Budget Travel Webpage

Hostelling is a great way to travel if you are on a tight budget. Popular with young adults, hostelling offers low budget and low luxury accommodations for those that don’t mind sharing space with other travellers.

This method of travel can offer adventure and the chance to meet different people but is not for everyone. Well, personally, it is not for me as I tend to value privacy highly. So it very much suits fuss-free individuals who don’t mind living in the barest minimum conditions. It’s great for the solo traveller or a group of young people but families with small children and couples who want a romantic vacation should go for more private accommodations.

Most hostels are set up as dormitory style rooms, with a number of bunk beds arranged throughout the room. The number of bunk beds in a single room varies, with the average from four to ten bunks per room. Each traveller is assigned a specific bunk upon check-in.

Hostels usually divide their accommodations according to gender. In multi-floor hostels, each gender is often assigned a specific floor or group of floors. Check with the hostel first to ensure they provide separate rooms for both genders.

The bathroom accommodations at hostels vary, with some rooms containing a shared bathroom and shower, while other hostels will have shower and bathroom facilities located in the hallway. If this is an important consideration, you should ask about bathroom facilities when making the reservation.

You will be provided with a locker to keep your personal belongings such as your wallet, passport and cell phone. Do remember to lock your harversack or lugguage at all times.

Although hostelling is a very informal way to travel, you do need to make reservations especially during peak seasons. This method of travel is becoming more popular and some hostels can be booked for months during popular tourist seasons. My advice is to make a call in advance to book.

So what is the main appeal of staying at hostels for some groups of people? Obviously, it is the price. The nightly rate for a hostel rarely rises above $25 or $30 per night, with most hostel accommodations costing far less. If you are not willing to pay $100 or more for a hotel room, the hostel will be your answer.

Also, the staff at most hostels are extremely accommodating and knowledgeable about the local area such as the local attractions and cheap but good places to eat. Most hostels these days are also equipped with travel brochures and guide books of the local destination and provide computers with internet access for lodgers to surf and check emails.

Also, many hostels nowadays have spruced up, well-decorated interiors to make them more appealing to lodgers such that the common areas evoke a homely and cosy feel.

See picture below.

 A kitchen is available for budget lodgers who prefer to prepare or cook their own food. For example, lodgers can save money by heating canned tuna eaten with bread and salad bought from a local grocery store or cook a simple vegetable dish accompanied with rice. Other simple  fuss free meals that are popular with lodgers are cheese and tomato sandwich, egg sandwich and home-made hotdog with mustard.  They are very convenient and quick to prepare.

Hostel accommodation is not everyone’s cup of tea and certainly isn’t for every vacation but it can be great lodging for the budget-minded tourist who want to see many places over a few months. It is definitely for the adventurous traveller who does not bother about luxury as the main goal is to save money on lodging so that more can be spent on air travel, train rides, entrances to places of attraction and maybe even a spa treatment as a rare treat. 

It is very important to travel light as a budget traveller. If you over pack, you are much more likely to pay extra money on excess baggage fee, porters, luggage carts and taxis. This can be avoided if you pack sensibly and stick to bringing only your essentials. The cost can seem insignificant, they can really add up, especially on a long, multiple city trip. If you carry a backpack or one luggage, you won’t need to resort to taking the cab to your hotel from the airport or vice versa or even from city to city.

Here are some light packing tips based on personal experience.

1) Try to avoid checking bags whenever possible. Not checking a bag means you save time as you don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel and beat the crowds at the railway station.

2) Airlines have gotten much more strict lately with luggage limits, with most major carriers now allowing only one luggage plus a hand carrier. Generally, you are allowed only 20kg worth of luggage and not adhering to that limit will result in paying unnecessary fee which can be quite exhorbitant.

3) To make the most of this policy, carry small bottles containing shampoo, cleanser, toner and mosituriser. Opt for a small tube of toothpaste too to save on luggage space and minimise the weight.

4) Wear your largest shoes and bulkiest clothing on the plane to save space in the suitcase. For instance, a pair of hiking boots or sneakers can take up valuable luggage space, so pack your smaller dress shoes and wear your boots or sneakers on the plane. Also, invest in a quality pair of stylish yet comfortable walking shoes. Shoes that are comfortable and attractive can be paired with a variety of outfits for a different look. Put them on when travelling on the plane to save space.

