FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: budget travel

  • Paris (France) on the Cheap

    It’s no secret that the City of Lights is also one of the most expensive in the world. Never fear, frugal travelers.

    With a bit of creativity, it’s possible experience all of what Paris has to offer on the cheap. Here are some suggestions. Where to stay: In addition to checking out alternative discount lodging options (housing swaps, vacation rentals, couch surfing), here is a very abbreviated list of reasonably priced places to stay in Paris. Hôtel Séjour Beaubourg, 36 Rue du Grenier St-Lazare, has clean, bright rooms with private bathrooms and showers starting at 60 euros a night. Hôtel du Commerce is a cross between a hotel and a hostel (only 3 of the hotel’s 32 rooms have a private bathroom and shower). Rooms here go for as little as 40 euros per night. Absolute Hotel Paris is another hotel/hostel hybrid located at 1 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi. There are quad, triple or double rooms for as little as 30 euros per night. Each room has its own bathroom and shower. Hôtel du Nord et de l’Est, 49 Rue De Malte, is a cozy 2-star hotel with rooms starting at 50 euros a night. What to do: [caption id="attachment_4886" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Spend an afternoon strolling through the Luxembourg Gardens (for free!). "]luxembourg gardens photo[/caption] There are a variety of free, interesting things to do in Paris. Keep in mind that most museums offer free or discounted admission prices for children and students (as is the case in other European countries, most museums are closed on Mondays). Here are a couple of suggestions for interesting (free) ways to spend an afternoon. One of my favorite “budget activities” to do in Paris is to pick a neighborhood and simply wander around. This is one of the best ways to really get to know a city’s history and culture. Paris’ oldest neighborhood, Le Marais, is located on the Right bank of the Seine river. This is where you’ll find the oldest private residence in Paris (from the early 15th century), located on the Rue de Montmorency. It’s a wonderful area to stroll around and relatively easy to navigate. History buffs will love the Arenes de Lutece, 47 rue Monge et rue de Navarre (Métro: Place Monge, Jussieu, Cardinal Lemoine), located in the 5th arrondissement. Hours: Daily 8AM - 5.30PM (winter), 8AM - 10PM (summer). This impressive ancient Roman theater is one of two that have survived over the years in Paris (the other being Thermes de Cluny). Spend the afternoon in this lovely archeological park to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Admission is always free. Located in Paris’ 6th arrondissement, the 55-acre Jardins de Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) is free and open to the public. Amidst the impressive landscape architecture comprised of gravel walkways, grassy expanses, and large pools and fountains, you’ll find the French Senate, which is housed in the luxurious Palais du Luxembourg. It’s not just tourists who flock to the Jardins de Luxembourg. You’ll see many Parisians strolling around or enjoying a picnic here as well. Admission is always free. Where to eat: No doubt that Paris is a haven for foodies. See: eating cheaply in Paris. However, you don’t need to fork over the big bucks in a Michelin star restaurant to have a great culinary adventure in Paris. Street vendors selling crêpes, gaufres (large waffles), and long sandwiches made of baguettes are ubiquitous. One of my favorite “foodie on a budget” activities in Paris is buying fresh fruit, cheese, baguettes and a bottle of wine at a local open-air market (or at one of the specialty shops along Rue Mouffetard) and going on a picnic along the banks of the Seine river.

  • See Japan on a Budget – Affordable Travel Tips for Land of the Rising Sun

    Japan once had a reputation as an expensive vacation destination, but the country’s economic downturn has put it back on the radar of bargain-seeking tourists.

