You’re probably very familiar with stories of traveler scams abroad; anecdotes of sophisticated pickpocketing gangs and tourist rip offs. From taxi drivers taking you the long way round, to magically inflated prices at the market when it’s obvious that you’re not local, scams and con artists come in all shapes and forms.
Some cons catch even the most street smart among us unaware, however one element of your travels that shouldn’t catch you out is your hire car company. As much as many try to!
Common problems with car hire include hidden fees, unforseen insurance costs, and bad customer service; sometimes you might be hit with unfair cancellation costs that can completely decimate your travel funds.
But it’s not too difficult to avoid a car hire horror story if you take your time and conduct plenty of research before hiring a vehicle. To that end, this this helpful infographic has been put together by the team at motoringoffencelawyers.com.
Read on for straightforward advice that will help you hire a car overseas for a fair price and with adequate financial protection – massively minimizing the risk involved!
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If only traveling wasn’t so expensive! Sure, there are ways to cut costs and stretch your travel dollar, but everyone knows you need a base amount before you jet off.
And that’s where the s word usually comes in; it’s not everyone’s favorite word, as it usually means you have to give up your Netflix, but typically, to build up a travel fund you have to start saving. But what if you want to actually make money?
There are a tonne of adjustments you can make to your lifestyle to cut down on costs and start a travel fund, but at some point, you’re going to hit a limit as to how much you can realistically save. And what if you want to be saving faster?
Finding hassle-free and straightforward ways to boost your budget should be the number one goal, so we’ve put together a list of how modern travelers are making money on the side in 2021.
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It’s true that once you’ve had a taste of travel, you just can’t get enough. Ask any traveller how they combat the post travel blues and they’ll say by booking their next trip … or two!
While you might have an extensive bucket list of places you want to visit, and cultures you want to immerse yourself in, you won’t get very far without a bit of money behind you.
And that’s where saving comes in! Most frequent travelers are pros at saving, why? Because they quickly realized that they prioritize travel experiences more than they do their morning latte!
Wondering how you can save a little extra money? It’s generally something everyone can do if there’s enough commitment, and it doesn’t have to be painful or overly complicated. Don’t believe me? The following are the simplest ways you can save money for your next trip.
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According to a study done in 2018, the average cost per person was just over $1,000 when planning vacations. This may be fine if you’re traveling solo, or as a couple, but can become quite expensive for the whole family or a group of people.
Taking family vacations, or traveling with a group, can be a great way to break up your daily routine, and these types of trips have invaluable benefits when it comes to bonding.
But many people hold back because of the money.
So, whether you’re a couple with three kids, dreaming of a Eurotrip with your 5 best girlfriends, or planning a full scale family reunion, the following are our best tips for planning a budget friendly group vacation.
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There’s no doubt that planning for your next adventure is an exciting time, but it’s always important to keep an eye on the costs as you go.
Most of us don’t have a bottomless pit of cash (sadly!), so it’s important to set the structure of your budget when you’re planning, so that you don’t get caught out overspending, and can make the most of your money.
The following are a couple of quick tips to help you save money during the planning process, and for getting you into the budget traveler mindset. You might be surprised by how far your money can go!
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We often joke that I married my husband for the credit card rewards. He’s American, I’m Australian, and a definite perk of our marriage was that it came with a Chase Sapphire Preferred card! Don’t get me wrong, we have credit card rewards programs in Australia, but when compared to the rest of the world, the free travel offered by American credit cards is on steroids.
American credit cards offer an insane amount of rewards points which can be redeemed for free travel, and not only do these points accrue as you go about your normal spending, most cards offer particularly ridiculous sign up bonuses. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for instance, gives you a sign up bonus of 60,000 rewards points which equates to $1,000 of free travel just for signing up. Our Marriott card gives us free hotel stays just for being a member.
Travel hacking through credit card rewards is a real thing, and you can literally travel for nothing. But the trick is knowing which cards to get.
And for that? We use Travel Freely; a free app that lets you organize your credit cards, track rewards points, and makes personalized recommendations, telling you exactly which credit cards are the best for free travel! It’s seriously amazing.
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If you’re someone who likes to travel for longer than the average 2 week vacation, there’s no doubt that one of the most challenging things you’ll face is staying in touch with people back home.
The simple fact is, to continually travel the world you sacrifice the majority of your pre existing relationships. Even if you’re close with your family and friends, it’s very easy to lose contact when you’re in completely different locations.
After-all, you’re busy traveling, they’re busy with their stuff, and without even realizing it, you end up missing out on milestones and momentous occasions because you’re on the other side of the world, in a different time zone.
But staying in touch doesn’t have to be expensive, and with tech nowadays it’s actually very easy to keep in contact.
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There’s nothing like having the freedom to travel full-time; cliff jumping into lush, tropical waterfalls and spending afternoons lounging on turquoise waters just watching the waves roll in; every day is truly a dream.
Most people work the entire year to score their two-week vacation just to get a glimpse of what living in paradise is like… but what if I told you that you could travel for longer than two weeks?
