FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: budget

  • Tips for Taking Road Trips Across the U.S.

    Road trips are a fun and economical way to discover the U.S. However, up until about 5 years ago, I’d always dismissed them in favor of cheaper travel in other countries.

    It wasn't until a French friend shared his dream of one day driving from New York to Los Angeles that I thought: “Hey, I want to do that, too!” I discovered that there are many things I don’t about the U.S. and many places I’d like to visit. So, now I set out on at least one road trip per year to learn more about the diverse country in which I live. What I’ve found during my multiple cross-country road trips is: (1) They are always more fun than I anticipated they’d be; (2) It’s easy to be frugal if you stick to a budget; (3) The trips rarely go as planned. Spring is almost here, so now is the time to start planning your late spring/summer adventures. Here are some tips for making the most out of your road trip:
    • Have a general idea of your itinerary before setting out on your journey. When planning your itinerary, be realistic in terms of time. If you only have 1 week of vacation time, perhaps you just want to explore a small part of the U.S. (after all, you have the rest of your life to make it to the other states!).
    • Always budget more time than you think you’ll need. When I go on a road trip, I typically alternate long driving days with sightseeing days. It’s important to remember that your driving days may take longer than you think due to unforeseen circumstances.
    • Take along a GPS or maps. It’s important to have access to maps for every region you’ll be traveling to. Even if you MapQuest it all before leaving, you may want to take a detour, etc. that will require knowledge of an alternate route. Stopping to ask for directions takes time, so it’s best to be self-sufficient in this regard.
    • Check the weather often while on the road. I once spent several days dodging tornados in the region where I was traveling. In order to stay safe, I checked the weather multiple times per day.
    • If possible, bring your own source of Internet access. Smart phones and tablets now make it easier than ever to stay connected without lugging around a computer. Having Internet access is important for checking weather, finding information about various locations (tourist information, lodging, etc.), and staying in touch with those back home.
    • Have a general plan for lodging. Camping is the most frugal option, but there are plenty of cheap motels throughout the U.S., too. I always try to spend at least one night with a friend while I’m on the road. Keep in mind that, due to unforeseen circumstances, your accommodation plans could change.
    • Set a trip budget. Before you leave, it’s important to have an idea of about how much you’ll be spending. AAA offers some good discounts, so if you are a member be sure to take advantage of them. If you don’t have a plan for roadside assistance, be sure to budget in an extra cushion for flat tires and whatnot. Save money on food by bringing a cooler and making sandwiches for lunch instead of shelling out for fast food.
    • Pack an emergency kit. Be on the safe side an pack an emergency kit with first aid supplies, blankets, extra water and dry food, a flashlight, etc. It’s best to be prepared because you never know what can happen on the road.
    • Traveling with kids? Stay flexible. If you’re going on a road trip with kids, there are a variety of things to consider. Remember that, depending on the ages and personalities of your kids, you may not be able to get quite as far as you had planned each day. The important thing is that everyone stays safe and happy - you want your kids to remember this as a good experience, right?
    • Enjoy the unexpected. One of the best things about road trips are the pleasant unexpected opportunities/events that arise. Relish in an impromptu hike, stop for a live rodeo you hadn’t planned on attending, enjoy a relaxing picnic with your travel partners. It’s all part of the experience.

  • Best iPhone/iPad Apps for Budget Travel

    If you already own an iPhone or iPad, you probably know that you have one of the best budget travel tools on the market.


