Category Archives: Budget Travel

How to travel when you have limited or no cash at all? Well, you try to maximize your value for dollar spent and utilize every travel hack and tip that there is. You do it in style.

Cities, Budget Travel

How to Find Budget Accommodations In New York City

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New York City attracts millions of tourists each year. Are you headed to the Big Apple? If so, you are going to have an amazing time. After a long day and night of exploring the city and its nightlife, you’ll need a place to rest. No worries, we have some “expert advice” for you.

Let’s take a look at what are our options for budget accommodations in New York City.

HOTELS

New York is not the cheapest place you can travel to. Hotels are rather expensive there. Prices usually start from $90 – $200, but the reviews and ratings are not always the best. If you are looking for hotels with higher ratings, be prepared to pay a minimum of $250-$400 per night, per room. That said, if you are traveling in a group, the cost gets shares.

Our Tip: Search for hotels in advance. Sometimes, (if you are lucky), you can find a discount up to 40% and book a double room for $100. New York is a popular destination throughout the year, it is necessary to make reservations well in advance. If you plan to be in the city during the height of the tourist season, booking months in advance would be wise.

HOSTELS

If you are on a small budget, the hostel would be the best choice for you. In New York, you have many variants to pick from. They may not be of high quality. Only a few of them have a higher rating (running a Hostel is not an easy business).

The first rule, expect nothing of quality or comfort, and you will be happy when a hostel of your choice exceeds your expectation. Read the reviews before booking. This is a must. Hostels can range from $50 and above. Some cater exclusively to students (you’ll need an ID). You should make your reservations months in advance.

Here some Hostels to get you started.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RESIDENCE

This hostel is located in Brooklyn, in just a 2-minute walk from the subway, which will get you to Manhattan. The rooms have air-conditioning, lockers, and a free Wi-Fi access. There is a common area with two flat-screen TV sets and a fully equipped kitchen for your service.

The price of the bed in the shared dorm starts from $40 per night, and there are only-female dorms, in case you are a single female traveler.

CENTRAL PARK WEST HOSTEL

This hostel is located on Upper West Side, just a couple of minutes away from the subway station. You can use luggage storage, a shared kitchen and a big lounge with a TV set. Also, there are lockers in the rooms and a paid Wi-Fi connection.

The price tag is just $44-$50 for a bed in a shared dorm (per night). The free cancellation is possible, so you can change your plans if you want. But, everything has a cut-off deadline, so please, always pay attention to the fine prints.

JAZZ ON COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOSTEL

This hostel is just a 4-minute walk away from Central Park and Columbus Circle. There are mixed and only-female shared dormitories available, at a price of $53 – $54 per night. Each room has a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV set. Free Wi-Fi connection is available in all areas. Also, you can cancel your booking for free, if you need.

AIRBNB

There is a wide variety of such accommodations in New York, which you can find on Airbnb. There are rooms for just $50 and entire apartments for over $500 a night. They differ in price, location, facilities provided, the number of guests accepted and so on.

Anyway, from such a wide choice, everyone will be able to find something to his taste. Airbnb is only growing with each passing year, so make sure to look into it.

COUCHSURFING

In the city as expensive as New York, you should never forget about Couchsurfing. From over 140 thousand of hosts in New York City, you are sure to find someone, with whom you feel comfortable and safe. Not only will you save money on accommodation, but also make new friends and have non-tourist fun in the Big Apple.

STAY WITH LOCALS

Have you got a friend who lives in the City or nearby, such as New York Boroughs, New Jersey or south and western Connecticut? The residents of New York take pride in their city, love showing off, and they also understand that hotels are expensive here.

Taking an old friend out to dinner one night in return for accommodation is far more economical than staying in a hotel. Plus, you get to catch up. And, who knows, your old friend can even take you around and that way you will get a real take on New York as opposed to just the tourist attractions.

Alternative Options

To enjoy Manhattan, you don’t have to sleep in Manhattan. There are nearby New York Boroughs and places which are cheaper and has great train (subway) connectivity.