That you could travel full-time on a budget and wake up excited to be alive every day? Or that you could spend two weeks on just trying to figure out which is the best Pad Thai in Bangkok?
To travel full-time on a budget, you need to have some insider knowledge, strategy, and gumption. We’ve got the insider knowledge and strategy for you today … do you have the gumption?
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It’s no secret that as Australians, we have a passionate love affair with SE Asia. From the millions of travelers who descend upon Bali, to those who temple hop through Thailand, it’s become almost a rite of passage to visit the region.
And it’s no wonder we’re so addicted; Southeast Asia is a melting pot of vibrant modern cities, and small traditional villages; a crazy juxtaposition of chaos and tranquility, tradition and modernity, religion and commercialism.
You have the chance to taste exotic street food, fail at chopsticks, and ride long-tailed boats to secluded islands so pristine, we couldn’t imagine such beauty in our wildest dreams.
Let’s be honest – the attraction also lies in the fact that it’s often a dirt cheap holiday, and as such, I don’t see our love affair with Southeast Asia dying out anytime soon.
But, whether your ideal holiday consists of relaxing on tropical beaches, visiting temples, or tracking tigers through the jungle, the most important website for organizing your trip is Traveloka.
Here’s why you should bookmark it!
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Hong Kong is known by many as the Asian New York, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. This incredibly stimulating city boasts a stunning skyline, mouth-watering morsels and some of the best and most diverse shopping in the world.
However, with so much to offer, it is difficult to know where to start and what to prioritize spending your money on.
You probably want variety, right? To sit atop the famous Hong Kong hills sipping a delicious beverage whilst taking in the breath-taking landscape?
Or would you rather dance the night away with the stars at one of the city’s exclusive clubs?
Being a transient, international city with a great history, your options aren’t at all limited. So let’s just start with where you can stay.
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Work, save, travel, repeat; for most people, this is the dream.
But what do you do while you’re sitting at home saving?
The following are great, productive ways to pass time when you’re inbetween trips; they’ll allow you to really make the most of your time at home, and help to manage those travel cravings!
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A desk job isn’t for everyone. Indeed, if you’ve worked in an office environment for an extended period of time, it’s likely you’ve felt the desire to get out of your workspace and explore the world at large at least once or twice.
But traditional jobs usually only offer 2-4 weeks of leave, and you can’t exactly ‘see the world’ in that amount of time. While we might dream of just taking off and leaving our boss behind, the one thing that usually prevents us from doing so is the money side.
I mean, what happens if you do take a year off, but you’ve under budgeted, and you get half way through a year long trip and your money dries up?
That’s a real worry.
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling for longer, but you’re worried if your savings is going to be enough, the following are our six favorite ways for making money on the move.
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Backpacking in Nepal is an incredible adventure. From intensely chaotic cities, to medieval architecture, and Himalayan trekking, Nepal might be hard to get to, but you’ll probably find that it’s even harder to leave.
Nepal is well set up for independent travel, and has become a mecca among the backpacking scene. It is a culturally rich country that will absolutely enchant you, though it’s definitely a destination that requires prior planning to ensure your safety and comfort.
The following is a backpacking guide to Nepal, with all of the essential info you need to know when planning your trip.
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Frequently awarded the title of the happiest country on Earth, Denmark is an incredible country, bursting at the seams with culinary prowess, Viking history, winter hygge, and culture and sustainability.
While there are many incredible parts of the country to explore, you can’t visit Denmark without first stopping in its capital city. Named by Lonely Planet as the #1 city of 2019 for its innovative design, inviting culture, and revolutionary food scene, Copenhagen is a European traveler’s dream.
Modernist, quirky, and the epitome of Sandinavian cool, you would never guess that this cosmopolitan city was once a sleepy Viking fishing village. Though the one thing that often turns people off is the expense of visiting.
Scandinavia is notoriously expensive, and you can definitely spend money if you’re not careful. But that’s not to say that visiting Copenhagen on a budget isn’t possible, you just have to know how to achieve it.
The following ideas are some of the best ways you can visit Copenhagen cheap.
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Our most recent road trip saw us hire a car in Cancun. We were wary about driving in Mexico, but ultimately wanted the freedom to get around without being stuck on a tour bus.
And while the trip itself went smoothly, picking up the car hire almost took longer than the flight did.
Despite the ridiculous wait, I didn’t plan on complaining; the Hertz girl was copping an earful already. The guy in front of us was trying to return his vehicle, and wasn’t thrilled that his credit card was being charged $5,000 for, what he argued, was minimal damage.
He had taken out car hire insurance, but didn’t have an excess waiver, and had a really shitty deductible.
After having listened to an hour of his yelling, we finally got the keys to out own vehicle, and, drove out of the lot having learnt a very valuable lesson.
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Last summer my friends flew from LA to the Caribbean for $89. They hadn’t been back more than two weeks before they flew off to Switzerland for $227 return.
Most people’s reaction to that is “Nice for some“. Because not everyone works for an airline, can figure out how to accumulate millions of points, or has the time to watch airline fares like moving points on the stock exchange.
But here’s the kicker … neither did they.