    Haven’t taken the plunge and purchased your iToy yet? Not to worry. Many international tourist agencies (mostly in Europe) are renting out iPhones or iPads to help you make the most of your visit (if you're heading to Paris in the near future you can rent an iPad near the Eiffel Tower). Here is a list of “must have” iPhone/iPad apps for frugal travelers. What’s even better is that most of them are free! Best Free Apps TripAdvisor (Free) If you rely on the TripAdvisor website for booking hotels, choosing a restaurant, etc. then you will get a lot of use out of the TripAdvisor app (which is quite a bit simpler to navigate than the site). Listings are filtered by price or neighborhood. Priceline Hotel Negotiator (Free) Priceline’s Hotel Negotiator app will help you find travel deals galore. Simply enter a preferred star rating and your ideal rate and watch the search engine lock in a room that meets your criteria. The app uses GPS, which is great for finding last minute accommodations when you miss your train out of Bruges. Mint (Free) [caption id="attachment_4440" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Photo credit: Glenn Fleishman"][/caption] Mint is the perfect way to track your finances while you’re on the way to the airport or sipping a cappuccino at an Italian café. With a mint.com account, you are able to track multiple bank accounts (even from different banks) all on the same page. There’s also a budgeting feature that allows you to set a budget for your trip and see bar graphs that track your spending as you globetrot. Skype (Free) As I addressed in a prior post about how to travel inexpensively, cell phone use abroad can get pretty spendy due to roaming charges and international call upcharges. With a Skype account, you can call for free to another Skype account, anywhere in the world. All you need is a wireless Internet connection. You can also call for extremely reduced rates from your Skype account to a land line. Now you can tell the long version of your travel tales to anyone who will listen without draining your travel budget. Free Wifi (Free) Need to find free Wifi so you can Skype to your heart’s content? The Free Wifi app will help you locate the closest free hotspot, even if you’re not online (thanks to their offline database option). Sudoku (Free) I know, the connection between Sudoku and budget travel may not seem obvious at first blush. Think of it this way: when you’re waiting for your flight, the free Sudoko app allows you to exercise your brain instead of giving your wallet a workout in the duty free store. Currency Pad (Free) Trying to figure out the UDS equivalent of 12,000 Japanese Yen has never been easier than with the Currency Pad. The user-friendly interface and direct links to Wikipedia articles on each currency (for background info) makes this app a must have for budget travelers. AroundMe (Free) A great app for at home or abroad, AroundMe assists you in locating things to do, movie theaters, stores, restaurants, etc. close to your current location.
    GateGuru (Free) The GateGuru app is comprised of searchable directories for 92 U.S. airports and international hubs. Scroll down to find an ATM, a cup of coffee, or a decent meal that won’t break the bank. HazelMail (Free) If you’re like me and normally wind up mailing your postcards after you get home from a trip, then HazelMail is your new best friend. This nifty app transforms your own photo into an actual paper card, adds your custom message and sends it off within two business days. At $1 per card, it’s cheaper than mailing it yourself. Best Inexpensive Apps FlightTrack ($4.99) Whether you’re trying to catch a plane or waiting for your friend to arrive at the airport, FlightTrack’s simple interface will help you arrive on time. Lonely Planet’s1000 Ultimate Experiences ($4.00) I’ll admit it, this app is far from a budget travel necessity, but it is pretty wonderful for the price. It gives you images and brief information about 1000 of the world’s most intriguing places. Like the Soduko app, it will keep you busy in the airport or on the plane so that you don’t end up frittering away your cash on cheesy souvenirs or duty-free merchandise.

  • Berlin (Germany) on a Budget

    A haven for writers, artists and other creative types, Berlin is one of the most financially accessible cities in Europe. As a result of the city’s political instability over the last decade, there are many areas in Berlin where it is possible to find cheap places to stay, eat and visit.


