With a heavy heart, a lot of us had to cancel our travel plans during the COVID-19 crisis. Maybe you were looking forward to a graduation trip with your pals, or a sweet getaway with that special someone, or a fun and exciting family trip.

And now you’re cooped up at home during quarantine, with not much to do. The days seem endless and you’re dying of boredom, wallowing in your sadness over those cancelled flight tickets. Fret not, you can now travel the world from your couch! Thanks to the internet, we are now able to attend virtual tours all around the world.

Take a hike around Yosemite National Park, explore the ruins of Angkor Wat, walk around the Pyramids of Giza… the possibilities are endless. If you’d like, grab a family member to tour the iconic wonders of the world with you. It might not be the experience you expected, but these virtual tours are bound to lift your spirits and cure your boredom.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK TOUR

Located in California, Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most popular tourist destinations and breathtaking natural environments. Take a virtual Yosemite tour, which allows online visitors to experience over 200 locations within the famous National Park. You can even explore the surroundings as well, in all seasons!

The virtual Yosemite tour was created and photographed by a virtual reality (VR) photographer Scott Highton who lives just outside the park. He has specialised in VR photography for 30 years now. The 360° interactive panoramas are all in high resolution, so you can zoom in to admire all the intricate details. Pan around and take in stunning views from cliffs and waterfalls, and well-known areas of Yosemite Valley.

Explore Yosemite National Park here.

LOUVRE MUSEUM TOUR

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is the world’s largest art museum and a historical monument. It is also the world’s most-visited art museum, with tourists visiting to catch a glimpse of art collections that span work from as far as ancient civilisations to the mid-19th century.

Due to COVID-19, the museum is now closed until further notice, with no visitors allowed. However, thanks to the official Louvre website, you can now tour 4 famous exhibitions: The Advent of the Artist, Egyptian Antiquities, Remains of the Louvre’s Moat, and Galerie d’Apollon online for free.

Go on the tour of the Louvre Museum exhibitions here.

THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA TOUR

Travel back in time to the ancient Egyptian civilisation and take a walk around the highest pyramids ever built, and the oldest of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Standing proudly at 145 metres high are the Pyramids of Giza. Until now, how the Pyramids of Giza were built is still one of Egypt’s greatest mysteries. They were constructed 4,500 years ago, built to last an eternity. So far, they’ve succeeded in this impressive feat.

In this virtual tour offered by Google Maps, you will be able to learn about the complex history of these pyramids while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can even view other Egyptian sites, such as the necropolis of Saqqara, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Cairo Citadel, the Hanging Church and the remains of Abu Mena. It doesn’t matter which part of the world you’re at – just drag the cursor and embark on this journey.

View the Pyramids of Giza and other Egyptian sites here.

ANGKOR WAT TOUR

Deep in the remote forests of the Siem Reap province of Cambodia lies the ancient Angkor Wat temples, ruins of a time long past. The Angkor Archaeological Park includes remains from various capitals that existed during the time of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to 15th centuries. The famous Temple of Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom with its countless sculptural decorations are part of the remains.

The virtual tour is a collaboration between Virtual History Specialists, Archaeologists and Historians who want to bring the history of Angkor Wat to life. It explores several magical temples, including the five towers of Angkor Wat itself; the pink sandstone Banteay Srei; and Ta Prohm (as seen in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), where nature has reclaimed the ruins.

Take a virtual walk around the Angkor Archaeological Park here.

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA TOUR

In northern China resides one of the world’s most jaw-dropping wonders: the Great Wall of China. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Great Wall is an ancient fortification that stretches more than 3,000 miles across Chinese provinces. It is also the longest wall, and one of the greatest sights in the world. Boasting a history of over 2,000 years, it is easily one of the most impressive ancient structures on earth today.

A tour agency called The China Guide was kind enough to create a free virtual tour of the Great Wall, after their business was completely halted due to the current situation. They have all sorts of information on their website, which you can have a read while exploring the virtual tour.

Hike along the Great Wall of China here.

When going on an overseas or interstate vacation, the bulk of your money would usually be allocated to lodging. But did you know that with the right hacks, you can actually save a significant amount? Having said that, do also bear in mind that a cheaper rate also means the need to compromise certain traits. For instance, do not expect to stay in a 5-star hotel for free.

