How do you stretch your dollar on holiday?

Question

Going on vacations with a small budget... any tips to make the most of it?

Answer 1

Purchase food from grocery stores and markets rather than eating out all the time--when visiting tourist attractions, bring snacks and water with you, because the restaurants near tourist traps are likely to gouge you.

If you're not worried about frills, hostels can be great cheap places to stay.  They're not as frightening as people make them out to be; you can get private rooms at most hostels, and they're generally clean, friendly, and well lighted (but cheaper than any other hotel you're going to find!).

Answer 2

Hostels are a good idea, but go for the cheapest beds in the big dorms. Half the price of a private room, or less.

Buy a good travel guidebook, worth the money it costs, because with that you can get a cheap night in a town where the tourist information can only find you expensive hotels, in that case, you win more than the guide costs you.

I like the Lonely Planet series, also good info in saving money while still having fun.

Supermarket food, but the cheap version, beans on bread, beans with an egg and beans on bread, and to get something different, beans in a sandwich.

Do not spend any money on alcohol, or if you have to, get it out of the supermarket rather than the pub.

And try to avoid the big towns, in those the hostels are nearly always more expensive and entertainment is always the kind that cost you money.

Make your bookings the night before, (or two or three days ahead,) so you know you have a cheap place to stay and do not have to cancel because you do not make it to town in time.

Small towns offer things like walks into nature, (free or cheap) and if you bring your own packed lunch (beans sandwiches?) you can spend a day on less money than you would spend in town on bus or tram.

But set some money aside for one real night in the town or one day sightseeing with all the frills. That will make your trip into a real holiday, not just a series of economics.

Answer 3

Hostels are usually great as well as campgrounds if you have small tent and other compact camping gear. Be sure to check with visitor info centers they usually have coupons that will give you discounts on places you are going to see anyway. Saving money on trips is a lot like saving money at home. You wouldn't eat at fanciest place all the time when you are home and buying food at grocery stores is great idea.