Travel in Budget

Paul Hata asked:


The past few decades have seen an incredible revolution in the world of the airline industry. Low cost and discount airlines took the industry by storm with their focus on getting their passengers to their chosen destinations with no frills and the least expense possible.

Discount airlines like Air Asia, Jet Blue and Flybe have proven that airlines can be successful without offering the frills and first class seats that many of the old line airlines found so indispensable.

As a matter of fact, for the past several years the low cost air carriers have been the only ones able to turn a profit.While many traditional airlines are struggling to make a profit,have been profitable almost from their inception.

In addition, low cost airlines have helped to lower prices across the board in the airline industry.When a low cost air carrier starts flying out of a specific destination, the traditional airlines often have little choice but to lower their prices in response to the new competition.

This has helped make air travel affordable for a large segment of the population that had never before been able to take advantage of the option of flying.

When low cost airlines first began operations, they kept costs lower primarily by cutting out the extras; anything that did not focus directly on getting passengers where they were going on time was cut back or eliminated.

For instance, where traditional air carriers served entire meals, low cost carriers offered bags of peanuts or boxes of snacks. Most low cost carriers also cut out movies and entertainment on their flight, although low cost Jet Blue was the first to offer live television on their planes for a low fee.

The irony in this situation is that traditional airlines have begun to cut back on these very items, with many traditional carriers now offering no meal service at all, or charging fees for the meals they do serve.

What all this means to the budget minded traveler is that airfare costs can be much lower than in the past. While airfares still do fluctuate widely, it is generally possible to find a reasonable price for destinations around the country and around the world.

The key, of course, is to shop early and shop well. The internet provides a great way to search for the lowest airfares. Every low cost and traditional airline has its own web site, and it is important to check these web sites often for prices to your particular destination.

There are also a number of comparison web sites where you can simply type in the originating and destination airports and the web site provides the lowest fares on various airlines.In many cases the lowest price will be a low cost carrier, but the increased level of competition means that the lowest price will sometimes be with a traditional carrier as well.

The lowest airfares, both on low cost airlines and traditional ones, are often those that are booked at least a month ahead. Fares for last minute flights are often extraordinarily high, even on the low cost carriers. So the key to getting the best deal is to shop early.



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Jamie Jefferson asked:


No question, you can drop thousands of dollars on a one week getaway, but you certainly do not have to. If you know a few simple secrets, you can stay within your budget and still enjoy an exciting, unforgettable trip with the kids. All it takes is a little creativity and knowledge.

Here is what you need to know:

Saving on Family Airfare

Airline travel is unquestionably expensive, but many opt to fly over driving because of the time involved, as well as the cost of gasoline. There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your family airfare.

Many airlines still allow children under the age of two to fly free. The caveat is that no seat is guaranteed for the free price. Mom should expect to hold baby or toddler in her lap during the flight. Many times the airline will try to seat families traveling with a non ticketed child next to an empty seat so that baby is not restricted to a lap during the whole flight.

If you do not need much advance notice you can pick up some great last minute online fares. This is often difficult when a parent needs to schedule time off work and the children are in school. However, if you can leave on a moments notice, it is a wonderful, affordable option. Do a Google search for “last minute flights” to locate these rates.

To save even more on airline travel, it really helps if you are flexible with your travel dates. Typically Monday, Friday and Sunday are departure days that garner higher rates than if you left on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. It used to be that you had to stay over on a Saturday to get a better rate, but that is not always the case. Online booking sites, such as Travelocity and Expedia, allow you to play around with different dates and find out, at a glance, what your best option may be. One day earlier or later can save you big on the price of the ticket.

Also, check surrounding airports at both the departure and the arrival city. You may need to drive an hour or two to get to the different departure or arrival airport; however if it saves enough money on each ticket, it will be well worth the drive.

One family in the Midwest finds it much more affordable to fly out of O Hare in Chicago. Yet they live over three hours away from ORD and also do not particularly care to drive in Chicago traffic. They found a win/win solution.

They drive 90 minutes toward Chicago and then pick up a motor coach bus that drops them off at the terminal of the airport. The children ride the motor coach for free and there are no long term airport parking fees either because they left their car at a park and ride. It is a creative way that offers them less hassle and cost less money in the long run.