They don’t have airline discounts, despite my constant badgering they haven’t signed up for any frequent flier programs, and they don’t spend any time researching to find cheap flights. So how the hell do they do it??!!
It’s because last summer, I told them to sign up for Cheap Fly Club, which is a free email subscription that sends you notifications of stupidly cheap flights.
I guess they do listen to some of my advice!
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Holidays can be super expensive, and none of us have a bottomless pit of cash. But that doesn’t mean we should stay at home and feel miserable knowing we can’t afford to jump on a plane.
In fact, if you plan it right, there’s no reason why you can’t have a short trip away at least once every two months. But this means you need to wear your budget traveller hat. The five tips below will show you exactly how to do it.
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When traveling internationally, many cellphone providers charge high rates to cover roaming fees. Sending a text or checking emails quickly becomes a costly expense for travelers.
Many people think that the only ways to avoid paying massive bills is to leave their cellphones at home. But if the thought of living without your smartphone while you travel makes you want to scream, don’t despair.
Many cellphone providers offer affordable options to help you stay connected no matter where you are in the world. Learn about the following five ways prepaid phones can save you money when traveling.
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Byron Bay is like nowhere else in Australia, and it’s worth visiting at least once. It may not be a big destination, but it packs plenty of punch in terms of counterculture, nature, atmosphere and fun.
Gone are the days when Byron Bay was a sleepy little hippy haven; it’s still very popular with those into the alternative scene, but on any given day it is teeming with visitors from all walks of life.
One of the great things about Byron Bay is that it doesn’t have to cost much. Those on a budget can still have a fabulous time here, as this inviting seaside town is chock-full of cheap and free activities, and surrounded by incredible nature for miles around.
Whether you want to party, dip in the lakes, waterfalls and oceans, hike through wild nature, browse the many markets or just relax in the serene vibes, you’ll find it easy in Byron Bay. Use this list for inspiration during your stay.
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If there’s one thing that gives you a greater thrill than travel itself, it’s knowing that you got a great discount.
There’s nothing worse than getting to an exotic rainforest lodge and feeling gypped because someone else got it for hundreds of dollars cheaper.
That is of course the way business goes; there will always be someone who paid more for the same travel experience, and there will always be someone who got it cheaper.
But what if you could always be the one who got it cheaper? What if you could guarantee that you’re the one who paid less?
In my obsession to stay on top of cheap travel trends, the most recent website to catch my eye has been Club 1 Hotels. They guarantee massive discounts on over a million hotels, and accessing their deals is both free and ridiculously easy.
Here’s how you can find cheap hotels. I’ve vetted this quite thoroughly and can without a doubt say that their promise of massive discounts is true!
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The Seychelles is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Africa, which is why it is often perceived as an expensive vacation.
While this isn’t an incorrect observation, it’s not exactly the entire truth either.
The most expensive thing about Seychelles will be your flights and your accommodation. However, with a little planning and research, you can easily visit Seychelles on a more frugal budget as well.
Having recently visited the Seychelles for a solo trip, I was easily able to manage 2 weeks here for 730 USD. Here are a few tips that can help you manage a budget-friendly trip in this exotic location too.
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Booking hotels via Online Travel Agencies (OTA’s) like Expedia and Booking has become very easy and convenient. Meta search websites like Kayak and Trivago have become so mainstream that they’re household names.
Before the internet, being able to find any information about hotels was the problem, and the above mentioned websites emerged to solve this. But now, 20 years later, shifting through the information is the problem, and the same websites are doing very little to help.
In fact, a closer look reveals that they are doing the opposite. Actively working to make the booking process confusing.
From misleading claims about discounts, to giving a false impression of room availability, and rushing you into booking decisions; in some cases OTA’s have become so bad that government authorities have stepped in to take action.
Especially for those of us who are passionate about travel and booking our own trips everyday, booking hotels online has become frustrating.
Here are the top 5 frustrations about booking hotels online (don’t worry, there’s a solution!)
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When it comes to travel, money (or lack there of) is often quoted as the biggest obstacle. But it shouldn’t be.
Figuring out how to save the money for travel can be quite overwhelming, but there are many ways to cut back on everyday expenses if you’re willing to reassess your priorities.
You don’t need to be rich to travel the world; with a couple of creative strategies you might be amazed at how quickly you can accumulate a savings.
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If you’re planning a major trip, or are in the middle of an extended period of travel, you might be worried about how you’ll be able to keep your standard of living at a consistent level.
Coming up with extra cash is particularly hard while you are on the move, but thanks to modern technology there are a few ways to get around this.
There are also many hacks you can embrace to save money while still enjoying the creature comforts you crave. Here are just a handful of ideas to try out if you want to travel without making too many sacrifices on the way.
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It’s fair to say that most of us rely on our credit cards when travelling. With the ease of using a card for international payments, the protection they offer, and amazing travel rewards, it makes sense too.
It’s incredibly important to practice fiscal responsibility, and use a credit card responsibly, and if you can do that, there are a lot of benefits to having one in your arsenal.
The following are reasons why credit cards have become a travel essential.
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