For most people, one of the most important factors in planning for travel abroad is money. For millennials in the U.K., a recent survey found “Instagramability” was the No. 1 consideration when choosing a vacation destination, with cost factored in second.
Of course, you don’t have to give up the opportunity for spectacular photos to make that trip financially feasible. There are many ways to save money when traveling abroad, regardless of where you plan to go. You might even save enough that you’ll still have some left over to add to a down payment on one of the houses for sale in Charlotte, NC, or another city you’ve been eyeing.
Take Advantage of Travel Cancellation Insurance
Some credit cards offer travel cancellation insurance – if you’re not sure if one of your cards provides this benefit, be sure to call and find out. This type of insurance can be particularly important for traveling abroad, simply because vacations overseas tend to cost a lot more, and there are more possibilities for bumps along the way. If your plans are derailed due to a serious illness, for example, you can get back as much as $2,500 from Discover, and American Express offers $125 for each day your trip is delayed. The company also offers coverage for storm cancellations. Should you get stranded at an airport due to a blizzard, you’ll get up to $250 to cover a hotel room and meals.
Book Accommodations That Include a Kitchen
Dining out usually takes up a major portion of a travel budget. By booking a home or apartment rental that includes a kitchen – easy to find in most destinations on Airbnb.com, you can cook some of your own meals rather than dining out all the time. While you’ll probably want to dine at restaurants occasionally for the chance to sample cuisine you probably can’t get back home, cooking even some of your own meals can help you save big.
No Kitchen? Hit the Grocery Store and Enjoy the Street Fare
Even if you don’t have your own kitchen, picking up some groceries can allow you to put together some inexpensive meals, such as picnic lunches with sandwiches, fruit and veggies (baby carrots and apples are ideal). Plus, you can stock up on snacks when hunger pangs hit in-between meals too.
Some of the tastiest budget fare in the world can be found on the streets. Street food allows you to taste lots of local delicacies without having to spend an arm and a leg. In most places, it’s safe, but if you have a concern, be sure that hot dishes are hot, and perishables haven’t been lingering in the sun.
Discounts and Coupons
Do some research before you go to see if you can obtain coupons or special discounts online. You can even install a browser discount extension like Piggy, available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari, which looks for coupons codes when you shop online, including sites like Expedia.com for booking airfare, car rentals and accommodation. You can also use the Piggy app on your Android or iOs device.
You might also search for offers from promotional sites like Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com and pay-in-advance deals from Restaurant.com. Simply googling your destination + restaurant discounts can turn up bargains when it comes to meals too.
Couch Surfing
Depending on your circumstances, Couch Surfing may be a good option for at least some of your vacation. There is no cost to join, and features friendly people across the globe who are willing to offer their couch, or often much better accommodation, just for the chance to make a new friend. It doesn’t get more affordable than free!
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