TRAVEL: Top tips for budget friendly travel - throughout the holiday

Photo credit: Your Money

 Congratulations - you've made it to your holiday! So now you're here, I have a few tips & tricks on how to keep all that hard-earned money that you've save up so far, be that through making sure you don't get caught out by hidden fees and charges, and checking that you're taking advantage of the cheapest ways to ensure the best trip possible - read on to find out more!

Throughout the holiday

·      Check your credit/debit cards

One of the ways money can easily be sucked out of your bank account is through hidden charges or fees that can occur when you’re taking money out or paying for things with a card. Each bank will have a different currency exchange so I often bring different cards abroad than I would use at home as some banking agencies have more preferable rates than others. I would also advise that when paying or taking out money, you pay in the local currency and at the rate selected by your provider (there should be options for this) as local banks may charge more for the privilege. I also find it easier to use different cards to take out money as to pay for things, as again there can be different charges depending on the transaction. Complicated, I know, but two cards should do the trick, and make sure to do your research (or ask me!) to make sure you get the right card for you.

·      Make your own plans

Speaking of being overcharged, you’re almost always guaranteed to get a better deal when you make your own plans rather than leaving it to your hotel concierge or travel agent, as in many cases they may charge a fee for the service too, or be affiliated with particular companies that may be more expensive than ones you can find yourself. For instance, let’s say your hotel is offering an excursion to visit a local attraction – have a look online to see what other companies are offering the same service, and I have no doubt you’ll find cheaper alternatives. This applies to transport too, as your hotel or accommodation may  offer to organise travel to your destination for you, but at a higher price than you could find yourself. It’s always worth being a bit more prepared!

·      Get around like the locals do

The beauty of pretty much everywhere in the world is that other people probably already live there, and have to get around in other ways than overpriced taxis or shuttle buses. See what the public transport system is like – most metropolitan cities will have an easily understandable train or bus network that should link a lot of the most important places you’re trying to get to. Sometimes, buying a day or week pass can also be cheaper than single tickets for every journey, especially if you know you’re going to be moving around a lot. I’ve also seen a recent explosion in accessible bikes in many cities, where you simply find a bike somewhere around the city, pay at a docking station or via an app, and the bike is yours for as long as you want. Cheap as chips, and a way to work off all the delicious food!

·      Don’t fall into tourist souvenir traps

You’re at that famous attraction you wanted to go to, and they have a gift shop – how convenient! But don’t get sucked into tourist traps like this, as you’ll find much cheaper souvenirs the further away from the tourist centres you go. I always like to shop around if there are a few souvenir shops within a short distance of each other to make sure I’m getting the best deal and won’t stumble across the same thing later for half the price! If you want something of high quality, yes, it might be better getting it from the source, but if you’re just looking for something that says ‘I was here’, smaller shops can often be a much cheaper option – I’ve even found souvenirs in supermarkets for next to nothing. Craft fairs are also a great way to find some fantastic souvenirs, and sellers are often open to haggling, so start the bidding low and walk away if they won’t budge – half the time, at this point the seller will drop their price to get you to come back, and if they don’t, just know you didn’t waste your money! 

I hope you enjoyed today's blog - I'd love to hear what other content you'd like to see on Ciara's Country, so make sure to drop me a message on Twitter @CiarasCountry or in the comments below. There'll be plenty more travel blogs to come - I hope you'll stick around, and thanks for reading!