5 travel tips from a (somewhat) frugal traveler
We all aspire to travel luxuriously but let’s face it, it’s not always within our budget to stay in nice hotels or eat in nice restaurants. But that doesn’t mean that you have to give up traveling altogether. There are ways to ensure you can still go on your dream vacation but not completely rough it!
Use a carry-on backpack.
I know that may not work for many women out there, but it’s possible to pack light especially if you’re traveling in summer. Roll your clothes and they won’t get wrinkled and it also helps to create more space. There are backpacks built specifically for women that you can find online with deep discounts around February and March (end of winter sale). If you’re planning a trip to Europe, backpacks are much easier to deal with because of all the walking you will have to do in the metro stations. There will be train transfers and stairways everywhere, and you don’t want to be struggling with a suitcase up and down these stairs. Carrying a small backpack also forces you to be very careful with shopping. I only bought things that I really liked and can fit into my bag. Ultimately, traveling ought to be about seeing new places and experiencing the culture. Shopping can be done in your hometown and almost everything is pretty similar due to giant global stores.
Make friends living in foreign lands.
Whenever I travel to Europe, I know I can stay with friends, and that definitely cuts my travel budget in half. You will also get to experience the local culture, go to local bars/restaurants, and, if you are lucky, eat home-cooked meals! My Spanish friend took me to all the affordable local tapas bars where a full meal with beer cost me 5 euros, as compared to 10-15 euros per plate at restaurants. If you don’t have friends from other countries at the moment, become a member of Couchsurfing. If you’re brave enough, you can actually stay in the homes of couchsurfing members or host them in your home. However, you can also just meet them for a drink or dinner wherever city you’re in. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people who have the same passions for traveling as you do!
You don’t have to suffer in hostels.
Yes they are $20 a night for a bed but you’re sharing a room with 6 to 10 other strangers. You will have to bear the risk of being woken up at 3 a.m. by drunk European guys stumbling around the room, singing and shouting obscenities. There are other affordable accommodations such as the local YWCA that has private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. They’re affordable because they don’t have fancy furniture and other hotel amenities like swimming pools, spas, etc. However, you don’t really need all that if your intentions are to see the sights and explore the area. You just need a clean room to sleep in (without creepy bunkmates)! My favorite Web site to read traveler reviews is Tripadvisor. Fellow travelers are candid about their thoughts on the room, hotel location, price, and other issues you may face like bedbugs (eek!), rude receptionists, and hookers in the alley! As a lone female traveler, the most important feature of a hotel is the location. You want to make sure it’s a safe location and close to a metro station. If you’re traveling within the U.S. and Canada, Priceline’s “name your own price” function is an awesome way to save on hotels!
Travel off-season.
A few years ago, I booked a flight to London for $400! If you don’t have constraints on when you can travel, definitely book your trip in the fall. Check Travelzoo for really good package deals to places like China and Australia. Weeklong trips can cost around $1,200 for flights and accommodation!
Don’t book your plane tickets over the weekend!
Airlines jack up their prices on weekends. Some travel advisers say it is best to book your tickets on a Tuesday and I have found that to be somewhat consistent. Prices also increase if you’re traveling on a Friday so if your time is flexible, try leaving midweek. There are price-watch sites such as www.hotwire.com, that will email you once the price drops to a certain level that you specify. I also found that websites store your information when you search for flights and hotels. They’ll slowly increase the rates every time you visit the site. Delete your cookies and Internet history before you visit the same sites again! That way, you won’t end up paying a higher rate than necessary.
Bon voyage!