Budget Travel: Top Tips on Traveling Cheap
If you plan on traveling by train, then the main tip you need to follow is to make your reservations early. Remember: some of the best train deals out there can easily be obtained just by booking way ahead of your actual departure date. In fact, you might even be able to afford a First Class ticket this way instead of just getting a Standard Class ticket a few days before your trip.
Another tip you need to follow is to avoid taking the train at peak hours. Peak hours usually cover the period when people go to work and leave work, and will usually be more expensive compared to off-peak hours.
Lastly, try to find out whether you can save money by booking your train tickets in segments instead of paying for a one-destination ticket. A lot of the time, booking a train that goes from one place to another instead of stopping off at other stations will be more expensive, so make sure you check this out.
Now, if you plan on traveling by plane, then it only makes sense to go through various travel comparison websites to find the best airline travel deals out there. There are also a lot of cheap airlines in operation now, in general. However, it would still be well worth your time to check out what your flight would actually include. After all, if you take certain things into consideration, you might get to save more money.
The first thing you should consider is your baggage allowance. First of all: are you paying for it? If you aren't, then how much would you have to pay to take both cabin and checked luggage? Also, are there any penalties if you exceed the allowance?
Next, find out about the on-board facilities. Will you get refreshments? If you won't, how much would food and drinks cost? Also, will you get free headphones for the entertainment system?
Unfortunately, travel costs are necessities that simply cannot be avoided if you have an important meeting to attend abroad or want to take a vacation. However, if you follow all of the tips mentioned above, you should be able to avail of the best deals available on trains and planes, in general. Happy traveling!