- Travel on your own
Arranging for a tour package may be easier, but you’re paying for the convenience. If you are willing to make your reservations, you will find that you will save a lot of money while you travel.
Book your hotels, eat in small local restaurants, hire local guides and discover the cities on foot rather than by bus. These are small changes but will save you hundreds of dollars.
- Choose the right destination
Some destinations are much more expensive than others. Before dreaming of the Maldives, find out about other destinations. You might find another equally fabulous place for half the price. Another option that often costs less is to travel to developing countries. Look for homes with good infrastructure for self-driving travellers, where you can get more for your money. - Shop around when you book your flight
To find reasonable prices, start by searching the Internet; several excellent discount travel sites are available. It’s up to you to compare the prices. Gather all the information you need before going to a travel agent. Travel agents are still best placed to find you the best prices!
It’s even better if you’re able to be flexible with your departure and return dates. Several airlines offer reduced rates on certain days of the week. So if you don’t mind a two or three-day gap, you have a good chance of getting a better price.
Another great way to save on airfare is to collect points with a credit card with a rewards program. Most of these cards offer instant bonuses on an acquisition of the card, and if you use the same card for all your purchases and pay off the balance monthly, you will quickly accumulate points.
- Look for a different type of accommodation
Consider renting a campervan. Many campgrounds in Europe are fully serviced, located close to towns, and offer complimentary shuttle service, all for less than $20 a night. A beach pavilion can be rented to you for as little as $10 a night in Southeast Asia.
Hostels are growing in popularity with travellers who aren’t necessarily backpacking, and they now offer more private rooms. Don’t rule them out, as some hostels offer more amenities than many hotels we’ve stayed at in the past.
- Take a flight from another airport
Flying from Canada can sometimes be more expensive than flying from a US city. You could save almost two hundred dollars by flying from an airport in a town in the United States. If you live near the border, find out about the prices for departures from the airport in the United States that is closest to you.
Also, although a direct flight is much shorter and therefore more comfortable, you will find that a flight with stopovers will cost you much less.
- Determine in advance what your costs will be
Before getting into a taxi at the airport, it is best to know what it will cost you. To do this, do research while you are at home, and when you arrive, state your destination with confidence. Ask for the race price and do the calculation yourself before accepting the amount you are asked for. If it’s too high, decline and ask for a lower rate. Prices may vary, but it is unacceptable to be charged double or triple an amount considered reasonable for the ride.
This advice also applies to accommodation and sightseeing. Information on basic hotel costs is easy to find on the Internet. If you decide to stay in an inn or a private lodge and you are asked for an exorbitant price, do not hesitate to ask that they let you have the room for a lower price. In many countries, you are expected to negotiate.
- Calculate the exchange rate
I never accept a price until I have calculated the equivalent in Canadian currency. It happens that the price looks tempting when given in a foreign currency, and when you later make the conversion, you realize that you have been asked for a much too high amount. There’s nothing wrong with pulling out your calculator and using it to show the merchant what you’re willing to pay.
