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?

2013 was another great year. As compared to our wanderlust adventures in 2012, we visited less cities last year. Instead, we chose to stay longer at each place to learn more about the culture, food, and lifestyle of the locals. Here is a recap of our travel adventures in 2013.

Taipei, Taiwan

Our first trip in 2013 was Taipei. one of the most popular getaway destinations from Singapore. From visiting nice cafes in Yong Kang Street to eating your way through the well-known Taipei’s night markets, there is something for everyone in this city which is known for its delicious food and friendly locals.

Read: Guide on where to eat in Taipei.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung is located in the south of Taiwan. I spent a few days in the city. Highlights include visiting Liuhe tourist night market and Ruifeng Night Market, and going to Cijin for cheap and delicious seafood.

Tainan, Taiwan

After Kaohsiung, I dropped by Tainan, the food capital and the oldest city in Taiwan. Most of the famous Taiwanese street food originated from Tainan, and it was an eye-opening experience to explore the city and learn more about the story behind the local food.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In March, we had the chance to go on a press trip by KLM to visit Amsterdam. Amsterdam is more than just the Red Light District or for dope-selling “coffee shops”, there are plenty of things that you can see, do and eat.

The city is somewhat mysteriously ambiguous, with a mixture of extremely warm and fierce-looking local. The slight medieval setting also feels ancient, and quite oddly, every street at every turn looks identical — low-rise brick buildings with conspicuous signs, withered trees line canals after canals, and sporadically random shops. But after spending a few days exploring the city, it grew on us.

Read: Where to eat in Amsterdam / 10 Things to do in Amsterdam

London, England

After Amsterdam, we flew to London for a week. Everything in London is almost all too familiar – the food, the renown shopping streets, the areas that we see on Monopoly, the hallmark musicals, the language, the London Bus, the Big Ben… everything in London is so close to heart. London will always be one of our favourite cities in the world, and we are already planning a trip back this year.

Read: Where to eat in London / 10 Cheap Eats in London

Paris, France

Some people feel that Paris is too touristy and over-hyped. But for me, it is, and always will be, one of my favourite places. It has that magical feel in the air which you cannot find elsewhere. Je t’aime Paris.

Seoul, Korea

In April, we went to Seoul for the very first time. Seoul is a very fascinating city with many things to do. In the day, you can go sight-seeing at palaces, visit one of the many museums, drop by N Seoul Tower for a glimpse of the city, or cafe-hop at hip areas like Garosu-gil, and Samcheong-dong. And at night, Hongdae – an area near the Hongik University known for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainment – comes alive.

Read: 10 Things to do in Seoul / 10 Cafes in Seoul

Taichung, Taiwan

Most visitors usually only go to Taipei, and it is a shame because there are many other cities that are worth visiting. Taichung, for instance, is a wonderful holiday destination. So when the Taiwan Tourism Bureau kindly invited me to visit Taichung, I said yes immediately. The main draw for tourists is definitely Feng Chia Night Market – one of the biggest, if not the biggest, night markets in Taiwan. There are many things to see, do and eat in Taichung. The next time you plan a trip to Taiwan, you have to include Taichung in your itinerary.

Read: Things to do in Taichung

Bali, Indonesia

In 2013, we visited Bali four times, and the first adventure was at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort for a short but much needed respite.

Phuket, Thailand

At the end of May, Melody planned a surprise holiday for us to Phuket, and we went back to our favourite Kata Beach for a weekend getaway.

Bali, Indonesia

In June, we escaped to Bali again for two weeks. Eat, sleep, suntan, massage, eat, swim – life was good as a beach bum. We stayed at four of the best hotels in Bali, dined at the top restaurants and warungs, and took some time off to reflect about life.

Read: Bali Travel Guide

Darwin, Australia

To be frank, I never knew much about Darwin before, but my trip there in July gave me an unexpectedly memorable impression of the otherwise underrated city.

Darwin is the last frontier of Australia, and it is the closest you can get to wildlife. If you are the type who enjoy outdoor adventures, and want something different from the usual city holidays, Darwin is certainly the place for you.

Read: 10 Things to do in Darwin

Phuket, Thailand

In August, we went back to Phuket again. This time, we stayed at Sri Panwa Villa located at Cape Panwa – the southern tip of Phuket. We have been to many hotels and resorts around the world, but after staying at Sri Panwa, it has immediately rocketed to our all-time favourite list – we are head over heels in love with this gem of Phuket.

