Being a frugal traveller

[Foreigner]

When travelling, domestic or international, I have a habit of picking visitor magazines which have various coupons and discounts to save money. Las Vegas comes to mind right away. Such magazines also have so much other useful info like maps, things to do, etc. Any tips you may have?

Here's link to article on frugal travelling:

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/interview-with-seth-kugel-new-york-times-frugal-traveler/

Enjoy!

 

[mella2007]

I pre buy a lot of tickets online...usually some good discounts to be had if you know dates of when using them. Where possible will buy in US dollars (for example...travelling to London soon and buying theatre tickets in USD is much better than the pound for the same show/date)

 

[Cynicor]

I pre buy a lot of tickets online...usually some good discounts to be had if you know dates of when using them. Where possible will buy in US dollars (for example...travelling to London soon and buying theatre tickets in USD is much better than the pound for the same show/date)

Mella, may I ask which site? GF wants to see a show, maybe Matilda?

 

[Bolthead]

In most hotels they have those brochure racks (in the foyer - sometimes hidden around the corner) that show all the local tourist spots etc... they often have introductory offers on those brochures which may save a few dollars here and there..

eg.. last year we were in Berlin for only 2 nights and we wanted to do a walking tour of Berlin We googled a few options and then when my wife was rifling through the brochures in the foyer she came across a brochure for the same walking tour that saved us 3 euros per person. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but that was 12 euros that went towards something else.

Good (cheap) travels....

 

[Cabbage]

Learning to use the local public transport system, using my 28 degrees card to get local currency and using my credit card insurance always saves me lots of coin

 

[Simo]

I can be a frugal traveller but I also have attitude that I might only ever go to place X once in a life time so would rather get the entire experience rather than save a few dollars

 

[AVC]

I have to agree with Simo, in that I always go for the full experience when travelling somewhere I am unlikely to return to.

Having said that, I always try to maximise cost saving as well. Normally, we would always prebook everything, there are some good discounts to be had for pre-paying or combining products, such as booking Disneyland park tickets with a Disney Partner hotel, or using products like the Go Card (smartdestinations.com)

I find the hotel brochures can be more pricey that the same product available on line. When we were in Thailand, we decided on a tour to Phi Phi island when we were there. My wife found an online operator which we bought tickets through (VIP option of course) which were cheaper than standard tickets through any of the hotel brochures.

Spending money is fine. Wasting money is not.

 

[Alanslegal]

Spending money is fine. Wasting money is not.

Totally agreed.

For us, we like to maximise our experience when we travel and those experiences vary greatly from dining at top restaurants in the world where spending $300/head is normal and then the next day to just enjoying some fresh baguettes, hams, cheeses purchased from the local store for a few dollars and enjoying an afternoon picnic overlooking the city.

 

[chrisb]

After seeing the cost of room service at the hilton London we noticed that the marks and spencer across the road had discounted sandwiches at the end of the day. We ate well even if it wasn't a traditional dinner. I can deal with it for the difference between $5 for the supermarket and $80 for room service.

In Singapore our hotel had a Starbucks and McDonald's next door. That beats a $35 buffet breakfast.

 

[mella2007]

Mella, may I ask which site? GF wants to see a show, maybe Matilda?

Tickets to musicals and theatre plays in London West End. Book and buy online at LondonMusicalTickets.com

 

[cove]

Matilda is a great show in London and it is about to open on Broadway. It will be opening night soon in NYC so the excitement is building in Tim's family. I think we have another WAAPA graduate who is heading for world recognition.

 

[elbarto]

After seeing the cost of room service at the hilton London we noticed that the marks and spencer across the road had discounted sandwiches at the end of the day. We ate well even if it wasn't a traditional dinner. I can deal with it for the difference between $5 for the supermarket and $80 for room service.

In Singapore our hotel had a Starbucks and McDonald's next door. That beats a $35 buffet breakfast.

On my stay in AKL over the weekend, we had a kitchenette in the room and for less than $50 we were able to get three meals as opposed to the $50 we paid for breakfast at the hotel.

 

[11sjw]

Staying at a Dai-Ichi hotel in Tokyo in 2008 and the Yen was down to about 65 to the AUD. The hotel wanted nearly $50 for a bowl of cornflakes. Anywho down to the local Maccas to get pancakes picked up a banana and an OJ at the 7-11, problem solvered for about $6.

 

[Foreigner]

Staying at a Dai-Ichi hotel in Tokyo in 2008 and the Yen was down to about 65 to the AUD. The hotel wanted nearly $50 for a bowl of cornflakes. Anywho down to the local Maccas to get pancakes picked up a banana and an OJ at the 7-11, problem solvered for about $6.

That's a massive saving!

The interviewee in link in post one has this to say:

"Frugal to me means, at the very least, avoiding spending on unnecessary comforts – nice hotels, fancy restaurants, organized excursions. It probably includes giving up some niceties you enjoy at home – a comfy mattress, organic produce, a car.

But at its very essence is the belief that spending less almost inevitably leads to experiencing more, and that the best travel experiences are built on avoiding just about everything the travel industry wants you to do."

 

[codash1099]

One man's frugal is another man's extravagance. It's all relative. I won't waste money but I won't let frugality get in the way of enjoyment.

 

[UP4014]

I'm only frugal when travelling by myself, when Mrs BAM1748 or the little princess are with me I don't ever seem to be able to do it.

Matt

 

[JohnK]

Some of the things I do

- Don't overspend on hotels (there are some sleepers out there that can be had for a bargain)
- Find out about public transport (I hate using taxis)
- Look around for eating options (I refuse to pay for breakfast in a hotel when I can have a full breakfast outside for ~$5)
- Buy drinks/water in bulk from 7Elevens/Supermarkets (over the course of a 2 week holiday there is a significant saving)
- Don't use hotel laundry service