Ah, travel. Jetting off to foreign lands, heading to the islands for a holiday break, or even exploring your own backyard. Travel is a wonderful part of life and something of great value to couples, families, friends, and solo travellers. Whether you’re off on holiday just once per year or if seeing the world is a more regular occurrence, you certainly want to make the most of your travel. And one way to do that, whether you’ve obtained finance for your holiday or saved up over time, is to make your budget go as far as possible.
Here are a few of our best tips for stretching your travel budget.
Consider Alternative Accommodation
One of the most expensive aspects of travel is accommodation. While luxury hotels are a wonderful place to stay and are a great treat for special occasions, if you’re looking to stretch that travel budget consider alternative accommodation. Self-catering rentals tend to be less expensive than hotels or B&Bs. You might also investigate Airbnb for unique and comfortable lodgings in private homes, apartments, and more. Airbnb is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of expanding the travel budget.
Dine In
If you’re exploring a new area, it is understandable that you’ll want to sample the local restaurants. And you should! But to save a bit of money, consider dining in a few times during your holiday. Or, if you really love dining out, go out for lunch, when prices tend to be cheaper than in the evening hours. Also, a few glasses of wine can very quickly add up. Enjoy your holiday, but don’t forget to save where you can.
Get Local
Tourism is a massive industry, and merchants know that tourists are often willing to pay top dollar. The key to stretching your travel budget may be to avoid the tourist traps and high-traffic areas. Heading to Rome? The gelato next to the famed Trevi Fountain may be tasty, but it is also twice as expensive as the gelato at a small local producer just a few streets away. Try to patronise local businesses when possible and seek establishments which are located well outside of the main tourist areas. This will save you an amazing amount of money, and the local stuff is usually far better!
Go Off the Beaten Path
By the same token, getting local on your travels can also mean exploring off the beaten path. The major attractions in a destination are often pricey and sometimes not even worth it. Spend some time researching before your holiday to find lesser known sites, free tours, and other activities with free admission. Sometimes the DIY way of travel is not only more affordable, it gives you a totally unique experience that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
What’s your number one money-saving travel tip?
Funds shouldn’t get in the way of your dream holiday. Let our team at Australian Credit Acceptance assist you in finding a holiday financing package that is just right for your travels. We’ll have you approved and secured with a high-quality loan that can send you and your family to your #1 destination.