Queens

Queens is being developed by the city as its new “hotel zone.” There are over 20 good and safe hotels in the region just across the bridge from Manhattan. Accommodation here can cost as little as $50 per night. Take advantage of it! Since the subway runs all night, you can go out in Manhattan and come back at any time.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn City has a sprawling amount of hotels. In the neighborhood of Park Slope alone, here are over 5 hotels. With great access to public transportation and quick trips into Manhattan Brooklyn is definitely a borough you should look into.

New Jersey

Just over the Hudson River and outside the city limits, in New Jersey, there are cheaper hotels, and Manhattan is easily accessible by a short 15-minute ferry ride, by train, by bus, or by a more expensive cab ride. However, public transit to and from New Jersey does not run as often as transportation within New York City, especially after midnight. Taking a cab to New Jersey can be both expensive and time-consuming. 

Hotels close to Newark Airport can cost as little as $50 per night if booked online. However, to travel to Manhattan with public transportation can be complicated . Multiple transfers are required (airport shuttle to airport; #62 to Newark Penn Station; PATH train to the city), and services are of low frequency. Expect 1.5 to 2 hours each way from your Newark airport hotel to Manhattan.

Jersey City can be easier as it’s only a short hop from there to Midtown on the PATH.

Staten Island

Another option for customers coming from Newark Airport is to stay in Staten Island. Some Staten Island hotels, such as The Hilton Garden Inn at 900 South Avenue, offer free shuttle buses or are on bus lines to the free St. George Ferry to Manhattan. Do be aware though that Staten Island is a lot farther than it seems from the main attractions.

Read More:

Top 20 Most Visited Cities in 2016

Top FREE Things to Do in New York City

How to Get Around in New York City

6 Things You Can Learn From New Yorkers

Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Family Travel, Student Travel, International Travel, Travel FAQ, Travel Visa

What are Your Biggest Travel Problems and Questions?

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This is a special and unique post that we will be a LIVE thread for answering your biggest travel problems and questions. Please comment your travel related questions here and we’ll answer them in the comments below.

That said, we have compiled a list of most commonly asked travel questions (around travel visa, safety, hacks and tips, miles, etc.). Please read our massive Travel FAQ page for answers to many of your Common Travel Questions.

Your Biggest Travel Problems & Questions

The Art of Travel is a community for hardcore travelers. We are a group of everyday folks who love to travel and experience the freedom that comes from traveling. However, travel (Internation Travel in particular) is a time and money consuming luxury that most of us can’t afford.

Sure we talk about and share our tips on Saving Money for Travel and Budget Travel but when you have three kids and a minimum wage job, none of the travel hacks quite work for everyone. It gets tricky.

If you have money but less time, we have plenty of travel hacks for you.

If you have plenty of time and little money, well, congratulations, we have you covered as well.

But what to do when you so desperately want to travel but don’t have either money or time. You work very hard to provide for yourself or your family and after paying all the bills and debts, you are left with pretty much nothing except some gas money for carpooling with your friends on a highly crowded weekend.

We want to address these and similar questions and would like to hear from you. What do you struggle with most when it comes to travel? What questions do you need to be answered? What are your biggest travel problems and questions?

Comment below and I will address each one of them in separate blog posts. I’ll do my best to be as thorough and detailed as possible.

We want to know you and we want to help you!

Tell us your travel problems

You can also contact us on Facebook or tweet to us. You can leave a comment on our YouTube videos or on our Instagram posts. If you wish, you can email us as well. If you want to send us mail us, our address is:

Art of Travel, Inc

30 French St. #22

Quincy, Massachusetts USA 02171

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Budget Travel, Nature Travel, Couples Travel, Solo Travel, International Travel

Must See Beautiful Villages in Britain

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Britain is not only known for its classy cities but the beautiful hamlets. You can travel to cities if you want the crowds and party. But if you are searching for a peaceful spot, Hamlet is an answer. Britain has some of the prettiest villages around the world. They offer you peace. You can experience the serenity of nature. Below are some villages if you ever want a short quiet vacation in the countryside.

