Archive | Budget Travel Tips RSS for this section

How To Save Money On Your Next Travel

How To Save Money On Your Next Travel

Whether you’re going across the globe or in the next state, you always have to worry about how you’re going to check on your kids or talk with your friends. Forget all the hassle and just enjoy your vacation – the solution is simple!

We all want to have a nice, relaxing vacation from time to time, if possible on a sunny beach in a foreign country. When we finally manage to get it, we find ourselves confronted with other issues – apart from the usual hotel reservations, flight, etc. When you travel to a foreign country, you feel the need to tell everyone back home how things are, assure them you’re alright and you’re having fun. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. And here’s why:

If you have a cell phone with you, you may surprisingly find that it’s not working properly, because the cell phone operator in the country that you’re in uses a different technology or you don’t have international calling activated. And if all the above doesn’t apply, you may find yourself in an area with poor or no network coverage at all…

If you don’t have your cell phone with you, the only thing left to do is to try to call from a local phone or from the hotel.

In both situations, you’re at a disadvantage, mainly because it involves huge costs – international calls are charged with much higher rates because of the technology involved and depending on the agreements between carriers and operators in different countries. Plus, hotels always charge you extra for using their lines.

So what’s the solution? It’s very simple – get a calling card before you leave. Nowadays, calling cards are the easiest and most affordable communication way when you’re traveling. When you buy it, you receive instantly a PIN number, access numbers from all international locations and dialling instructions. Most of the time, you’ll also have special local access numbers in cities across the world – you’ll get a lower rate when using them.

Plus, you can get a call back feature – meaning that not only you’ll be able to call home, but also your friends and family can call you back! And all this at a very low cost, enabling you to do more of the things you like during your vacation.

Photo by stevendepolo

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

How to save money when visiting Orlando, Florida

How to save money when visiting Orlando, Florida

Many people still see a trip to Walt Disney World and sunny Florida as a once-in-a-life-time trip. They look at the cost of flights, accommodation, car-hire, park tickets and spending money and think that it really will cost the earth.

Today, this is not the case.

If you invest a little time into researching and planning your holiday not only will you get more out of your time, but also more importantly, you will save lots of money.

So where do you start. Firstly, forget the notion that to visit Florida and Orlando, you need to book a package holiday. Although this is unarguably a quick solution, you are paying either a travel agent or a tour company for the convenience. Start thinking independent travel, break the holiday up into its component parts, and you will begin to see ways you can save.

Flights. Shop around for your flights, if you can book well ahead you can often secure the lowest prices, as airlines often increase their prices as the seats begin to fill. This will also mean that you, with many airlines, can choose your seats, allowing you and your party to sit together, (or apart if you choose). If you are looking for a last minute deal, don’t despair. There are still bargains to be had. Some companies buy seats in advance to sell on as last minute deals at prices which are reduced below the carrier’s own prices.

Accommodation. Holidays have come a long way recently. You no longer have to spend your well-earned rest crammed together with your friends or family in a double hotel room. Or pay a premium just to get connecting rooms. Now you can easily rent an entire vacation home in which to really relax and enjoy your holiday. Take a look at a Condo or a Townhouse. These offer you a full home from home with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy yourself. Most Condo and Townhouse rentals are located in wonderful communities which provide all the facilities you would expect from a luxury resort including swimming pools, hot-tubs, gyms, tennis courts and much more. Because a Condo or Townhouse can offer you two, three or four bedrooms you will very quickly find yourself saving lots of money when travelling with a party.

Car-Hire. When you organise a package holiday many companies will include a car. The only problem is they do not include insurances. These are the most expensive part of the car-hire deal. Shop around and you will find you can get a far better deal by yourself, and often you can get a bigger and better car for less money. A few companies even offer all-inclusive car-hire deals, which really do include all your insurances in one low price. This will save you a lot.

These are the three biggest expenses you have when considering a visit to sunny Florida. But when you shop around and look at the options available to you, you will see that you really can save a lot of money, and have a great holiday. A little work at this end will help you get the most out of your time and pocket when visiting Orlando.

