By rocketnewton

Most travellers are used to travelling via an airplane or a rental car, but it is possible to travel throughout the UK and all of the Continental European countries via a high speed rail system. This rail system is generally a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly way to travel, and it also reduces a lot of the hassles that you’d otherwise encounter at an airport.

When you book into the economy cabin in Europe you’re going to receive a comfortable and roomy seat. You’ll also have a decent amount of room to stash your luggage, but it’s always advisable to store it where you can see it. You can pick up a good deal on new luggage before you leave by using an REI coupon, and selecting a backpack for your trip is a great idea. In The United States, the railroad system isn’t as efficient and cities are not as well linked like those in European cities. 

European train tickets can be purchased for a very economical price as long as you plan in advance. The main train providers, such as Eurostar, often offer a limited number of tickets on each train for a discounted rate. The trick is to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible, as the ticket fares continue to climb with each passing day. It is also important to pay attention to the day of the week and the time that you’re going to travel. If you’re willing to travel at an odd time, such as early in the morning or in the middle of the day, then you’ll get a significant discount over the prime travel times.

Make sure that you keep your passport handy if you plan to travel across multiple country lines, as the police will randomly board the train in order to do a passport check. You should also keep your ticket in an easy to access location, as a police officer or conductor might ask to see it even after you’ve been checked in.

A very nice perk of travelling via a train is that you don’t have to arrive at the train station nearly as early as you would at an airport. If you’re travelling from London to Paris you should arrive at least 45 minutes early, and your luggage will be scanned, but the process is much quicker than it would be at an airport. You’ll also be able to take food and beverages on the train without needing to purchase them at the train station. If you’re travelling within Continental Europe, you can usually show up about 20 minutes early with no problems. It is common for the trains to enter the station with less than 10 minutes to board and depart, but it is unusual for them to leave late. The process of boarding and departing is handled very efficiently. Make sure you pay attention to directions and the time to ensure that you don’t get left behind as this process of boarding and departing is quite speedy. 

Overall, travelling the rails in Europe is a very dependable and affordable way to get around. They are also very comfortable and accommodating for long train rides. When you visit Europe will you travel using the rails? 

Picture by pondspider

If you are a no-frills traveller and saving money on travel is your top priority, flying the world by budget airlines will suit you. The rising number of region specific budget airlines has made travelling costs more competitive. There are of course many factors that you have to consider before you decide to travel on a low-cost airline. These factors include long haul flights, age, luggage and accompanying children. My point is, if you are travelling 18 hours from one end of the world to another, you wouldn’t want to compromise on comfort and when you are travelling with a 5 year old toddler, you’d want entertainment to keep him or her occupied throughout the flight.

Below are the pros and cons of budget airlines that will help you decide if low-cost travel is for you:

Pros

Low cost

The most attractive factor of budget airlines is of course the price. You can make massive savings of up to 50% off the price of the cost of commercial air travel by flying on a low-cost airline. The reason for the low fares offered by budget airlines is fewer overheads and limited routes.

Frequent airfare specials

The good thing about budget airlines is that they often offer promotions which slash ticket prices for a limited period. To be quick to grab the best deals, it is best to join their fan page where you can receive emails or Facebook feed updates on the offers.

Low business class fares

You can fly via business class on a budget airline for less than the price of an economy flight.  Of course, you can’t expect first class service offered in traditional commercial flights but with extra leg room, decent meals and entertainment, the price is a real steal. 

One way option

Many budget carriers offer low fares on one-way tickets, allowing you greater flexibility with your travel plans. However, unlike traditional airlines, you won’t receive a discount for purchasing round-trip tickets.

Cons

Hidden costs

Some budget airline fares do not include airport taxes and surcharges which can double or even triple the original published low-cost airfare. Check the hidden print before you purchase your fare.  Also, food and entertainment are part of additional charges in the budget airline fare component.  

Photo by chooyutshing

Baggage restrictions

Luggage limits are much more restrictive than on traditional carriers. Be sure to check the airline’s policy in advance, as you may be charged exorbitant fees for excess baggage. 

Limited flights

Flights are usually restricted to major routes or cities like from Auckland to Sydney, which can fill up quickly.  So if you are looking at travelling to more remote areas, you will have to source for connecting flights or look for overland routes. 

Inconvenient times

Budget carriers fly at inconvenient times such as early mornings or late evenings when airport charges are lowest and often only service routes a few times per week.

No refunds

Most budget airlines have a strict ”no refund” policy. Exceptions are only made in extreme cases, such as a death of a family member, so it is best that you have travel insurance as well.

