Travelling the world doesn’t have to break the bank, even if you’re not into roughing it. With some planning and wise choices, one can enjoy your trip while keeping costs down and maintaining an average degree of comfort.
Sure, you could pack a tent and hitchhike from place to place, but not everyone is built for that kind of adventure. While it’s a pity, since it’s not as difficult as it sounds, most of us fall into the regular tourist category, preferring a bit more comfort and convenience.
So, who are we talking about? A regular tourist is someone who travels for leisure, typically planning trips to popular destinations and well-known landmarks. They prioritize comfort and convenience, often using a travel agency or, for the digital natives, digging through travel booking websites.
In the end, they often need a holiday after returning from their holiday because hopping from one attraction to another and trying to cram all the fun into a short period takes its toll.
A regular tourist values practical travel tips, prefers a balanced itinerary that includes too many must-see spots and not enough winding-down time and looks for ways to save money while aiming for a premium travel experience.
In the age of top 10 travel tips and top 10 money-saving tips published to fill money-making-advertising-filled websites, here are a few unnumbered thoughts.
A good long-distance trip starts with a train or a flight. If you only plan to go to the periphery of your city, my advice would be to use public transportation, dress appropriately for the environment and weather, stop reading, and do it.
Finding cheap flights is an art form involving flight comparison sites. There are many, and I have no preference. However, please make the most of their functionalities and set up alerts to track price drops.
Internet wisdom says booking airfare on Sunday is cheaper than other days, and Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest days to fly internationally. I have no data to back that up, but neither do I for keeping my fingers crossed to influence luck. Use your preferred price comparator and see for yourself. Choose flexible departure/return dates and marvel at the price variations.
Be careful where you land. Sometimes, flying into or out of a nearby airport can be cheaper than the main one, but the travel cost to your final destination or the time it takes might make it less attractive.
While last-minute deals can sometimes be found, the internet favours booking 6 to 1.5 months in advance for the risk-averse basic traveller. Unlike the hotel story below, I found that prices only went down during some special offer periods, which are usually unanticipated.
You might find articles about travel rewards credit cards or using accumulated points or miles to offset flight costs. If you travel enough to collect significant miles or spend so much with credit cards, you’re probably on the wrong blog, as you don’t fit my idea of a regular tourist.
Are you getting the best deal on hotels? Did I already mention comparison websites? Some take a cut, and there are shady wars between platforms and the hospitality sector, but for a basic consumer, price transparency and certainty are golden. These platforms often offer discounts and deals not available directly through the hotels, but it’s always worth checking the hotel website.
Regarding hotel loyalty programs, always compare what you get to what you give. Nothing is truly free, and giving up personal data for a complimentary bottle of water isn’t a good deal. But not all deals are bad! Before finalizing your booking, search for discount codes or coupons. You never know!
And if you choose that free cancellation option, you might be a happy camper when the hotel suddenly decides to run a promotion! I ended up redoing the same hotel reservation three times as the prices kept decreasing as the travel date approached.
Additional basic tips for comfort and savings:
- Use public transportation instead of taxis or ride-shares. It’s cheaper and often a more immersive way to explore the local area.
- Try the tourist traps once and enjoy being overcharged, then go eat where the locals do, or at least further than the main street. You’ll save money and experience authentic local cuisine.
- Travel insurance is a waste of money until it’s not. Use your common sense. Check if you are somehow already covered by what you have.
- Go for free or low-cost attractions in your destination. Look for free walking tours, museums with free admission days, and beautiful parks.
- Suppose you want that Instagram photo at a popular (not-free) attraction. Then, plan and reserve tickets online when deals are available. This will limit your scheduling flexibility but also limit your expenses.
A little research and flexibility go a long way in making your regular tourist dreams affordable and enjoyable. Happy travels!