Some of us do not mind staying at a simple place so we can better spend our money for entertainment, food and other experiences that we otherwise do not get to see in our country.

For budget travellers who are thinking of ways to cut down on accommodation costs, we came up with a guide to help you score cheaper accommodation for your next holiday. You are very welcome!

#1 BE FLEXIBLE AND CONSIDER A DATE CHANGE

Certain hotel rates are cheaper on selected days and that is primarily due to the lack of demand. Do expect a surge in prices during peak travel periods. Some hotels do provide an overall view of the different daily rates and you will realise that weekdays are typically cheaper. Most hotels also offer early bird rates—so do be flexible about changing dates!

#2 COMPARE PRICES ACROSS WEBSITES

The general rule of thumb is to NEVER settle for the first rate you are offered. Do compare your prices across various online booking platforms such as Agoda, Booking.com and the hotel’s official website. Tally the total prices—inclusive of taxes—and you will be surprised. Some differences could be negligible or significant.

#3 OR TAKE A GAMBLE AND BOOK IT LATE

Here’s the interesting thing—certain hotels do offer slashed rates when you make a last-minute booking. For instance, mobile application HotelQuickly allows hotels to push out unoccupied rooms at discounted prices. Some discounts are massive and can be up to 40%! Of course, you would probably have to compromise on the room of your choice.

#4 OPT FOR HOME RENTAL SITES

If a particular city’s hotel rate is way over your budget, then consider home rental sites such as AirBnb where you can book an entire place, a private room or even a shared room! Prices on AirBnb are usually cheaper and what you get in return is a much more spacious area. Yes, AirBnb lodging gives you more bang for the buck—especially when travelling in a group.

#5 BUY OVER SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOKING

Travel mishaps are bound to happen and sometimes travellers book accommodations that cannot be refunded. This is when Roomer and Cancelon come in handy. These platforms allow travellers to post listings of their booked hotel rooms and the public can buy these bookings off them at discounted rates. Talk about a win-win situation!

#6 STAY IN LESS FANCY HOTELS NEXT DOOR

Reputable global hotel brands are usually located right smack in the city centre. The location is ace but the price tag can be scary. Instead of resigning to fate, this is what you can do—consider the less fancy hotel next door which will offer you an equally superb location but less glamorous amenities. It’s all about a case of compromising.

#7 JOIN MEMBERSHIPS TO ENJOY PERKS

Certain hotels give you special discounts if you sign up for their newsletters or join their membership programmes. However, note that the latter usually involves a fee which might or might not work in your favour in the long run. However, registering as a user with Agoda and Booking.com is completely free and gives you access to exclusive special daily rates. What are you waiting for?

When it comes to vacations, holidaymakers usually resign to the fact that it is going to be a financially-damaging experience.

But this is not always true! So many travellers have proven otherwise that a little preparation can go a long way, and holidays need not always leave us broke.

From renting your house out while you are away, walking whenever possible and packing light with only one carry-on, here are 10 Tips on Saving Even When You Are On Holidays.

#1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT EATERIES

As a rule of thumb, restaurants located along the main streets of iconic tourist destinations are always the ones that are ready to “extort” money off you. Avoid such dining establishments altogether and venture into local neighbourhoods and alleyways for authentic and more wallet-friendly options.

#2 PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD ON SOME DAYS

Wouldn’t you be interested to check out what the local markets and grocers have to offer? This is a great opportunity to further assimilate in your designated vacation destination, whilst saving money too. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. A DIY meal is always going to be way more affordable and fun.

#3 EARLY BIRD RATES

Be it an award-winning theatrical performance or an overnight stay at a luxury hotel, make use of early bird promotions by planning way in advance and you would stand to save up significant amounts of money – sometimes even up to 50% off!

#4 PACK LIGHT

Packing light with only one carry-on will save you heaps of time, money and hassle. Most budget airlines will charge you a fee for checking in your luggage, and we suggest you skip that unnecessary step. You can also skip the painful waiting time at the conveyor belt upon landing and not have to resort to taxis.

#5 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transport such as buses, trains and/or trams is always way cheaper than taking a cab. Some cities such as Melbourne do offer free public transportation around the CBD area, too!

Also, you can consider getting daily/ weekly/ monthly passes. They usually come in a few variations, depending on how many days you would need. And they are priced at bundled one-time fee for unlimited rides.