My advice is to do your research online to check on travel routes, price and excess baggage cost. Being flexible with your travel vacation also helps and if you are travelling a family of four members or more, it is worth the savings. Remember to check for hidden fees before you commit to buying your ticket.  

 Picture courtesy of http://www.travelblat.com/

Paris may be an expensive city to visit but that doesn’t mean you should skip your visit to the city altogether when you travel to Europe. In fact, Paris is one of the must-visit cities in the world for it is a city of romance. The numerous historical buildings and palaces as well as fountain laden parks and boulevards conjure feelings of romance. The feeling of romance is intensified by the beautifully lit-up Eiffle tower under the starry. Paris is a food lovers’ paradise and the epicenter of food culture and romance for food. With that in mind, how can we not fall in love with the city? Can we visit the city on a shoestring? The answer is an obvious yes.

Here’s how you can visit Paris on a budget:

1.      Travel during off peak season

Air fares are higher in summer than those in the other months. Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also the cheapest. Conduct comparison shopping before you decide on a ticket. An advice is to keep your schedule as flexible as possible. Sometimes, adjusting your trip itinerary just a few days or a week can mean huge savings on airfare, so check a few different dates before you buy those plane tickets.

  

2. Check out free walking tours 

Walk into the Paris Tourism Office and ask for guides to free, self-guided walking tours that cab help direct you to the main attractions in Paris. Check out   New Paris Tours for more information. The tour guides depend on tips by participants so get a few Euros ready. This tour is indeed much cheaper than conventional tours. 

 

3.  Cheap accommodation

It goes without saying that Paris is noted for its overpriced hotels. If you intend to save on accommodation, check out those on the outskirts of the city. Bear in mind though that the hotel you have chosen is located close to a train station for convenient travel. Hostels are a cheaper accommodation alternative if you don’t mind sharing rooms with strangers.

 

 4.  Cheap food

While it is a fact that the best food in Paris is found in the up-market restaurants, you don’t have to splurge on food to immerse yourself in the culture of the city. Look for down-market cafes that serve cheap local French cuisine. Don’t overlook the bakeries for desserts when you are in Paris.  Enjoy eating brioches, croissants and ‘pain au chocolat’ ‘ croissant dough from French bakeries, these are yummy treats for breakfast but won’t cost you too much. Another place to try out is Paul’s Patisserie, which offers pain au chocolat at only .60 euro a piece. You can also try Fauchon, which sells affordable delicatessen; another place to try is Angelina, Les Deux Magots, and L’as de Felafel.

 

5.      Museums

The good news about Paris is that many of the city’s well-known museums offer free entry one night a week, free access to the permanent collections or free access the first Sunday of the month, depending on the period. In September, France celebrates its cultural heritage with Les Journees du Patrimoine, which opens all of the city’s museums, galleries, monuments and other buildings to the public for free.

Check out the Paris Pass for huge savings. 

  

As you can see, it is possible to visit Paris on a budget if you are willing to be flexible with your travel dates, stay in the outskirts of the city, do lots of walking and train travelling, not too particular about eating standards and do your research work in advance. Bon voyage!    

 

 

Picture Courtesy of cafebabel.co.uk

If you are tight on cash and dream of travelling round the world, you have hopes on doing just that if you’re prepared to work in exchange for your accommodation and food expenses. There are many charities and organisations that are offer volunteer opportunities to travellers who are genuinely passionate in rendering a helping hand while abroad.

Here are not-for-profit volunteer organisations you can register with in exchange for boarding and food while on the move:

1. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms offers lodging in exchange for a day’s work on the farm. Accommodation is available for one week up to many years. There are thousands of hosts available in 53 countries so opportunities are not limited.

2. Turtle Teams, Worldwide

Turtle Teams, Worldwide  refer to small groups that save threatened sea turtles. Based at one or two nesting beaches, the groups help turtles in danger of exploitation thrive.     

3. Sudan Volunteer Programme, Sudan

If you have experience or qualification in teaching English, you can teach in impoverished countries like Sudan. You can help with community projects in addition to teaching. Check out details on the Sudan Volunteer Programme website.

4. Appalachian Trail Conservancy, USA

At over 2,000 miles long, the Appalachian Trail is the classic long trail in the Eastern US and home to almost 2,000 endangered or threatened species. Volunteers at the Appalachian Trail Conservacy can help with trail building and maintenance in return for food and (usually very basic) accommodation.