    With careful planning and a little know-how, your Japanese yen can go further in the Land of the Rising Sun. Buying individual tickets on the Japanese rail system can be expensive, but you can avoid those high costs. If you'll travel throughout Japan, it's worth investing in a Japan Rail Pass before you go. The pass will help you save on train travel all over the country, including its iconic bullet train. An open ticket is often a smarter purchase than an individual train fare when sightseeing in Tokyo. These are a more expensive, but as they offer unlimited trips they're typically a more economic choice for tourists. Patient travelers can save cash by eating when the mall food courts close. The vendors want to get rid of their last meals, and they'll offer considerable discounts to see it happen! It can be competitive, but hustle for a really cheap eat. If that seems too challenging, look to conveyor belt sushi restaurants or Japanese pubs known as izakayas. It might seem strange to sit on the floor with your beer, but the meals are tasty and affordable. If you're on the go, don't be afraid to grab a meal at the train station. The stand-up shops here sell tasty and affordable Japanese comfort food. Remember that tipping is not expected at Japan's eateries, so you can keep an extra few yen in your wallet. With travel and food organized, you'll need something to do. Japan's major cities have no shortage of free attractions to fill your days. In Tokyo there's the Sumo Museum and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. In Kyoto you can people watch at Gion's geisha district or see the Tanzan Shuzo Sake Cellar. In Osaka it costs nothing to visit the animals at Satsukiyama Zoo, or see the quirky Instant Ramen Museum. And Sapporo has the Hokkaido Brewery and bustling Nijo Fish Market. [caption id="attachment_3767" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Map of Japan"]japan travel map photo[/caption] If you really want to save money in Japan though, it's smart to leave the cities altogether. The mountainous countryside is free to explore, and amongst the most beautiful in the world. The traditional country inns, known as ryokan, are also much more affordable than their city counterparts. You'll probably visit a Buddhist temple in Japan, but you might not think about staying there. However, many of these sacred places offer affordable, and culturally enlightening, accommodation. For around 10, 000 yen a night, or around US$120, travelers will enjoy a private room, dinner, and breakfast the next morning. Koyasan and Eko-in temples are good options for travelers wanting to experience this serene and affordable accommodation style. You don't have to feel like you're skimping to save money in Japan. These tips will make sure you have an enjoyable, culturally rich time in the East, and return home with more money in your pocket than you'd expect.

  • Sydney for Kids on a Budget – Free Family Friendly Attractions in New South Wales

    Australia’s school holidays are looming, which is enough to fill any parent with dread. The kids will want to be entertained, but it needn’t cost you a fortune.

    Sydney residents can enjoy a staycation and soak up all the free activities in their own backyard. Museums are always a great option for families looking to save cash, with many offering free entry and enough exhibitions to keep folks entertained all day. For a journey back in time, look to The Rocks Discovery Museum tucked away in Kendall Lane, just off Argyle Street. Archival film and archaeological artifacts bring historic Sydney back to life in a way that's engaging for kids and adults. For a day out with a more nautical theme, head to the Australian National Maritime Museum. This free museum always runs school holiday programs especially designed to entertain its youngest visitors. This time around little ones can learn all about the travels of Sindbad the Sailor through, arts, crafts, and music workshops. If arts are their thing, take the children to the Art Gallery of NSW. Entry is also free, and a tour of the museum will seem much more exciting when led by one of the gallery’s fun characters. The holiday period also brings storytelling and special children's performances.Australia piggy bank Forget greasy fast food lunches; a picnic is a much more economical, and healthier option. Centennial Park is a bit of an inner-city oasis with its duck ponds and grassy hills. Take your blades or bikes along and you can enjoy the dedicated cycle and rollerblading tracks, or have a game on the tennis courts or sporting fields. Way out west you can enjoy the wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park. There are 40 hectares of parkland here, with picnic areas and barbecues for families who want a hot lunch. Playgrounds and cycleways should keep the kids entertained while mom and dad relax. So why spend a fortune on the school holidays? Sydney has plenty of fun activities that won't cost you a cent.

  • Ski Vacations For Less on New Zealand’s Club Skiing Fields

    If you’re looking for a low cost alternative to New Zealand’s popular Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak ski resorts, consider hitting one of the country’s club ski fields.

    The first club fields were established in the mountains west of Christchurch in 1929.