PLOCKTON

It is located in the northwest of Loch Carron, which is in Scotland. During the eighteenth century, this village was a house of fishing community. Plockton is in a bay area. That is the reason fishing used to be a greater part of the economy.

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But now the main income comes from the tourists who visit it. It is an ideal place for a photographer. It has a lot of scenic charm to be captured. The pretty cottage is lined up down the harbor along with boats. Across the bay, you can see the Castle Duncraig. A calm village away from the world. Here you can commune with nature.

POLPERRO

Not all villages start with letter P. Polperro is also a coastal village. It was popular as a smuggling spot for contraband goods. Now this village is peaceful. It serves you delicious seafood. The cafes and pubs are a good way to refresh your mornings.

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A leisurely stroll on the street will bring you to tiny shops. You will be happy to browse the handcrafted goods. The streets are crowd free. You can even take a selfie in the middle of the street. If you want to getaway. Polperro is the place to find peace.

BEDDELGELERT

On the western corners of Snowsonia national park lies Beddelgelert. A place which is a perfect symbol of the countryside. The floral blooms across the fields will put a grin on your face. The village is situated between two rivers.

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Something else that adds to its beauty is its closeness to nesting ospreys. It has got everything that calls for natural beauty. The gushing water, colorful flower beds, chirping birds will bring out the poet in you.

CASTLE COMBE

Have you ever watched the movie “Warhorse” or “Stardust”? Both are popular movies featuring the village. It is one of the prettiest hamlets Britain has got. It lazily sprawls on the edge of Byrook river. The old streets are free to wander around. You can see the Cotswold stone wall cottages nestled beside the streets.

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Castle Combe has an antique location you ought to see. The St Andrew’s church has got the oldest medieval clock in Britain. It is a place you will stay to take your mind off things. Just enjoy the simplicity of countryside.

GROOMSPORT

The doom of Eagle Wing! Have you heard of that tale? In the sixteenth century, a group of Scot-ulsters made an attempt to travel to America. But they met their end. Every place has its story. Gloomsport was the launching place of Eagle Wing. This event defines Gloomsport. The village celebrates the Eagle Wing Festival every year.

The doom of Eagle Wing! Have you heard of that tale? In the sixteenth century, a group of Scot-ulsters made an attempt to travel to America. But they met their end. Every place has its story. Gloomsport was the launching place of Eagle Wing. This event defines Gloomsport. The village celebrates the Eagle Wing Festival every year.

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It is a celebration of three days. Tiny fisherman’s huts have been transformed into museums. The culture you will see here is raw and real. Bloom sports is sparsely populated with only three thousand inhabitants. A less populated place sounds pleasurable for a getaway.

 

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Budget Travel, International Travel

5 Money Saving Tips for Thailand

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Thailand is becoming a favorite tourist destination. In 2016, Bangkok was the most visited city with 21.47 million visitors. You almost don’t need to ask why; the beaches, jungles, and palaces speak for themselves. In addition, the low cost of living here drives many travelers to Thailand. One Thai Baht is equal to 1.91 Indian Rupees, or you can say $1 = 35.2 THB. This exchange rate explains one reason it is so affordable for foreigners to visit Thailand.

You can live here for a month with only 8,000 THB in your pocket. That’s only a little more than $200! The affordable prices alone will make you want to visit. We recommend a few things that you can do to keep your budget in check in Thailand. Don’t miss out on any of these tips.

TASTE THE STREET FOOD

Thai cuisine has grown very popular over the past few years. Every restaurant has some Thai cuisine on its menu these days. Thus, you can’t come to Thailand and not eat Thai. It is just not done. Plus, the street food here is safe and hygienic.

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You will even save money eating here. It will be only 170 THB a day on average to eat. Plus, the food will fill your stomach. If you want something pricey, you can head to the restaurants. One meal might cost you around 120 THB at a restaurant. So come taste the flavors of Thailand!

