Now that there seems to be some chance of the borders reopening, and international travel actually seems like a realistic option again – you may be starting to think about taking advantage and booking a holiday overseas.
Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to an epic adventure without breaking the bank!
BEFORE YOU GO
Consider going somewhere you can get more bang for your buck such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia– flights may be cheaper too.
If you/travel buddy have the organisation prowess, plan the trip yourselves rather than paying for a package deal/through a travel business, as you can save a lot of money by hunting for discounts yourself.
Sign up for daily travel deal websites such as Scoopon, Groupon etc; these have crazy cheap travel deals and some offer the option of paying through options such as Zip pay.
Have a look at the peak travel times for your chosen destination – travelling off-peak means perks such as cheaper hotel rates and a more chilled vibe.
Websites/apps such as Booking.com or Agoda have daily specials, plus if you book a few trips with them, you are eligible for extra discounts and benefits.
Search for places that have free cancellation up until a few days before you go – this may suit travellers who enjoy a more flexible holiday feel and allows you to change the lengths of your stay. And just in case COVID leads to cancellations, it is great to know you are protected.
When booking your accommodation, look for buffet breakfast included.
Consider contacting the accommodation directly – some places may offer their own deals/rates when booking directly with them.
Make sure you research visas and travel injections thoroughly – every extra cost adds up!
ONCE YOU ARRIVE
When booking tours, it can be a lot cheaper to organise when you arrive at the destination rather than pre-paying before you go; the accommodation you are staying in will often be able to set you up with local’s rates for tours, or if you wander around the local area you can find tour offices to book through.
Use review sites such as Trip Advisor and Google reviews to find places to eat with rave reviews that are budget friendly.
The popular tourist hotspots in any country will always be more expensive – there may be others just as beautiful and exciting destinations that are yet to be overrun with visitors, which can be a lot cheaper to visit or even free!
Consider getting around your destination via walking or pushbike – be wary of taxis/tuk-tuks/local transporters who may look to pinpoint people who are obviously travellers and charge extortionate rates.
Organise airport transfers through your accommodation by contacting them via email/phone/booking app – not only is it a wonderful feeling to walk outside to a completely foreign place and have an organised driver holding a sign with your name on it, but it is a fixed price, and will save you being charged overpriced tourist rates (as above!)
Do some research or ask your hotel about local bars/pubs that do regular ‘Happy hour’ specials.
