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 travelling, money matters. For instance, backpackers would have to consider their overall travel expenses, including several crucial factors such as transportation costs and the availability of hostels etc. Several expensive first-world cities are automatically rendered unsuitable for backpackers in this case but a few Asian cities are actually exceptionally ideal.

Here is our guide to the 7 Best Cities in Asia To Travel To For Backpackers in terms of affordability and accessibility. These vibrant destinations boast a multitude of iconic attractions and exciting activities at wallet-friendly prices, where backpackers can have a great time without breaking the bank.

#1 BALI

While Bali remains a popular honeymoon destination amongst newly wedded couples, the abundance of cheap accommodation and low costs of living too attract budget-conscious backpackers for long-term travel around the beautiful Indonesian island. Bali – otherwise known as Island of Gods – boasts surfing hot spots and the mouthwatering Balinese cuisine.

A scrumptious meal in Bali could cost as low as S$5 while an one-night stay in a decent hostel – if you look hard enough – could cost about S$6 per pax too. We are not kidding at all!

#2 BANGKOK

Bangkok – the capital of the Land of Smiles – is truly a paradise for all foodie travellers. The selection of Thai delicacies is seemingly endless and you will find yourself hopelessly spoilt for choice. Divine street food aside, there are many touristy attractions to check out too. According to Hostels.com, prices start at an unbelievably low rate of S$2 per night. Crazy huh!

#3 CHIANG MAI

If the chaos in Bangkok is too much for you to handle, then we suggest you backpack around Chiang Mai instead. The age-old city is located in the mountainous northern region, hence its climate is too significantly cooler. Online booking platform HostelWorld revealed that there are approximately 135 budget-friendly hostels in Chiang Mai and prices start from S$5.50.

#4 HANOI

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is famous for its chaotic two-century-old Old Quarter and is the ideal gateway to other must-see Vietnamese attractions such as UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay and the gorgeous Sapa Valley. Most dormitories in Hanoi do offer specially discounted prices to their in-house guests for guided tours to Halong Bay and Sapa Valley.

#5 PHNOM PENH

Strategically located at the junction of Tonle Sap River and Mekong River, the capital of Cambodia is a bustling city where traces of its past French colonialism remain at large. Backpackers could get a basic shared hostel room at extremely cheap prices starting from S$5 per night per pax and onwards. To date there are roughly 60+ hostels available for booking.

#6 SIEM REAP

Siem Reap is renowned for its world-famous attraction, the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site Ang Kor Wat. The religious complex itself spans across 200 hectares and draws countless of tourists from all walks of life on a daily basis. Data from online accommodation booking platform HostelBookers has shown that rates start from S$5 for a night stay at a shared dorm.

#7 TAIPEI

Taipei—the capital of Taiwan—might not be the first destination in mind when it comes to backpacking but is actually a great city for backpackers! Taiwanese are some of the friendliest people you will come across albeit the language barrier. The public transportation is awesome and the food is incredible. While prices are not as cheap, you can still book a hostel from S$12.

Booking a cheaper flight is very possible, as long as you know of a few travel tips and tricks. Fret not, no complex and time-consuming techniques are required from your end and scoring a cheaper flight ticket can be easily achieved with a few fuss-free clicks.

From using Kayak Explore to determine the cheapest destination during a certain period to switching currency before you book a flight, here are 7 Tips On Booking A Cheaper Flight. Going on a vacation does not necessarily have to be costly affair after all. Bon Voyage!

#1 CLEAR BROWSER’S COOKIES

To clear or not to clear, that is the question. Industry experts have been arguing on whether the impact of your browser’s cookies affect flight prices and we say it is better to be safe than sorry.

Some believe that websites are wired to raise the price of a route you have been eyeing on and as a result, an increment of air fares is highly likely. So, you’ve got your answer: go on and clear those cookies!

To be even safer, make sure you browse in private with incognito mode on your internet browser.

#2 CONSIDER BUDGET AIRLINES

Low-cost carriers are more often than not cheaper than full-service airlines. If travellers are willing to compensate legroom space, in-flight entertainment and complimentary meals, then they would be amazed by how they can actually save up to hundreds of dollars!

Having said that, there have been some strange incidents where budget airlines actually cost more than a full-service flight. So always do your research across various airlines before making that final decision.

#3 DETERMINE THE CHEAPEST DESTINATION

If you have a flexible schedule but limited cash, then perhaps deciding on the cheapest destination would be ideal in allowing you to score the cheapest possible air tickets.

Kayak Explore is a great flight planning tool that allows you to enter your departure city, the desired month and monitor the cheapest destination to fly into—stretching your dollar is guaranteed.

