Transportation Tips

There are various ways you can reach your vacation destination. You need to consider all your options when you are planning your trip on a budget. Whether you fly, drive, take a bus or train, there are always ways to cut down and reduce the costs. You simply have to look at each method and research the various possibilities. Do not allow yourself to be trapped into one particular mind set. You need to be open to various means of lowering the overall transportation costs. In some instances, you may have to rethink your entire definition of vacation.

DRIVING

In some instances, driving is an excellent way of keeping costs low. Instead of flying long distances, drive short ones. Make your vacation consist of several small day trips. These can include overnight stays. You can therefore cover a variety of different experiences. You can include urban and rural adventures as well as cultural trips and trekking. By breaking your trip into several different small ones, you can also include the preferences of others. In this way, you can share and split such things as hotel expenses, gas costs and the prices of the various events.

If you do not have a car but do have a license rent a vehicle. Check around for a bargain rate online and by phoning and visiting the various agencies. See what they offer in terms of gas mileage, distance costs and insurance. Try to rent when the rates are cheapest during the week. When selecting the car, also make sure it is the right car for your purpose. Whatever you decide, keep in mind the fluctuating cost of gas. Some sites on the net will provide you with current data.

If you wish and have the ability and resilience, take a motorcycle instead of a car. It may be cheaper on gas mileage. You can also lower costs and broaden your experience by taking part in a riding event. Before you go, however, take a look at the rules and regulation concerning helmet laws.

Another possibility is taking an RV. It combines mobility with lodging. It may or may not cut down on your expenses. It depends upon the type of RV, its condition and its gas consumption. Check it out first before you decide whether this is a feasible lifestyle.

You may also wish to rent a car even if you do fly to another country, state, or province. Look into the rules of insurance, license and general agreements. They may vary from what you believe. Go online to see what the car agencies, the airports and the venues provide. Remember, again.  The rates differ for certain times of the week and season. Book in advance and be sure you retain all your paper work of this transaction. Do not be afraid to comparison shop and mention the differing rates to the competitors. Sometimes, when you note and quote the rates, you can obtain a lower price or a better deal.

FLYING

One of the first things to remember about flying is to always try to fly midweek. Weekend flights are usually the most expensive. Furthermore, if your vacation begins on a holiday avoid booking for those dates. It will be more costly, and crowded. If you want to reduce your flying costs, you should book midweek after or long before a recognized or official holiday.

The next factor to consider is class. While many airlines no longer have luxury class, they do have a clear separation between economy and business. Make sure you know the difference between the different classes of tickets, what they offer and which is the best bargain for your money. Is it a matter of seating? Do they offer movies for free or some other form of entertainment? Check into what each class offers and whether it is necessary for your trip to be comfortable and enjoyable. More important than this, however, is to see whether what you get is affordable and does not step beyond budgetary restraints for this portion of your vacation.

There are a number of ways to reduce the flying portion of your vacation expenses.  The obvious is to checkout the various airlines and their offers. Always be aware of the deals they use. Make sure, however, that taking a one-way cheap ticket to the destination is compatible with a similar departure price. Some sales are only cheap for one-way. In the end, you pay twice as much for your return ticket negating any savings you could have on the trip. This is one reason why you need to know your days for the trip. Do you have any leeway that will allow you to not take a more expensive flight?

Another possible alternative to consider is using a smaller airport. Sometimes a local airport can fly you out at a cheaper rate than the larger ones. If you combine this with a discount airline, you can save money. Check out the local or regional airports in your area. Use the internet as well as the phone to determine whether it will provide you with an economic benefit.

When selecting your airline and ticket, use everything at your service. Do not dismiss travel agencies out-of-hand. They might be able to offer you a package deal that is comparable if not better than adding together the cost of your lodgings and travel. Talk to them for comparison's sake and ask about deals during your summer vacation time slot.

You can also try to see whether a consolidator can help. These sites provide information on various airlines, ticket prices and more on one site. What is even better is their ability to logically sum up the information of different sources. This allows you to see the overall picture of what such things as flying and lodging will cost under each plan or even separately.

Do go on line to check out the various airline and vacation planners. There often seem to be a plethora of them on the web. They can provide you with information on flights as well as indicate what specific packages they have. Some focus only on hotels while others are airline ticket specialists. Take whatever they have and look it over before you make a decision to use their services. If you can make your own package at a cheaper rate, do so.

There are also budget sites that concentrate on providing deals for airlines and hotels at a reduced rate. They are for bargain hunters. They require flexibility of travel plans. The notices for flights at cheap rates are last minute. You may only know about the cheap flight to your destination a few days before you have to leave.

