Tips for saving money on holiday
As it’s now officially winter, a few of you might be considering taking a trip somewhere with a much warmer climate. Whether this is a last-minute decision or you’ve been planning it for a while, holidays can be expensive! We’ve got some great tips to help you save money when you’re taking a well-deserved break.
Book a room with a kitchen
Forget a room with a view, a room with a kitchen is much more valuable to you if you’re trying to save money. If you can find accommodation that includes a small kitchenette, or even just a microwave and jug, it means you can spend a couple of nights in cooking up some food from the local supermarket rather than paying through the nose for restaurant food (which is often much more expensive in the tourist areas).
Sign up for free tours
You can get a lot out of joining a free walking tour around the area that you’re staying in. These tours are usually run by passionate locals who can show you the best hidden secrets and tell you more about the history behind the area. These are technically free but are based on a system where you can tip your guide whatever amount you like if you really enjoyed it.
Exchange money before you go
The money exchange counters at the airport are usually the most expensive places to exchange your cash. To avoid the hefty fees or getting scammed by less-than-polite money changers in your travel destination, be sure to shop around for a money changing location with a good rate — if you’re not sure what a good rate is, you can check it out online or visit a few money changers at home to get an idea of what’s available.
Use public transport
It can sometimes be tricky to navigate public transport overseas depending on where you are, but this is usually a much cheaper alternative to taxis and Ubers. It’s a good idea to read up on how the public transport system works at your travel destination, and if you’re still scratching your head, there are some great apps available to help you. You can always do it the old-fashioned way and visit an information centre for public transport help too.
Fuel up in the morning
If you’ve booked accommodation that includes breakfast every day, definitely take advantage of this and fill up as much as you can to keep you going throughout the day. If you want to try local food, try only visiting these restaurants and cafes for lunch as this is often cheaper than dinner. You can then pop by a supermarket on the way back to your room to get something to make for dinner.
Travel off-peak
Sure the weather is better during the summer season of your travel destination (which is often when we Kiwis want to go to escape the winter), but the prices for travel definitely go up and there are a lot more tourists around. If you can, try to book your trip during off-peak times to avoid the influx of tourists and price hikes.
Always getting sick during or after a holiday? Check out Haven Adviser’s great tips for staying healthy on your break!