Kyoto, Japan

During the last week of September, I planned a surprise trip to Japan – the land of all things kawaii and oishii - to celebrate our anniversary.

Kyoto, Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are so many things to do and see, that it is impossible to cover everything in a trip. It is a place you will go back again and again. If you have been to Kyoto, I’m sure you will understand what I’m saying. If you haven’t been, make sure you include Kyoto in your itinerary when you are going to Japan.

Read: Guide to Kyoto’s Best Desserts

Tokyo, Japan

After bidding farewell to Kyoto, we had another week in Tokyo. Everything in Japan seems possible – the most creative architecture, the freshest food, the cutest toys and the most remarkable fashion. We ate, and ate, and ate. Everything that we ate in Tokyo was utterly delicious.

Read: Tokyo Travel Guide

Bangkok, Thailand

Before October came to an end, we took some time off to go to Bangkok, one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. Cheap massage, good shopping, and delicious Thai food - Bangkok is a city that everyone must visit at least once every year.

Read: Bangkok Travel Guide

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is another place that I visit annually to visit friends, check out some of the newest restaurants, and do some shopping. November is the best month to go as it is a transitional season from autumn to winter and that is when the weather is perfect – cool and breezy and you won’t perspire a bit when you are out on the street.

Read: Hong Kong Travel Guide

Bali, Indonesia

Our third trip to Bali in 2013. This time, we went there as guests of Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa. After landing at the airport, we checked in to the Jimbaran property and had two lovely nights there. Following which, we travelled North and went to their Ubud’s property. It was the perfect base to explore the arts and cultural centre of Bali.

Read: Ubud’s 10 best places to eat

Boracay

At the start of December, we took up an impromptu adventure to Boracay with Tiger Air. Boracay is truly a paradise. The sand is so white and the water has an amazing gradient of blues. Snorkelling, island-hopping, cliff-jumping, para-sailing, jet-skiing…

Bali, Indonesia

For the last trip of the year, we went back to Bali again. We revisited some of our favourite places like Ultimo, Naughty Nuri’s, The Bistrot, Metis; and also spent a day doing water sports at Tanjong Benoa. Life is always good in Bali.

From New York, to Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Milan, Prague, and Venice; I went on 27 trips all over the world in the past 365 days. It has been a great year and I am extremely lucky on the travel end.

How about a recap of the places that I’ve been to in 2012?

Travelling is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

My first adventure this year was Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – commonly known as Saigon – the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

Vietnam has that old-world charm where everything is untouched by civilisation. It was great to be there, and hopefully I will get to visit Hanoi soon. Read my travel guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

Hong Kong

In February, I was in Hong Kong to attend Social Media Week as a speaker. My good friends from HarbourCity Shopping Centre invited me as a guest and I spent the three days catching up with friends, and going on an interview marathon with the Hong Kong media.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In the same month, I had the chance to drop by Kuala Lumpur to film a reality challenge for Toshiba and Intel. While it was just a short weekend trip, we had lots of fun filming.

New York, United States

One of the highlights this year was visiting New York City in March. The good people from Dean & Deluca and Kitchen Language sent me there to learn more about the brand, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Besides finding out more about Dean & Deluca, I also spent time exploring and eating around the city. Read my guide on where to eat in New York.

Genting, Malaysia

After coming back from New York, I visited Resorts World Genting – the most popular tourist destination in Malaysia – and it was an eye opening experience as I learned many new things about Genting that I never knew before.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

My good friend was in Kota Kinabalu for work in April, so I tagged along for an impromptu trip and spent the weekend at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

It is only two and a half hours away from Singapore, and once you reach the beautiful resort, you feel like you just opened the door to paradise. It is without a doubt – the perfect destination for a lazy beach getaway.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is one of my favourite cities in Asia. In May, I packed my bags and went on an eating adventure. I’ve written a guide on where to eat in Taipei, and I will be adding in new places after my trip next month.

Sydney, Australia

My first solo adventure was in Sydney three years ago, so I was thrilled to get the chance to revisit the city as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Destination NSW. We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, went skydiving in the beautiful coast of Wollongong, and had a fabulous time. Read more about what we did in Sydney.

Tokyo, Japan

The rest of June was spent travelling in Tokyo. I’ve always wanted to visit Tokyo, and my wish finally came true. Tokyo is an amazing city, and I’d strongly urge you to go there for a holiday. I am already dreaming of another trip there next year. And maybe Osaka too?