#6 RENT YOUR HOME OUT

If you are going to be away for a long period of time, why not rent out your house on Airbnb during the same duration so that you are effectively still getting a form of financial rebate? Do check out your city’s regulations before doing so.

#7 WALK WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Assuming that your next destination is actually within walking distance, we suggest you take a leisure stroll and immerse yourself in the city’s surroundings instead. This way, you get to save money, work out and also fully experience what the city has to offer.

#8 EARN YOUR STAY

Some places actually offer free stays in return for labour. Help out with mowing the lawn, taking care of a nursery, or milking cows. Anything at all! It would be an alternative experience, but no less memorable.

#9 TAP ON FREE WIFI

You may want to skip renting a wifi router or getting a SIM Card, and tapping on free wifi instead. But please do your research carefully. Beach destinations such as Phuket and Maldives are not the most generous with free wifi, as with cities such as Paris and Tokyo.

#10 SKIP THE SOUVENIRS

Know those cheesy souvenirs – magnets, notebooks and whatnot? Save your money and skip those, and take more photos instead. Captured moments are your best souvenirs and the most practical way to remember your holidays.

The biggest setback most travellers face is usually finance related. But did you know that there are many ways you can cut back on the seemingly hefty amount? All you need is to channel a little more energy and you will be surprised by how the amount of money you can save!

From buying unwanted tickets at heavily discounted prices to getting free accommodation, travelling is now made so much more affordable than before. We want to share with you useful travel tips on how you can still board the plane to your dream city.

So without further ado, here are 7 Useful Travel Costs Reduction Tips That You Probably Did Not Know About!

BUY UNWANTED TICKETS FROM REAL PEOPLE

Many frequent travellers have made the impulsive terrible mistake of purchasing a plane ticket, only to realise he/she could not make it on the date. Depending on the airline’s terms and conditions, some may or may not be allowed to change the dates.

This is when Jump Flight comes in handy, where you can actually purchase plane tickets off these unlucky people. It’s a win-win situation to be honest, where you get a discounted ticket and the other party gets the bulk of his/her money back!

REGISTER FOR FREQUENT FLYER MEMBERSHIPS

Signing up for a Frequent Flyer Membership with your preferred airline is worth it, especially when you do fly pretty regularly. Accumulate your miles and you can eventually redeem plane flights and/or other awards!

Most Frequent Flyer Programs are also in partnership with other airlines, hence ensuring you clock up your miles almost effortlessly. For Singapore Airline’s Kris Flyer, members get to collect miles when flying with other collaborating airlines such as Silk Air, Virgin Atlantic and 28 other Star Alliance Airlines.

YOU CAN EARN MILES WITHOUT FLYING

Most people tend to think that the only way to earn miles is via flying but they are absolutely wrong! This common misconception is a huge savings barrier for regular travellers. Using of relevant credit cards actually allow you to convert your expenditure into qualifying miles.

For example, ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card offers S$1 = 1.4 air mile for local spending and S$1 = 2.8 air miles for expenditure in Australia and New Zealand, while American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card offers 1 Kris Flyer mile for every S$1.60 spent. There are many credit cards with contrasting annual fees, different conversions, varying privileges, so do your research and choose what is best for you.

GET ALERTED FIRSTHAND ABOUT LOW AIR FARE

Don’t you hate it when you were planning to purchase plane tickets at a particular value, only to find that it has risen tremendously overnight? Worse still, finding out that the tickets you bought is on a 30% discount the day after!

Here’s a piece of news to travel lovers – you do not have to leave your full-time job to pursue your innate wanderlust. Here are 7 Tips on How You Can Still Travel With A Full-Time Job.

As savvy travellers, we should be well informed but stalking the airline’s booking engine every hour is just not feasible. This is where Air Fare Watch Dog, Sidestep and Yapta comes in handy. These websites will notify you firsthand when your desired airfare has fallen in value. How brilliant!

HOW TO SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION

Besides the hefty costs of plane tickets, travel expenditure usually racks up easily with accommodation. For those who prefer staying at hotels, be sure to register as a member with hotel booking websites and enjoy their exclusive limited period members-only special discounts!

But why splurge on luxurious 5-star hotels when you can save the money and enjoy free lodging at Couch Surfing or House Sitting? The latter will require you to take care of a home and in exchange you get accommodation! You can look up House Carers, Luxury House Sitting, and Trusted House Sitters if that idea appeals to you.

