Taking
a much-needed holiday is always going to mean paying a little
bit—especially if it involves leaving the country and paying for
accommodation. Yet at least you know, in advance, how much cash
you’re going to have to part with and can plan ahead. What many of
us do not take into consideration, however, are the hidden
costs of holidaying abroad, which can be easy to pay for without
thinking, only to return home with a rather excessive credit card
bill. For ways to cut costs and stay aware of your spending along the
way, here are ten handy tips from.
Click below to read on
Changing
money
Don’t wait
until the last minute to change your cash and try and exchange your
pounds at the airport. Many ATMS and currency exchanges know they can
offer bad rates at the airport, as they are the last resort before
you get on that plane. Consider a pre-paid credit card which is
specifically for overseas use—you can load it up with your desired
currency, and avoid excessive exchange fees.
Your local bank
may also have an overseas partner network, allowing you to use cash
machines in your destination without paying extra fees. Give your
bank a call before you depart to find out—there’s nothing easier
than taking out cash just like you would at home.
Excess
baggage
Don’t get
caught out with too much luggage, as the charges can be
hefty—especially if you’re flying with a budget airline. You may
even want to get yourself what’s called a “luggage
jacket.” This handy piece of clothing has many pockets, which
allows you to wear your belongings rather than weighing down your
suitcases.
Also, consider
where you’re going; if it’s somewhere with a good exchange rate,
it may well be worth packing minimally, and picking up some basics
once you arrive. Besides, wouldn’t you rather own a breezy skirt
that reminds you of a relaxing holiday than a keychain or
refrigerator magnet?
Transport
If you have to
take your car to the airport, don’t settle for the airport’s car
parking charges! Look at cheap parking sites near the airport;
sometimes people living nearby will even offer their driveways for a
lot less through crowd-sourced parking websites.
Also, make sure
you book your taxi in advance, and that’s to and
from the airport. If you forget to do this you can look forward to a
very expensive cab ride home thanks to those cars parked in the
airport’s official on-site ranks.
While
we’re on the subject of cars, if you’re renting one while on
holiday, be sure to avoid buying car insurance from the same place
you’re renting the car. Always secure it online in advance—it’s
much
cheaper.
Flight costs
A very easy way
to save money on the cost of your holiday is to avoid Friday and
Saturday flights. These flights will always be more expensive, busier
and more inclined to suffer delays due to the sheer volume of traffic
going in and out of airports on these days.
Cheap eats
Always consider
your food costs while away. It’s easy when you’re a bit tired
from a day out to slide into the first restaurant you see, but in
areas with high tourist traffic, you’re almost guaranteed to be
overpaying. Go to the extra effort of walking down a side street,
trying a menu that’s written in the local language (always a good
clue that the owners cater to local tastes), and asking around to
find the best spots for a meal—locals aren’t going to overspend
on low-quality food, and neither should you. If you have an itinerary
or special event, it might be worth a bit more forethought to book a
table online through one of the major reservation sites—they often
have special offers or award points towards a free meal.
Consider local
food a way into the culture, and you’ll discover more about your
destination, while also saving money. There’s no need to do three
meals a day in a restaurant when everything you need for breakfast or
a picnic can be found in a grocery store. You can also usually pick
up some really lovely—and cheap—souvenirs and gifts in the form
of local cheeses, biscuits, sweets, and more.
Guidebooks
You don’t
need to buy a guidebook for your trip as you can always take one out
of the library (remember them?). Alternatively, you can download free
offline city guides to many major cities with apps such as City
Maps 2 Go, Maps.me,
and even Google
Maps.
Speaking the
language
Similarly if
you’re someone who likes to try out the language or are going
somewhere where you need to, you may want to consider a language app
on your phone instead of a heavy book. They’re usually free and
you’re more likely to have it handy if it’s on your phone.
There are
plenty of ways to enjoy your trip abroad without accidentally
overspending. If you want to discover even more, check out these
tips from Skyscanner, this
video of holiday hacks from Holiday
Hypermarket, as well as this
list from Nomadic Matt.
this is a collaborative post
image via DTSP
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