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Money saving travel tips for the holiday season

Its summertime and that means many of us will be taking our annual vacation with our spouse, children and parents. Even though many of us might be experienced travelers, here are tips that can help you save money. For a typical family of four traveling, you will realize that cumulatively you can end up saving a lot if you follow these tips. As always, use your common sense to make sure you aren't being a miser and taking all the fun and relaxation out of your vacation.

Transport
Hotels and Food
Money and Currency
Communication
General Tips

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Transport

1. Fly off-peak: Fly off peak and away from business hours when the fares will be higher. If possible, take afternoon flights
2. Choose low fares: In India as well as globally, there are no-frills airlines that offer cheaper fares. Consider these options over the mainline carriers
3. Take over-night trains: Alternatively, where possible you can take an overnight train which might be still cheaper than off-peak air travel
4. Don't change your bookings: Minimize changing your bookings as most airlines and agencies will charge you very high penalties to change your tickets
5. Airport or Railway Station taxis: Many cities have authorized taxi services that operate from airports and stations, so look for these rather than some unlicensed taxi which might scam you of your money
6. Travel light: When traveling by air, why pay excess baggage carrying items you might never use on holiday? Most experienced travelers will tell you its best to travel light
7. Use your loyalty points: Many India airlines have loyalty programmes and if you have air miles on any one career, see if you can redeem them rather than spend money on buying tickets

Hotels and Food

1. Negotiate your room rate: Occupancy at most destinations this year is lower because of a slower economy - you can get better room rates if you just ask
2. Package deals: Many operators offer package deals with travel and hotels included, cheaper than if you were to book separately
3. Happy hours: : If eating out at restaurants during your travels, ask for the specials and the off-peak happy hour deals
4. Eat in: Sometimes it might be worth your while just to eat on the cheap in your room rather than go out for every meal. Buy some snacks or bread and cheese from the local store, it will be convenient and you can save on tips/gratuity too
5. All-inclusive holidays: Some hotel resorts might offer all-inclusive packages where the boarding and food are both included. Consider these cheaper options
6. Avoid using hotels phones: Avoid making outbound phonecalls from your hotel, they will likely be more expensive than your own mobile phone roaming charge
7. Single supplement: If there are more than 2 people in a group, some hotels might provide you an extra bed in the same room for a supplementary cost that is cheaper than an additional room. Ask if this is possible

Money and Currency

1. Budget: Give yourself a budget for your holiday, otherwise there will be no end to what you spend
2. Carry a pre-paid FX card: If traveling overseas, use the safest option of carrying from India a pre-paid foreign exchange card. You can avoid paying currency exchange fees
3. Use travelers cheques: Again, this is a safer option than carrying currency. Preferably exchange these at locations where you will not be charged a commission
4. Avoid or minimize transaction costs: Is you choose to exchange currency, do it before you leave, you might find a better rate domestically to convert your Rupees into a foreign currency. When overseas, convert more in one transaction because the fee might often be the same whether you change $50 or $100

Communication

1. Mobile roaming: Limit your outbound calls, and preferably ask others to call you. Consider alternatives such as buying a local SIM card or getting an international SIM card before you leave India
2. Internet access: Some hotels offer internet access for free, and some charge very high rates. As an alternative, use internet cafes where you an buy time by the minute

General Tips

1. Travel insurance: Don't travel without it! It will give you a lot of peace of mind
2. Security: Securely store your travel documents and credit cards. Keep a money belt that you can wear around your waist inside your clothes
3. Keep a copy of your documents: As a backup, during your travels keep a photocopy of your important travel documents separate from where you keep your originals. Additionally, leave a copy at home for your family
4. Arrive on time: Sometimes flights and hotels can be carelessly overbooked. If you are late to check-in you might even lose your reservation.

Comments

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travel insurance said : 24/01/2011	As the general tips rightly specifies traveling without at travel insurance might be very risky. For example there are chances of loss of passport, loss of checked bag, financial emergency assistance. I stumbled on this site when i was planning my trip, it might be of some help: online travel insurance