Just over a decade ago, air travel seemed like a beautiful faraway dream conquered by few. The idea of stepping on foreign soil back then took years of planning and saving before you could bring yourself to the travel agent to book those tickets to your dream destination. Today, things have gotten a lot more simpler and convenient what with budget airlines offering great deals even up to RM0 airfare during promotional periods which happen pretty often! People nowadays book flights first and plan later, so even if they end up not going for the trip they think, “Oh it was just RM1XX, no biggie,”
If you’re the type who’s always on the lookout to save a penny or two, don’t wait until the very last minute to book your tickets. Remember, every ringgit saved is an extra ringgit for shopping! Scout for deals and keep a lookout of sales through print ads and follow airline Twitter accounts to stay on the ball.
Public or school holidays are popular travel periods which means costs from air tickets to car rentals and hotels will be at an all time high. Also take into consideration flight and hotel check in times, if you arrive late in the day, you’d probably we wasting a day of travel already so try to get an early flight in or out as those are the most affordable.
So many countries, so little time. Let’s face it, you probably won’t be able to travel to all countries on Earth in this lifetime so plan well and have a budget. If you’re strapped for cash keep an eye out for countries with a decline in travelers and though this might scare some people off, countries like New Zealand, Japan and Egypt that have been hit by major epidemics and are slowly recovering often require economical support and tourism contributes to a large segment of their economy.
Its best to keep up with the news and hear what the locals from these countries have to say about the situation in their countries through news websites as well as social networking. Also take note of any public holidays. For example, traveling in China during the Chinese New Year period might result in many shops closed to celebrate the holidays during the festive month. If you’re traveling in the Middle East during Ramadhan on the other hand, most restaurants do not open during the first half of the day.
Look out for good deals on sites such as Trip Advisor where you can also read up on other travelers’ experiences and ratings. A good and safe accomodation is crucial while traveling. Don’t try to save a few bucks and risk yourself to dangerous backalleys and dingy rooms. At the end of the day, a clean and decent room will give you the rest you need for another day of exploration.
Unless you’re travelling in India where cab fees are below 100 rupees (that’s roughly about RM7), you might want to opt for public transportation especially in countries where buses and trains are efficient and widely available. Get the smart savers traveler card which gives you unlimited travel for a day or week depending on the prepaid package you purchase.
Finally, always have a budget and stick to it. Don’t blow all your cash in case you end up in a difficult situation such as which leads to our next advice, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread out your cash and only use your credit card when necessary or you may end up with more debt when you get back home.