5. Trip Leader for HF Holidays, Europe

One of Europe’s most popular walking holiday operators is searching for volunteers to guide their treks. Volunteers are provided with accommodation, meals, and the chance to explore Europe in return for sharing their passion and knowledge with the groups they accompany. Check out details on Trip Leader for HF Holidays on their website.

6. Help Exchange, Worldwide

Help Exchange, Worldwide  is a website that lists worldwide hosts who are looking for an extra pair of hands in the farm or garden, in schools or on religious projects, building houses or community centres. It can also include minor tasks such as simply helping a family take the kids to school.  

A small membership fee is required to access host details, but board and lodging is provided in exchange for your work.

7. Peace Corps, Worldwide

Peace Corps, Worldwide  offers volunteers an opportunity to participate in a variety of projects, from healthcare and the environment to business development. A commitment of 27 months to the placement is required. Despite this, the decision to volunteer in the Peace Corps   is a life-changing experience. This opportunity is open only to US residents.

The above are just a few suggestions on how you can volunteer your time and skills in exchange for lodging and food. Living a rugged and active life while on the move and rendering a helping hand broadens one’s horizons. You not only get to see the world and mingle with the locals but also get first-hand experience while you volunteer. Do through research of the organisation you’d like to participate with. Happy volunteering!    

The end of the year is not the best time to travel as you’ll be competing with hordes of holiday-makers for travel dates. On the financial side of things, this is also a time for airlines to rake in the cash. Unsurprisingly, airfares have gone through the roof during this peak season. Recently I planned for a holiday trip to Singapore and comparison airline booking websites show an average of AU$1600 for a return flight from Sydney to Singapore compared to the usual AU$1200 at the most. My findings have shown that airlines have jacked up its taxes, making overseas travel an unwelcome option. The airfares governed by the economics of supply and demand have left us with three options, to give in and pay the atrocious prices, to be more flexible with travel dates and take advantage of low fares in off-peak season or to apply strategies that make travel more affordable at the end of the year.

One of the strategies I have adopted is to use the frequent flyer points to offset the hefty airfare. In using it, I’ve saved $300 in exchange for a 42 000 point reduction. Now it’s time to accumulate more flyer points to be used at the next most opportune moment.  

Here’s how to accumulate frequent flyer points:

1.      Take advantage of introductory offers

If you intend to subscribe to a new credit card, take advantage of introductory offers that include frequent flyer miles just for signing up. Ensure that you understand the rules on earning the promotional miles always read the fine print to avoid being misled. For example, the fine print may say that you have to spend $500 on the card with a specific number of days to earn bonus points. As long you are aware of the rules and have no qualms in adhering to them you are using the offer to your advantage.

 2.              More than one card link-up

If you and your spouse are frequent flyer cardholders, using the card separately will add points to your joint accounts. This is a faster method of earning points.

3.        Frequent purchases with your credit card or more loyalty card swipes

To earn as many flyer points you should use your frequent flyer credit card or patronise the store or supermarket that offer frequent flyer points reward cards. This of course doesn’t mean that you should spend beyond your means but if you need to purchase grocery or other necessary items anyway, using the credit card or getting your loyalty card swiped will earn you points in the long run.

 4.        Spend money with travel nominated partners

Many credit card frequent flyer programs will have partnerships with other nominated businesses such as car rentals, hotels and train companies. By spending money with these retailers and merchants you will earn more points. To earn more points, find out which retailers and merchants are nominated partners with your credit card company and do all of your shopping there.

5.        Travel with nominated partners

If you book your travel through nominated partners you will earn double points. This means that you should book with specific airlines, stay at specific hotels and rent from specific car rental companies. The more you do business with nominated travel partners the more frequent flyer reward points you will earn. In my case, flying with the same airline company sixth times in a row has helped to chalk up 45 000 points which have been eventually put to good use recently.

 6.        Subscriptions that earn bonus points

Many things that require monthly or annual fees like internet access at your house, mobile phone contracts, and cable television often have mileage bonuses associated with them. You’ll need to check with your primary alliance airline store.

7.        Large purchases and loans

Some banks and airlines offer huge frequent flyer bonuses with car loans and mortgages. If you need to apply for a loan anyway, take advantage of loans that both offer the best rates as well as frequent flyer points.  

As you can see, there are many strategies that you can adopt to chalk up your frequent flyer points. Combining a few of the above methods will help you earn more points speedily. Do take note however, not to get too engrossed in accumulating points that have you end up spending more than you should. The rule of thumb is to use your frequent flyer credit cards to your advantage and spend money at participating stores on products you need anyway.