How to plan a holiday on a shoestring budget

Whether you are a student or a stressed out workaholic, take a break this summer and indulge yourself in some refreshing travel. Trust me, a change of place works wonders to your spirits. Going on holiday with friends and family is a great way to recharge yourself. If you are worried about the costs, here are some tips which can save you a great deal of money on your vacation.

By following a few simple guidelines and acting smart, a holiday with even the smallest budget is possible without compromising on the destination. The trick is to spend money on things that truly merit spending and cut down on unnecessary expenditure.

Use the following pointers to make the most of your holiday.

Go as a group

There are many advantages to travelling as a group.

• it is much safer when you travel in a group as opposed to one or two people
• it is economical when the numbers are more. Whether you stay in a guest house or hotel, eating food or using public transport, it is more affordable as a group
• in many places prices are artificially jacked to make the most of the season. By being in a group the per head cost can be brought down significantly.

Accomodation

It is not always necessary to stay in a five star hotel or spend excessively on accommodation. There are a lot of inexpensive options available - youth hostels, government guest houses which are cheap and viable. They may not be an ideal option, but if you are on a trip which is mostly outdoors, then it makes sense. After tiring day out, all you need is a place to rest your body. The room rates are cheap and are habitable. If you are a large group consider dormitories / youth hostels as charges are per bed and are pretty reasonable.

Youth hostels provide decent accommodation and have their own kitchen as well. So, you have an option to carry your own food and spend less on eating out.

Check out hostelbookers. They are great.


Public transport

Many tourist destinations usually have inadequate infrastructure when it come to transport. Visitors are left at the mercy of cab drivers. In some countries you could be taken for a ride and cabs can be very expensive. It's best to use public transport whenever possible. For example, in Goa (India), taxi charges are exorbitant. Comparatively, the government run shuttle service charges one-tenth of what a taxi will charge and ofcourse efficient.

Plan in advance

Last bust not the least, the most important tip of all, plan your holiday well in advance. You get good discounts when tickets and accommodation are booked well in advance. Especially if you want to travel during christmas, you may look at planning and booking your holiday atleast 6 months in advance to ensure a place at a relatively cheaper price than if you book at a later date.

If possible, try to visit the holiday destination in an off-peak season. You get cheaper prices, good deals and most of all more privacy with less crowd.

So, it is definitely possible to have a great holiday without spending a fortune. Important thing is to judge where you spend your money. Always explore your options and research well before you travel.

Have a wonderful holiday.