When Spending a Little More Will Go a Long Way
Saving money on travel often looks better on paper than it does in real life. Sure, we all want to be savvy budget travelers who get the most from their money without spending an arm and a leg, but sometimes cheaping out isn’t worth it.
Certain things, whether tangible or intangible, are priced the way they are because of their inherent value, especially in comparison to what’s offered by the cheaper version.
While there are plenty of dollar store travel items and while there’s nothing wrong with finding the best deal, the lowest price doesn’t always equal the best experience when traveling. In particular, these are a few things that are worth the extra pennies when it comes to travel.
Luggage
Especially important when traveling for long stretches of time, sturdy luggage should be a no-brainer. Imagine finding out you lost some of the personal items in your luggage after it developed a huge hole from all the wear and tear.
While there’s certainly expensive branded luggage that’s not worth the money, there are also cheap bags that aren’t worth the savings. Look for something mid-range that suits your needs and has a reputation for quality.
There are more things to consider than you think when it comes to purchasing the best luggage for your trip. Check Consumer Reports for a detailed buying guide on luggage, which will help you know exactly what to look for when buying new bags.
Safety
Your personal safety as well as the safety of your belongings are not worth the lure of saving money or getting a supposedly good bargain. Never walk alone for long distances at night, especially if it requires passing through notoriously sketchy or dangerous neighborhoods.
Call a cab or, if you absolutely have to, take public transportation and then take a cab the rest of the way.
In general, hostels, motels and two-star hotels offer cheap accommodation, but don’t always have the best security. Sometimes they’re not located in the best neighborhoods either.
Of course, unsafe lodging is more of an exception than a rule. However, the best way to keep yourself safe before staying somewhere is by checking online review sites such as TripAdvisor, Expedia and Booking.com.
One of the money-saving advantages to staying in a hostel while traveling is the kitchen. Here are some tips to keep in mind for hostel cooking.
Comfortable Shoes
Aside from sturdy luggage, your best travel companion is always a comfortable pair of shoes. We’ve all been guilty of buying a pair of shoes just because they look nice or were on sale, but those are not the shoes to take on a trip away from home.
Shoes with soles made from synthetic plastics might cost less than an entree at Olive Garden, but your feet will hate you by the end of your first day in a European country.
With shoes, you get what you pay for; there’s no compromise for comfort. Focus on arch support and buy designated walking shoes that are meant to absorb normal impact from walking.
High quality canvas, leather and even rubber are preferable materials and are worth the extra money in the long run. Not only will more expensive shoes generally last longer, but they’ll fit your feet better, saving you money on band aids and blister treatments.
Your Time
It’s tempting to save money over time, especially when traveling, but more often than not the trade-off is not worth the headache. Taking public transportation everywhere might work in a big city with an excellent transit system, but could take two or three times as long in smaller cities or rural areas.
Splurging on a taxi or private hire car can be worth its weight in gold in a particularly hard to navigate destination.
Flights with multiple connections cost less as well, but may leave you exhausted and impatient before you even hit the ground. Unless you plan on writing an entire short story while jumping from plane to plane, the added flight time isn’t worth the $50 to $100 in savings.
Single stop layovers are acceptable, but go for direct flights when possible to make the most of your travel plans.
Culture
For some, visiting a new place for the first time or even the thousandth time means hitting up every hip bar, Michelin-starred restaurant, and avant-garde theater. For others, it means avoiding those things at all costs in the interest of making their money stretch as long as possible.
Most of us fall somewhere in the middle on this spectrum, but the decision to spend on extras like entertainment and culture often comes down to budget.
We’re not suggesting spending money you don’t have to do all the must-see’s of a city, but there are certain experiences worth having. You may be committed to making your own sandwiches or stocking up on items to cook at your hostel during the week, but trying the gelato in Florence, wienerschnitzel in Vienna, or pad thai in Bangkok are absolutely essential.
Similar cultural experiences unique to a specific city or area of the world, especially those that only happen once a year, are worth saving a little bit longer for.
One of the money-saving advantages to staying in a hostel while traveling is the kitchen. Here are some tips to keep in mind for hostel cooking.
Travel Insurance
It’s an easy expense to overlook and deem unnecessary, that is, until you need it. Travel insurance seems like just another way for companies to make money in the hospitality and tourism industry, but it’s a lot more helpful than you might think.
For around $150 you can have emergency medical coverage up to $100,000. Many travel insurance policies also cover emergency evacuation coverage in case of a local or national incident while you’re visiting.
They also can cover trip cancellation for unforeseen circumstances and baggage damage. The truth is, you never know what might happen while you’re traveling so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, as they say.
Flights
We’re not arguing the validity of cheap airfare, but rather the dirt cheap kind that’s offered by budget airlines. Some may argue that these flights are worth the hassle if you’re just traveling a short distance.
Others say they’d gladly give up the typical comforts and amenities for a $300 flight to Reykjavik. However, even though budget flights may seem attractive at first glance, they can become a nightmare for even the most seasoned traveler.
Airlines such as Spirit, Ryanair and Wizz Air nickel and dime you for every single thing a regular airline includes in the price of their ticket. Even something as ludicrous as printing your boarding pass at the airport or carrying on a regular sized piece of rolling luggage can cost you an additional $50 each.
Not only that, but some of these budget airlines don’t offer any food options or entertainment, even for purchase, and charge for all drinks including water.
There are frequent delays, uncomfortable seats, and just a generally unpleasant experience when taking a budget flight. Even on a budget, it’s worth it to pay the extra money to fly with regular airlines.
Don’t worry, luxury air travel isn’t the only alternative option (as amazing as those options seem). Your best bet is learning how to find the cheapest flights, using tactics like buying at certain times. After all the fees the budget airlines tack on, they aren’t so budget-friendly, or friendly period.