Because of the poor economy, you may want to reduce your expenses and skip vacations. The ideas in this article can help you take a vacation without spending a lot of money.
Be aware of scams that attempt to prey on unwary travelers. In many poorer areas of the world, it is safest to assume that anyone begging for money or trying to stop you for just about any reason could be a pickpocket. Don’t ever show or hand over your wallet to anyone, even if they claim to be police officers.
To save money when traveling for pleasure, look into swapping homes. Swapping homes saves you a great deal of money that would otherwise be spent on a hotel room. It is also a great deal more comfortable and spacious than your average hotel room. There are several places online that allow you to make house swapping arrangements.
Be aware of departure taxes. Some countries have departure taxes. You will not be permitted to board your plane until you have paid them. Often a check or credit card is not permitted as payment on these taxes. Make sure you have enough cash set aside to cover them.
Making a friend of the concierge will make your stay at any hotel a much safer and smarter experience. This person should be greeted and tipped like your life depends on it. The concierge has a wealth of information on where to eat, play, relax, shop, and can also; get you out of any bind you might find yourself in while far from home.
A GPS navigation system is absolutely vital for any long-distance car trip. If your car did not come with a factory navigation system, you should seriously consider buying one before hitting the open road. GPS helps you find alternative routes when closures, traffic or accidents close the road ahead. GPS can even keep you out of danger if you encounter emergency conditions.
If you’re going on a trip to visit family, one way to make sure everyone will have a place to sleep is to bring along a number of inflatable vinyl air mattresses as well as an electric pump. These mattresses have improved greatly in quality over the years and the price is quite reasonable. Pumps can be hooked up to your car’s cigarette lighter or into an AC outlet. It is well worth the minimal cost to be sure that everyone has a bed to sleep in when you arrive.
You may want to use the restroom before boarding the plane, if possible. You will be much more comfortable using a restroom that is on steady ground and that has a good amount of room to move around. Once on the plane, you never know how long someone will need the restroom and you don’t want to take that chance.
In conclusion, you might be thinking about skipping your annual trip because of financial difficulties. Use the suggestions in this article and find your way to an affordable vacation.