    As is typical when artists enter an area, developers have already started the gentrification process in certain neighborhoods. So visit soon for the best deals! Also, see our piece about eating cheaply in Paris, which was published last week. How to get around: Between the buses and the underground, Berlin’s public transportation system is excellent. Bus Number 100 makes takes a large circular route that hits most of the city's major tourist sites. Berlin's U-bahn/S-bahn lines are very efficient and inexpensive. There are a variety of City Tour Cards or City Passes that allow you unlimited travel on Berlin’s public transit for a specified amount of time (from 48-hours to 1 month, depending on the pass). These can be purchased throughout the city, but the easiest place to buy yours is right at the airport when you arrive. If the weather’s nice, consider renting a bike to transport you around the city (Berlin is an incredibly biker-friendly place). What to eat (heaven for foodies on a budget): [caption id="attachment_4357" align="alignright" width="300" caption="From street food to free entertainment, I describe how to take a budget-friendly trip to Berlin."]travel to germany picture[/caption] There are few places with as many excellent street food choices as Berlin. Stick with street foods like puddingbrezels (a sweet pretzel filled in with custard and sprinkled with rock sugar) or the “national dish” currywurst (sliced, hot pork sausage--“wurst” in German--covered with a combination of ketchup or tomato paste mixed with curry and served with a crusty roll or fries). Berlin is home to one of the world's largest Turkish populations outside of Turkey itself. Look for food stands marked with the sign "Imbiss" where you can get gyro-like sandwiches for low, low prices. Another delicious option is one or several kebabs (“kebap” in Turkish) covered with fresh greens and spiced sauce. Another way to enjoy your kebab is in a thick pita with greens and yogurt sauce (this more portable option is called a döner kebap). Of course, you’ll need something to wash down all of these delicious eats. Beer would be the obvious choice, but give Gluhwein a try as well. It’s a hot, spiced red wine, typically prepared with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, orange peel and sugar. Fruit wines such as blueberry wine and cherry wine are sometimes used instead of grape wine. I like mine best “mit rum” (with a shot of rum). Where to stay: Berlin boasts a variety of economical hotels, hostels and rooms for rent. There are literally hundreds of smaller boutique hotels that offer comfortable accommodations and breakfast for less than 80 euros a night. If you know people living in Berlin, ask them for ideas. It’s relatively easy to find someone willing to rent you a room in their home for a few weeks. What to buy: Berlin’s fashion boutique culture has grown considerably in the past ten years. Though it’s fun to browse in these shops, stocking up on gifts and souvenirs here will surely empty your pockets. For unique, handmade or vintage finds, consider checking out one of Berlin’s many flea markets (flohmarkts). You can find more than just “old stuff” at Berlin’s flea markets; this is also where artisans and craftspeople come to sell their wares. Here are some of the most popular: Flohmarkt am Mauerpark  market is open each Sunday and located near to the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Stadion M10 tram stop (formerly Oderberger Straße) and is a short walk from the U2’s Eberswalder Straße (Station). Euroflohmarkt is open daily (9am – 6pm; Wed. 3pm – 6pm). Located in Pankow. Nearest U-Bahn station: Vinetastraße (U2); Tram: M1, M13 (Bornholmer Straße / Schönhauser Allee). Straße des 17. Juni Flohmarkt's opening hours are Sat. – Sun. 11am – 7pm. The closest U-bahn stop is Tiergarten. Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz is open Sun. 10am – 5pm; in winter until 4pm. The closest U-bahn stop is Bernauer Strasse. Another good option for shopping is the cultural market at Alexanderplatz or the weekly artist market on Museum Island. If you’re there during Christmas market season, then you’re in luck. There is a huge one at Alexanderplatz where you’ll be able to stock up on holiday goods from the last weekend in October- December.
    What to do: There is plenty of free entertainment available in Berlin. I suggest heading to the parks. For example, musicians and artists fill the expansive Tiergarten park near the city center. Grab the fixin’s for a picnic lunch and enjoy the lovely scenery and, if you’re lucky, live music. Many of Berlin’s historical sites and memorials are free as well. Explore one neighborhood at a time (on foot) and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all of the things you find to do on the cheap.

  • Ride the Naked Bus, Stripping Travel Costs in New Zealand

    Tourists looking to travel around New Zealand on the cheap should forget about planes and hire cars. There’s a much more affordable travel option: the cheekily named Naked Bus.

    Since 2006, Naked Bus has been providing budget travel between New Zealand’s major cities and towns.

    Its initial four routes have expanded to a national network crossing the North and South Island. If you want to jump from one to the other, that's no problem either. For an additional $39 your Naked Bus trip can include the ferry ride across Cook Strait. The first seat on every service costs just one dollar, so the sooner you book the less you'll pay. Naked Passports are also available, giving tourists discounted travel on a minimum of five trips. The priciest option is the Unlimited Travel Pass, although at less than $600 for a full year's travel it’s a great option for those taking an extended stay. Naked Bus staff are also happy to book activities for their guests, including the blackwater rafting in Waitomo or bungee jumping from the Auckland Bridge. Every activity you book also reduces the price of your bus fare. Day trips are also available at discounted prices, including scenic trips to Milford Sound or whitewater rafting adventures in Rotorua. Travelers can book a Naked Bus trip through their website or by calling 0900 62533 from a cell phone in New Zealand. Booking confirmation is sent via SMS, which is then shown to the driver.

  • Stay in New Caledonia for Less – Your Budget Guide to the Isle of Pines

    The picturesque charms of the Isle of Pines, the southernmost tip of New Caledonia, attract travelers from far and wide.

    But most come away from their Oceanic vacation stay with a rather hefty bill. A getaway in the location known as the Jewel of the South Pacific doesn't have to cost the earth though, if you follow our advice. Rather than bunking down at one of the area's many resorts, consider camping at Roller Bay instead. Its beachfront views are just as good as you'll find in any luxury hotel, and with each site offering water and electricity you won't feel like you're slumming it. Each site has its own thatch covered table, but if you want to make new friends you can eat in the central dining area. You can prepare your own meals, but if you'd prefer to take it easy your hosts will happily whip up breakfast or dinner on a day's notice. You'll need to travel with your own tent, but the oceanside sunsets are free. [caption id="attachment_3231" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Beautiful Upi Bay in the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia"]Beautiful Upi Bay in the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia[/caption] If you plan to make your own meals, you'll need to be organized. The area has no supermarkets or stores, so you'll need to visit the weekly markets for your fresh fruit and vegetables. Local fishermen sell seafood, and there is a bakery but you'll need to get up early. Most days all the food is sold out by 11 am, so sleeping in is discouraged! Some of the greatest activities around the Isle of Pines won't cost you a cent. The weather is ideal for swimming all year round. If you have a snorkeling mask, you can take a look at the area's ocean residents, or you could simply enjoy a walk along the sea shore. With some careful planning, you can enjoy a stay in New Caledonia for much less than you'd think.