Genting, Malaysia

In July, I went back to Genting again. This time, I had the pleasure of leading a food tour there and we had so much fun eating and making new friends.

Gold Coast, Australia

Towards the end of July, I scooted off to Gold Coast as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Tourism Queensland.

Besides the gorgeous beaches, Gold Coast has a lot to offer. From taking a day trip to the beautiful Hinterland, chasing after whales and dolphins on a cruise, to going on the hot air balloon – there are plenty to do in Gold Coast.

If you are heading there for a holiday, check out my guides on Things to do in Gold Coast, and Where to eat in Gold Coast.

Bangkok, Thailand

In August, I went Bangkok twice. I know it sounds crazy, but hey, I could not say no to cheap massages, good shopping, and yummy Thai food. I stayed at both Sofitel properties in Bangkok, and I particularly enjoyed the experience at Sofitel So Bangkok.

For those of you who are new to Bangkok, read: Bangkok Shopping Guide, and 10 Cafes to visit in Bangkok.

Phuket, Thailand

A week after my trip to The Land of Smiles, it was off to Phuket. We stayed in the Kata beach area, and it was a rejuvenating getaway. I can’t wait to visit Phuket again, definitely going back again next year.

Bintan, Indonesia

Before flying to Europe, the kind folks from Bintan Lagoon invited us for a short stay. All I can say is it is a beautiful place and everyone should go there for a weekend getaway.

Vevey, Switzerland

Another highlight this year was my journey to visiting Nestle’s headquarters in Switzerland. Not only did we visit the headquarters, we also explored Vevey (a quaint little town by the Lake Geneva), visited the cheese factory, took a tour in Nestle Cailler chocolate factory, tasted Swiss cuisine, and enjoyed the magnificent scenery.

Nice, France

After the Nestle media trip ended, I flew to Nice, a gorgeous city located in the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Needless to say, it was a great fun, and I enjoyed it as much as my stay in Lyon last year.

Monaco

From Nice, I went for a day trip to Monaco. It is really fascinating to see how a small sovereign city state like Monaco – it is the second smallest country in the world, with an area of 1.98 km square and a population of 36,371 – can survive on its own.

It was relatively easy to explore Monaco and the famous Monte Carlo, and I also went to the Jardin Exotique – one of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions – and took a stroll through Monaco-Ville to see the Prince’s Palace.

Rome, Italy

Like what they always say, all roads lead to Rome. I am so glad that I chose to visit the eternal city. We spent our time wondering around the city, and it was amazing to be able to see the Colosseum. We also visited the other famous attractions such as the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum.

To quote my partner: “Rome was too beautiful, and nothing can articulate its beauty. Even pictures are just mere pictures that do not bring enough justice. I could start dreaming all over again, but it would never end…”

Vatican City, Italy

And of course, no one can leave Rome without going to the Vatican City – the smallest state in the world. We went there in the late afternoon and the queue was not as long as we thought it would be. I finally ticked off Vatican City from my bucket list.

Pisa, Italy

Moving North, we took a train and arrived in Pisa. Of course, we were there for the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa that is known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. Another place off the bucket list!

Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region, and it is famous for its history, culture Renaissance art, architecture and monuments, and shopping. No one goes to Florence without checking out the factory outlet stores.

The Mall is an exclusive outlet destination for luxury goods at a fraction of its original prices. Situated at the outskirt of Florence and at an unassuming enclave in the green Tuscan hills, a day at The Mall is a promising experience. The air in the open is fresh and crisp, the boundless skies are blue and calming, the surrounding is a humble and quiet neighbourhood. We spent an entire afternoon there – shopping (well, needless to say), indulging in a mid-day snack, and to simply bask in the serenity of the countryside.

Venice, Italy

After our shopping trip in Florence, we went to Venice – the most beautiful and romantic place on Earth. Like Paris, Venice has this magical feel in the air that no words can describe. Strolling along the Grand Canal, feeding pigeons at Piazza San Marco, and wandering into the alleys without a map. Everyone should visit Venice at least once in their lives.

Milan, Italy

Milan, the fashion capital of the world, was also on our itinerary. Being a glutton, I wanted to try authentic Milanese cuisine, and I managed to track down La Trattoria Milanese (Via Santa Marta 11 Milan) where we sampled Risotto alla Milanese with Ossobucco, and Veal Cotoletta Milanese – two of the signature Milanese food. It was one of the best meals that I’ve had in 2012.