Saving on Food While Traveling

Recent airline security makes it difficult to travel with food and beverages in carry on bags. However you can place some staples inside your suitcase and check your luggage under the belly of the plane. Peanut butter, bottled water, crackers, fruit and cans of tuna make great snacks when the kids are hungry. You can pick up additional items such as a loaf of bread, once you land. Do not forget to pack a can opener.

If you are driving to your destination pack a cooler full of food. It may be a little tricky making space in the trunk for the cooler; but once you realize the cost savings of not having to eat out every time someone is hungry, you will be glad you brought it with you.

Saving Money on Lodging

You can also save money on lodging. Complete an online search using the words “kids stay free hotel.” You will be amazed at the number of hotels and inns that offer this perk. Also look over their amenities because many hotels also offer free continental breakfast.

Continental breakfast means a variety of things. In some places it means cold bagels, a banana and orange juice. In other hotels and suites, free continental breakfast includes sausage, cereal, eggs, potatoes, bagels, bananas, apples, oranges, juice and coffee. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and nothing like a free one to start the day right!

Traveling with the family on a budget does not mean you have skimp and cut back. It just means you may need to be creative and flexible, and that is what having a family is all about.



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Paul Hata asked:


Many first time travelers make the incorrect assumption that a European vacation is beyond their means, but this is often not the case.

One of the biggest costs associated with any vacation, including travel to countries in Europe, is lodging, but it is possible to fund budget accommodations that are clean, safe and centrally located.

One of the secrets to finding affordable budget accommodations when traveling to Europe is to check out the many bed and breakfast hotels that are common in Europe.

The average bed and breakfast in Europe is much different than its American counterpart. Whereas many bed and breakfast’s in the United States are luxurious, and expensive destinations, Europeans generally regard bed and breakfast hotels as inexpensive places to stay, and they can be much more affordable than hotels in similar locations.

Most bed and breakfast hotels in European destinations are small, family run hotels.In many cases, the family has their living quarters right on the premises, and the hotel generally provides free breakfast with the price of the room.

There are many places to look for European bed and breakfast hotels, including the Internet, destination travel guides, Internet news groups and travel review web sites.

While some of the larger bed and breakfast hotels have their own web sites, many do not, and word of mouth is often the best way to find them.

There are also booking services that will book the bed and breakfast hotel for you for a small fee (usually around 10%). These booking services can be very valuable, especially if you do not speak the local language.

Even if you did not plan ahead, chances are you will still be able to find an affordable bed and breakfast hotel when you arrive. The arrivals area of most European airports has at least one booking desk to help travelers without reservations find affordable accommodations. Just be sure you have a local map handy so you don’t get stuck with a hotel in the middle of nowhere.

There are some important things to keep in mind when booking a bed and breakfast or similar budget accommodations in European destinations.

There are important differences in lodgings between Europe and the United States, and first time travelers to Europe are often caught unawares. Below is a list of items to consider when booking lodging for your European vacation.

- Your budget accommodations will likely be clean, but basic. In most cases the surroundings will not be fancy or luxurious, but they will be functional and clean.

- The rooms at a budget hotel or bed and breakfast will probably be small, and closet space may be limited or even non-existent.

- The least expensive rooms will have bathroom and shower facilities located down the hall, while more expensive rooms may have an in room bathroom and tub.

- A room that has only a shower will usually be less costly than one that includes a bathtub as well. If this is an important consideration, be sure to ask about the bathroom facilities when making your reservation.

- Rooms equipped with a double bed are generally less costly than those with twin beds.

- If you are driving, there is almost always an extra charge for parking. Be sure to ask about the parking charge when making your reservation.

- Be sure to buy a good map of the city you will be visiting, and make sure the hotel or bed and breakfast you choose is centrally located.

- It is often better to choose lodging that it within walking distance of several attractions you will be visiting, even if the room is slightly more expensive. Choosing a centrally located hotel or bed and breakfast will save you both time and money for transportation.

- When booking your lodging, be sure the price you are quoted includes all local taxes and applicable fees.



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