Also see stay in Orlando for less than you think.

Photo by [le]doo (francis)

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Lower Your Travel Costs Today

Lower Your Travel Costs Today

Many of us choose to travel on a regular basis, and whether we are going away on a business trip or a family vacation, the costs can soon add up. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to watch the finances when we are going on the annual vacation but we do usually have to stick to a budget somewhere in proceedings. By saving money on the travel and the accommodation without compromising comfort and quality, though, it is possible to ensure you have more money for the vacation itself.

Booking time is a difficult factor to judge. If you’re planning a family vacation for you, your partner and three kids then it is unlikely you will want to risk a last minute deal. There is no guarantee you can find the vacation you want and readying so many people in such a short space of time would prove difficult even for the army. Booking well in advance can save you a good amount of money. When you return from one holiday, start thinking about your next. Even if the accommodation is no cheaper, booking flights and other travel expenses will invariably cost you less.

Only book what you need. If you intend to be sight seeing and traveling surrounding areas a lot then you don’t necessarily need a five star hotel will all your meals included. Self-catering apartments can be much more affordable than luxurious hotels and allow you the level of freedom you require from your vacation.

Remember that a vacation is still a vacation even without luxury. Camping trips can be true family adventure and if you’re really short of vacation budget then they are the best option. Caravans offer slightly more in the way of luxury and usually cost slightly less in the way of cash. Camping parks also tend to have entertainment, pools and parks for you and your kids to enjoy for free or very little money.

Photo by jonrawlinson

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Rental Car Insurance in the US: Types, Coverage, and Recommendations

Rental Car Insurance in the US: Types, Coverage, and Recommendations

When looking at the different options for car rental insurance in the United States, you will generally run into five options. These are Loss Damage Waivers (LDW) which are also commonly referred to as Collision Damage Waivers (CDW). There is also Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and UMP, which is Un- and Underinsured Motorist Protection. The fifth option is to not take any rental insurance at all, but we’ll get back to that one later.

LDW/CDW takes care of pretty much everything. It takes care of your own risks, plus if the car is stolen or damaged, then Loss Damage Waivers will cover the entire cost. This is by far and away the best insurance for car rentals as far as coverage goesabout the price reflects it. Many places charge $20-30 per day for this type of insurance, which means even a single week can cost you an additional $210. This insurance can be, and often is, even higher if you rent a full-sized or luxury vehicle.

Liability Insurance Supplement is often in addition to whatever other insurance you purchase. LIS covers you for the costs of any damage or injuries that are a direct result of an accident you are involved in. LIS is usually much cheaper than LDW/CDW, but this may still cost you $8 a day and it adds up, though there is a definite degree of reassurance from knowing you are covered.

The two other insurances that are generally offered are Personal Accident Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Protection. While both of these may seem appealing at first glance because of cheaper prices, don’t be fooled. There is almost never a situation where you actually need one of these. If you’re going to buy insurance for a rental car, then buy the larger policies that are more inclusive. Saving $5 a day won’t help if you get into an uncovered accident.

Then there was the fifth option: not buying any. Insurance is expensive, so it is important to see if this actually is an option for you. Some car insurance policies automatically cover rental cars, which makes any rental insurance both superfluous and fiscally unsound. Also see your credit card company’s policies. Some of the more respectable credit cards have a policy to automatically cover you as long as you put the rental on that card. If either of this cover you, that is a much better route to go than rental insurance from the agency itself.

All of that being said, make sure that you are not under insured. Otherwise if you are involved in an accident you might end up paying for any damages you shouldn’t have to pay for. Always check each insurance policy for coverage and cost, and make sure the first makes it worth the latter.

Also see tips on how to get the best deal on your car rental.

Photo by Damian Morys Foto

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Budget Backpacking Tips

Budget Backpacking Tips

One of the least expensive, yet most fulfilling, types of vacations is the camping and backpacking trip. Hiking through the back country at one of the nation’s magnificent national parks, or just wandering around the wilderness of a state park closer to home, can be a great way to commune with nature, and a wonderful way for families to get away and enjoy being together.

