How to Save Money on International Travel

International travel doesn't have to break the bank. You may be able to travel for far less than you thought if you learn a few tips on how to save money on international travel. By trying a few of these tips you will not only save money, but very likely you have a richer, more rewarding travel experience than you would have otherwise.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. One of the easiest ways to save money on international travel is to avoid the obvious tourist cities. If you have heard of the destination without doing any research, it is probably more expensive. Get off the beaten path and look for destinations in small or medium sized cities. These locals can sometime be a half or even a third as expensive as the well-known tourist destinations.

2. Plan ahead. Try to avoid peak tourist seasons, and local festivals. Go online and research what are the off-peak times to travel to your destination. This can help you save money on international travel in a few ways. You will save money on flights, hotels, even restaurants.

3. Do not pay for your entire hotel reservation your first day there. Most likely, you will book a reservation before you travel. Of course, this is a wise move because you do not want to spend your first night sleeping in the street! However, after you arrive start asking the locals about other hotels in the area that might be cheaper. These hotels may not advertise internationally, so you or your travel agent may not have known they exist.

4. Avoid eating in advertised or hotel restaurants. Eat where the locals eat. Generally, these restaurants will have better value for the dollar spent. An added bonus will usually be a more relaxed ambiance, and more authentic cuisine.

5. One last tip is to get the best exchange rate for your dollars. Generally speaking, you will get a better exchange rate in your destination country. However, try to avoid exchanging in the airport. You will get a better rate if you find a moneychanger a little distance away from and airport of tourist attractions. To see if you are getting a good deal, research the going exchange rate online before you leave. Of course, you will never get the bank-to-bank exchange rate that you will find on the internet, but it will give you an idea of what the rate is going to be.

[Wasatch]

on 7/5/2009 Good article. I don't care about a big home or expensive cars, but I could drop a fortune on travel if I had it to spend.

[sonni57]

on 7/4/2009 Good suggestions on how to save money when you go on a trip.