There is also another way of cutting down on small traveling costs by plane. If the flight is long, do not purchase a meal, bring it. The same applies for snacks. Some airplanes do provide you with free snacks such as nuts and a drink. You can still bring along such things as bagels and cheese or sandwiches, apples or other fruit, small bags of chips, cookies and similar snack food. Be sure you check with your airport and airline to see what restrictions apply. Many of these pertain to the carrying on of drinks. There are some facilities in the larger airports where you can purchase drinks you can bring onto a plane.

As for using frequent flyer miles and cards to reduce your airfare - it depends upon the policy of your air carrier. Some restrict the use of air miles to specific types of ticket purchases. In some instances, the airmiles are not sufficient to warrant use at this time. Save them for later. Overall, it is always best to talk to your card provider for details about the applicability of air miles for your vacation trip.

RAIL OR BUS

You might find it cheaper and more convenient to go by bus or train on your trip. Rail may reduce the distance you have to travel from the airport to your hotel or lodging. A bus may be able to drop you off close by. However, in addition to the spatial factor and sometimes a similar length of time aboard, there are commonalities between plane, train and bus travel. You need to check out the dates.

Trains and buses have different costs for weekdays than they do for weekends. The price may also vary if you purchase a round trip ticket or a same day return ticket. In some instances, a bus or train is more ideal for your day trip than using a car.
Another possibility for bus and rail users is the type of ticket. Depending upon the country and the owners of the bus or rail system, you may be able to buy a pass. A rail or bus pass - in some countries you can use the same pass for the 2 systems, allows you greater flexibility. You can go from a major city to your destination without stopping or stop off somewhere in between.

If you are a student, you may also receive special discounts. Be sure to check into passes and see if you qualify. Check out the costs as well as the specific details. A pass may solve your need to fly or drive distances. Rail and buses are apt if you want to view more from a window than clouds. They do, however, increase the time you may spend on route to your final destination. Furthermore, if you suffer from motion sickness and/or an aversion to diesel fuel you might want to go by any other means. Before you make up your mind to go by bus or train, do weigh all the factors carefully.

You must also not ignore bus systems, the underground (subway or tube), Light Rail Transit (LRT) or trolley (street) cars. These forms of transportation can save you money. Be sure to learn the local system wherever you stay. It will prove a lot cheaper than taking a taxi. It is an excellent way to explore the city, its culture and its people. Do ensure you know the money required, the routes and any particular dangers or problems associated with these modes of transportation.

TOURS

If you want to escape any responsibility for picking the type of transport, take a tour. Signing up for a tour allows you to let somebody else worry about the logistics. All you need is to arrive at the departure point on time. Some tours are also quite flexible in where people get on and off and where they stay or eat. That said you must note it takes a specific person to enjoy a tour. If you do not like being with people or sharing facilities and being in close quarters with the same group day-after-day, do not even consider it.

BIKES AND HIKES

Some people prefer to spend their holiday biking around the countryside. If you are leaving home on your bike, do make sure you are in good enough shape to make it to your destination and even back. Biking can be an inexpensive mode of travel but do not take up long distance cycling, combined with hostels and camping just for your holiday. You need to be in shape, first, before you tackle expanding your horizons via peddling your ass across the country or countryside.

It is a great idea, however, to take your bike if you go camping, to a cottage or to somewhere where you can and want to explore the environment - urban or rural, in an eco-friendly way. In many instances, riding a bike will cut down on your transportation costs. You can avoid using a taxi or driving your car if you take your bike. This is not applicable in all instances. Check out the condition of your bike and your body first. Also consider whether the place you may rent or take your bike is conducive or practical for bike riding. Some places present an awesome challenge or are actually life-threatening for cyclists.

If you really are fit and looking for a challenging eco adventure, you can book a bike tour. You can travel with like-minded cyclists, some at your level. These bike tours are usually more challenging than the average tourist summer vacation. They also can prove to be less expensive and very interesting. You get to see regions closer up and become more aware of the local people.

The same applies for trekking or hiking. This is popular in some spots of the world. It is also better understood and safer in some countries or regions than in others. Be sure you have the information on this inexpensive way of traveling around. Be sure you are not a total novice. If you plan on walking long distances, bring a stout staff, water, a map and some snacks. Always - and I stress, always wear the right type of comfortable shoe for the type of hiking you plan.

FINAL NOTE

Whatever mode of transportation you decide to go with, make sure it suits your needs, your physical ability and your vacation intent. Do not do something or go somewhere simply because it is cheap. Consider such things as packages. They do take the worry about planning for specific items. Just be sure you get the right type of package. Do look at separate costs for separate aspects of your trip. You can also combine hiking with flying with local transportation and train. Do go ahead and utilize whatever you find cuts down on your overall costs without negatively affecting your summer dream.

On the next page we examine ways to Save on Lodging, Food, Entertainment  and More...