To travel or not to travel. Given the high costs of travel, be it airlines, hotels or food and attractions, family holidays can set us back sizeably each year. But that is only if you are the type to opt for unplanned, impromptu vacations at the most preferred locations bang in the middle of holiday season.
However, if you plan your vacations, do a little bit of research, compare prices and do advance bookings, you can save up to 30% in travel and hotel stays alone.
"Ideally, plan your trip in advance to get the best value for money. Besides savings, a well-planned holiday will ensure you explore a place in more interesting ways,'' says Ranjeet Oak, Head-Holidays, MakeMyTrip.
"That vacations are expensive is a misnomer,'' says Sachin D, CEO, CFOSME Corporate Services. "One can plan a great vacation on a low budget too,'' he says.
Here are some tips to save money even as you holiday:
Decide on a budget for the holiday
The first thing you need is to decide on a budget for your annual holiday. Remember, you need some money when you come back from the holiday, so do not spend all you have. Decide on a location that suits your budget.
Plan well in advance
"One can save at least 30% in travel and hotel stays, if planned at least three months in advance. Moreover there can be some savings in sight seeing activities as well, '' says Sachin. Book the hotels and airline tickets at least three months in advance.
Choosing hotels
The hotel you stay in can make or mar your vacation. So choose a hotel carefully after looking up the online reviews and checking with friends and family.
Look for deals
"Whether booking hotels or buying airline tickets, the further in advance you book your trip, the better the deal you'll find,'' says Oak. Airlines, too, offer cheaper fares at the time of sales or launch of a new route. "For instance, Transaero is launching its Delhi – Moscow route in April with an introductory fare of Rs 18,000 which is significantly cheaper than the Rs. 26,000 fare on Aeroflot,'' adds Oak.
Try and book open-jaw ticket
That is, do not depart from the same city that you first arrived in and vice versa. "These tickets will cost the same as a return ticket and will save you the cost of that final journey and help you plan your time better,'' says Oak.
Spending on food
Food is also a big component of the holiday bill. "Try the local restaurants rather than eating in the hotel where you are staying. It will save a lot of money and you also get to taste the local cuisine,'' adds Sachin.
Save on other travel costs
"Hire local sight-seeing travel companies rather than hiring a car from the start of the vacation to the end of the entire vacation, if your travel spans across multiple locations over many days,'' says Sachin.
The travel-shy Indian today has turned into an avid traveller. Vacations are a huge de-stressors from work, a great opportunity to spend quality time with your family and also a chance to explore new places in the world we stay,'' says Sachin.
So get the map out and get started on your vacation planning. Bon Voyage.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}