Traveling In Hard Times, Some Ideas

Times are tough. We all know this. It’s all we hear about in the news. Unem­ployment is high. People are losing their homes. Businesses and banks are failing. This sort of negative environment makes traveling difficult for many of us, because right now, we either can’t afford the expense, or maybe we feel we shouldn’t, “just in case.” This is usually because we feel that we don’t know what might be coming next, so better to hang on to our money. And this is especially true of people with families to consider. The costs of traveling in such uncertain times can seem prohibitively high. But there are some ways around this problem, some possible solutions. One doesn’t have to give up and just stop traveling abroad.

2007-2009 map of world showing countries in recession (red) or with economic slowdowns (pink). Author, Felipe Menegaz, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

If current styles of trips, such as cruises and “grand tours” are just not in the picture for you right now because of high costs, there are still interesting alternatives. You can still take a trip abroad and relatively cheaply. Believe me when I say, it’s still possible, because I do it.Here are some things you can do in regard to defraying travel costs in a big way. First, as always, and everyone will tell you this; research your trip well in advance! Figure out where you really want to go. The sooner you do this and the sooner you book, the cheaper it will most likely be. Last minute air flights are usually much more expensive than those booked well in advance.

Southwest Airline

The same holds true with hotels. When you book early, you can take advantage of promotional “specials,” discounts, etc. Actively look for these. Try booking your trip in the off-season for flights and hotels, rather than in the peak of the high season. You can even do it for just the week before the high season begins, or the week after it ends, and the difference in prices can be dramatic, and we’re only talking one week here, folks!

Consider allowing connecting flights as part of your trip, rather than “non-stop.” These can be cheaper (see travelzoo web site to give you the idea). Be more flexible if you can, on the dates of departure and arrival. Midweek is usually a good deal cheaper to travel than weekends, for instance. Traveling just before, or after holidays, can be quite costly.

But between air flight costs and hotels, by using these cheaper approaches, this alone could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars right at the very start. But it doesn’t stop there. Some destinations are much higher priced than others are. This can be for any number of reasons, but they can include location, weather, general desirability (views, etc.), being a current “hotspot,” and other various causes. However, there are also similar locations with almost all the same attributes and/or amenities, and they are a good deal less expensive, sometimes surprisingly so! So be creative. Be imaginative.

Snow covered cars at a parking lot during the Dec 2009 blizzard, Pentagon City, Arlington, VA Author, Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

As an example, with this abominably frigid winter, are you dying for that island vacation in the sun? Well, if you live on the East Coast of the United States, that trip to Hawaii is a long and expensive one. Just getting there can really cost, especially if the whole family is traveling. So, why not select a different island, like one in the Caribbean? It’s much closer, so travel time is much less, airline costs are much less, and the hotels often are much lower in price. Yet, you have the same tropical settings, the same sort of beaches, mountains, and aqua-blue ocean views.

Is it Hawaii? No. But then Hawaii isn’t Jamaica, either. Jamaica and other island nations are places with their own distinct national cultures, unique foods, beautiful views, and fascinating places to visit. Whether it’s those white sandy beaches, lush tropical environments, clear swimming pools, cascading waterfalls, even volcanoes, or eco-tours, the Caribbean has them. So does Central America and these also are relatively inexpensive. Why not take a trip to Costa Rica, for example? They have everything I’ve mentioned above and more.

But even with the Caribbean, choose your destination carefully. Some island stays can be far more expensive than others can. St. Thomas, for example, although beautiful, in general can cost much more for hotels, food, golf, etc., than, say, Jamaica, or St. Kitts. But even here, if you research well and early enough, there are bargains to be had. Again, your research should be all encompassing and include air flights, hotels, food costs, and any other amenities such as golf, diving, day boat trips, and such.

Southampton Portland Terrace bus stops, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Even for the standard trips abroad, there are many ways to defray costs considerably. If you are traveling to Europe, again, research the trip thoroughly and book early! I can’t say that enough. And there are many savings to be had. In England, if you don’t mind comfort-style food, pubs are usually much cheaper than hotels and standard restaurants for meals. Instead of staying in expensive London, book a B&B just outside of it, in a more rural area. Daytrips to London are relatively cheap by train, and bus. Or, try renting a car to get around the country. This is a good way to go if you have your whole family with you, because train ticket costs can add up quickly. Or, do what we did, and take a standard bus and let it run its full route. They usually circle right back to where they started. I did this in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in Blackpool, and the surrounding countryside there. Again, it was fun. I hopped on and off the bus, had lunch in a pub, shopped at a flea market (the kids loved it); saw the ports, and lots of open countryside. And it was dirt cheap, as they say! I also had nice chats with locals on the bus.

