Tips To Save Money On Your Next Trip
Travelers interested in cutting down their costs might be surprised at how many opportunities there are to save money on a trip. From websites that look for unbooked hotel rooms to insider tips for knocking hidden fees off your restaurant bill, here’s how you can save money on your next trip.
Activities
Free museums
Museum entrance fees can get expensive depending on the location, with some museums charging more than £20 for admission. If you’re a lover of art, look for cities that offer museums you can access for free, such as pretty much every museum in London.
City pass
City passes can give you major discounts if you plan on hitting a lot of major tourist attractions. The Paris Museum Pass gives travelers access to some 60 popular museums and monuments in the city, while Berlin’s WelcomeCard offers discounts on popular sights like the TV Tower and DDR Museum.
Dining
When to tip?
Countries also vary widely in their tipping practices. Tipping is not a part of daily life in countries like China, while in France, tips are typically already included in your restaurant bill. Before you travel, determine whether or not it’s customary to tip and, if so, how much.
Michelin-starred restaurants
Michelin-starred restaurants are often touted as some of the best in the world, meaning they can also come with a hefty price tag. That being said, you can easily enjoy a meal at these establishments for far less than you would expect. Some Michelin-starred restaurants, offer a miniature — and affordable — tasting menu with smaller selections. Stopping by at lunchtime can also help you save, with restaurants like The Ox in Belfast serving a two course lunch for £20.
Getting Around
Trains
Train travel can be a wonderful way to enjoy a scenic ride — and to save on transportation between cities.
Free stopovers with flights
Many airlines offer free stopover programs. Giving you the chance to spend days in another city before continuing on to your final destination. You can pop into Helsinki for up to five days with Finnair, or spend a week in Reykjavík with Icelandair. With TAP Portugal, travelers can spend up to three nights in either Lisbon or Porto, and take a detour in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver with Air Canada.
For Accommodation
Secret hotels
This tip is especially handy for travelers who are looking to hit multiple destinations during a single trip. Secret hotel rooms are ones that hotels are selling at a discounted price. So the room doesn’t remain empty — but the catch is you won’t know where you’re staying until you make the reservation. Savings can be as high as 40% on lastminute.com’s Top Secret hotel deals section.
Free amenities
Most guests don’t realize that hotels often have complimentary amenities set aside for those who know to ask for them. You can snag night lights, chargers, and even curling tongs at both Kimpton Hotels as well as the W Paris Opéra. Whilst the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago can even lend you a guitar and Nixon headphones for your room.
Let the hotel know you’re traveling with children
You can find great amenities if you’re traveling with your kids at hotels. These amenities range from sweet treats to board games and even PlayStations at hotel groups like the Dorchester Collection.
