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Study Abroad How to Travel on Budget
Study Abroad How to Travel on Budget | How to Travel on Budget |
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FLIGHTS When traveling, mostly you'd cease your wallet off on purchasing a plane ticket. According to Claudia Marks, Marketing Director for STA Travel, Inc., there are three seasons governing every year - the 'low season' from October to mid-January, the 'shoulder season' from mid-January to mid-April, and the 'high season' from mid-April to September. She adds that in order to obtain the least expensive airfare, you'd need to travel on a weekday, Monday through Thursday, in low season. Keep in mind too that "low season" for North America and Europe can actually be "high season" in areas such as Australia and parts of Asia because of their climates, better yet, fix things up on time. Students and youths under age 25 may avail of discounted airfare from certain travel agencies like STA Travel, Incorporated. Marks states that by booking travel through a student travel agency, student travelers get all the services they need as well as making their travel reasonable, fun and safe - without spending their entire budget. Passengers may also opt to courier services who offer airfare 85 percent below market value. With such, passengers may just check business cargo as their excess passenger baggage and carry paperwork for the shipment. Annual fees for enrollment in a member-supported courier service such as the Air Courier Association costs $29. At this rate, members of the Association may avail of flight schedules and booking services. For those who are flexible with their travel dates, great deals abound for them at E-savers, found directly on the airlines' websites. Also, online services like Travelocity.com and Priceline.com are good resources in seeking inexpensive airfare; however they sometimes require multiple layovers. ACCOMODATIONS In your list of travel expenses, accommodations may come closely to second place! It is better if you travel on groups so you may rip the cost of a private hotel room. Otherwise, to save money, stay in hostels. The largest organization of hostels in the world is Hostelling International which provides quality, low-cost options in most countries. At a membership rate of $25, you may avail of rooms at $8 to $25 per night. "If you're traveling in high season, rates go up and you'd most likely benefit from purchasing an American Youth Hostel card, especially if you plan on traveling more than a few weeks," suggests Marks. "Hostels offer two sets of prices - one for card holders and one for those who don't possess it." If you prefer not to subscribe on membership, travel guides such as Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and Let's Go, or well-experienced travelers may be a great source of information on the quality and efficiency of private hostels. "Instead of staying in the city you want to go to, stay about fifteen to twenty minutes outside, and take the bus in because you'll save a lot on accommodations and amenities," suggests Nkem Wellington, a graduate of Denison University who traveled throughout Europe for three months in the summer of 2000. IN-COUNTRY TRANSPORT When you go over a country, prefer using public transportation and buying rail and bus passes when possible to save money. STA's Marks tells the idea that the train is the easiest and most affordable mode of transport from city center to city center and allows travelers to explore a new country on their own terms. She adds that bus passes are becoming famous because they are inexpensive means to meet other travelers. Youths under age 26 may avail of a second class consecutive Eurail pass that rates about $401 for fifteen days to $1,126 for three months. It costs $269 for two weeks to $899 for three months when traveling in a consecutive bus pass in Europe on Busabout. It is recommended for possible travelers like you to buy the Eurail Insurance to ensure your safety. Better yet, also prepare a list of all the countries that will reissue you a pass in case of loss because not all of them will. Keep in mind too to ask the ticketing agent if there are discounts for students or youths if you choose not to buy a rail or bus pass. Ask for mark-downs at tourist attractions as well, though nothing's posted. FURTHER EXPENSES Marks of STA says that when you purchase certain travel cards, you'd get loads of benefits. "If you purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or GO25 International Youth Travel Card prior to your departure from the States you'll find that you're offered many discounts while on the road, including discounted rates at museums and other attractions as well as restaurants and some forms of public transportation.” Values of such cards are $22 each. Moreover, the birth date stipulated in your passport is sometimes enough. To keep you away on wasting many bucks on food, Hostelling International and STA both recommend shopping in supermarkets and cooking in hostel kitchens. "Several hostels do have cafeterias, and meals there tend to be reasonable - although, if you want to experience the local 'flavor' it's best to venture out," says Marks. "Just remember to shy away from the touristy areas where prices tend to be over inflated." It is recommended for travelers too to go to open farmers markets to shop for food. Bread and cheese and pastries should also be get accustomed. Moreover, to enjoy a dinner at low cost, go to a small, family-owned place. Check it out too if your hotel or hostel goes with a continental breakfast in the price of the room, just like in Europe. Hostelling International offers a tool for budget travelers to calculate how much they should prepare to spend daily. They suggest consulting a guidebook to determine the average cost of hostels, meals and extras in both expensive and inexpensive locations in the country. Then count one or two nights in a pension or low-end hotel and a few $25 dinners. Then add 20 percent. STA's Claudia Marks suggests budgeting at least $25 a day, not including lodging. Beyond all these, the most efficacious recommendations go with cost-cutting tips from guidebooks and other budget travelers who also spent some time at your target destination. Truly, they shall give you knowledge about their experiences and they shall give you tips on how to save your bucks. |
