Tips For Travelling on a Budget
1. Taxicabs - The price of cabs in some countries can be all over the map. Be sure to find out what the price should be so that when you negotiate a cab you don't get ripped off. One method I use to find out what a cab is worth is to ask one of the locals what a ride should cost. They usually know and are happy to share the info with you. Be sure to negotiate the price of the ride before you step into the cab and let the driver know that they are not allowed to change the price once you reach your destination, drivers in Israel and Romania (and other countries as well) like to add money to the fair once they have you in the cab so be warned and be prepared. I will often pull out the correct change in front of them and let them know that is all they will be receiving.
2. Use Public Transportation - Buses, Trains, etc that the locals use are always the cheapest way to travel.
3. Stay in Budget Hotels - I have a few different methods of finding budget hotels. Sometimes I have a Lonely Planet Guide that suggests different budget hotels, sometimes I just go for a walk around the town's train station, bus station or city square and there are usually lots to choose from and sometimes I use websites like www.expedia.com , www.hotels.com or www.hotwire.com
4. Avoid Pricey Tours - I only take tours to remote sites that are too difficult to get to myself. Usually I take public transportation or cabs and visit the sites myself. There are usually tour guides available for cheap at the site or guidebooks available. The entrance fees to historical sites are usually not that much.
5. Eat in Local Cafe's - I usually eat at small cafes where the locals eat because the prices are way cheaper than the tourist restaurants and the food is very good. Stay away from the tap water and from salad unless you get a shot ahead of time to prevent traveller's diarrhea.
6. Buy a Guide Book - There are lot's of guidebooks available that teach you the tricks of travelling on a budget in your chosen country. Lonely Planet is my favorite series of guidebook.
7. Don't Plan Ahead - With many hotels and tours, the best prices to be had are last minute deals. In many third world countries, you can get the best deals on hotel rooms by just showing up and negotiating a great price and the same goes for tours. When you book ahead there is often a middle man involved who takes a cut but when you book direct, that is not the case and they can give you a better price.
8. Learn the Exchange Rate and Pack a Calculator - Before you enter a new country it is always wise to first learn what the exchange rate is. There is no shortage of people looking to rip off tourists at the point of entry into the country. Using a new currenty can be a bit confusing and if it's not your own currency it can seem like Monopoly money. People will try to charge higher than normal exchange rates and will try to charge you more for things like cab rides. Learn the exchange rate and bring along a calculator and protect your travel money.
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
2. Use Public Transportation - Buses, Trains, etc that the locals use are always the cheapest way to travel.
3. Stay in Budget Hotels - I have a few different methods of finding budget hotels. Sometimes I have a Lonely Planet Guide that suggests different budget hotels, sometimes I just go for a walk around the town's train station, bus station or city square and there are usually lots to choose from and sometimes I use websites like www.expedia.com , www.hotels.com or www.hotwire.com
4. Avoid Pricey Tours - I only take tours to remote sites that are too difficult to get to myself. Usually I take public transportation or cabs and visit the sites myself. There are usually tour guides available for cheap at the site or guidebooks available. The entrance fees to historical sites are usually not that much.
5. Eat in Local Cafe's - I usually eat at small cafes where the locals eat because the prices are way cheaper than the tourist restaurants and the food is very good. Stay away from the tap water and from salad unless you get a shot ahead of time to prevent traveller's diarrhea.
6. Buy a Guide Book - There are lot's of guidebooks available that teach you the tricks of travelling on a budget in your chosen country. Lonely Planet is my favorite series of guidebook.
7. Don't Plan Ahead - With many hotels and tours, the best prices to be had are last minute deals. In many third world countries, you can get the best deals on hotel rooms by just showing up and negotiating a great price and the same goes for tours. When you book ahead there is often a middle man involved who takes a cut but when you book direct, that is not the case and they can give you a better price.
8. Learn the Exchange Rate and Pack a Calculator - Before you enter a new country it is always wise to first learn what the exchange rate is. There is no shortage of people looking to rip off tourists at the point of entry into the country. Using a new currenty can be a bit confusing and if it's not your own currency it can seem like Monopoly money. People will try to charge higher than normal exchange rates and will try to charge you more for things like cab rides. Learn the exchange rate and bring along a calculator and protect your travel money.
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