One of the things that makes backpacking so attractive to budget minded trailers is the low cost it takes to get started. Little is needed other than a good quality backpack, a top quality tent and maybe a camp stove or similar appliance. Other than that, the main thing to pack is your sense of spirit and adventure. This article provides some valuable tips for the first time backpacker on a budget.

Invest in a good quality hiking map or guide and get to know the area you will be traveling to. Pay careful attention to the notes and precautions and try your best to match the terrain to your level of ability and experience. When estimating the time it will take to hike to your destination, always overestimate.

Be sure to obtain all necessary permits, and reserve the campsite you want, in advance of your trip. It is not unusual for campsites to sell out, particularly in popular national park destinations.

Always check local regulations regarding campfires, smoking, cleanup, etc. to avoid paying fines.

Research the weather patterns of the area and always be prepared for the worst weather. Always pack some sort of rain gear.

Dress appropriately, in layered clothing, no matter what time of year. Be sure to pack clothing that will allow you to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature or weather. It is best to wear breathable materials, such as polypropylene or wool, to allow perspiration and moisture to be wicked away quickly.

Learn how to operate your equipment before you hit the trail. It is important, for instance, to set up your tent at least once or twice at home. Get familiar with how everything goes together. Learn how to operate your camp stove before you leave home.

Determine how much weight you can comfortably carry, and pack appropriately. Many first time backpackers try to take too much gear, and end up unable to carry that gear during the trip. The weight of the backpack should be no more than one quarter of your weight, and it is best to take only what you need.

Pack more food than you think you will need. Hikers and backpackers burn far more calories than the average person, so be sure to eat sufficient amounts of high quality foods while on your journey. The best foods to pack are those that are high in carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These high quality backpacking foods include peanut butter, instant oatmeal, trail mix, pasta and dried fruit.

Learn where the water sources are on the trail and be sure to keep your water bottles filled in case the next source of water is farther away than anticipated. It is important to drink plenty of water when backpacking, even when the weather is cool.

Always cook your evening meal before it gets too dark. Extra food should always be stored in a bag and hung from a tree limb at night to protect it from local wildlife. Raccoons, skunks and bears have learned to look at backpackers, hikers and campers as easy sources of free meals.

Always pack a first aid kit and be prepared with some basic first aid training. Carry a GPS system or satellite phone if you will be traveling far into the back country, and leave a schedule with the local trail ranger and with friends at home.

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Cheap Las Vegas Hotel accommodations

Cheap Las Vegas Hotel accommodations

Las Vegas, like any touristy type city has their share of great deals at great prices. The great deals however are also limited to certain days of the week or month. This is not to say that Las Vegas isn’t a great place to be anytime. The lower rates are like many in many areas, available in low season when there are fewer visitors.

Low season in Las Vegas is typically during the week. Most hotels have a Tuesday thru Thursday, daily rate that is ridiculously low. If you’re interest is in enjoying one of the premier properties in Las Vegas, then consider the mid week getaway deals. During these mid week times, you can book and reserve a room in hotels like Treasure Island, Luxor, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace and many more top Las Vegas hotel destinations at a substantial discount.

Occupancy is what the hotel is looking to achieve so the more people going, the lower the daily rate. So check around and see what kind of deals can be found using local and web based travel agents. Some travel agents specialize in Las Vegas tours and act as consolidators, booking blocks of rooms and travel arrangements. Don’t let the word “tour” discourage you however. Tour in this case in nothing more than a designation of a group of people going to a common location. This is not like a sightseeing type of tour where someone will take a group around the city to see the sights. This is just a group of people who are traveling at the same time to the same destination city and usually staying at the same hotel accommodation.

If you’re looking to visit Vegas during the high season, which is Friday thru Sunday, the strategy to snag a cheap Las Vegas hotel needs to change a little. As always, it pays to plan ahead. Don’t go during a busy weekend when major conventions are in town. The rates are high and stay that way for everyone. Still, the way to lower hotel costs is your membership in other groups. The automobile club, American Association of Retired Persons, or even your employer may have discounted rates established at many of Las Vegas nicest resorts.

