This discount travel idea was eventually stumbled upon because travel can be quite expensive compared to most people\’s incomes. Unless you are pretty well off, you will not be able to travel as much as you like until you master some very simple discount travel techniques. The art of budget travel is more than just a couple of saving tricks. There is an overall strategy which you can, and should apply to every element of your journey.
For example, you should explore charter flights and last minute offers, etc. to get the cheapest possible flight. When you travel to a foreign country, you should get to know some of the locals and establish just where the cheap places to eat and stay are. Discount travel involves a series of minor things that when used together result in big savings, and allows even those on a moderate budget to travel in comfort and style.
A major discount travel tip for if you want your money to last longer while you are in a foreign country is that of bargaining. In most other countries, particularly those of the developing world, bargaining plays a big part of everyday life, and you will find yourself continually overspending if you do not participate in it.
Most North Americans are terrible with these types of negotiations, although you can\’t really blame us. Negotiations just do not play much of a role in our daily transactions except for major purchases like buying a car, and perhaps even with a property investment. Most of us are just not accustomed to it and we definitely are not used to haggling over small everyday items.
The first thing to understand – and a great discount travel idea – is that in the third world, everything is negotiable, and usually very heavily negotiable. When you start to haggle, you will soon see that the kind of negotiations going on in other parts of the world is very different from the North American style. People often start with numbers that are twice or more than their desired amount.
The first step in negotiations is to not be in any kind of rush to get a taxi or a hotel room, or to purchase the item. Take your time to ask around and if you can, find someone local who will (hopefully) give you an idea of a good price. The other thing to remember is that you must be willing to walk away, or at least good to pretend that you\’re willing to walk away. Often you will find that by showing a lack of interest and willingness, the transaction amount will be reduced, without the need for specific bargaining on your part.
When you get the hang of bargaining you\’ll find it pretty easily, and in some cases fun. The most important thing to remember when you are in a foreign country, is that your status as a North American will usually label you as rich to the local population, even if it does not seem that way to you. If you will not be charged twice – or more – for every single thing you do when you travel you have to get used to the idea of collective bargaining.
Amazing vacation tips that guarantee discount deals for International vacations, budget flights, cheap holiday accommodation, discount entertainment, and more important international vacation tips…