5)Plan your outfits carefully to minimise the pieces needed. A stylish black skirt or pair of pants can be worn several times with different shirts or blouses. A pair of jeans can be worn several times so keep to just pair for shorter trips. Minimise your packing to include just one T-shirt or top a day. The next day’s top can be worn in the night to replace the sweaty T-sirt or top worn during the day.

6) Avoid packing accessories and jewellery on a trip to save space. If a tie is needed to be worn, limit to just three depending on the length of the trip.

7) Try packing a large oversized t-shirt in place of a bulky bathrobe or pajamas. An oversized shirt can be great for wearing right out of the shower or as a pajama and it can double as quick cover up after a visit to the hotel pool.

8)Try rolling clothes and undergarment instead of folding them. Rolling clothes allows you to pack more clothes into a smaller space, and helps keep clothes wrinkle free as well.

9) Pack a large but foldable extra bag in your suitcase, and use this bag to carry the purchases and souvenirs you buy on the return trip.

10) Invest in inexpensive biodegradable disposable underwear when travelling for a number of days. You save on space and a trip to the laundromat in the long run.

Packing light is easy and all you need is some practicality and creativity. You will benefit a lot from being a light traveller.

Can you imagine travelling without the thought of food? It’s not possible as travel and food come together. We will be interested in savouring the local food at our travel destination to experience something different from what we normally eat. Trying local food gives us an insight to another culture, different from our own. Food, however, can be one of the most expensive items in a travel list of necessities. If you are on a budget, keeping those costs low can be one of the most important ways to keep any travel budget under control.

Here are some of the ways  to enjoy great food and low prices while on the road.

1) Eat what the locals eat. Eating what and where the local residents do is one of those time tested tips for getting the best food and lowest prices while on vacation.

So, instead of asking the concierge for the name of a four star restaurant, try asking the hotel clerk or chambermaid where they eat. It’s a great way to sample the local food, meet local people and save some money.

2) When embarking on a long road trip, stock a cooler with plenty of homemade sandwiches, wheat-based chips or rice crackers and bottles of water. Tidbits containing too much salt and/or mono-sodium glutamate will intensify one’s thirst, resulting in discomfort and constant stops at the restrooms.   

3) If you want to splurge on a great meal, do so at lunch instead of dinner. Many upscale restaurants offer a higher price for dinner with the same food choices at lunch. Alternatively, skipping lunch or having finger food for lunch after a hearty breakfast is one way one can save money. Have a good dinner at a mid-price range restaurant instead.

4) Take advantage of the free buffet breakfast options offered by your hotel. Many hotels provide a free continental or American breakfast, so be sure to eat a hearty breakfast and save up on lunch for dinner.

5) Save even more by making your own sandwich. Obtain lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and cold-cuts from the local grocery store. If you are staying at a service apartment or cabin with cooking facility, bring food base like tomato base, ready-made chopped garlic, onions, chilli base, oyster sauce, some vegetables, pasta and rice to cook your food.

6) Try eating in various ethnic neighborhoods in your destination. Eating in ethnic neighborhoods provides great local colour, a chance to meet interesting people, and good food with very low prices.

7) Try local staples like bread that may come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Have them on its own or add locally-made sliced cheese or canned tuna or curry depending on the type of accommodation you are staying in and heating facilities available such as a microwave oven.

Eating cheap on vacation does not mean sacrificing quality food or great experiences. It just means shopping around and making smart choices when it comes to eating out, while at the same time soaking in the local atmosphere.

Travel is getting more expensive every day as the price of fuel increases and transportation carriers raise their fares. Here are a few tips that can help you to make ends meet.

Bottled Water

It is wise to avoid the local drinking water wherever you travel. However bottled water can be expensive. If you are a frequent traveler, buy some reusable water bottles and fill them with water from home before you leave. Pick up sufficient supply of bottled water as well from a local department store.

Exchanging Money

When abroad, never exchange money in local stores. Go to a bank - or use your credit card or bank card. You will get the best exchange rates that way. Purchases made with a credit card will also result in an easy-to-reconcile statement of charges when you return home.

