Summer for Filipinos almost always means trips to beaches or the mountainside, traipsing around a nearby foreign country, and lots of idle time for quick getaways.
The only downside to having a lot of free time for great vacations is the cost of these getaways. Even a quick weekend trip to a nearby resort will entail expenses that can take the fun out of any escapade: transportation, accommodations, food, entertainment and other activities. If you go on a spur of the moment trip, be prepared to shell out an even heftier sum.
Thankfully, travelling need not be expensive. If you just take time to plan, you can go on a great vacation without necessarily spending top peso. Whether you’re vacationing with family, friends, or going solo, planning early can lead you to the best deals on tickets and accommodations, as well as activities.
Beyond planning, it is equally important to load up on information about the place you’re going to. Try to find out as much as you can about your destination so that you can have a greater variety of activities and so that you can plan your itinerary better.
Here are some points to help you have a great holiday on a shoestring.
Book tickets early.
The best time to book plane tickets for summer is in January. Think of the places you want to go to and check out the promotion deals that airlines have to offer. Compare between sites—all it takes is a flick of your finger to check which ones are offering the best deals out there.
Attend travel fairs.
Airfare and hotel accommodations are often sold at a huge discount at travel fairs usually during the first quarter of the year. Often, you can avail of these deals using zero-percent interest promos or on deferred payment basis through your credit cards. Check out the freebies being offered during these travel fairs as well.
Check online deals.
There are many vacation package vouchers being sold online. Many of these are for upcoming or new resorts that could be worth a try. Do some research on these resorts and online sellers before getting the vouchers-- make sure you buy from tried and tested, legitimate sellers online.
Schedule your dates of travel on weekdays.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can save just by making sure your travel dates do not fall on a weekend. The cheapest rates for airline tickets and accommodations are usually those that fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Avoid the peak season.
Tickets and accommodations can cost considerably more during the peak seasons of the year, which often coincide with school breaks and holidays. Instead, try to look for ticket and accommodation deals during the off season, when prices can go for as low as 50% off peak season rates.
Try novel accommodation options.
Apart from hotels, you can also explore the idea of serviced apartments, homestays, or even couch-surfing. Not only will you be able to get more affordable accommodations, you can also enjoy a measure of flexibility and, if you’re lucky, savor the hospitality of your very own hosts.
Travel as a group.
Not only is traveling with a group more fun, it also allows you to share some expenses to keep the costs low. For instance, you can rent a house and pitch in on costs. You can cook food for the group and split the expenses.
Get day passes for transportation.
Transportation costs can add up. Some cities offer all-day pass packages for transportation, either for buses or trains, for a fixed price with unlimited rides. You’ll be amazed at how much you can save this way.
Check out flea markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries.
When looking for places to dine, don’t limit yourself to malls and hotel outlets. Flea markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries allow you to soak in the local culture and learn a thing or two about the people you’re meeting. You’ll also be amazed at how much cheaper it can be.
Manage your mobile phone service.
Don’t incur expensive roaming charges needlessly. Check with your telecom provider about roaming rates before traveling abroad. Better yet, turn off your cellular data connection and use Skype or Viber on free wi-fi to communicate. Another option would be to get pre-paid phone cards for those long-distance or overseas calls that you have to make.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