    Today there are ten club skiing fields in New Zealand. The North Island has Manganui on Mount Taranaki and Tukino on Mount Ruapehu. Within a two-hour drive of Christchurch you'll find Mount Cheeseman, Mount Olympus, Broken River, Craigieburn, Fox Peak, Temple Basin, and Hanmer Springs Ski Area. Drive towards Nelson in the north and you'll discover the Rainbow Ski Area. These smaller ski fields are owned and operated by club members, who pay an annual fee and volunteer on the slopes. But you don't have to be a member to join in on the fun. While the day rates aren't quite as low, non-members can still save by skiing at these non-commercial slopes.snowboarding new zealand Of course, without the commercial backing these slopes take skiing back to basics. There are small lodges with bunk beds and communal dining rather than resorts, and primitive rope tows rather than high tech chair lifts. This no frills experience has a way of bringing skiers together though, as they all pitch in to wash dishes and socialize on the slopes. While the social aspect is appealing, these slopes are also a lot quieter than the commercial fields. You won't need to worry about bumping into other skiers, and the runs are usually fresh. Club memberships typically cost around $300 a year, including season passes and discounted accommodation, with all meals and ski and boarding lessons thrown in. If you're only in New Zealand for a short time consider a day pass for around $60, about $30 less than you'll pay at the commercial ski fields. Alternatively you could pick up a seven-day CHILL pass for $345. This offers access to 11 ski areas on the South Island including seven different club fields.

    [Image Source: SnappedUp/Flickr]

  • Scoopon Travel Deals Website Helps you Enjoy Australian Cities for Less

    You can scoop up some great deals on dining, attractions and services around Australia with new travel deals website Scoopon.

    Just sign up for a free Scoopon membership to start enjoying the saving.

    These savings are pretty outstanding; recently the site has offered a five-course banquet at Melbourne's award-winning Cupido Restaurant for $20, a jetboat ride around Sydney Harbour for $29, and a five-hour deep sea fishing charter excursion on the Australia Gold Coast for $49. The site generally offers discounts of more than 50% on a range of products and services, and more deals are added daily. So how does it work? New offers are posted at noon, with the understanding that a minimum number will be snapped up. If you're interested in what's on offer, just click on the “Buy” button. Once the minimum number of respondents is reached, your credit card is billed and details of your purchase e-mailed to you. If the numbers aren’t reached, there are no charges at all. save on australia travel photo The biggest appeal of these deals, besides of course the money you save, is that you're given plenty of time to use them. You might start looking for offers before taking a getaway, or collect them in readiness for the next school vacation. Currently Scoopon only offers deals in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, but it's early days. If this takes off hopefully we’ll see specials available in all of Australia's major travel spots.

  • Party in Queensland’s Whitsundays Region on Koala Adventure Island

    If you’re young and a little strapped for cash, forget the luxury Australian islands of Hayman and Hamilton.

    The Whitsundays destination for you is Koala Adventure Island, the only location in the region which caters exclusively for backpackers and other tourists aged between 18 and 35. Originally called South Molle, Koala Adventure Island is far north Queensland's party capital. The fun starts at dinner time, which follows a new theme every night. Travelers eat at communal tables, which helps to break the ice before the night's entertainment. That includes a resident DJ, live music, games, and dancing until dawn. Things are a bit quiet during the daytime, perhaps as most visitors are recovering from the night before. But there is plenty to keep you occupied if you want to do more than lazing on the beach. You could get out on the water with a sailing trip to the reef, scuba dive or snorkel, or try your hand at windsurfing or paddle skiing. There's plenty to do on land too, as the resort has tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, archery range, and a fully equipped gym.see koala bears photo There are a variety of rooms to cater for all budgets and traveling groups. Groups of up to six can bunker down in the dormitory-style rainforest rooms, which are surrounded by lush tropical gardens. For a more intimate luxury getaway, consider the beachfront bungalows. They're right on the shore, and have private balconies for enjoying the gorgeous ocean views. No matter what room you choose, you’ll enjoy your own bathroom, a television and small refrigerator, and air-conditioning. Three-night packages are available for $157 per person for the dorm share rooms and $217 per person for the beachfront rooms. This price includes transfers from Abel Point Marina and access to the island's facilities and many activities. To get to the marina, fly to Proserpine Airport and catch the complimentary coach.

