15 Tips on how to save money when travel

1. Look for free activities. If you do a little research, you’ll see there are often lots of free activities in the area. Look at community calendars to see what is going on in town while you are there. Do a self-guided walking tour to familiarize yourself with your destination. Museums often have a ‘pay what you can’ day once a week and sometimes have discounted admission after a certain time of day.

2. Book a room with a refrigerator/microwave or kitchen area. Although some people might not like to cook while on vacation, I don’t mind making breakfast in my room. I love having a cup of coffee on my deck, but room service can be very pricy. I’d rather eat-in for breakfast and lunch and then splurge on a fancy dinner. A microwave and fridge will also be helpful for reheating leftovers.

3. Shop at farmer’s markets and local stores. Farmer’s markets often lower the price of their food towards the end of the day. Also, shopping at local stores allows you to taste the local cuisine without having to pay the price of a restaurant. Buy some local fish and cook it up at your condo.

4. Before you book, be aware of the location of where you’re staying.Transportation can add up quickly, so you may want to stay in a central location. Ideally, somewhere you can walk everywhere would work best. If you’re staying in a city, will you be near a subway or bus stop?

5. Carry snacks/water during outings. Kids will need snacks while you are exploring, and it drives me crazy to spend money on silly snacks. Throw some granola bars in your bag and pull them out when the kids need fuel. Don’t even get me started on how much I hate spending money on bottled water when I can buy an entire case for the same amount. Always carry your own water. However, splurge when it comes to treats that you can only find in that location.

6. Use points or miles. Chain hotels, like Hilton and Marriott, have a reward system that give you points for staying there and they are great to use for free overnight stays. When traveling, try to exclusively stay at those hotels and fly the same airlines to build your points.

7. Look for city tourism cards. Depending on the card, you can gain free entry to top visitor attractions, discounts at restaurants and shops, skip-the-line options at busy attractions, free public transportation, and even free guidebooks. Depending on your itinerary, it might be worth the money.

8. Don’t get the best room. How much time are you actually going to use your room? Will you just be sleeping there? Do you need a room with a good view or so much extra space? Will you use the amenities, such as a pool or a fitness room?

9. Be flexible when flying. If you are not on a tight schedule, can you be flexible with the time of day you fly, the number of stops, or your seat selection? Do you mind having a long layover? If possible, check the dates of your trip and see if the price would go down if you tweaked the dates a bit.

10. Stay outside a city. You often pay for location, and it’s sometimes cheaper to stay away from areas with big tourist attractions. You can always go to the attractions and then head back to your hotel to sleep.

11. Rent an apartment instead of having to get two rooms. My friends with three or more kids are often complaining how expensive it is to stay in a hotel because they need to get adjoining rooms. An apartment or condo is often much cheaper. I love to use VRBO, HomeAway, and have even used TripAdvisor.

12. Go off season. You can usually find cheaper plane tickets and hotel rooms by going off season, and there may be more availability. You will not have to deal with large crowds and attractions could also be cheaper at that time. Just make sure places are open.

13. Have a big lunch. Restaurants often offer lunch specials with less expensive prices. You could also buy extra food at lunch and save it for dinner later.

14. Don’t eat in areas that are close to tourist destinations. In some cities, walking just a few blocks can slash prices at restaurants. I try to never eat at attractions because they tend to raise the price to their captive audience.

15. Create a budget and stick to it! Know when to save and when to splurge. We always eat at a nice restaurant on our last night of vacation. Look for ways to save money but also treat yourself during the trip. Having a budget is a wonderful way to keep yourself on track.

Travel Asian (Hong Kong)

Why I choose Hong Kong ?

To outsiders, Hong Kong can raise a lot of questions: "Is it part of China or not?" "Is it one island or two?" "Do they speak English or Mandarin? Or both?" And foreigners have a good reason to ask them. This territory, made of multiple islands, returned to China's possession in 1997 after more than a hundred years of British occupation. Upon its reunification with China, Hong Kong added certain stipulations that provide a unique degree of autonomy. For instance, the official currency remains the Hong Kong dollar (HKD); English and Chinese are the official languages; and the tiny nation has an independent judiciary system. In short, China and Hong Kong observe a "one country, two systems" policy that can have many foreigners scratching their heads. But don't question it. Just accept it and enjoy everything this territory has to offer.

Hong Kong distinguishes itself from its Chinese brethren like Shanghai and Beijing with its vibrant, multifaceted culture and stunning cityscape. This British-Chinese hybrid astounds visitors with its striking juxtaposition of dense skyscrapers and lush landscapes. From sandy beaches to rugby pitches, there's more fresh air than most travelers suspect. And, of course, as a world-class metropolis, Hong Kong boasts numerous urban diversions, such as culinary hot spots and museums. Lastly Hong Kong is ranked at no.9 in best place visit in asia.

