8 Humble Hacks To Travel Luxe Locales

Travel is certainly rewarding, but it can also cost a rather lot. This is especially true for destinations that are every tourist’s wet dream, or a blatant sign you come from the third world. Cross expensive travel destinations off your bucket list even if you’re on a limited budget. Here’s the marauder’s map!

You may save and invest money for that one long dream trip, but in the interim cutting cost for immediate whims will mean landing at your next big airport that much faster!

SEARCH HIGH AND LOW

Go online, talk to friends-colleagues-(heck, even-)-the guy everyone loves to hate to discover free attractions and affordable activities, local food havens, and the lowest deals on everything.

DEFY THE CALENDAR

Avoid peak tourist season for your dream locale. Travelling in so-called bad weather is cheap even within India. Low traffic bookings internationally can be even more of a bargain – flight sales, hotel discounts, off-season rebates on activities, and more.

GET OFF THE RADAR

We’re not just talking about treading off the beaten path when it comes to looking for travel destinations. Closer to your touch screens, open an incognito window to avoid price spikes even within minutes and hours of your first search. You’ll have also avoided the creepy related ads that follow you around everywhere on social media.

LODGE CHEAP

Even the most expensive tourist places will have something for the young and broke.Consider unconventional options too. Check for reviews and testimonials for hostels, home-stays and Couch-surfing hosts – between the platforms themselves and TripAdvisor, you are in safe hands. E-stalk your host before you say yes and once you’re there, don’t part with your passport.

TRAVEL LIGHT

Where weather’s unpredictable, layers come to the rescue. There’s merit to Cliff Richard’s croon about travelling light. You’ll have “no bags or baggage to slow me down” and also avoid the hefty overweight charges. Crunch all you need in your carry-on and you’ll be literally “a hoot and a holler from (travelling) paradise”!

BECOME A GROUPIE

We’re not suggesting taking a package tour. But there are plenty of informal tour operators and travel enthusiasts who know lonely wanderlusts like yourself. Check out Meetup, Reddit, or Lonely Planet’s forums and you’re sure to find a tribe you can call your own on the road. This is one fam-jam that will actually help you lower costs.

BREAKFAST LIKE A KING

Any paid stay is bound to come with the promise of at least half-decent breakfast – usually unlimited. Stuff your face with unladylike shamelessness to keep you going for a while. For the next meals – let comfort food or instant, dehydrated packets revive you.

WHEN IN ROME

Some locals may appear xenophobes, but your host must always oblige with answers to pertinent questions! Break ice over beer, a joke or just a smile and seek recommendations on affordable shopping and dining, as well as attractions no one would find on the tour guide. Souvenirs are great. The ones you click, print and send as postcards with a postage stamp from right where you are is the best present for those you love. Let the tan and ear-to-ear grin be the most precious memorabilia you bring back for them and yourself. The novelty of nostalgia never wears!