Do's and Don'ts: Creative Ways to Save Money
How to Be Creative in Saving Money While Traveling
Traveling is expensive, I'm not going to sugar coat it. Especially when you're coming from the US without much established credit history, milage points, or experience. But traveling is not as expensive as you imagine it to be. In fact you can travel cheaply without having to couch surf every night or sleep in airports. Sure it means being frugal in some areas, but in other areas, with some research, you can save a lot of money. So here are the do's and don'ts of saving money while traveling.Don't
Don't always eat at restaurants. Constantly eating in restaurants gets expensive, especially at night. Instead look at eating larger meals at lunch, where the menu price is cheaper. Also eat what the local specialty is, not American food. The specialty will always be cheaper. If you're staying in apartment, consider cooking if you're there for a few days. If not, have a few meals at a restaurant and then go to food stands or bakeries for the rest. You still get a taste of the country but at a much lower price.Do
Think about what you drink. In Europe, you always get charged for water. If you ask for tap water, you won't get charged. But water, soda, and bottled beer will always be expensive. Instead ask for beer on tap. And it seems the further east you go, the beer is cheaper than water. Also carry around a water bottle with you to avoid buying them in stores. But in general, avoid the four euro water that they're trying to sell you. |
| Go during the off season Brandenburg Gate, Berlin |
Don't
Don't book through travel websites. Usually they'll charge you service charges and won't tell you what other deals are available. Instead use them as a starting point, then go directly to the company's website. From there you'll pay less service charges and might get offered more discounts. Air France for example does not advertise discounts for people under 26 on websites, but when you book directly through them, it will give you the option. I've saved almost 100 euros one time because of this.Do
Look into discounts and loyalty programs. If you're constantly using the same booking website, sign up for their program, especially if all you have to do is give them an email. Sometimes you may have to pay a fee, like I did for the SNCF loyalty program, but within three round trips from Paris to Normandy, the thing paid for itself and I save 50% on many trains now. So look into how often you're using a site and sign up for it if you use it more than three times. You're bound to find some deals, even if further down the road. |
| Walk to save money Buda Castle, Budapest |
Don't
Don't be scared of hostels or Bed and Breakfasts. I know, after a long trip through Europe, a traditional hotel looks really nice. But sometimes are all the amenities worth the cost? Many times you can rent private rooms in hostels or stay in B&Bs for half the price of a hotel. Sure you get what you pay for and someone is not going to come in and make your bed every day, but that's ok as long as its a clean place to sleep, right? For those in my age group, this is a great way to save money.Do
Think about taking the night train or boat. A way to save money is to take the night train or night ferry. Usually these will offer a variety of options, from shared bunks to private rooms. It saves you the time and the money of paying for a hotel. Sure its not the most glamorous of experiences, but I'm not opposed to doing it again.Don't
Don't forget to use your age. Whether you're under 26 or over 65, there are a lot of discounts out there. Sometimes you can enter museums for free, sometimes the price is reduced. And its not just museums, its travel tickets as well. You can save a lot of money, so don't be ashamed of your age, take advantage of it.Do
Look into day cards and tourism cards. Whether you plan on being in a city for a day or a few, look into the metro day cards if you want to avoid walking. Rather than buying a ticket per trip, in most cities its cheaper to buy a day travel card with unlimited rides. Of course if its a small city and you will only need it once, stick to the single ticket, but for large cities, this will save you a lot of money. As for sightseeing, look into the city card which will give you either discounts on museums or will get you in for free. You just need to see if paying for the card is worth it because sometimes it does not include all the museums. But in most cases it will save you a good chunk of change. |
| Eat the local food Goulash from Budapest |
Don't
Don't pack too much. This will save you money on baggage fees. Instead do your laundry in the sink or go to a laundromat, though the sink is a cheaper option. Also don't bring too many gadgets as they take up space and do you really need to bring your giant laptop? Instead opt for a smartphone or tablet where you can connect to the internet. Use the internet to call people back home rather than use your phone plan with its ridiculous overage charges.Do
Look for free things to do. Most museums offer free days, or even free times. So before heading to a museum, look up to see if it will be free during your stay. Also look into activities, not just museums. Sometimes looking at the architecture or the food is a great way to get to see the city, and its free! Many cities also offer free walking tours, though usually a tip is expected. So sometimes a little research is necessary, but the money saved is worth it.
