Globetrotting on a budget

Globetrotting on a budget Chances are you might be heading out this summer, or you'd like to be – if only you could afford it. Time and money are always an issue preventing us from travelling, but if money is stopping you, consider saving up and incorporating some money-saving habits into your future travel plans. Sometimes it can be difficult to get everything organized before a trip, or you might want to plan one and not know where to start. Here are some helpful resources to get you started.

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Selecting your destination When considering cities to visit and looking for things to do, check out the local weekly free paper in its online version before you arrive. If it's in another language, you can always use a free (but approximate) website translation service (such as freetranslation.com) to read the articles and listings in English. If you want a guided tour, many cities have websites set up where local volunteers offer to guide specific tours for visitors. It's kind of like Craigslist. Tourists write a description of the kind of tour they'd like before they travel, and the guides pair themselves up with the tourists. For an example of this kind of service check out http://www.parisiendunjour.fr For cultural excursions, The New York Times has a fantastic resources for budget travellers – with everything from restaurant recommendations to museum happenings found at http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com. Look into individual gallery websites to find out which days and times museums offer free or reduced entrance fees. There are often also pay-what-you-can events or special first-time trial sessions at yoga or athletics classes. Best of all, there are huge benefits to be gained from walking in a new city. One can explore the city from ground level, mingle with locals and discover unexpected places off the familiar tourist map. It's also healthy and beats taking buses or taxis everywhere. If you're wondering about the safety in a region you want to visit, check out the Canadian government's travel advisory website (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp), where they post warnings and notices about the conditions in the country you're intending to visit. Find out which areas are dangerous and should be avoided, learn about the visas and medical vaccinations you might need. Learn about precautions you should take and find out where the Canadian Embassy is, in case you get into trouble. Find out what kinds of identification you are required to carry in the host country.

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Getting there Budget airlines are a good option if you need to fly to your city of choice. Try getting a price on your city from different airlines and ticket sellers online. Don't settle until you find a price you're happy with. One sure way to fly cheap is to select your destination based on the cheapest flight price. Frequent routes from Toronto are often less expensive, but just as far away as national flights – For example, flights to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or London can be a bargain. The season also matters for flight prices, as does the time of the sale. Try to book early to get a good price, or go for last-minute deals on a site like redflagdeals.com. Within Europe, check out the prices at ryanair.com and easyjet.com. Or if you're planning to get to Montreal or New York for cheap, try megabus.com or neonbus.com. Often new buses have free wifi on board and sometimes power outlets. If you're taking a long trip, you can use your laptop and watch dvds or work the whole way there if you want. Packing is an important part of any travel - but especially for air travel. Ultimately packing light whether by car, train, or plane makes your travel simpler. Comfortable shoes and clothes go a long way for a budget-conscious traveller. You'll want to get around on public transit after-all and you'll want to carry as little as possible up and down stairs. Packing a good book is great for any long waits that you'll have to endure. If you end up hanging out at a public space (that's free too!) you will always be entertained with a paperback. If travelling by air, avoid a checked bag fee, and remember to pack only travel-sized toiletries and essentials in your carry-on bag. Where to stay Consider calling up a friend in the city you intend to visit. See whether you can sleep on a friend's couch or whether you can offer a contribution toward rent or groceries. Let them know you'll return the favour in your own home. Always bring a host gift and be a gracious guest. Be prepared to entertain yourself if your host is busy. If staying with a friend is not an option, then consult a websites like airbnb.com, homeaway.com or craigslist vacation rentals pages which allow you to book a room or an entire apartment that belongs to a local resident. The service is available in cities all over the world. The finds on these vacation rentals are often much cheaper than even the most basic hotels, plus you'll often get more space and a kitchen to use – which really saves you money. You can buy groceries and cook! Pretend you are a local and enjoy exploring the markets in the city. Communication abroad The internet is the cheapest way to communicate when you travel. If you're looking for a way to communicate with family and friends, skip the expensive roaming charges on your cell phone calls and use your own laptop with a free wifi connection at a library or cafe. If you don't have a laptop with you, simply run to the nearest internet cafe. Then download skype and call home from skype. Or, simply send emails and update your blog for friends and family. Next time you travel, consider making a budget, stick to it and have fun.