Another way to save big is to stay longer. That’s right, staying longer usually gets a better rate than a one or two night stay. Remember to always ask when booking. Las Vegas always have tourists coming and going. Although many 4 and 5 star hotels will have higher rates, remember to look for discount packages and stay awhile longer. These are your best bet to find the cheapest rates and the nicest places.

Also see Las Vegas on a Shoestring.

Photo by Wolfgang Staudt

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Find Vacation Coupons Online

Find Vacation Coupons Online

Are you planning a vacation for sometime in the near future? Do you want to take a trip, but do not have the money to do so at this time? If you answered yes to either one of these questions you will want to try and get your hands on vacation coupons. Many people do not even know that such coupons exist. But if you know where to get them and how to use them, you will definitely be able to save yourself a lot of money on your next trip.

Vacation coupons are nothing more than coupons that offer you discounts on a variety of different items. Some of the most popular coupons are those that give you a discount on lodging. You will usually be able to find these during the off peak months. Hotels give them away as a way of bringing in tourists even when the weather is not up to par. If you are looking for these all you have to do is call around to a few different hotels. If you do not have any luck at first, do not give up. There are plenty of hotels that will offer you a special coupon rate.

Also, if you are worried about the cost of dining out on your next vacation you should seek out coupons for local restaurants. Many times you will be able to get a dining coupon book from the front desk of the hotel at which you are staying. Call ahead in advance to make sure that they have one of these coupon books available.

Your hotel may also be able to supply you with coupons off of admission at some of the most popular tourist attractions. Many people overlook these coupons, but they can go a long way in ensuring that you have a fun trip while also saving you a lot of money.

Vacation coupons are great for anybody that is planning a trip. While you are going through all of the planning details make sure that you do your best at finding these coupons. By doing this, you may be able to save yourself hundreds of dollars. At the very least, you will be able to get your hands on a couple of coupons that will save you a few dollars here and there. Don’t miss out on saving money on your next vacation; who knows, you may save so much that you can afford to stay a couple of extra days!

Photo by Lomo-Cam

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Discount Austin Hotels Today

Discount Austin Hotels Today

With Austin hotels heavy discounts are offered, even for four- and five-star hotels. These discounts can be up to 70 percent of the room charges. So if one is lucky enough, or if one does a bit of online research, one can get a four-star hotel room for a two-star price. The chances of getting a discount are higher if you are getting your room booked well in advance.

If there is a group of tourists visiting the city, they can always seek bargains in their room rent in most of the hotels. However, these discounts are mostly offered only when the number of rooms booked by the group is more than 10. Some smaller hotels can give a group discount even if the number of rooms booked is less than that.

There are a number of online and offline resources which provide information about the ongoing discount rates offered by various Austin hotels. Go through them before you get a hotel room booked. Then there are certain websites which provide reviews of these hotels. These reviews often include comments from not only the writers, but also from ordinary people who stayed at these hotels.

However, not all hotels provide discounts. Also, one must verify the kind of services offered by the hotels which are offering heavy discounts. The information sheet provided by such hotels must be read very carefully, since to make up for the discount they might have removed the free breakfast from your list and in the end you might end up shelling out more money for breakfast than you have saved in the discount on your room rent.

Photo by Lomo-Cam

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Cheap airline flights and travel tips

Cheap airline flights and travel tips

Every one of us dreams of traveling by airplane and view the beauty of the world from the aerial view. There are many variants when it comes to air traveling, some of them were developed by freight or for commercial and company use.

Why choose travel by air?

Obviously one of the problems by land is lack of space. Meaning thousands of motorists traveling everyday and it seems that this will cause a time delay if you are heading to an important appointment. For busy people the time factor is very important.

It is also a know n fact that traveling by air is much faster than its alternatives. We can assume that people traveling by air are those who have important things to do, like businessperson, authors, diplomats, travellers, government officials and some other important persons.