If you are not a fan of Couch Surfing, staying at an Airbnb apartment/room is probably your best option. While we love our huge beds and fluffy sheets of commercialised hotels, we enjoy blending in to local cultures and truly experience living like a local. Which is why we have been such believers of Airbnb.

Airbnb is offering all ladyironchef readers S$36 travel coupon to book your next holiday accommodation. Simply click on this link, sign up and get S$36 on your first booking on Airbnb.

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS

If time is your only luxury and you have nowhere in mind to go, why not consider volunteering in exchange for complimentary food and accommodation? World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) are two great goodwill organisations to start with.

CUT EXPENDITURE WITH WIFI

Upon arriving at a foreign destination, most of us are usually given a myriad of options for prepaid SIM cards. Drop those packages with international/local calls! With the advancement of technology, one can easily make a Skype call and WhatsApp call by simply tapping on the data usage.

If you want to skip the hassle of queuing, purchasing and changing your SIM card altogether, why not opt for Changi Recommends’ Wifi Router? The router is extremely reliable and the best part is that it connects 8 devices at a go, starting from S$5/day!

Illustrations for ladyironchef by Kaeting.

Europe is an extremely popular continent to travel to, and whenever we think of taking a big holiday, Europe is the top-of-mind destination.

Whether you are looking to plan a shopping trip at Paris and London or an Italian escapade, or anywhere else in that fascinating continent that has so much history, cultures and lifestyles to offer, planning a big trip may not be easy. There may be hidden costs that you never knew of, or miscalculations of supposed savings.

For first-timers to Europe, this guide will help you make more efficient and effective planning. If you have been traveling to Europe, can you resonate with these points and could you have saved more if you abided by these cost-saving tips for a holiday to Europe?

#1 LOOK OUT FOR AIR TICKET SALES FROM TIME TO TIME

We often score deals from our constant stalking. Follow your favourite airlines on their social media platforms, because that is where they will shout-out about their sales. They are more often than not early bird specials, and they can be as wonderful as a whopping 50% discount.

Let us paint you an example: a regular return ticket to London Heathrow Airport (out of Singapore) on Singapore Airlines will easily cost mid-S$2000. A promotional return flight can be as attractive as S$1,300 after taxes and fuel surcharges.

Other times can be dump rates, where last minute deals are offered simply because they need to fill up a flight. Impromptu holidays are always fun, yes? Book your sale tickets today, and fly tomorrow.

There is no fixed pattern per se. They all depend on several variables – season, demand, carrier, length of stay…

#2 CHECK YOUR OPTIONS FOR RETURN FLIGHTS – YOU NEED NOT FLY BACK FROM THE SAME CITY YOU FLEW IN TO

Yes, it is safe to say that it is mostly cheaper to fly in and out of the same city. Open-city tickets are typically more expenisve, but that does not mean you are spending more. In fact, the price difference may bring about more cost savings.

Say you are starting your holiday at Paris, and you fly in to Charles de Gulle (CDG) airport. Your last stop is Rome, which probably means you have to do an inter-city transfer back to Paris to fly out from CDG airport. That amount you are going to pay for your domestic flight ticket or train ticket may well cost more than the price difference we spoke about. The opportunity cost would of course be the time wasted on the inter-city transfer, when that time could have been better invested in more sight-seeing.

Check both prices – the return flights from the same city and the open-city option – then check your inter-city transfer options. Work your sums before you secure all your tickets.

#3 DON’T BE TOO OVER-AMBITIOUS AND CRAMP TOO MANY DESTINATIONS IN YOUR ITINERARY

Now, this is arguably the most important lesson we’ve learned from multiple trips to Europe. On our first, we were overly eager and psyched about the sheer idea of taking a big holiday. And naturally, it is human’s nature that when you invest this much money on air tickets and large amount of time on a holiday, you’d want to clock more destinations and go to as many cities as you can.

Sure, that is not wrong. But logistically and realistically, it won’t work out. Being over-ambitious when planning your itinerary will bring about fatigue, frustrations, and rat races. The frequent mistake we hear of (as with our own on our first Europe trip) is allocating only 3D2N per city. And why is this wrong? Let us illustrate.