I’ve just recently booked a trip where I’m staying at places for an entire week, but only at what the cost of a couple nights’ stay in downtown London would be. When booking tickets for various manor houses, the Tower of London, and such similar places, look for possible discounts. If you are buying tickets for multiple places, it will be cheaper in the long run. I did this with theTower of London and Hampton Court Palace. It was decidedly less expensive than buying them singly.

Cowley house at Broadway (Worcestershire), England Bed and Breakfast, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Do you need another example? If in France, there are many lower-priced places to stay, if you are willing to be somewhere other than right in the heart of the main tourist district. Also, eating at little local cafes, or buying your “continental breakfasts” at bakeries yourself, or staying at hotels that include breakfast as part of the cost, are all ways to reduce expenses. This will help you to keep to a tight budget. Try for hostels and private homes as alternative places to stay. Use online websites that advertise rooms in such places. There are even exchange sites, where you can stay at someone’s house free, if you let them use yours in return. All the information is there on the Internet on how to help you dramatically lower costs. All you have to do is use it and research it.

No, the times may not be right for dining out at expensive restaurants for every meal for you and your family, or flying and traveling by train anywhere and everywhere you might want to do so. But, one can still travel, and sometimes quite cheaply. So, rather than a gourmet dinner in that so expensive restaurant in Rome, why don’t you try a simple picnic instead? How about that view from your hotel room’s little balcony as the setting?

Bistro 1900, Author, Croquant, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

I did this. I bought olives, good bread, meats, fruit, and local wine at nearby market places. So did my fellow travelers. We all shared and had a wonderful party on adjacent balconies, overlooking Rome. In England, I bought fresh produce, bread, cheeses, and cold cuts at local markets, and had a picnic in the ruins of an old abbey. It was fantastic! And, the leftover food made for good, tasty, and nutritious snacks in the Bread and Breakfast room that evening.

Try taking walking tours, instead of always using transportation. Stroll along. Walk through various neighborhoods. See how the local people really live. Eat where they eat. Drink in their local pubs or taverns. Believe me; they know the bargain places. Seek out free places to go that are fun, interesting, and really worth the visit! I walked part of the coast of Devon, England, for example, and packed my own meals for the day. I took breaks on cliff tops overlooking magnificent ocean views. And all that cost me was the price of some food from a local baker and green grocer. For a family, this sort of thing really lowers the costs of travel and it’s fun!

And at the end of the day, you can treat everyone by stopping for hot tea and a few cakes at some local village teashop. This is a lot less expensive than treating the whole family to a restaurant meal. The advantages of this sort of thing are not only reduced costs, but you get to meet more people this way (walkers are very friendly), see some of the local beauty at a leisurely pace instead of racing by it in a bus, train, or car. You really get to know the country in a different, much more intimate way.

Another way to go is package tours. These can save you a great deal of money, since they usually include all local travel in the destination country, hotels, and some meals. Also, porter fees and such are often included in the package. Rather than staying at expensive hotels, let the travel tour company handle that for you, by providing lower cost (sometimes very much lower) accommodations that are very good. Plus, such tours usually include the costs of entry to various tourist sites. Be careful though, some tour companies cater to the wealthier. So look for those that cater to the more budget-minded. Trafalgar Tours is one of these. There are others.

A finger post at Littleham Cove (west of Exmouth, Devon) Author Geof Sheppard, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

So, give it a shot! Don’t just give up and say that the trip isn’t possible this year. Decide for yourself that you can do it, and then go about doing it! Again, be imaginative.

Below, are some references that will lead you to various sites that may be of help in this regard. And above all, take that trip. It still can be within your budget, despite these terrible economic times. In any case, with all the pressures on us of late, what better time to take a break from them, than right now? The times almost demand it.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Foreign Travel Ideas for the Quirky and Frugal
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/342988/foreign_travel_ideas_for_the_quirky.html?cat=16

Kayak.com
http://www.kayak.com/

Virtual Tourist
http://www.virtualtourist.com/

Wiki Travel
http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page

Trafalgar Tours
http://www.trafalgar.com/USA/Home

Affordable Tours
http://www.affordabletours.com/

Eurotrip
http://www.eurotrip.com/

Rick Steve’s Europe
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm

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