#4 MONITOR AIR FARES

Camping by the computer and repeatedly searching multiple airlines’ booking portal every hour is simply not feasible.

This is when the following applications, namely Air Fare Watch Dog, Sidestep and Yapta can help take over the monitoring chores. These sites will inform you firsthand when the flight you desire has dropped in value.

#5 PURCHASE UNWANTED TICKETS

Many travellers have made the impulsive and terrible mistake of purchasing an air ticket, only to realise he/she could not make it for the trip. Or worse still, something crops up and they are unable to fly.

Depending on the airline’s policies, some may allow the change of dates and even names. This is when Jump Flight comes in handy, where you can buy discounted plane tickets from them.

#6 SWITCH CURRENCIES

Before you book a flight, do a little experiment of switching your currencies to compare the flight prices. Depending on which currency you actually switch to, some scenarios will have you experiencing cheaper air fares!

We enjoyed this beneficial advantage most recently when we actually changed from SGD to MYR. Do also use a card that is free from foreign-transaction fees.

#7 SIGN UP FOR FREQUENT FLYER MEMBERSHIPS

Registering for Frequent Flyer Memberships is usually free and we strongly encourage everyone to sign up for it.

The gradual accumulation of miles will eventually allow you to redeem air tickets or score an upgrade. How could you resist a free ticket (excluding of airport taxes)?!

It is always a good feeling to be pampered while on holiday, but then the bill comes in, and suddenly you don’t feel that good after all.

This is reality. So you’ve got a budget to work with? Most of us do. Luxury holidays sure don’t happen every day, or month. Or even year.

The trick is knowing when to spend and when to hold back, and it all depends on what is most important to you. Comfort, safety, cleanliness, and all the other kinds of experience you’re looking for all factor into your decision-making process. Here is our ten cents worth.

Transportation

If you can afford business or first class on an airplane, then by all means, go for it.

But the truth is most of us are always struggling between budget and regular plane carriers to begin with. First, start by weighing the pros and cons of each option before making your booking.

Maybe you need a comfier seat for better rest during the long flight, or maybe you are perfectly fine with going budget for a few hours. Then again, budget carrier may not always be the cheapest option because you have to factor in check-in baggage fees and meal add-ons.

As for domestic trips and traveling within a country, it is more often than not more economical to go by train, bus or even a rented car. You don’t really need to spend on airfare and go through the hassle of checking your bags in and waiting for security checks.

Accommodation

How much time will you be spending in the room, really? If you are at a beach resort to chill out, then spend that extra tens or hundreds of dollars and put yourselves up at a more comfortable accommodation. The “investment” will bring great mileage to your holiday, surely!

But if you are heading to a place where you plan to shop your heart out and explore every nook and cranny, then consider saving money on accommodation with hostels, rented apartments, home stays or smaller, not-so-lavish hotels. After all, you just need a basic space to sleep and shower in.

Another train of thought is that it can be lodging at a very convenient location. The “top-up” may mean you can save on transportation within the city/ country.

Think about where your expensive hotel is located at – if it is just another high-end chain in another city that can be replicated anywhere else in the world, then maybe you might want think twice before splurging.

Bed and breakfasts, hostels or boutique hotels can provide you with an experience more unique to your destination, as well as more exposure to the locals and their non-tourist trap suggestions.

Food

Fine dining can be an indulgent treat, where you get all dressed up and pamper yourself for a day. Everything is clean and shiny, the service is impeccable, the food’s pretty darned great, and you get to brag about all the Michelin-starred restaurants you experienced. If that is the type of experience you are hankering for, the world is your oyster and lots of amazing meals await.

But fine dining can also burn a hole in your wallet and leave you wanting more. Or maybe lavish meals on big plates just ain’t your thing. Then we say make the trek to hole-in-the-wall bars, small eateries, local joints and even roadside stalls for more quintessential experiences!

Other activities

We don’t know about you, but as much as possible, we steer clear of spending a bomb on touristy city tours, cruise ships or anything that includes souvenir shopping and random photos against a green screen. Souvenirs all look the same, and no one really appreciates them anyway.

Know what works for you, do your research and ask around – then you can map out an itinerary that suits you better than any pre-planned tour.

If you are dying to try out an activity that is pretty costly, ask yourself if it can be done anywhere else, and if you will regret not doing it when you get home.

Sometimes, money doesn’t matter in the face of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It is the precious memories that are invaluable, right? And so, we often splurge on such intangibles despite being on a budget – but we’ve never regretted.

On an extremely tight budget that there’s really nothing left to spend? Go for free or low cost activities. There are aplenty around the world; depending on where your holiday is at, of course. You can visit historical and cultural places like museums, parks and galleries, or get in tune with nature at rainforests, beaches or waterfalls.

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.

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.