Best Thing to do at Hong Kong

1.Hong Kong Star Ferry

The Star Ferry is an absolute must when you come to Hong Kong. Think of it as the what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Transporting guests between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, this vessel provides the most scenic route through the city. Visitors will be smack dab in the center of the city's famous skyline, providing amazing photo opportunities, especially at night. 

Recent travelers described the views as priceless, with many saying bearing witness to the city's many towering skyscrapers while floating along the calm waters of the Victoria Harbour took their breath away. Some recommended catching the ferry at 8 p.m. for the Symphony at Lights Show, which is considered to be the world's largest permanent light and sound show. 

Every day, the Star Ferry Company shuttles passengers from its Tsim Sha Tsui pier (near the promenade) on the Kowloon Peninsula to either its Central pier or its Wan Chai pier on the Hong Kong Island side. The short voyage costs between HK$2.50 and HK$3.40 (about $0.32 and $0.44) for adults. The company also operates an hour-long tour of Victoria Harbour. You can hop on this route at any of the three piers. A variety of ticket types are available, but standard single-ride, round-trip tickets cost HK$68 (about $9) during the day and HK$128 (about $16.50) at night.

2.Victoria Peak

Along with the Star Ferry, Victoria Peak, or simply "The Peak," is a must-visit attraction simply for its incredible views. Situated atop the highest point on Hong Kong Island, The Peak is as scenic as lookouts come. Visitors are not only treated to a sea of skyscrapers and the city's beautiful blue waterways, but during the day, can make out the green hills of the distant New Territories. 

There are are multiple vantage points atop the mountain, including the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria, with the latter offering access to its observation deck free of charge. There is also the 2-mile-long Peak Circle Walk, which takes you along cliffside paths to the scenic Lugard Road lookout point. There are also dining and shopping options at the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria, as well as the Lions View Point Pavillion.

Although recent travelers loved The Peak for its spectacular views, many complained of crowds and loathed long lines (some reported an hour) to get onto the tram. Some visitors suggested finding a bus or taking a taxi to get to the top. Others suggested bypassing the visitors centers at the top and wandering along marked pathways for a quieter experience. Reviewers also strongly suggested checking the weather before you go, as Hong Kong can get foggy

The recommended route to Victoria Peak is by way of the Peak Tram. The base of the Peak Tram is located within walking distance from the MTR's Central station. Every day, the tram opens at 7 a.m. and closes at midnight. Cars depart every 10 to 15 minutes. Round-trip tickets cost HK$40 (about $5.15) for adults and HK$18 HKD (about $2.32) for children and seniors.

3. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

On the edge of the Kowloon Peninsula's popular Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood, the promenade is the Hong Kong locale for many visitors. Stretching from Hong Kong's colonial-era Clock Tower to Hung Hom, the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade gives you unobstructed views of Hong Kong Island's majestic skyline. During the day, you can watch the boats travel in and out of Victoria Harbour, but travelers recommend making an extra visit at night: From 8 to about 8:20 p.m., the Symphony of the Stars (a sound-and-light show) projects dazzling lights onto the Hong Kong skyline. Day or night, consider taking in the atmosphere at one of the many restaurants and bars located here. 

Beginning near the Star Ferry Pier, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is easily reached via MTR's East Tsim Sha Tsui Station. The shops, bars, restaurants and museums that stand along the promenade, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art, maintain varied hours of operation.

4.Happy Valley Racecourse

Every Wednesday from September to July, thousands of Hong Kong residents flood the stands of the Happy Valley Racecourse. Horse racing is the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong, making Happy Valley one of the few places where you are allowed to gamble in the city. And many of Hong Kong's citizens take full advantage. Even if you're not into betting, you should visit this local institution simply for the electric atmosphere, not to mention the surrounding city skyline, which sparkles once the sun goes down.

Much like the locals, recent travelers agreed the Happy Valley Racecourse is must-visit if you're in Hong Kong. Visitors reveled in the attraction's fun atmosphere, cheap admission and to most, surprisingly good food and drink options. Some travelers were quick to note that unlike other racetracks, specifically in the states, attire is very casual, so there's no need to pack any big hats or bow ties for your night at the track.

Standing room at the race track level costs just HK$10 (about $1.30), and tickets for the seated area start at HK$20 (about $2.60). You can purchase tickets the day of at the track or up to 10 days in advance from several outlets throughout the city. Only visitors 18 years or older are permitted inside the track. Located on Hong Kong Island, you can walk to the track from the MTR's Causeway Bay Station or simply take a taxi from either one of the Star Ferry piers on Hong Kong Island. The races usually last from 7 to 11 p.m.

Travel hack on flight

1. When you wanted to book a ticket

Book at the right time. For domestic flights, 47 days out is considered the median best time to buy, while international travel varies by destination and should be purchased further in advance of your preferred departure date. If your dates are flexible, searching a +3/-3 (or 5/7) date range will yield a wide array of prices for you to consider.