  • City Life at a Slower Pace in Hoi An, Vietnam

    Vietnam is a country of extremes, with bustling cities and quiet rural villages. Somewhere in the middle you’ll find Hoi An, a small city on Vietnam’s south central coast which enjoys the best of both worlds.

    Hoi An is the place to come if you want to experience cosmopolitan Vietnam without the traffic or the crowds. With relatively few cars on the roads, pedestrians rule here. It’s becoming increasingly popular with tourists, especially backpackers who flock to the city for its inexpensive dining and interesting array of shops. Hoi An was a major international seaport in the 16th and 17th century, and these foreign influences are still apparent today. Hoi An is a cultural melting pot, with the flavors of France, The Netherlands, Spain, China, and Japan informing the city's food, architecture and culture. The streets are lined with stores peddling arts and crafts, silver jewelry, and made-to-measure clothes and shoes. Such stylish indulgences would cost a small fortune in the West, but the services of tailors and shoemakers here are surprisingly inexpensive.  While these stores cater to the tourist trade, Hoi An's buildings have been largely preserved. This makes walking around the city an exciting experience, even if your wallet is bare. Tourists must purchase a sightseeing pass before entering Hoi An’s Old Town. They cost approximately US$5 and include a pass to a historic house, a landmark, a museum, an assembly hall, and a cultural experience. Visitors can choose which of the local attractions interest them most in each category.
    These tickets are available at various entry points to the area including some of the attractions and Hai Ba Trung Street. While a dress code is not strictly enforced, tourists are advised to dress conservatively when visiting the Old Town. Sleeveless blouses and short skirts are frowned upon, particularly when visiting sites of culture significance. Da Nang is the closest airport to Hoi An. You can catch a connecting flight from major Vietnamese cities including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and international destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, and Cambodia. A taxi from Da Nang airport to Hoi An costs approximately US$15.

  • Ski Australia’s Snowfields On a Budget

    Winter’s only just begun, but already Australia’s snow fields are enjoying steady falls.

    Taking advantage of the thick white powder can prove expensive, but there are a few ways to cut the costs of your skiing adventure. The most luxurious ski resorts often come with luxury price tags, but there are a few affordable options to be found on the snow fields. The acclaimed backpackers chain YHA has two snowy locations; one in Thredbo, New South Wales, and the other in Victoria's Mt Buller. The Thredbo YHA is located in the center of the skiing village, a convenient stumbling distance from the restaurants and pubs. Twin rooms start from $68, but if you bring some mates you could pay as little as $27.50 for a four-share dormitory. You’ll find the Mt Buller YHA a stone's throw from the chairlift, so you can literally ski to your front door. It's a little more expensive with rates starting from $79 for a six-bunk room, but still much cheaper than anything else you'll find in the area. Another option is to stay a little further from the ski fields. While you might need to forgo your sleep-in to get an early run at the slopes, you'll save a pretty penny. Consider Jindabyne when skiing at Thredbo or Perisher, Dinner Plain if you want to hit Mount Hotham, and Mount Beauty when skiing Falls Creek.[caption id="attachment_3952" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A snowboarder at Thredbo, Australia"]A snowboarder at Thredbo, Australia[/caption] When it comes to accommodation rates, timing is everything. While you'll pay through the nose in August, June and September prices are much more reasonable, even if the snow isn't quite as impressive. You'll also save money by traveling through the week, rather than weekends. It's tempting to invest in skis, snowboards, and outfits to match, but unless you're considering regular snow holidays hiring the kit may be a better financial decision. Or if you want a ski job in Australia then you might buy gear too. If you do want to own your own, you'll be surprised at the bargains you’ll find on eBay or in second-hand stores. It also pays to ask around, as the closets of your friends may have everything you need. Lift tickets are a necessary expense, but there are still ways to save cash here too. Look for early-bird specials before the start of the season, discounted rates at the start and end of the season, and half-day tickets if you prefer a sleep in or tend to tire in the afternoon. You can also save money by visiting the smaller slopes. Mt Baw Baw in Victoria and Selwyn in New South Wales offer very cheap rates for their fields, which are mostly made up of beginner runs. That won't suit if you're a regular snow bunny, but novices will be very happy here. While not always the most economical solution, it can pay to look out for package deals. If you want to stay at the best accommodation, and ski the best slopes in Oz, you'll probably save money with these all-inclusive offers.

