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Got a ton of vacation time but not sure you can afford to actually go anywhere? It’s no wonder! Finding clean and comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price can be a daunting task, no matter which city you travel to.
The key to affordable travel lies in the willingness to ask the right questions. For the most part, people take travel agents and reservationists at their word. People become embarrassed when they have to admit that they can't afford something, or they were looking for something a little bit cheaper.
The following list of tips is designed to make your time away from home a less expensive one. By following these rules, you can begin saving money in just a matter of minutes.
1) USE THE INTERNET
If you're reading this article, then you're already halfway there. More and more hotels and travel agencies are doing business on the Web, and their prices are falling in the process. This does not mean that the Internet is the best place to BOOK your trip, but it can be a useful tool when trying to negotiate a better deal on a hotel room. If you come across a hotel room online that looks like a pretty good deal, don't book it right away. Take a few minutes to call up the actual hotel and get their price. Don’t be afraid to tell the reservationist the deal you found online, and ask if they can beat it. As rooms booked through Expedia or other online services are costing the hotel something, chances are they'll be willing to negotiate their own rack rate so that you book the room directly through their reservations office. Even if they can't beat the rate, you may find them willing to upgrade the room and amenities that will be made available to you.
2) PLAN AN ITINERARY
It might seem a bit stiff, but making an itinerary for your trip can help save you money in the long run. Before embarking on your journey, make a loose schedule of where you want to go and what you want to see while traveling. Unless you drive yourself, transportation in and around a city is one of the hidden costs of traveling. If it's sightseeing you plan to do, figure out where everything is and find a room in the center of it all. Even if the room itself costs you a few dollars more per night, you'll likely make up for it in cab fare.
3) CONSIDER SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HOTEL
The words "travel" and "hotel" are synonymous with one another. One option that is often overlooked to the traveler on a budget is staying in a hostel or bed and breakfast. While it is a long held belief that hostels are only for students or international travelers, this is not the case. Do a little research to find out about some hostels in the area. Though many do impose curfews on their guests, there are plenty that will let you roam freely about. And, at prices usually ranging between $10 and $20 per night, this is one deal that is certainly hard to beat!
Though not quite as economical, booking a room at a bed and breakfast can still offer you substantial savings. Plus, you're often afforded such amenities as home-cooked meals and -- if your lucky -- an interesting conversation with some fellow travelers. Contacting a local real estate agency that specializes in short-term housing can be another great option.
4) GET A KITCHEN
One amenity that should never be taken for granted by travelers on the cheap is an in-room kitchenette. It can be pretty expensive eating out all the time. A hotel room kitchenette will allow you to prepare your own meal one night, or heat up some leftovers from the night before. Spending $10 on groceries beats a $50 restaurant tab any night of the week.
5) DO A LITTLE RESEARCH
No matter what you're looking to purchase, chances are you do a little comparative shopping. So why not do the same with a hotel? Research the area you're traveling to and call a bunch of different places before booking a room.
Some final tips to follow? Beware of hidden costs. Though the room itself may come cheaply, you may be charged heavily in other areas. One of the most common ways to rack up quite a room charge is to use the phone! You might be surprised that, even to make a local call, many hotels will charge you a $1 to $2 connection fee. Even if you refrain from making long distance phone calls, a simple call to the museum you're hoping to visit could cost you a fortune.
Sticking to a budget while traveling is as simple as planning ahead.
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