Saving Tips

Five easy ways to save money when you travel

By Alysa Salzberg, Sun, Mar 23, 2014

A great trip shouldn’t be about how much money you have. But sometimes it seems like there are all kinds of unavoidable expenses.  But actually, not all of them are unavoidable!  Here’s a list of tricks to help you travel for a lot less!

 

1. When it comes to meals, take it to the streets!   Most places you go will offer two ways to eat: sit-down dining in a restaurant, and take-away or street food options.  While a nice restaurant can be a good investment from time to time, street food is usually much cheaper – and it’s also often the best way to really experience what most locals eat.  

 

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2. Don’t count on cabs.  Navigating a new place can be intimidating.  But cabs will usually cost you a small fortune.  If you can, try to stick to public transport options.  You can read up on how to use them before you head to your destination.  If this doesn’t work for where you’re going, look into alternatives, like renting a bike or car, rideshare, or even simply walking if you’re only covering a relatively small distance. 

 

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3. Turn down typical tours.  While a tour with a professional guide can be interesting and fun, it can also make a big dent in your budget.  Check the tourism board of the place you’re headed; some destinations offer MP3 tours you can download for free.  If you’re bringing your phone, there are also a lot of apps out there that do the same thing for a very low cost, as well.  Still, you may prefer a live experience; if that’s the case, check out couch surfing sites and the like; many members would love to show you around their hometown for free.

 

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4. Supermarkets can be super.  While many people bemoan supermarkets as signs of globalization, they’re a godsend for travelers.  A local, reasonably-priced supermarket should be your solution for things like bottled water, and especially Coke and its ilk, which can be pricier than wine in some restaurants!   And while practical, supermarket shopping somewhere else can be fun, too.  It’s a great way to see what products local people seem to buy and to find cool packaging and maybe even some souvenirs (just make sure that you’ll be able to bring what you purchase through customs). 

 

5. Stop by websites.  You may have noticed that a lot of these tips involve doing a little research before you go.  For me, that’s key.  When it comes to landmarks, monuments, and museums, there’s no exception to the rule: checking out their websites before you go will not only help confirm their opening hours, exceptional closings, etc., but you’ll also be able to see if there’s any way to get a discount on admission prices, if there are special days or evenings when ticket prices are reduced, or if they’re participating in local celebrations by waiving admission altogether.  Trip-planning can mean a bit of work, but it can also save you a lot of money in the long run.

 

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