If you are planning to travel by plane with a large number of friends and relatives to go to a far place and you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of transferring from one bus to another, air travel is the solution.

Evidently, the most interesting spatial characteristics of an airport are its setting and relativisation of the social life implied by air travel.

Cheap flight on the way

Always put up with in mind that cheapest does not always mean the best. For instance, a courier flights may be cheaper than the student fare but restrictions and limitations can affect you personally.

Some times traveling thru a weekdays is unlike from the weekends. At times also staying one day or less or more could affect the fare price. Some airlines cut off their flights. Some of them scheduled it in every month and then two months.

It would be cheaper to flight from one airplane then transfer to another rather than having a flying directly towards the destination.

Fares depend on who the traveler is or his/her status. As much as traveler’s status is concern nowadays, the following people are the one entitled to discounts with some airlines, like students, young children, disabled persons, and senior citizens.

Consulting an airline agent will be a great help to the passengers; it will surely be able to cover up all the issue and thoughts running in your mind about the flight. You can also bargain with the agent to have a good deal with them.

Getting a flight and paying little is a tough job. It maybe concluded that that there are so many considerations and options in choosing cheap air flight whether local or overseas. Finding for cheaper ways to travel by air is not that easy. It will need to take a lot of time and patience.

Just remember this that there is no charge to consult a travel agent. It would be better to find someone who can suggest you of those travel journals in order for you to know what would fits your needs.

Travel agents will provide the best costumer service, full practical advice, and will assist you finding the information on cheap airfares when you need to travel. You also need to know information about last minute flight, hostel memberships, rail passes and hotel reservation.

Photo by PhillipC

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Budget Travel Basics Today

Budget Travel Basics Today

The world of budget travel can be filled with excitement and appeal, and in our expensive world today traveling on a budget is becoming more necessary if you want to travel at all. It is important to keep costs low when traveling, whether you are traveling solo seeing a foreign country for the first time or a family with your car filled with kids and luggage heading for the beach or an amusement park.

If you want to go the lower cost route while traveling, it is definitely a good plan to generate a travel budget. Determine the approximate costs and prioritize the different portions of your trip, such as hotel, airfare, car rental, visiting attractions and sights, food, and gasoline. Once you have a good idea of what you want to spend on each part of your trip, then you need to begin shopping around for the best deals.

When it comes time for you to formulate a budget for travel, you should first prioritize by deciding what is most important to you and what you can cut back on. For example, while some travellers would rather spend a more on a higher class of accommodations, others would rather save money by staying at lower priced hotels or motels splurge on sightseeing or their food budget for the family.

Once you have prioritized the elements of your trip, begin researching what the best deals are. Often, discounted admission rates on area attractions are the most common and easiest to find, since many theme parks, museums and other attractions run specials to draw tourists.

To get big discounts on local attractions, the best place to start is the Internet, specifically the web site of whatever attraction you want to visit. Often you will find great deals online, such as two-for-one deals, free admission for children, special reduced admission days, even discounts on food and lodging.

There are other ways to get great discounts. If you are in the military, a senior citizen or a member of an organization such as AAA, you will find that there are many discounts available to you. Most AAA offices sell discounted tickets for theme parks, museums and other attractions within driving distance, and most AAA offices sell discounted tickets to popular destinations like the Walt Disney World Resort, too. The secret to making the most of your travel budget is to research and take advantage of any discounts available.

If you plan to drive your car on your trip, make sure you get it services so that it is in good condition before you leave. Something small like under-inflated tires or worn spark plugs or brake pads can affect your gas mileage and increase your fuel budget.

A good tip for keeping your fuel spending under control is to invest in a map of your destination. It will keep you from getting lost and therefore wasting gas. Being able to find your way to and from the hotel or other destinations without trouble will make your vacation less stressful and less costly.

No matter how work to save money on your next vacation, planning a budget and adhering to it will let you enjoy your vacation more, and worry about the costs less.

Photo by Hermés

For the most comprehensive hotel price search use hotelpepper.com today and start saving some time, money and get yourself a good room.

Page 1 of 3123