Starmoo Home  Blog How to save money during a vacation?
|
|
How to save money during a vacation? |
|
|
Vacationing like Hollywood celebrities is possible (as we have pointed out through tips and ideas on this website), but you can still be smart about it and save even more while enjoying things that stars do. VirtualTourist members have shared their tips on how to have a great vacation without spending the bucks. Below are their top ten money saving travel tips:
- Learn the local tipping etiquette. For services on which you tip 15% at home, you may be able to get away with 5% or even nothing at all. In the Netherlands, for example, tipping is not expected in bars or restaurants, but patrons may leave change up to the next euro in a bar, and up to five euros in a restaurant. In Japan, there is absolutely no tipping and you might even offend the wait staff by tipping - providing excellent service is part of their job and they do it without expecting anything in return.
- Seek out tax free shopping. Some countries -- Switzerland and Poland, for example -- offer tax exemptions for tourists in designated shops. You’ll need to secure proper documentation, so do your research beforehand so you know what to ask for and from whom. In Canada, where all purchases are taxed with VAT, the tourists can claim a refund at the end of their trip. Just get a form, put all the documents together, and your check will arrive in the mail.
Use public transportation when feasible, and inquire about extended passes. In most cities you’ll save time and money when you purchase a daily or weekly pass in advance instead of paying for each fare individually. In London, for instance, a Travelcard is advised if you plan on staying a few days or more. If you buy a (one price for all you can travel within a certain time window) ticket for the Japanese bullet trains (shinkansen) before you arrive, you can save a lot of money. India also offers similar deals on air and train travel to tourists.- When paying by credit card in a foreign country, double-check the currency in which you are being charged. The slip may read "109.00," and you may think you’re paying 109 Mexican pesos (about 10 U.S. dollars), but you’re actually signing off on 109 U.S. dollars. When in doubt, always pay cash.
- Buy sightseeing tickets in bulk. In many cities -- New York, Seattle and Toronto, just to name a few -- you can save on admission when you buy a booklet of passes in advance.
- Before booking a traditional hotel, explore options such as a "home exchange" with another family. There are online services dedicated to the facilitation of such exchanges.
- Avoid fines by researching local tax and transaction laws. In Italy, for example, every sale must be accompanied by a receipt, no matter the amount. And when a receipt is not presented, both buyer and seller can be fined. The law, by the way, is intended to curb tax fraud.
When renting recreational vehicles and watercraft -- like bicycles, golf carts, Jet Skis, canoes and boats -- ask about late-in-the-day discounts. By renting at 4 PM, instead of noon you can sometimes save. - Dine where the locals do. Veer off the tourist path, away from major attractions and hotels, and eat in a restaurant that caters to locals instead of tourists. You may find a cheaper bill at the end of your meal. Last time Starmoo staff members went to Montreal, they stayed in Laval neighborhood (essentially a place where Montreal families live) rather than downtown - the hotels were cheaper, the food much better/cheaper, and they got to enjoy real Montreal.
- When bargaining, dress and act the part. Avoid wearing jewelry or expensive clothing; if the seller senses that you can pay more, they’ll charge more.
- Carry only small bills. It’s tough to bargain when the seller can see that you have enough cash. And if you try to pay with a large bill, you’ll often hear "no change."
|
|