You arrive at your first destination, you take some time to administrate your check-ins and to freshen up with a hot shower, you settle down with a first proper meal. By the time you are set to sight-see, your day might well be over. That leaves you with the next and only full day to tick off whatever you want to do in that city. Because the third day is your last and you are supposed to move on to your next destination, which only means you’d have to pack up and process your check-out, then make your way to the airport/ train station. Even if your flight/ train is at night, your tour is limited because there is only so many things you can do when lugging your suitcases.

‘Being over-ambitious when planning your itinerary will bring about fatigue, frustrations, and rat races.’

And the pattern goes on for your subsequent destinations. So you see, if you do a 3D2N per city, or even a 4D3N, your time per pit stop is very limited and please do not forget the possibility of unforeseen circumstances, such as unexpected long queues, unannounced one-day closure of a place/ restaurant for whatever reasons, rain and harsh weather conditions etc.

From our experience, it is ideal to map out your priorities when you plan your itinerary. Allocate more days for cities that you have a lot to clock, and have a list of must-sees and can-do-withouts so that you’d know where to head to first. Leave some breathing space for yourself; chasing flights are not fun, so is walking a mile to an attraction and having only ten minutes for photos before rushing off to your next point.

#4. THERE ARE MORE ACCOMMODATION DEALS THAT AWAIT YOU BEYOND PAGE ONE OF YOUR SEARCH

Of course, the top few searches are always your best bets. But for all you know, you may find steals if you would just scroll past the first page of your search results. Speaking from real experience, we promise. The ones that we end up staying at are often the ones that we found from much scrolling and filtering.

Also letting you in is the fact that the web will display results they want you to see and act on. Of course, that may mean the site is commissioned to displaying those “deals” as the top few. Don’t be fooled by those instigating messages like “Only for 1 day” and “1 room left”. You don’t know how infuriating it was for us when we fell for those, only to go back to the site a week later and realize that the supposed last room we paid for is still available – sometimes even cheaper!

#5 BOOK YOUR STAYS WITH AIRBNB

In case you don’t already know, we are huge fans and believers of Airbnb – especially when we take trips to Europe. There will always be apartments that fit our budgets, no matter big or small.

And they make better accommodations because European hotels tend to be small and cramped and leaves you with no space to walk after you open up your suitcase, but Airbnb apartments usually offer more space. And that’s more bang for your buck!

Stay where the locals stay, breathe in the neighbourhood and learn from the locals on where they wine and dine; Airbnb stays are always more atmospheric and charming. Sign up for your Airbnb account via our link and enjoy S$34 off your first booking.

#6 DO NOT STINGE ON YOUR ACCOMMODATION AND COMPROMISE ON THE LOCATION

We are done with compromising on locations just to save a few more euros at a farther hotel/ apartment. Nope, not gonna do that anymore.

Stinge on your accommodation and you get a lousy location that will have you walk for what seemed like eternity before you reach the nearest bus stop. Or it may also mean you have to change a hundred buses plus walk for a century before you get to the main shopping street/ attraction.

‘Airbnb will always be apartments that fit our budgets, no matter big or small. And they make better accommodations because European hotels tend to be small and cramped.’

Waste of time, waste of money on multiple trips and long taxi rides, and waste of energy. Pay a bit more to stay next to the train station, or of walking distance to the areas that you will be going to a lot. You will be thankful to have parted with that extra amount of money.

#7 THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE A NEED TO BUY UNLIMITED TRANSPORT PASSES

Many cities offer passes for unlimited bus and train rides. Those can be pretty value-for-money, especially if you know you are going to travel within the city quite a bit to get to your many points. But you may not need it too, if where you are putting up at is strategically located within the main areas.

We can’t say for sure when you would or would not need one, so don’t rush into buying one. Study your itinerary, do simple calculations on the number of trips you would need to take on the bus/ train, then decide if you need one.

#8 MUSEUM PASSES AND FAST PASSES, TOO

Some cities offer passes of such that grant you unlimited museum visits and/ or fast passes. They may not come cheap, so be sure to decide on the attractions you intend to visit before you make a commitment to buy these passes.

But more often than not, they bring about cost savings – both literal and opportunity costs. For example, a Roma Pass costs approximately €30. It includes two museum entrances and fast passes. What do you know? We skipped the crazy snaking queue of 2 hours to enter the Colosseum!

