The perfect city break - on a budget!
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This post was written by a contributor *
Travel
is one of the most exciting, mind-opening
things
that
you can experience
in your
life. And sure,
living
and working abroad or
extended
trips exploring remote parts of the globe can
give
us so much, but
a short
city
break can be just as stimulating.
Visiting
fantastic vibrant cultural hubs – from
Dublin to Bangkok,
New York, Barcelona or Venice –
is
an unbeatable travel experience. You
really
can
cram a whole lot into the
littlest amount
of time. There are so many options for incredible city breaks,
choosing which
one really
is the hardest part.
Now, once
you've finally selected a destination and got your flights booked,
it's easy to settle back with a simple
travel
guide and switch off. But with a little more forward planning you
could save
a
fortune, and
the
more money you save, the more fun you can have when you get
there.
Yes, it is
possible to have an amazing urban break on a budget, while still
enjoying every minute.
Make
Sure You're Covered
Yeah,
travel insurance cover doesn't seem very exciting when there are
sightseeing tours to research, but it is incredibly
important. Getting ill, having an accident or going through something
like a robbery abroad is something none of us want to think about,
but if the worst did
happen,
you'd want to be covered. Getting a high level of coverage for a
decent price is possible but it takes a little forward planning,
perhaps using a travel
insurance comparison service.
As a minimum, shop for a travel insurance policy which can offer you
emergency medical cover, loss of luggage or theft, any cancellations
or flight delay and personal liability.
Plan
Your Onward Travel
If
you're travelling to a busy city, the airport is very rarely located
anywhere near to the heart of the city itself, for obvious reasons.
So making your way to your ultimate destination can be unexpectedly
costly if you haven't prepared properly. Whether you need a Prague
transfer company
or
a shuttle bus in Hong Kong, looking into your options is a much
better bet than spending extortionate amounts on a
taxi.
Not only can pre-booking save you money, but it can also
help
you avoid
a
lot
of
last minute stress. You
might find
an airport
transit guide app
can
help you make further savings by identifying the best value transport
option in hundreds of popular destinations.
Learn
To Pack Like A Pro
What
is the worst cost to have to pay when travelling? Definitely
the baggage charge. Luckily, if you're smart about what you pack, you
can fit everything you need into a carry-on bag. It also means less
time waiting by the baggage carousel! There are lots of tips out
there on how to pack for a week in one
bag,
and some of the best tips involve using packing
cubes
to
compress clothes and save space, while also keeping your bag
impressively neat. Some travellers also follow the 5-4-3-2-1
rule of packing
to
limit the items they bring and make sure that they have a cohesive
travel wardrobe where all of the individual pieces can be worn
together. Bring some light layers such as a foldaway jacket that can
be stashed in your case or worn as needed. Always follow the wisdom
of wearing your bulkiest items to the airport, including your
heaviest pair of shoes. Plus,
purchase
sun cream and items like that once you get
to
your
destination, rather than adding them to your luggage – no
major city is going to be short of places to buy things like that.
Hunt
Down Sightseeing Deals
If
you want to really get to know the
city you’re
flying into,
there will definitely be a list of must-sees that you want to get
through.
But all those museum entries and tour costs
can
quickly add up. Fear
not – technology can
come to the rescue! Many cities now have guidebook
apps
which
can take you around the city with audio narration and point out all
the major sights – most
can be used offline so you don't incur huge data roaming charges. A
lot of cities also run card schemes where you can sign up in advance
for special discounts on popular tourist attractions, inter-city
transport and even cheaper meals out. A good guidebook can also be
invaluable for pointing out purse-friendly options for dining and
accommodation – while
also giving
you valuable
insight into your destination.
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