Prague, Czech Republic

Exploring Prague — the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic — in -5 degree Celsius was another experience that I will never forget. Prague is another city that I’ve always wanted to visit, and I am so happy that I finally went there. It was a fitting finale to my Europe adventure.

Hong Kong

At the start of November, just a few days after my Europe tour, I flew to Hong Kong for a week. Besides shopping and catching up with friends, I was on a quest to eat at all the places on my to-go list. I checked out the locals’ favourite Cha Chaan Teng, hip and trendy cafes and coffee places, and Michelin Star Restaurants.

Macau

The last trip of the year was in Macau, where we spent a weekend eating Portuguese egg tarts, hopping from casino to casino, and visiting the famous Ruins of St Paul’s.

2013

The past year has been nothing short of amazing, and I am really looking forward to 2013. I will be visiting Taiwan (Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung) next week, and Taichung in April. Also, I will most likely be making my annual trips to Bangkok, Bali, Phuket, and Hong Kong. Some of the places on my to-go list include Seoul, Shanghai, Melbourne, Maldives, London, Osaka, as well as beach getaways in Southeast Asia – but nothing has been firmed up as yet, so we will see how it goes.

I will continue to travel and introduce more places to you. Thank you for the support, and I just want to end off with this quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Travelling opens my eyes to the world out there and it allows me to understand more things so that I can better understand myself. I hope that you will make plans to travel more in the upcoming year. Life is short, there’s really no excuse not to travel and see the world.

Words by Anlin Melina, photos by ladyironchef.

Henry Rollins famously wrote that he begs young people to travel to “have your mind blown, eat interesting food, dig some interesting people, (and) have an adventure.” I couldn’t agree more with him. However, travelling seems to be a luxurious and expensive thing to do for some people. Really? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here are 5 tips on budget travelling – let us show you how to get the best deals and save the dollar notes on your travel.

1. Plan early

Planning early for your travel will give you a lot of advantages, from flights to accommodations. Get your travel dates and number of friends travelling with you confirmed, and you can book your tickets way in advance.

Booking your flights early will give you a much cheaper price than booking it on the last minute – it can save you hundreds of dollars. The same goes for hotel accommodations. So try to plan about 6 months to 1 year in advance.

2. Stalk those sites

Airline sites, hotel sites, booking sites… Go to these sites everyday and check out the prices daily. You’ve got to do your homework if you want to get the best deals online. Look out for sales on special days where sites have huge promotions.

For example, I got my hotel at Waikiki strip at 70% off during booking.com’s Leap Day sale this year. So the point is to stalk these sites as much as you stalk your eye candy on Facebook.

3. Sign up for deals

There are lots of fantastic deals for restaurants, day tours, beauty and wellness, getaways, shopping and many more on the Internet that can give you up to 70% off the regular prices. But you would have to sign up (it’s all free, by the way) to get the insider news on the exclusive deals. Some of my favorite sites are Google Marketplace, Groupon, Bloomspot, MuchOnMe, and Gilt.

Travelling is food for the soul. Here are 5 Useful Travel Tips that will come in handy when you are exploring the world.

4. Walk, walk, and walk

Minimize the number of times you take public transportation and maximize the chances for walking. I find that walking around the city as a tourist is always a good idea, because not only that you can save money on transportation, walking can help you burn off those calories that you ate from all the gastronomic delights and discover many more sights of the city that you could have missed.

5. Make (international) friends

It’s not as hard as it sounds! Especially with the social media era now, there are many sites online that allow you to connect with people from all over the world who are very kind enough to host tourists in their humble abode.

Check out Couch Surfing (for bunking in at people’s house at no charge) and Airbnb (people renting out their apartments for short period of time and usually the rate is cheaper than hotels’) for some of these.

Another plus point for Couch Surfing and Airbnb is your hosts who are the locals will be able to recommend cheap and good restaurants in the area, or sometimes even offer to be your tour guide for a day or two. But especially for Couch Surfing, you would need to plan well in advance to introduce yourself to the couch surf community and find the right people to host you. And it brings us back to the first point again – plan early.

About the writer
Anlin Melina is a Business Administration and Economics student at the University of California, Berkeley. She was born in Indonesia, educated in Singapore and is currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She speaks and writes in English, Chinese, Indonesian and French, and likes travelling and writing during her free time. Melina has recently completed writing her first book, titled “Once Upon A Blue Sky”, which is a travel guide book on cities in the United States.