09.03.07
Ready, Set, Save
Travelers are keenly aware of the fluctuating dollar. Here at Wide World we’ve compiled some suggestions that may stretch your hard-earned money a little farther. It’s a pick and choose list, not all are valuable on every trip but we believe that there’s a tip in here for every trip. Have a look:
Preemptive savings: A few weeks or months before you go on your trip tighten your belt. Go out even a little less than usual and put that money towards your trip. Chances are you’ll enjoy that money a lot more on your trip than you will at home.
Multiple-day passes are available for most cities, including Seattle, and may include museums, other sites, local transportation. These can save you lots of money (as well as get you in ahead of the people standing in line for tickets), as long as you plan to go to enough of the places on the passes. An added bonus is you may take in something completely different because it’s included – another way to explore a new place.
Free days are often listed at the local tourist office, along with free concerts in local churches.
Stay longer where you are. It can get expensive to move around a lot when traveling plus spending a week in one place really gives you a chance to get to know it. You can become a regular at a favorite breakfast spot or learn where the locals really hangout.
Reduce your hotel/guesthouse rate by staying 3 or more nights. It’s often possible to get a reduction on the room charge when staying longer, especially if you pay with cash.
Don’t be afraid of hostels: Hostels are always the budget alternative and they are not just for backpackers or college students. Besides the “dorm” style rooms that have made hostels famous, many hostels offer private double rooms (with shared bathrooms) for much less than a hotel. Hostels are also beginning to offer pensions or apartments, again much more affordable than standard hotels. Another benefit to hostels is that they are often centrally located right in the heart of the city. Hostel memberships are for sale at WWB, $28.00 adult, $18.00 senior.
Flexibility and risk offer their own rewards. Last minute bookings through sites like hotels.com or your own phone call can bring big savings over published prices. Not recommended at the height of tourist season or if reading this made you nervous.
Have a picnic whenever possible. Besides getting you out to the nearby parks or hills or seashore, you can have great fun at a local market where you buy your bread, fruit, vegetables, olives, wine, cheese, desserts, all the things that you want for dining out. You can really expand your interactions with the sellers by learning numbers then banter and barter and enjoy your shopping experience. Be sure to look for any specialty food items to the area, especially desserts.
Local transportation is a very cost-effective way to see the land, meet a variety of people, and leave the driving to those who know the way.
Plastic Instead of exchanging money and paying pricy commissions, use your ATM card. Your bank may charges a nominal fee, and the exchange rate from your bank is one of the best you will get. Be sure to check with your bank regarding international fees; different accounts can have different fees.
Parking the rental car in major cities is a cost to consider when deciding when or if to rent a car. If possible, pick it up on your way out of town, drop it off when you arrive in the next major city.
Students make sure you have your current student ID with you.
Trip jar coins can add up faster than you think. When that change jar is full, add that money to your travel fund, perhaps along with your tax refund.
If traveling to remote areas or places only reachable by private vehicle, log on to websites like Thorn Tree or Independent Traveler to see if others are doing the same thing around the same time.
Travelers insurance can save you thousands of dollars. Check that emergency medical evacuation is included on your policy.
Some in-store resources that offer travel and money tips include The Practical Nomad by Edward Hasbrouck, The Traveler’s Web by Randolph Hock, Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune by Tim Leffel and The Traveler’s Handbook edited by Lorie, Sohanpaul, and Williams.
What are your tips for cost effective travel? We’d love to hear them. Email us and we’ll post your suggestions on our blog!
