Archive for the Category »Budget Travel «

19
Jul 2009

Budget Air Travel


by Patricia Miller

Like eating and breathing, travel really is an essential part of life. Even our ancient ancestors and early civilizations knew the importance of moving from one place to another. Without travel, we become stagnant. Without taking in astonishing views of natural wonders, and meeting incredible new people, we become overwhelmed by stress.

Air travel, with its breathtaking speed and limitless destinations, is by and far the best choice for adventurous people who need to feed their passion for travel. But there are other considerations, including the travel budget. The money in your pocket, backpack or luggage has to cover all food, hotel accommodations, boarding expenses, sightseeing trips, souvenirs and a lot more. Money can put tight restrictions on where you travel to, unless you choose to take advantage of budget air travel.

Smart travelers are not necessarily thrifty when they travel, but they are wise with their money and budgets in general. Being able to estimate all possible expenses that you will incur over the entire duration of your trip can help you get the most out of your travel budget. Avoid circumstances that can make you fall short of cash. If you are traveling alone and you run out of money, you have no one else to rely on for help. It is important to allow yourself an ample amount of cash, and be prepared for the unexpected.

Traveling with a budget airline, or taking advantage of discounted rates, is a great option for the smart and thrifty traveler. Here are some tips to help you fully enjoy your budget air travel experience:

* Make an initial assessment of fare rates. List and compare various airlines to find affordable rates. Remember that you can’t put a price on your convenience, and keep in mind that you must enjoy the trip and be comfortable with the services offered.

* Look for an airline with cheaper fare but proven service. Practicality doesn’t necessarily mean going with a first-class airline company. If you find an airline that offers a lower fare with great customer reviews, go for it.

* Go for package deals. Check the available airlines for current and upcoming promotions. If you can determine the exact number of days that you will be away, you can save by booking your departure and return flight at one time. Taking a package deal is also a big help if your return fare is paid for ahead of time.

* Travel in a group. If possible, plan to take your trip with your family or a group of friends. Discount air travel is often possible with group rates. The total fare is divided among the members of your group, and each person will pay a little less.

* Use the Internet to search for discount air travel rates. Airlines will provide actual fare quotes online, and offer full descriptions of their services. Numerous websites are available to help you compare rates, find the best quotes, confirm prices and even book the flights.

When you’re taking the trip of your dreams, the last thing you want to worry about is money. Budget air travel is an excellent way for you to see the world and stay within your means. You won’t need to cut yourself short, just be realistic and spend your money wisely.

Patricia Miller writes for several web sites, on products and shopping tips topics.

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24
May 2008

Budget adventure travel


Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry, but it is often difficult to find good bargains when booking adventure travel. With so many people itching to go on the adventure of a lifetime, the prices in those travel brochures can lead you to believe that adventure travel is beyond your means.That does not have to be the case, however. The key to affordable adventure travel is to book directly from the providers of the adventure, instead of going through multiple layers of travel agents, tour operators and tour guides.

Booking a tour directly has many benefits besides monetary ones, including meeting wonderful local people and enjoying the local culture. Often the best way to enjoy a vacation on a budget is to book low cost airfare to the destination of your choice, take the local bus into town, and start asking around about the best adventure guides in town. Local tour operators know the area, they know how to please their clientele, and best of all they are inexpensive. U.S. currency goes quite a long way in many exotic locations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere, so dealing with local tour guides is the best way to make your adventure travel dollar stretch even further.

Many inexperienced adventure travelers are unsure how they can possibly book an adventure tour on their own. For one thing, there is often a language barrier in far off locations, and you may be many thousands of miles from home in an unfamiliar location.

What these first time travelers often don’t realize, however, is that finding a tour operator is often the easiest part of the journey. In many cases, the tour operators will find you as soon as you land, without you having to seek them out. And in most places, especially those frequented by American tourists, the guides will speak at least a little bit of English. Listed below are some of the best tips for booking your own budget travel adventure.

 Be sure to ask around before you leave. Get opinions from other travelers who have done the adventure you plan on.  Refer to your guidebook for references. Guidebook writers are often quite knowledgeable about which tour operators are good and which are more questionable.

 Check on the message boards, both virtual and real. Real message boards are available at hostels and local guest houses, and they can provide excellent information on local tours and tour operators. The staff at local hostels can also provide excellent information about adventure travel. And internet message boards devoted to travel can be great sources of information, both before you leave home and after you arrive in your far off location.

 Interview your potential trip leaders carefully. Ask lots of open ended and probing questions about the equipment used, the experience level of the guides, the lodging the food, and what is and is not included. Be sure to negotiate everything in advance, since you will have little leverage once the adventure trip has begun.

 Finally, if your crew did a great job, be sure to tip them generously after the tour has come to an end. Good tour operators rely on these tips to supplement their often meager wages, and this helps to keep the best tour guides in business and the best tour operators in operation.

Tony Robinson has travelled extensively throughout this wonderful planet with his family in tow. For great travel saving tips, techniques and articles on visit http://www.budget-travel-site.com

Category: Adventure Travel, Budget Travel  Leave a Comment