  • Hong Kong Dining for Less – Inexpensive Eats in Asia

    We’ve looked at how to manage your money in Hong Kong, and even how to save cash on a night out in the city.

    Now we'll turn our attention to eating well in Hong Kong for less. Hong Kong has a reputation for being one of Asia's most expensive tourist centers, but your stay doesn't have to cost the earth. You simply must learn to live like a local. There are bargains to be had by stepping off the tourist trail and exploring hole in the wall noodle shops, Chinese fast food stores, wet market food courts, and small restaurants known as "cha chan tan." While you can easily spend $200 HK ($26 US) in a hotel or Westernized restaurant, you're likely to have change from $50 HK ($6.50 US) in one of these smaller establishments. If you don't speak Cantonese, it can seem intimidating to approach these tiny eateries. However, the helpful staff will do their best to accommodate foreign travelers. Remembering basic words, including "bah fan" for steamed rice, "chow fan" for fried rice, "mein" for noodles and "cha" for tea, will prove useful.Dollar sign in a magnifying glass When this fails, you can always point to something which looks good on the menu or market stalls! Unlike the tourist frequented restaurants, these eateries will not have credit card facilities so it's important to have cash at the ready to settle the bill. You'll find these small restaurants and open-air stores in side streets and alleys throughout Hong Kong. So leave the well-trodden paths of Lan Kwai Fong and Knutsford Terrace behind and experience Hong Kong the way locals do. With all the cash you'll save, you can afford a lavish meal at one of Hong Kong's most luxurious restaurants later in your stay!

  • Places To Find Cheap Travel Now!

    Take a look at these popular travel locations where your dollar goes the extra mile.

    With the economy in a slum, the price of flights and cruise fares has dropped significantly.


    On top of that, even though the dollar is in large part to blame for the weakening economy, investors are seeing the US as one of the safest places to invest. This is making foreign travel into some countries, up to 50% cheaper for Americans. Read on, and find out what FRUGALMONKEY knows about traveling abroad and how to find some of the lowest industry prices in years!

    AUSTRALIA

    If you’re thinking about visiting Australia, now is a great time to go. Not only is it summer in the Southern Hemisphere, but flight prices into Australia can be found for as low as $1300. This is a huge discount when flight prices from NY were as much as $2200 a year ago. Additionally though, the Australian currency has dropped against the dollar 28% in the last year. Which means if you were traveling to Perth, Sydney or Brisbane in 2008, you were spending quite a bit more for beach excursions and opera tickets. Now, the dollar down under will only get you about 0.65 cents, which means after saving on flight prices, you can navigate this incredible country for a fraction of previous costs.

    GREAT BRITAIN

    Americans have been shying away from Great Britain for years with the pound and Euro being so strong against the dollar. But, if you’ve ever thought of flying into London and then hopping the Euro Rail over to Europe’s other incredible countries, now is an amazing time.  Not only has the pound dropped 23% against the dollar in the last year, but airfares are even cheaper due to the winter wonderland that is London and other northern European Countries.


    If you’re not dieing to get a tan and interested in saving some money on your European vacation, book your flight now.

    CANADA

    Travel into Canada now for some amazing skiing in Whistler or the Canadian Rockies. Traveling into Canada is cheap because it’s so accessible by flight from the US as well as by car. Additionally though, Canada’s currency has dropped against the dollar, making it the perfect place to escape for a ski vacation or to check out some of its amazing cities, like Vancouver. You can find low airfares into Canada, even on last minute trips because of the large number of North American carriers that travel into these winter get away hot-spots. If you’ve been eager to hit the slopes, try some of Canada’s famous skiing locations, at incredibly low prices.

    ICELAND

    Iceland travel was almost impossible without spending an arm and a leg. However, recent political and economic issues mean that this once previously expensive country, is now 50% cheaper for American travelers to visit. You can check out Iceland’s amazing glaciers, or hang out in Reykjavik for the lowest prices in years. It is truly one of the most exotic and interesting northern countries on our globe. Flights from NY are as low as $500, a price that would have been impossible to find even just last year. Buy your lonely planet guides and cash in on your vacation time now. Now is the time to travel!

