Going on a vacation on your own is always an exciting adventure. Without the help of travel agents, planning a vacation itself is a fun journey. The following are some frugal tips for you.
1. Maps - Maps are essential to a successful trip. Don't lose your way and waste time. Get the airport maps, the train station maps, the subway maps, the city maps and the attractions maps. If the train station is a distance to your accommodation, make sure you get the directions correct. Maps are always handy for a self drive vacation. You really do not need to spend money to buy maps. You can simply download maps from the respective tourism boards or travel sites for free.
2. Suggested itineraries - Reading suggested itineraries is always a must. Almost all tourism boards have their own suggested itinerary for you. Some itineraries are thematic such as the shopping itinerary, arts itinerary, golf itinerary or the great food itinerary. There are also suggested itineraries for families. Sometimes, the suggested itinerary may include places to dine and shop and together with discount coupons. You can also get suggested itineraries from travelogues, travel forums and travel blogs.
3. Events Calendar - The events calendar of the city is extremely useful. Some cities will list their events thematically such as arts, exhibitions, tours, festivals, music, markets and sports events. Besides the day, time and venue, you can get to know the essential highlights of the events and the ticketing information if applicable. It is always interesting to know the history of the festival or the cultural event as well. Look out for events or entertainment which you can enjoy for free. This events are likely to be held in parks, open spaces or at the shopping malls.
4. Transportation - Booking your coach, train or ferry journey is always a must to secure a seat. Always note the alighting and boarding points of the coach and be there 15 minutes earlier to wait for the coach. All transportation have their own baggage allowances and rules. If you intend to bring along bigger items such as surf board, bicycles or baby stroller, make sure that they are acceptable and find out if a charge is posed. Always bring along a copy of your reservation request or confirmation number to avoid any unhappy dispute. Should you wish to book your transportation at the destination, remember to note the location, operating hours and contact details of the ticketing office. Sometimes, you may get early bird fares by booking your journey in advance. Another great deal is the esaver fare, exclusive for those who book on-line. There may be companion fares, weekends getaways, coach passes, child discounts or family discounts for you.
5. Accommodation - Never leave home without securing your accommodation. Reservations policies differ for each accommodation. Some accommodations simply require an email, others need a 10% deposit while the rest requires your credit card number to secure the booking. Usually, you will receive a confirmation number for your reservation. Always make a record of the number in case you need to make any changes to your reservation in the future. Always read the fine print regarding its cancellation policy as some unique accommodations such as farmstays and bed n breakfasts may require 14 days cancellation notice. Accommodations may also impose a minimum stay policy. Do your best to select an accommodation which is well-located; that will save you time and money.
6. Trip Planner - A trip planner gives you all the essential information such as total travel time, walking distance and transfer time of the transport. Some planners also include the option of searching for the fastest itinerary or the lowest fare itinerary. Always use a trip planner to find out the arrival and departure times of the train or coach so that you won't miss your transport. This is important if you need to inform your accommodation of your check-in time. If you need to make a transfer, get the timing of the trains, coach or ferry correct.
7. Freebies - Look out for freebies. There are many freebies that can save you money. For instance, free transport in the city, free airport pickups, free entries to attractions on certain days, kids stay free, kids eat free, 2 for 1 entry, free attraction shuttle, free guided tours in museums, zoos or aquariums and more. There are also discount coupons which you can print out from the website of the attractions.Now you can Get a Free Night at Holiday Inn hotels and resorts in the Caribbean.
8. Amenities and Facilities - Always note the amenities and facilities available at your accommodation, attractions, train, coach or ferry stations. For instance, you need not bring a hair dryer if your accommodation provides one; you may wish to have a picnic at some attractions such as zoos or farms which have a picnic area; otherwise lockers at train or ferry stations will be useful if your check out time is much earlier than your train schedule. You may also wish to note the available ATMs and credit card facilities. For families, family rooms, adjoining rooms, baby cribs, roll-away beds, kitchen or laundry facilities are important for a happy trip.
9. Sightseeing passes - There are many destinations which allow you to book your sightseeing passes on-line. Sightseeing passes offer freebies, free entries or discounted entries to a number of attractions as well as shopping and dining offers. Usually, it has a visitor guide book which contains maps, essential information on the train and ferry system, sample itineraries, shopping and dining guide and details of the attractions. Some sightseeing passes give you the option to include unlimited travel on different modes of transportation in a specific number of days. You may wish to find out if the city which you are visiting also operates a free city shuttle or has a transport pass before making a decision. Plan your itinerary wisely and make the most out of your sightseeing pass. However, do not be over ambitious and get yourself exhausted during the trip. Getting popular are combo packages which allow you to enter a few attractions at a discounted rate. However, do ask yourself if you are interested in all the attractions in the package ? Make a wise choice.
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