Baggage Weight Allowances

It can be very expensive to go over your baggage weight allowance. Airline regulations vary. Do your research and weigh your luggage carefully - twice - before you leave for the airport. Going with a group of family members allows the family to bring a little extra as luggage contents can be spread out accordingly. 

Travel Timing

Flights and accommodations always cost more on weekends and at peak travel times. Arrange your travel for mid-week and off-season whenever possible. If you’re not exactly sure when ‘off-season’ is at your destination, find a few bed and breakfast websites. They usually post off-season rates with a date range.

Saving on Meals

While you’re investigating off-season dates at a bed and breakfast website, why not consider staying there instead of at a hotel? Bed and breakfasts provide breakfast for a reasonable price as part of their rate structure as compared to exorbitant hotel rates. Not having to pay for one meal every day can save you a considerable amount of money.

Save even more on meals by purchasing nutritious food for lunch at a local grocery store. Purchasing bread, cold cuts, salad and cheese will do the trick. Bananas can also keep one full. Alternatively, look out for local take-aways or eat-in non glitzy places that offer reasonable meals. 

Save on Air Travel

Do your research on the internet to find the cheapest airfares for your intended destination. Make printouts of what you find. Then, pick the most economical website or call the airline directly and ask them to match the price. (Refer to ‘Online Travel Booking Tips’)

Student and Credit or Cash Discounts 

If you can submit valid proof to a hotel or inn that you are a student, a corporate executive, business owner, etc., they may offer a corporate discount. Alternatively, some hotels offer discounts on certain credit cards used. Paying with cash at smaller lodging establishments may also result in a cash discount, because the innkeepers don’t have to deal with credit cards. Always ask what discounts are available when you make your reservations. Do the same at places of interests or museums or galleries. Such places offer discounts for senior citizens and students.

Public Transport 

Check on discount fares for public transport in the city or suburb you are travelling. It is cheaper to buy tickets in bulk than singly. Check to see if they offer special deals for tourists on a one day comprehensive trip. Carry a map of the city and check out places on foot and on the public transport. Be wary of pick pockets when you do so. You can also sign up with a local group tour of the city if you are not comfortable in exploring the city alone. The local city walk-about tour will not cost much as compared with those commercialised ones offered by tour agencies. 

Always look for ways you can save while travelling. You don’t have to splurge to have a good time.

Looking for cheap airline rates? The best way you can do so is by looking up the internet.  

To begin with, you will want to start searching online travel websites. Many of such sites let you evaluate flights with different airlines. In order to find the best deal with using online travel websites to help you find cheap air travel rates, you will want to visit more than one of them to find the best deal. Investigating many online travel websites and their rates is essential, as they will probably vary. For instance, several online travel websites charge you a fee for making use of their services. Firstly, check airlines that offer flights from your starting point to your destination. Then, evaluate prices. Alos, check whether you will be charged with a fee if you change the date of your flight or cancel it altogether. Some airlines offer different prices for the same flights with differet criteria pegged to each price category. Keep in mind that being flexible, in your destination and travel dates and time can result in you saving a lot of money. 

When evaluating prices, either for airlines independently or with online travel websites, make sure you write down all quote rates. Don’t forget to write down the name of the airline, date, time, and the name of the online travel website the deal is being offered on.

Those airlines that are offering great deals on flights may have their seats filled up in no time. That is why you will should take action as soon as possible to avoid a missed opportunity.

Sometimes traveling during the week is unlike the weekends. Depending on availability, some airlines reduce their flights. As you can see, there are so many considerations and options in choosing cheap air flight whether it is local or overseas. In any case, it is best to opt for a weekday departure and arrival date when possible. This is because weekend flights get filled up faster than weekdays and airlines frequently offer discounts to fill up the weekday flights.

Families with kids can see if an airline will offer you a discount for traveling with a child under the age of two, so the best thing to do is to contact them immediately.

Also, some flights offer deals for paired tickets. This means that they offer a reduced price for two tickets instead of one. Prices offered are also cheaper for transit flights within a particular country compared to non-transit ones. For example, Qantas offers a much cheaper deal for the Singapore-Melbourne-Sydney route, transiting in Melbourne. 

The above mentioned ways are just a few of the many ways that you can consider when booking online.