  • Find Cheap Hotel Prices

    Because finding cheap airfare is only half the battle.

    When planning any vacation or backpacking trip, getting there is only half the battle. Similarly, for anyone living and working abroad with plans to travel, getting to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Alaska or Australia is only a small part in the planning that needs to be done in order to travel as much as possible, and to do so on a budget.


    You need to find cheap hotel stays too! FRUGALMONKEY is here to give you a few tips on finding the cheapest hotel prices possible and advice on how to save money on accommodations while traveling.

    Now is an amazing time to travel with cheap oil prices and a lull in high-end tourism. This translates into excellent package deals for travelers. These deals don’t just stop at cheap airfare prices, but include discounts on hotel stays as well. Right now many airlines and vacation dealers are including hotel stays in their travel packages. So when booking airfare, look for deals that include a cheap hotel stay as well. Additionally, don’t forget about the discount travel sites such as Expedia, Hotwire and Travelocity. Not only do they offer good airfare deals but they also offer searches on hotel stays as well. You’d be surprised how many people didn’t know about the hotel deals they could be finding on discount travel sites. So check them out!

    Finally, one great way to save money on accommodations while traveling is to book your stay in a hostel. Hostels had once been viewed as a rustic way to travel. Today however, more and more hostels are catering to a crowd that values private rooms and bathrooms and better amenities. Many hostels have large private rooms with air conditioning, wireless Internet, private bathrooms, balconies and cable television all included in the price of the room. You might be surprised how nice some hostel accommodations are and how cheap you can find them. Check out sites such as hostelbookers, hosteling international and mini-hostels to find a luxury hostel for low costs and start saving now!

  • Living Rent Free While You Travel

    It might sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. Or rather, it isn’t too good to be true if you simply know where to look.


    The cost of living is one of the largest factors sending people home while they are living or working abroad. The cost of rent, maintaining a tight travel budget and finding cheap flights all contribute to the expense of traveling. So for people who live or work abroad being able to maintain that status is second to none.

    There are more than a few ways to procure yourself a situation that allows you to live rent-free while you travel or live abroad if you just know where to look. One of the more traditional methods is by working for a business or company that will cover the cost of living as a part of your job, while you travel. Jobs such as working on a cruise ship, working at a resort or even working for an Alaskan fishing company are all probable ways to earn money, experience travel and live rent-free.

    This small handful of industry jobs represents opportunities where it is common for companies to pay a portion or all of their employee’s living expenses. Naturally the degree of how much and in what capacity varies from job to job and company to company, but it is very common for travel jobs such as these to provide employees with free-rent in exchange for work. What makes these jobs even better is that while employers cover a portion of living expenses, these jobs also allow you to make money as well. This means that for travelers that the savings potential is huge because of the money employees can save in not having to pay rent (one of the largest living costs by far!).


    It simply comes down to a trifecta of needs that are met by finding jobs on cruises, at resorts and other travel related industry jobs: the desire to travel, no rent and the ability to make money!

    For backpackers who are looking to travel and cannot commit to a full-time job for months at a time, or anyone who wants to see the world and avoid footing the bill, there are several less traditional methods of living rent-free while living or working abroad. One of these newer trends is in the Couch Surfing phenomenon that is sweeping the backpacking crowd and making huge waves among budget travelers. Couch Surfing is an online social network of travelers and travel lovers that organizes a database of people who are looking for a place to crash with those that have room to offer. All over the world, through this social network of travelers people are finding friends, advice and places to stay at no cost. The site is mainly geared toward backpackers and world travelers who are trying to save a penny while seeing the world. Yet, the network is expanding readily into large cities where when people can’t offer a couch or place to stay, they instead will offer job advice and insider tips for their city to fellow traveler.

    Whether it be through more traditional means, or by finding an open couch in Moscow, there are ways to travel and live abroad without paying any rent.

  • Are You a Golf Fan On A Tight Budget?

    FrugalMonkey is always trying to keep an eye out for interesting flight deals for travelers abroad, but also locally and within the United States. A great way to find travel deals for budget travelers is in sporting events. For example, The Masters Golf Tournament that takes place each year in Augusta Georgia brings in hundreds of golf fans each year. Airlines know that people are making travel plans for upcoming spring and summer and are now offering deals on flights to Augusta for golf fanatics and sporting fans that won’t break the bank. Check out some of the airline auction sites for travel deals to the tournament in Augusta. They won’t last long and these popular flight deals are sure to go quick. Get a hole in one by taking our FrugalMonkey travel advice. You can thank us later. Oh, and tell Tiger we said ‘Hi.’