off to travel. So there is no better way to start off the month of August than with some great travel tips to make your vacation go a bit easier:
Flying
1. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly into airports other than your final destination, and then take a train or bus. This is especially true during peak travel season or festivals. For my recent flight to Valencia, the cheapest flight was $700 (2 stops) as everyone is traveling there for La Tomatina. Even Ryanair was $200 to fly just from London. However, it was only $550 to fly into Madrid and then another $50 to take the train. Furthermore, I saved myself over 6 hours in layover time.
2. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. Families have more stuff and move much slower. Frequent fliers know exactly how to move through that line quick and have everything ready even before they grab the x-ray machine tray.
3. Always find out what type of plane you are flying on. It will determine how nice the seats and amenities are, since not all planes are created equal. For example, American Airlines MD-80s have wi-fi installed, but as of right now, smaller Boeing planes do not. Newer versions of planes also tend to have more leg room and nicer seats.
Accommodation
4. If you like hotels, last minute deals on Priceline can get you rooms over 60% off the normal price.
5. When you check in to the hotel, ask for an upgrade. Tourism is very bad right now and you are much more likely to get free upgrades and goodies just by asking. They want to keep customers happy and have them go home recommending them to others. Use that to your advantage.
6. If you are traveling with 3-4 people, get a suite. Couches usually fold out into beds making that Priceline negotiated room even cheaper. Four of us split a King suite in Chicago for $50 each per night.
7. If you are in a city for a week or more, renting a furnished apartment can cheaper than a hotel. You can also use sites like Couchsurfing and Hospitality Club to stay with locals for free.
8. Most hostels offer private rooms that are cheaper than hotels. You will have your own bathroom, new sheets each day, free Wi-Fi, and sometimes even a T.V. In New York, my private hostel room was $90 per night. The closest one star hotel in the area (Central Park) cost $120 and did not include wi-fi (but probably some bed bugs.)
Tourism
9. Always visit the local tourist office. They usually have discount cards for major attractions and can let you know what deals are happening at that time.
10. While at the tourist office, take some of those advertisement brochures that offer discounts. Most of them (especially the maps) contain ads for discounted tours and meals.
11. Libraries, Starbucks, and most cafes have free wi-fi or internet.
12. Lunch time is the best time to visit historical sites. Tour groups always head to places in the early morning or late afternoon, but around 1 pm, they break for lunch, leaving much shorter lines for major attractions. Conversely, if you are an early riser, you can be the first one in line and also beat the wait time.
Eating
13. Never eat in a tourist area- the food will be half as good and twice the price. This is a simple enough tip, but one often forgotten by people.
14. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Visit the local supermarket to see what the local palate is like, and make your self some sandwiches or if you have a kitchen, a nice dinner.
15. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most restaurant offer lunch specials much cheaper than those on the normal dinner menu. Don’t know where to go? Don’t look in the guidebook. Ask a local.
When you plan your next holiday, remember some of these tips. Traveling doesn’t have to be a time consuming and expensive process. It should be easy, cheap, and, most importantly, fun.
In honor of the holiday season, Vacationist is offering members even deeper discounts on hotels we’re featuring this week. From an all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia to a six-bedroom Costa Rica villa and a recently-renovated escape in Barbados, these are warm-weather deals you won’t want to pass up. But book now! The deals are only good through 2011.
#2. Camera
le always have a copy of your important documents in your hand bag. While you are on a tour or visiting a place alone, then remember that is not advisable to keep all the money in the same bag. Spread it around, put a little in your carry bay a little in your suitcase a little in your purse etc.
