Fare well: Travel hacks to make trips economical and more enjoyable
Here are a few tips to make the most of your trip while spending the least amount of money possible
The new year has arrived and many of us might have exciting travel plans to make 2016 memorable. During the course of planning your vacation, don’t let high costs of travelling discourage you. Here are a few tips to make the most of your trip while spending the least amount of money possible. DESIGN BY SOBIA KHAN
Travel off-season
Summer is often a tempting season to travel to a tropical island, while Christmas and New Year can be celebrated anywhere across the globe. However, these are also the most expensive periods to travel so book flights during off-season months to save money. For those who are interested in a Euro trip, the ideal time to travel without spending a fortune is from October to April, excluding December.
Live central
Staying in city centres may be expensive as compared to the outskirts, but it considerably cuts down on transport costs. This way, one can do more sightseeing and make the most of a short stay by staying closer to tourist attractions.
Airbnb: the secret to cheap accommodation deals
Airbnb is a website which connects potential holiday goers to local hosts in over 190 countries to rent a place to stay. It allows people to find accommodation within their budget and gives them the option to select the location.
Use public transport and walk more
Most countries have a well-developed public transport system, especially tourist destinations. Using public transport is not only a great way to save money but it also helps you learn how to navigate around the place. Shorter distances are best enjoyed on foot and it’s also a great way to experience the local culture.
Google Flights: the trick to cheap flights
If you love travelling long distances, then Google Flights — a search tool for flights — can be a blessing. It provides a list of options from different airlines according to their price and date. An innovative feature of Google Flights is that it allows open-ended searches based on criteria other than destination. For example, a customer may search for flights with a range of dates and budgets according to which various destination choices can be displayed.
Savour street food
Although one may be drawn towards global fast-food franchises, it is always refreshing to indulge in street food. Not only is it a cheaper option but it is also food that you can have on-the-go and cover more tourist spots in a day. This is one of the reasons why Halal Guys in New York and Wafflemeister in London always have a large queue.
Free entry to museums
Most museums in Europe are free for students and carrying a student card in America can get you amazing discounts. Alternatively, in some cities such as New York, there are certain days when everyone can have free access to museums. Hence, it is always a good idea to check those days online before visiting.
Enjoy the small moments
Your most priceless experiences might not necessarily be the ones that cost you the most. Instead of aiming to explore everything in one trip, enjoy a few places you would like to visit the most.
Hafsah Sarfraz is an Islamabad-based reporter for The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 3rd, 2016.
Summer is often a tempting season to travel to a tropical island, while Christmas and New Year can be celebrated anywhere across the globe. However, these are also the most expensive periods to travel so book flights during off-season months to save money. For those who are interested in a Euro trip, the ideal time to travel without spending a fortune is from October to April, excluding December.
Live central
Staying in city centres may be expensive as compared to the outskirts, but it considerably cuts down on transport costs. This way, one can do more sightseeing and make the most of a short stay by staying closer to tourist attractions.
Airbnb: the secret to cheap accommodation deals
Airbnb is a website which connects potential holiday goers to local hosts in over 190 countries to rent a place to stay. It allows people to find accommodation within their budget and gives them the option to select the location.
Use public transport and walk more
Most countries have a well-developed public transport system, especially tourist destinations. Using public transport is not only a great way to save money but it also helps you learn how to navigate around the place. Shorter distances are best enjoyed on foot and it’s also a great way to experience the local culture.
Google Flights: the trick to cheap flights
If you love travelling long distances, then Google Flights — a search tool for flights — can be a blessing. It provides a list of options from different airlines according to their price and date. An innovative feature of Google Flights is that it allows open-ended searches based on criteria other than destination. For example, a customer may search for flights with a range of dates and budgets according to which various destination choices can be displayed.
Savour street food
Although one may be drawn towards global fast-food franchises, it is always refreshing to indulge in street food. Not only is it a cheaper option but it is also food that you can have on-the-go and cover more tourist spots in a day. This is one of the reasons why Halal Guys in New York and Wafflemeister in London always have a large queue.
Free entry to museums
Most museums in Europe are free for students and carrying a student card in America can get you amazing discounts. Alternatively, in some cities such as New York, there are certain days when everyone can have free access to museums. Hence, it is always a good idea to check those days online before visiting.
Enjoy the small moments
Your most priceless experiences might not necessarily be the ones that cost you the most. Instead of aiming to explore everything in one trip, enjoy a few places you would like to visit the most.
Hafsah Sarfraz is an Islamabad-based reporter for The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 3rd, 2016.