BUY BEER AT 7-ELEVEN

Do you want to buy a drink? Well, don’t head to a fancy pub or bar, head to a 7-Eleven. Here you will get a beer at dream prices. You can even buy enough beer to drown in without breaking the bank. A beer costs around 150 TBH in a restaurant. But, if you prefer 7-Eleven, you can save up to 115 THB! You can buy an average beer at 35 THB if you visit 7-Eleven. What a dream price that is! Now, get outside and sip a cold beverage in Thailand.

Alley Scene – Chinatown – Bangkok by Adam Jones CC BY-SA 2.0

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS CHEAP

Affordable is an inadequate word to describe the price of transportation here since there is a range of transportation options which you can select from. Metered taxis are an option, although they will cost around 80 THB per trip on average. Local buses are cheap (8 THB) and help you get around cities.

Train prices are also reasonably low; the night rides cost 575 TBH. Whereas, the day train costs 50 THB. The islands here are another fun spot to visit. However, you will need to use boats to reach them. A boat ride will cost 300-500 THB.

STAY AT DORM ROOMS

You can even extend your visit without flinching at the expenses. While you stay here, you can opt for dorm rooms, which are the cheapest. A dorm room will only cost you 150 THB/night. There are also guest houses (hotels) in Thailand.

The costs vary based on location. A typical guest house room will cost 200 THB in the countryside and 300 THB in the cities. If you are well prepared with your budget, you can reserve air-conditioned rooms. However, an air-conditioned room will be slightly more than 500 THB. The high-quality hotels will charge you 1350 THB per night. Julies in Chiang Mai and Chada Guesthouse in Bangkok are safe places to stay.

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AFFORDABLE ACTIVITIES

Don’t worry about the money when you are in Thailand. You can do just about anything with nominal price here. If you are into trekking, it will cost you around 1,500 THB per day. The museums have entry tickets, which vary from 60 THB-100 THB. Plus, you can hire tour guides.

Trekking in Chiang Rai Province by BrokenSphere CC BY-SA 3.0

The trip will cost from 500-1,300 THB depending on what you prefer to do. If you are a not Thai, you will pay higher prices. Thailand is well worth any cost since it is a place where you can come and enjoy yourself with very little money.

 

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Budget Travel, International Travel

Best Places to Travel in Budget

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Budget is a big concern for tourists. Whenever you travel, you need to double check the costs of everything. European countries are expensive to travel to. Because of the high exchange rates, people try to avoid them. We have brought to you places where you would love to go. Cheer up; it isn’t going to hurt your pocket. There are a lot of people who would like to take a trip but are scared of the costs. Don’t worry; we have some affordable travel destinations for you.

ISTANBUL

It was expensive earlier. But recently it has come back to be affordable. Istanbul borders between Asia and Europe. Exotic temples, bustling markets, intricate monuments, massive cathedrals attract tourists. Going here can be quite a headache, but once you reach here, you can chip down your budget quickly. The street food is delicious. The grilled sandwiches are cheap. You can buy anyone drinks too. It is just a cinch compared to prices in rest of Europe.

KRAKOW

A city in Poland. It is not a very easy place to go to. But as we said earlier once you reach you can have fun here. If you are on a Europe tour, this is a place where you can relax a bit. The hotels here are budget friendly. You will get all the European features in Krakow. It is a historical place with majestic palaces, town squares, and towers. You don’t have to suffocate yourself in the crowd here. Krakow is a calm and beautiful city. You can sit and chat with locals in cheap bars and cafes. You can even drown in booze. It is only $2 per pint.

BUDAPEST

As Krakow, it is a classical European city. But it is not as cheap as Krakow. It is still on the mellow side of your budget. You can enjoy the numerous hot springs spa here. A day at the spa sounds divine. Do you think about the expensive bill? Don’t. Budapest offers to you a lovely treatment at very affordable prices. The heavy cuisines of Budapest is a star for those who love some filling. If not you have still got a lot of cafes you can eat from. Take a picture of Castle Hill or across the river. Budapest is a very visually attractive city.