#9 INTER-CITY TRAIN TICKETS MAY BE ON SALE

If you are headed to various cities by train, check out the website regularly prior to your trip. Don’t book the first one you see, because for all you know, there will be a half-priced ticket for the same fleet when you check back again three days later.

Same as air ticket sales, there is no fixed pattern. But all you need to do is to spend a minute every day to try your luck on the booking sites, and the moment you see a significant “dip” or an unheard of price, then you know that is the ticket for you.

Well, spontaneity may also bring about cost savings. And risks. We tried buying tickets for the same day travel at the train station itself, and some had us paying a premium, while some saw savings of almost 50%.

#10 PREP YOURSELF WITH CONNECTIVITY BY SECURING TRAVEL WIFI DONGLES OR PREPAID DATA CARDS

Another important point to note is the availability of travel wifi dongles and/ or prepaid data cards at wherever you are going to. Some cities offer really good deals with immediate activation, while places like Paris would require a painful 3-day activation – which means you might end up paying for nothing because by the time your card is activated, it is time to kiss the City of Love goodbye.

You know what? Place your trust in Changi Recommends. Their travel wifi is a life-saver and it is completely hassle-free. Just make your booking prior to your departure, pick it up at the terminal you are flying off from, and activation is immediate upon landing.

#11 BRING MORE CASH TO SHOP

Simply because credit cards’ exchange rate are usually not favourable and you will end up paying more for that Chanel 2.55. No biggie for small items, but if you are already planning for your luxury shopping, then have the cash ready. Sounds oxymoronic, but shop with cash to save more!

#12 DO YOU REALLY NEED A CAR?

Lastly, if you fancy driving overseas, think again – do you really need a car? Would it incur more costs instead? Parking in Europe is not cheap, and that is to say the least. Some historic places and protected areas forbid parking altogether, so you might end up spending another sum on taxi or public transport to get to the attraction.

Do your research and have a better understanding of the parking costs and availability before you decide on whether to rent a car or not.

A trip to Europe is always an exciting one to look forward to. From jaw-dropping landscapes to majestic structures, each holiday there feels like a unique adventure. So make your trip a fruitful one with these 10 things to note before travelling to Europe.

Traveling is exciting and fun – you get to discover a whole new world out there – but it’s also costly and can burn a hole in your pocket pretty fast. Plane tickets, accommodation, transport and food are just the tip of the iceberg – pile on exploratory activities and shopping sprees, and you’ll be watching your savings dwindle away in no time. So if you want to fulfil your globetrotting dreams without breaking the bank, read on for the top 20 tips on how to travel on a budget.

1. PLAN YOUR TRIPS IN ADVANCE

Plan your trips in advance (but not too far ahead – supposedly, the best window of time to book flights is about 45-60 days beforehand) and diligently scour the web for discounts and deals. The best days to book air tickets online are on Mondays or Tuesdays, and avoid weekends at all costs – that’s when prices skyrocket.

2. BE FLEXIBLE WITH DATES AND LOCATIONS

Be flexible with dates and locations, and try to travel off-season if you can. Tuesdays to Thursdays are usually the cheapest days to fly, and if you add more connecting stops to your itinerary, ticket prices will drop.

3. CHOOSE FEWER DESTINATIONS AND SPEND MORE TIME IN EACH.

This way, you’ll have time to appreciate each destination instead of going on a whirlwind trip where you barely scratch the surface anywhere. Besides, the more stops you have on your itinerary, the more time and money you’ll spend traveling and finding a place to stay.

4. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Heed the advice of travel tips and click on blogs and articles to read others’ past experiences, so you know what to expect and what to avoid – steer clear of the common mistakes made by those who have gone before you.

5. BUDGET YOUR MONEY

Be organised and disciplined – figure out how much you want to spend and allocate accordingly for your daily use. All this has to be done in advance, or you’ll be living large the first few days and surviving on nothing but cheap instant noodles towards the end.

6. TRAVEL LIGHT

Pack light, because you’ll probably have to pay extra for luggage – especially on domestic flights within countries that only allow you to check in one bag. Just bring basic necessities and simple outfits that you can mix and match to make it look like you’re wearing a different outfit each day.