Don’t book too early. So you know when and where you’re going—but don’t get overzealous! The average domestic fare found six months before a selected departure date was found to be 19% higher than fares searched for a month in advance.

2.planning before travel

Go multi-city. Once upon a time, a round-trip ticket into and out of the same city was the cheapest—only!—way to go. Not anymore. Sometimes, flying into one city and out of another will yield better prices.

3.Go one-way. Just as round-trip tickets into and out of the same city used to be the way to go, so too is the case for round-trip tickets in general. Two one-way tickets may, in fact, be cheaper than a full round-trip ticket, so don’t forget to check just to see.

4.Keep an open mind. In need of an escape but don’t care where to? Type “Everywhere” as your destination city on Skyscanner, and you’ll get a list of the cheapest flights all around the world. Who knows? You may stumble upon your dream getaway!

5.Consider stitching. If you’re not on a very tight travel crunch, building in a layover will almost always save you dollar bills. If you can make that layover functional (i.e., a half or full day!) and in a city you wouldn’t mind exploring, all the better. The trick is to not necessarily select a flight with a traditional layover, but instead to “stitch” separate tickets and flights together. So a one-way to Paris followed by another one-way to Buenos Aires might be cheaper than a one-way ticket to Buenos Aires, with or without a stop.

6.Check one-person flights first. Even if you’re booking for the entire family, be sure to do a separate search for the flights set to one person first. Many airlines hike up prices when you’re buying several seats at once.

7.Craft a package. It turns out that opting for travel packages (a flight and car, a flight and hotel, etc.) can save you big bucks on flights. It may seem counterintuitive, but adding a rental car onto your flight could save you hundreds of dollars.

hacks when travelling

Here are some travel hacks for packing that will make your next adventure a little bit easier.

  1. Keep a Packing Checklist

      

 "I keep an ongoing list in my phone of items of my absolute essentials to pack for every trip (charger, cleanser, bathing suit, daily sunscreen, etc.). It makes last-minute packing a lot less stressful because there's always a checklist for reference." — Katie Fish, Fashion Market Editor.

 2. Use Packing Cubes

"There's not much that makes me feel like an organized human as much as dividing my belongings into color-coded cubes. It's so wonderful to know exactly where everything you brought is as soon as you unzip your suitcase. Plus, you can very easily move your packing cubes into the drawers of your hotel dresser and instantly be done unpacking and ready to go." — Richelle Szypulski, Assistant Digital Editor.

3. Roll, Don't Fold

"I am a roll-don't-fold devotee. I also never check a bag, unless I’m taking my snowboard with me. Even then, only the snowboard gets checked, not the suitcase." — Laura Teusink, Managing Editor.

4.Pack by Outfit

"There's nothing more annoying than struggling to stuff everything back into your suitcase at the end of a trip only to realize you didn't even wear half the clothes you brought. That's why I started strictly packing by outfit — not individual item — and only letting pieces I had a plan for make the cut. I'll take a skirt only if I know I'm bringing a top and shoes that I would wear with it, and I'll think about the activities on my itinerary and what I see myself wearing while doing them. I hate checking a bag but love clothes, so being realistic and planning ahead is key." — Nina Ruggiero, Senior Digital Editor

5.Pack Socks Inside Shoes

To save more space in your carry-on bag, try packing your socks inside your shoes. Not only will that save space in your bag, the socks will help your shoes retain their form and prevent the shoes from getting squished in an overpacked bag." — Mary Robnett, Assistant Photo Editor

6.Have a Ready-to-go Health Kit

"After going on international adventures and suffering food poisoning, sudden fever, cuts and scrapes, terrible bug bites, and other ailments — and then having to navigate a foreign pharmacy — I've learned to always pack a small medical kit. I keep a toiletry bag ready to go stocked with Band-aids, Neosporin, pain relievers, cold medicine, medicine for stomach trouble, itch relief ointment, antibiotics (you can ask your doctor for an emergency prescription before you travel), and ear plugs (life savers on long-haul flights and trains). And if you never have to use it, all the better!" — Karen Chen, Digital Producer

7.Waterproof Your Bag

"My favorite tip is to waterproof my bag using what I’m already bringing with me. I line my suitcase with water-resistant things: rain boots on the bottom, for example, zip-locked toiletries and makeup bag on the sides, and a rain jacket on top. Voila: instant weather-tight luggage." — Melanie Lieberman, Associate Digital Editor

8.Pack Your Favorite Toiletries in Travel-sized Bottles

"Instead of relying on hotel shampoos and soaps, pack your favorite products. Nalgene has a cheap, simple travel kit that allows you to fill a few bottles with your own body wash, shampoo, and other toiletries. It's TSA-approved, spill-proof, and comes in a translucent carrying bag, so you don’t need to worry about getting through security." — John Scarpinato, Assistant Editor