BERLIN

We know about the division of Germany. Berlin was also divided. But the thing is most of the Berlin was East Germany. That is why there are many buildings which age back to the communist era. Munich or Hamburg may be on your travel spots. They are expensive as compared to Berlin. There are hotels and buildings which are cheap. They are from the area which used to be East Germany. You will find funky art galleries, quirky clubs and comfy hotels at dream prices. Book your tickets fast. Have a pleasant stay.

ATHENS

It is a top preference for tourists. Greece is going through financial crisis. So as of late, you should not worry about the prices rising. The beautiful places to visit here are many in number. From Acropolis to Parthenon, each has its history. Your eyes can’t have enough of its beauty.

The hotels here keep their prices low. The street food is yummy and costs next to nothing. You can even take a holiday on a ferry from Piraeus. Yay! Cruise vacation sounds exciting. There is a list of things you can do in Athens as well as the whole of Greece. Your budget will be squeezed to a minimum here.

 

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Budget Travel, Solo Travel, Student Travel, International Travel

Top 5 Cheapest Destinations Around The World

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Whenever we think about traveling around the globe, the first thing that comes to our mind is the expenses involved (unless we are so filthy rich that money doesn’t concern us).

We make a budget, and most commonly find the trip we want to take totally outside the circle of what we can afford. We wonder what would be the cheapest destinations according to our budget.

The Art of Travel recognizes this, and therefore we bring you the top 5 cheapest destinations around the world so that you may travel without worrying for your pocket while enjoying the beauty of the place in full.

VISIT CAMBODIA

The first on our list of cheapest destinations, a country is known to everyone as the home of the infamous Angkor Wat, Cambodia has lately become a popular tourist destination. Being a country with rich ancient heritage, there are so many places you cannot just say no to.

All of this comes at the cheapest cost that one can imagine. You can find a bed for as low as $1. Most of the hotels offer free Wi-Fi facilities to the customers.

Yet, nothing steals attention more than the Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entry ticket is mere $13 for one day or $26 for three days. We advise the three days one as the temples are so vast in number that it is hard to see them all in one day, after all, you wouldn’t want to miss any bit of the beautiful ancient architecture.

The food is just amazing around Cambodia, and of course, everything is cheaper than you can imagine.

VISIT VIETNAM

Vietnam is the second number in this list of cheapest destinations, with its various points of interest unaltered along the ages, and the expenses as little as they can be. All expenses of the day, including boarding, lodging, and food can cost as little as $5. What cheaper costs can you expect?

Vietnam is full of green natural places untouched by urbanization, and some will even make your jaws drop. When in Vietnam, don’t forget to try out Pho, one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes. Coolest tourist destinations include the city of Hue, various world heritage sites such as Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Hội An, and Mỹ Sơn.

You can also visit the Ha Long Bay which is another UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With all these heritage places at such low costs, who could say no to that?

VISIT INDIA

Being a country rich in culture, traditions, and its religions, you would think that a trip to India would surely take a toll on your pocket. However, it is not the case, as India is on the third among the cheapest destinations.

India offers a lot of variety in not only the tourist places it offers but also the amount one needs to spend on the living. You can travel luxuriously in the first class AC trains, or hire taxis to places you want to visit; it still wouldn’t cost you much. You can get off at as low as $20 per day, or maybe even less if you plan to follow the footsteps of a common Indian person.

With 29 states, and each state rich in culture and tourist places, it is wise to plan what all you want to see in India, as it is impossible to cover all of it in one go (unless you are planning a very long stay here). The geography has a vast gradient, from the Himalayas in the north to the coastal regions of the south.

You can visit the symbol of love, Taj Mahal, or the place where Buddhism was born, Bodh Gaya. The food varies per state, as each state has its own palate of the traditional dishes and recipes that would just make your mouth water.

VISIT THAILAND

Thailand offers a multitude of beaches, exquisite cuisines, beach resorts, amazing religious places, and Bangkok, all of these at the lowest prices. Thailand has remained a popular backpacking destination among the crowds, and the primary reason for this is the incredibly low cost it charges for the super awesome services it offers.