    [Image Source: SnappedUp/Flickr]

  • Stay in China for Free with New Tourboarding Website

    Many of us have dreams of visiting China, but once you’ve sailed down the Yangtze River and shopped up a storm in Shanghai, your wallet may be a great deal lighter.

    If you're looking for a way to save cash while visiting China, consider a new online initiative called Tourboarding. This new website matches travelers with Chinese hosts who want to learn or improve their grasp of Western languages, predominantly English. Your hosts will offer free airport transfers, accommodation in their home, and two meals daily. In exchange, you must agree to spend two hours each day teaching your host your native tongue. The experience sounds like a great way to save cash on your travels and meet the locals. But Tourboarding's services aren't limited to accommodation. You can also offer your language services in exchange for guided tours or cultural experiences, such as Chinese cooking and calligraphy lessons. You could even learn to speak Chinese. Tourboarding is a relatively new website, but already more than 1500 families from all over China have registered. It's an interesting take on the modern trend of couch surfing, one that gives back to both the visitor and the person opening up their home. Standard membership is free, although interested travelers can become a VIP member by donating $25 to the site or inviting three friends to join. VIP members enjoy extra benefits such as emergency support abroad and free access to all areas of the Tourboarding website.

  • Auckland’s Best Backpacker Accommodation for Travelers on a Budget

    New Zealand is a haven for adventurous young tourists who’d prefer to spend their travel budget on the next big thrill than accommodation.

    Thankfully the major metropolitan center of Auckland offers plenty of great value hostels for the visitors who'd prefer to save their pennies. YHA Auckland Hostel was called one of the country’s best by Frommers, and many of the 50, 000 guests who check in each year. There’s a lot to like about this place, from the location (just five minutes’ walk from the city center) to the features. Guests can choose from basic share rooms to private twins, doubles, and ensuites. The lounge area has a pool table and SKY TV, and you can stay in touch with WiFi access. Beds start at NZ$23 and private rooms start at NZD $82. City Garden Lodge is located in Parnell, on the city's fringes. There are private rooms and share accommodation, including the ladies share option for girls who don’t want mixed company. You can walk to local restaurants and retail stores, and the Link bus service is close by if you want to get to the centre of town. Prices range between NZD$28 and NZD$68 a night.newzealand-money-calculator If you'd prefer to get out of the city altogether consider Verandahs Backpackers Lodge in ritzy Ponsonby. This suburb is pretty exclusive, but rooms here cost between NZD$23 and NZD$50 a night. Add an extra $2 onto the bill if you need to hire towels. The family-run business offers an alternative to the rowdy hostels of the city, with dorm rooms and private suites catering for the "peace seeking traveler." The lodge has two separate villas, each with their own lounge area equipped with a book exchange and computers with internet access. Pentlands Backpackers in Mt Eden offers beds at a comparable price. The standard range of accommodation costs travelers between NZD$28 and NZD$58 a night. Pentlands is another family owned business set in a renovated colonial homestead. While the setting has an old world charm, it offers plenty of modern conveniences including internet access, heated rooms, a video and book library, and a comfortable lounge area. It’s located three kilometers from the city, but Mt Eden has a shopping center if you’re in need of a quick retail fix. These backpackers hostels are the district’s most popular, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Visit AucklandNZ to discover more of the city's affordable accommodation options.