7. RESEARCH ON AFFORDABLE RESTAURANTS

Map out your meals and look around to find affordable restaurants nearby, so as to avoid making a desperate, last minute decision to satisfy your hunger pangs. Avoid hotel breakfasts if you can, because cafes nearby are probably more value-for-money; when in doubt, remember that vegetarian dishes are always the cheapest. Alternatively, if you’re staying at a place that allows you use of the kitchen, grab a bunch of groceries and cook your own meals – especially for dinner, since it’s usually more expensive.

8. MULTI-TRIP PASSES OR TRAVEL AT NIGHT

If you’re traveling within a particular country, keep an eye out for multi-trip passes or travel at night so you can sleep while on the go and save on accommodation. Public transportation is your best friend, but if you need to rent a car, choose one that lasts longer on lesser petrol (you can also try hitchhiking if you’re brave enough). For nearby destinations, walking is a great way to take in the sights and avoid piling on the vacation weight.

9. CHOOSE A DESTINATION WHERE THE CURRENCY IS WEAKER AS COMPARED TO YOUR COUNTRY’S CURRENCY

If you’ve got no particular preference for your destination, pick one where the currency is weaker for better buying power and suss out where to find moneychangers that give you the best exchange rates.

10. STAY IN HOSTELS, HOME EXCHANGES, B&BS OR HOME STAYS

Instead of heading to your favourite hotel chain, why not try hostels, home exchanges, B&Bs or home stays? Start by searching for apartments on Airbnb.com. This enables you to meet the locals and pick their brains for insider tips on the area; you’ll also come across fellow backpackers whom you can join forces with to snap up group discounts.

11. GO LOCAL AND ENJOY AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE FOR LESS

Head for street stalls, outdoor markets, family-run businesses or neighbourhood eateries filled with locals (and non-English menus) to enjoy an authentic experience for less.

12. SIGN UP FOR REWARD OR MEMBER PROGRAMS

Be ‘kiasu’ and sign up for reward or member programs. They’re usually free anyway, and you never know what you might get out of them.

13. STAY UPDATED ABOUT THE LATEST DEALS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Follow major airlines and ticketing sites on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to mailing lists of travel deal sites – they regularly share discounts, sales and promo codes that you can take advantage of.

14. SUSS OUT GOOD DEALS ON THE PHONE

Negotiate on the phone – especially with hotels – to get the best deals and to find out about promos not posted online.

15. STAY AWAY FROM TOURIST TRAPS

Stay away from tourist traps (they’re such a rip-off) and go off the beaten track. Sure, you can take in recommendations from your guidebook, but some of the best finds are hole-in-the-wall places or ones in side streets that visitors don’t know about. Why not veer off course and see what you stumble upon?

16. BARGAIN, BARGAIN, AND BARGAIN

Learn the fine art of haggling. Bargain whenever you can, whether you’re at markets, shops or even in taxis. As long as you’re not rude or demanding, there’s no harm in doing it, since they probably hike up prices for tourists anyway.

17. TRY YOUR LUCK AND ASK FOR UPGRADES

Ask for upgrades. What’s the worst that could happen? A curt ‘no’? Big deal! Just toughen up and raise the question – you could receive extra goodies without paying a single cent.

18. ASK FOR TIPS FROM FRIENDS

Get a little help from your friends – they might know people living abroad whom they can connect you with, and that could save you from paying for accommodation and gain you a knowledgeable tour guide.

19. LOOK OUT FOR FREEBIES

Keep an eye out for freebies. Some places offer free museum tours, or even free entry on selected days and times; plus, festivals, events and nature activities like hikes or walks along scenic routes are usually without charge – because the best things in life are free.

20. MAKE FRIENDS WITH LOCALS

Just have fun and be open to making new friends. You never know when you could meet a friendly local keen to show you around the ins and outs of the country.

About the writer:
Alicia Lee is a dessert junkie with a serious (and probably incurable) case of wanderlust. Never one to pass up on retail therapy, she loves a great bargain and can usually be spotted on weekends browsing through quirky shops or chillaxing at a quiet cafe.

Don’t let your savings account be an obstacle to your wanderlust – holidaying doesn’t need to be an expensive affair. Check out these 11 tips on how to save money before, during and after you travel.

B E F O R E  T H E  T R I P

1. CREATE A TRAVEL FUND

Every month, I put in a sum of money into a different bank account to save up for my trips. This is great because, for starters, you won’t be digging into your personal savings to travel, so you’ll always have money when you return. Second, by consistently making a deposit, you can amass quite a bit during the months you’re not holidaying. You’ll always have spare cash to travel – so no more excuses!