You can spend a night watching the water waving on the beach from the window of your beach hut, or stuff yourself up with the traditional Thai food, and all of it would still cost negligible! So pack your bags and leave now. This earns Thailand the fourth place in The Art of Travel ‘List of Cheapest Destinations’.

VISIT EGYPT

Everyone is familiar with the place of the Great Pyramids, and the home of the Sphinx. But did you know that Egypt is also one of the cheapest places you can travel to?

You don’t need to double check your bank balance to visit this amazing archaeological country, with the grandest of wonders ever created and the richest of museums. The Valley of the Kings is one of the most amazing places you would ever see in your life, and it comes with the cheapest accommodation as well as great food at negligible prices!

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Budget Travel, Student Travel, Travel Hacks

5 Free Things To Do When Traveling

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We all associate traveling with money. While planning a trip somewhere, the first thing you do (if you’re not filthy rich) is to make a budget.

But that isn’t always the case.

With this list, you can do the best of things at no cost at all. You will realize that pleasure doesn’t come for a price!

TOUR ON FEET

Not only is this a way to explore free of any expenses, but it is actually the best way to explore any place! When you are traveling around a city on a bus, train, or subway, it is common to miss most of the places along the way.

We do not get to interact with the local culture and lifestyle and see how the streets are, houses are, and how life goes on. Plus, it offers you a variety of options! You can tour alone or with a group. You can make friends along as you are walking (just start with a ‘hi’).

You might also find great places to eat, drink or shop. Walking around the city is the best way to know what the city actually is like.

Though it is very easy to lose your way in a new city. Therefore, download google maps or similar navigation software. You can also buy a local map, though we prefer software as the GPS lets you know your current location easily. The map can tell about the points of attraction and places of interest, so buy it anyway.

GO TO THE BEACH

Spending time just lying on the beach is one of the most beautiful ways to spend your time anywhere. And guess what? Totally free of cost. You can lie on the sand and get a tan through the day, or enjoy the cool ocean breeze during the night. Sleeping on the sand is the most peaceful sleep you will ever get in your life.

Walk along the beach. There will be places with lots of people enjoying the beach, and solitary ones as well. Choose what appeals to you and lie down.

You can carry some water to drink or a picnic basket with some food, so you don’t have to ruin your peaceful and nice rest trying to find food and water.

If you came with your significant others, lying on the beach can provide additional options (wink).

VISIT RELIGIOUS PLACES

Every place has a lot of religious places pertaining to the major and minor religions in that geography. These places have their own history, stories and most of the time amazing architecture.

No religious place ever requires payment, therefore you can tour them all you want. You would find them fascinating. You just need to be religiously open to respecting other religions and have no problem going to their sacred places.

Touring such places is not only a free way to make good use of your time, but it also helps you gain knowledge of other religions and cultures. Some of these places offer a strange mental peace that cannot be found in the huge world outside. So enjoy them to the fullest.

GO TREKKING

Trekking is the most adventurous thing to do when you are traveling in good terrain, and it is totally free too! Trekking packs a lot of adventure, fun, and thrill into one single thing.

Just pack up your bag and put on your trekking shoes, and leave for the amazing places you want to visit.

Traverse the beautiful mountainside full of wildlife and natural beauty. Remember to take some water for the way, as trekking is a very strenuous task and there wouldn’t be much available.

Also, beware if the area is known for wild animals or reptiles like snakes. That can be very hazardous.

EXPLORE MUSEUMS

You might be surprised to know that many of the world’s museums do not charge any entry fees. And this is true for almost all the museums in Britain.

Even for the museums that do charge an entry fee (which is close to nothing), there are fixed days for a week or a month in which the entry is totally free.

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Visiting museums is a great way to spend your time away free of cost. Museums offer a great deal of variety and entertainment.

Art lovers can enjoy Picasso, Ruben, Vinci or Gogh, while people who are more into sciences can enjoy the natural history of the world and rise of various species, see dinosaur skeletons, or visit a planetarium to know cool things about stars and planets!

 

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Budget Travel, Couples Travel, Travel FAQ

8 Tips on How to Travel As a Couple on a Low Budget

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For some couples, a travel budget (or a lack of it!) is the primary reason they don’t travel to new places. For others, it’s more of an excuse.

