The planning Stage:
- First of all, have a realistic budget of what you can spend on your trip and how much you would like to take over for spending money. Budget your self for a certain amount a day to make sure that you do not run out of money. The amount per day will need to cover breakfast (if your hotel doesn't include it), snacks, lunch, dinner, activities and shopping. For example I gave my self 100 euros a day. I found that some days I spent none of my budget and other days I nearly spent all of it.
- Do your research. Decide on places that you would like to see or visit and how long you would like to be there for. Which type of transport for place to place do you prefer? Train? Car? Bus? Plane. When deciding what type of transport to go for also think of what type of year it is. If you choose to hire your own car you might run into difficulties putting snow chains on if its winter by your self. If you choose train make sure you arrive at your destinations during the day and leave places during the day. That way when you arrive you will be able to navigate your way around instead of being lost in the dark. If you choose plane you have to realise that when you go place to place you will need to be at the air port 1-2 hours earlier depending on if you are taking an international flights. You will have to deal with checking your bags, customs and waiting for planes. If you do choose the option of flying to and from your destination make sure you arrive during the day. Another tip is booking your transfers in advance.Or will you be participating in tours eg. Contiki or Bus about? If so you will have to make sure you have booked accommodation on either ends of your tours unless you want to fly home the day your tour ends.
- Where do you want to go? Cities? Activities? Sites? If you book tours for activities in advance you may get cheaper deals
- Shop around. Go to travel expos, travel agency's, look on website for deals. When shopping around go to a few different travel agency's and find out what prices they are offering. Or you can book your flights on line... this may offer cheaper deals as alot of agencies add a percentage onto of your trip.
Booking your trip
So now you have found the dream trip you want to do, the quote is right and you have your budget in place. All that's left to do is book.
- Make sure your happy with the flight times of when your arriving and departing. Because once you have locked them in they will charge you money to change them. On the way back from Rome I had an 18 hour stop over in Bangkok when I booked it I got told I could do a free walking tour when I get there. I was really excited by this. But I failed to realize that I spent 10 hours on a plane and than I would of had to have stayed awake in the air port for another 18 hours before taking off again. I ended up arriving in the air port and booking a hotel to have a few hours nap and to explore. You can either book a stay over before you go or you can book it when you get there. I got to Bangkok exhausted, and got a deal on a hotel, breakfast and a massage for $100 Aussie dollars. Are you arriving or departing in the dark? It can be a bit daunting arrive to an unknown destination in the dark. In winter the sun rises at 7-8am and sets at 3-4pm.
- Make sure your flight, accommodation and tours all match up and are correct. Some tours you will not be able to change when you get there but some are flexible. I booked a Warner Brothers studio Tour to see the Harry Potter exhibit... Yes I'm a fan. On the day off I was really ill and I called them up to see if I could switch days and I couldn't But on the other hand I had a Madame Tussauds ticket which I could use any day. Its a good idea to see which tours are flexible and which arent.
- Do you have food allergies? You can let your travel agency know and they will tell your accommodation and air line and they will be able to provide a meal for you within your requirements. And the best thing about this is if you do have an allergy that will bring your meal out first before any other guests has their food.
- Do you know how you are getting from the airport to your hotel? I recommend that you book your transfer in advance. They are great because when you arrive even if it is in the dark you will have someone waiting for you and you will not have to wander around and find the bus stop.
- When booking through a travel agency they will require you to pay your flights up front and a deposit of your accommodation to secure it. Flights can be honestly the most expensive item on your trip. But booking in advance will save you money. And than you can pay of the rest of your accommodation. Final payments are usually due 2months before you fly out. On final payment you will receive within the week your vouchers and all your information.
- Pay the extra and get travel insurance you will never know when you will need it.
- Make sure you keep a receipt
Next time tips how to save money for your trip
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