Obviously the more you put in every month, the quicker the fund will grow, but you decide this based on how hungry you are to go gallivanting in a foreign land. If you truly want something, you’ll find a way to make it work.

For example, shop less or eat out less so you can put more into the travel fund. If you can’t bear to not buy shoes or have a fancy dinner every week, then perhaps travelling isn’t your priority. And that’s absolutely fine, just don’t complain about not having enough money then.

2. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Start thinking of your expenditures in “travel money”. The $5 you pay for coffee every day could go to a new and exciting dish you can taste in a foreign land every day too. The $40 dinner every weekend could go to the accommodation you’re splitting with your travel partner. That $200 bag is literally equivalent to a return ticket to nearby countries.

3. BOOK AIR TICKETS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE

I almost always fly budget. And even then, I book about three months in advance and start looking four months before. I’ve always managed to travel at a steal. My return tickets to South Korea on AirAsia cost me $406 all-in, inclusive of one check-in baggage and a meal on the return leg. And whether you’re flying budget or not, always wait for a sale – they will come up. I’d once seen tickets to Oslo, Norway for $808 all-in on Qatar Airways.

4. COMPARE AIR TICKETS PRICES

Even though it is cheap, flying budget is not always cheaper. It is worth spending some time using fare comparison sites (or even going to the individual airline pages) to suss out the lowest price for your travel dates.

5. DON’T SPLURGE ON THE HOTEL ROOM

You’re only in there to shower and sleep. Also, how are you going to really immerse yourself in the culture of a place by staying in an isolated (albeit fancy) hotel room? Go for local homestays or individually-run, small guesthouses. Not only are they cheaper, you’ll get to interact with the locals – it is the best way to get travel tips, food or attraction recommendations and knowledge of what it’s like to be a native.

Pick a place that provides breakfast. I love using Airbnb.com because it ticks off everything on this list – yes, even the breakfast bit.

Read the top 10 things that we love about Airbnb.

D U R I N G  T H E  T R I P

6. LOOK OUT FOR LOCALS IN RESTAURANTS OR CAFES

You know how Singaporeans like to throng the cheap and good places to eat? Well it’s the same in every country. And I often look out for eateries filled with local folks, rather than tourists. That way I know I’m going to be fed well, with an authentic cuisine and my wallet isn’t going to take a beating.

For more suggestions, read 5 useful travel tips that everyone should know.

7. GO TO THE SUPERMARKETS THE HOUR BEFORE THEY CLOSE

In the large ones, you can find cooked foods like chicken wings, sushi and pizzas on discount – hello, cheap supper!

8. SHOP SMART

You didn’t just fly 3,000km to buy things from international brands already available back home. Generally, I follow this rule: if it is less than 30% cheaper than in Singapore – it goes back onto the rack. Alternatively, stick to street shopping. You’ll always find a smorgasbord of things you can wear at a fraction of a big chains’ retail prices – plus, you won’t see someone with the same thing back home.

9. BUY TICKET BUNDLES OR DEALS TO ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Look up deal websites (just type “deals ” to search) to score major discounts on attractions and activities. Alternatively, some ticket-booking websites also offer bundles to several points of interests with substantial savings. Just remember to read the fine print.

10. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is quite the no-brainer. However, if you’re in a group of three or four, sometimes it is cheaper and faster to grab a metered taxi to get to a nearby location. Think places like Hong Kong and South Korea – a $6 fare split four ways is about the same amount you’d spend individually on a subway ride, minus the hassle. This works best for fares under $10 – beyond that, your savings can’t compare to if you were to take a public bus or train. Remember that the little dollars add up!

A F T E R  T H E  T R I P

11. KEEP YOUR LEFTOVER CURRENCY

Many people like to change their foreign currency back to Singapore dollars upon return. I actually recommend keeping it for future travels instead (unless you desperately need the money). I’ve always found it a delight to see leftover money from the previous time because I now need to change less for the upcoming trip.

What’s even better is if I’d changed my currency at a better rate the last time. I like storing mine in ziploc bags so they’re easy to identify. If you do turn them back into Singapore dollars, deposit it into your travel fund account.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your travel saving tips?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com