But if you have been thinking about taking your girlfriend or partner away for a surprise weekend, don’t worry too much, because, with these simple budget hacks, you can have a great and fun time traveling together.

Read Next: 50 Wanderlust Inspiring Couple Travel Quotes 

PLANNING

If you are traveling to some faraway place and don’t have an abundance of resources to spend, planning well is a good first step. Calculate the money you have saved up to the point, and research the place you are planning to visit.

Learn about the lodging, places to eat, places to see, etc. so you can go through with the ones that fit your budget. A place to stay can cost between very little to more than what you earn per month. So planning is incredibly important to saving money.

SAVE MONEY

If there is some time remaining till you plan to take the trip, begin saving now. You can cook food at home instead of eating out, with no extra useless expenses like buying a cool title or some fancy shoes you don’t really need, the furniture you don’t really care about and the like.

You should save as much as you can, as the time you travel will be memorable for both of you, and each little penny might help.

EXTRA ENTERTAINMENT

You need to realize that the trip you are making is about the two of you spending quality time together.

Because it’s about you guys, you don’t need to waste money on shows, parks, events and anything that you already attend where you reside. Traveling is for trying out new things. Be wise with how you spend the time away with her.

TIME IS MONEY

Like we mentioned already, time is something you would need to manage well. This is because all extra time would mean extra expenses on lodging and food.

Therefore, make sure to allocate the necessary time to each activity before you start the trip. There might be some things more alluring than the others, so manage them well with the time you have.

LODGING

Your lodging will be the main part of your travel expense. People tend to opt for the famous chain hotels thinking they’re classier or provide more comfort. Do not adopt that thinking. Go for a smaller hotel.

You don’t need to shell out loads of bucks just for the brand value. Remember, it is about you and her. So it is okay to go small on the hotel budget. However, keep the safety factor in view too, and get lodgings in a safe place.

A LITTLE COMPROMISE

You don’t need to deny yourself the ideal vacation you have been wanting with your significant other. However, it is okay to do a bit of compromise so that the vacation is possible without putting a huge load of stress on your expenses.

If a particular destination is very costly due to its tourist popularity, you can travel to nearby places. They would offer the same environment, without overcharging you. Going in an off-season would further save you some money.

COMBINED PACKAGES

In some cases, taking combined packages can help save money when you know nothing about the place.

The total cost of food, lodging, and transportation are combined with a discount, and that can save you some money as compared to going clueless to a location and then spending on things that are available as you have no other option.

SOUVENIRS

If the trip is really about you and your partner for a romantic time away, you don’t need to worry about bringing a costly souvenir for other people. Yes, this is what it is.

When you are on a tight budget, this shouldn’t be a concern of yours. If you want to bring back something for you two as a memory of your time together, get something cheap and simple.

Shells collected from the beach or a wooden bracelet are good souvenirs. A huge plasma TV isn’t.

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Budget Travel, Travel Inspiration, Travel FAQ

The Ultimate Travel Checklist To Use Before You Head Out Anywhere

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Here is the list of things that you need to do before you leave your house for your vacation. 

Some of the tips here are simple hacks to save you some extra money while you’re not home, others are simple to-dos to ensure peace of mind.

None of the items on the checklist are trivial enough that you can just leave them out. Check them out and you’ll have a great trip, the one you have been eagerly waiting for.

The Ultimate Travel Checklist

Security Checklist

The security of your house when you are away is a big concern. After all, you wouldn’t want it to get robbed, would you? Therefore, it’s important that you ensure that your house is safe before you leave.

  • Check that all the windows and the backdoor are properly locked. Cover the windows with drapes so no one can look inside.
  • Cancel your subscriptions. Accumulating newspapers and mail is a sign that the person has gone away for a long time.
  • Consider using a timer for night lamps to keep the house lit during night time. A completely darkened house suggests no presence inside the house.
  • Have someone you trust to keep an eye on the house while you are away.
  • If you use LPG or CNG, close the main valve.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

There are a lot of papers that you need to keep with you while you travel. These include your passport, airline ticket, visa, medicine prescriptions etc.

