An international plane ticket costs plenty, without paying through the nose on the other side of the world for accommodation and everything else. So we scored these expert tips to save you cash.
Be an early bird
This tip won’t help the spontaneous among you but, when you’re booking international flights, it does pay to organise them in advance.
Tammy Marshall, managing director of Contiki (www.contiki.com.au), explains, “If you’re looking for the best value flights, book ahead of time. Every year in October the airlines release early bird European fares.”
Destination? Not anywhere
Be selective about where you opt to land when you’re flying, because as Marshall tells us the most obvious choice isn’t always the most cost effective. “London tends to be one of the most expensive European cities to fly into,” she explains. “Cities like Rome, Madrid and Istanbul tend to be cheaper options.”
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Travel at night
Seasoned traveller and author of Princess With A Backpack (Morgan James Publishing, onsale March 2008), Lauren Resnick, has discovered many a money saving manoeuvre in her travels. “In Europe, the Eurail (www.eurail.com.au) travels overnight, which is a huge perk, it means you can still see cities by day and save on one night’s accommodation.”
Get a YHIC and ISIC
“The Youth Hostels International (www.hihostels.com) card offers discounts and VIP treatment in their chain of hostels around the world,” Resnick adds. It costs about $25, but the savings far outweigh the cost.” And if you’re a student under 26, an International Student Identification Card (www.isic.org) can save even more. “It costs about $15,” Resnick explains. “And offers cheap accommodation, travel and loads of other things.”
Food, drink & part-time work
“I recommend shopping for supermarket food and keeping it in the fridge at your hostel,” Resnick suggests. Also, in Europe, always buy bottled water. They aren’t in the practice of giving you a glass of water with your meal.” And if you run out of money? Resnick has two fool proof methods to keep a roof over your head (and vodka in your belly). “Offer to work for your accommodation at a hostel – you don’t have to clean toilets, it could just be answering the phone. And in the right bar, offer to dance on the bar for a drink, it doesn’t work everywhere but it’s worth a go,” Resnick laughs.
Smart travel tip: For loads more travel info check out www.soyouwanna.com.