- Remember to check out FREE or Pay what you want days at museums. For example, in NYC there are a LOT of museums that are FREE or by contribution.
- Use public transportation to get places. You'll get to see the sights for a lot less. For example - the city bus in Paris will cost you about 1.5€, whereas the Hop On/Hop Off bus will cost you 29€.
- Lunch will traditionally cost less than dinner. Make lunch (or a late lunch) your main meal and have a lite dinner.
- Your cell phone may not work in the area that you're visiting (or have CRAZY fees), why not use Skype and your laptop to phone home for FREE?
- If you're planning to stay in an area for a week or more, why not rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel? You'll find the prices lower and you'll really get a feel for the neighborhood.
- When researching your destination, use your local library to check out guidebooks. Even if they're out of day (prices) they'll still help you plan what NOT TO MISS!
- Don't over plan, leave some time to relax and take it all in. Remember - this is a vacation (don't let it feel like work).
- If you stay at a hotel in a city that you're not familiar with, take a few of their business cards & tuck them your wallet. That way you can give them to the cab driver to let him know where you're going (great if you're in a country where you don't speak the language).
- Forgo the high priced restaurants and eat where the locals do. Your bill will be less and you'll get authentic regional food.
- Visit the welcome center or visitor's center. They may have listings of free concerts, theater, etc.
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2 comments:
Great tips - especially about taking the hotel business cards to give to cab drivers!
It's one of those things that I actually learned from someone behind the front desk at a hotel in Spain. I never took Spanish in school, so after doing my best Marcel Marceau impersonation, the hotelier suggested this to me. I've been using it ever since.
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