  • Get your passport, airline ticket, visa information and other travel related documents photocopied. Losing any of these documents can throw one into huge trouble.
  • Take photos of your documents and medicine prescriptions and medicine labels on your phone.
  • Keep your documents secure with you. At the last minute before leaving the house, check if you have them on you.
  • Don’t keep them in a bag or a pocket that you will reach out quite often, as this will put them at a risk of falling out.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

As mentioned before, subscriptions should be canceled if you are planning to leave your house for several days. This doesn’t just help you save money, it also provides added plus point of security.

  • Call your newspaper agency and have them pause the subscription for the number of days you will be out. In case you think you will be out for an uncertain number of days, figure out a maximum and pause for that amount of time. Even if you come back before that time, you can call them again and tell them to resume the service.
  • If you have your groceries, milk or bread delivered to you on a daily basis, have them canceled. This would hint to burglars that you aren’t home, accumulate piles of rotten food and simply waste your money.
  • Have your mail paused too. This will keep your important mail secure.

CREDIT CARDS

If your credit card is used from an unusual location, the credit card company assumes it has been stolen and refuses payment. Therefore, if you want to use your card from the place you are traveling, you should call your credit card service in advance from your residence. Tell them that you intend to travel and use your card from the new location. This will keep things easy.

Travel Packing Checklist

The most important issue that people face while traveling is that they pack improperly and forget some very essential things that they would need in their travel. Therefore, efficient packing is a must.

  • Make a checklist a few days before you intend to pack. Enter all the things that you would need in this checklist. As time passes, you will remember more and more things. Therefore, when the time of packing comes, it won’t be in a rush and you will have everything you require.
  • Remember to put essential things like socks, toothbrush, handkerchiefs and all the little things that people tend to usually forget.
  • If you have prescription medicines, put them in.
  • If you are asthmatic, remember to take your inhaler.
  • Put in all your travel documents beforehand. Don’t put them in too deep as you would require to access them at the airport. Keep them in a side pocket.
  • Remember to take your camera and phones.
  • Last and the most important, take all the bags that you packed. Keep a count, and don’t miss any of it!

PETS & PLANTS

If you have potted plants or pets at home, you need to make sure they are fit and fine when you return.

  • Ensure that you have your plants and lawn watered when you are away. Give this responsibility to someone you trust, as they would be having access to your house.
  • Ensure that your pets get fed while you are away. This is very important, as starving them would be a cruel and harsh thing to do.
  • If you have pets like dogs or cats, do not lock them up in a room. Make sure they get sufficient place to roam about.

PHONE AND EMAILS

It is hard to inform everyone in advance that you are planning to go away. Therefore, you need to make sure that the people you are trying to reach you get to know about it.

  • Keep your emails on auto-answer. This will keep you from worrying about answering them.
  • Record a voicemail message on your phone which lets people know that you are away and will not be back soon.
  • In case you don’t want urgent information to be missed, provide them with a number to contact you in the case of very urgent matters.

ENERGY SAVING

If not taken care of nicely, the time that you are away can lead to wastage of a lot of water and electricity, which is not only an unethical thing to do from an energy point of view, but also will pile up your bills.

  • Switch off all the light, fans, TV, computers, refrigerators and any other appliances that you might have. The ones like TV, computers, fridge etc. should be unplugged as well.
  • Switch off the main water valve. If you cannot do that, at least turn off the water to your dishwasher, washing machine and other things that use a lot of water.
  • Repair leaky faucets and faulty lines. You wouldn’t want a stream of water running everywhere when you get back home

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Take out the garbage before you leave.
  • If there is any leftover food, give it away, feed it to animals, or as the last resort, and throw it away.
  • Pay the bills that might be due when you are away. This will save you from some fines and unnecessary hassles.
  • Save urgent numbers like the medical help, friends, and family, airline contact number, emergency number etc. on your phone.
  • Get ready to have a fun and tension-free vacation!

 

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