HOW CAN YOU SAVE MONEY WHILE TRAVELLING?

You can call me stingy if you choose to, but while travelling I am very conscious about how I spend my hard earned money. In an ideal world the more you spend, the more you get. That is all right but the next question you should be asking yourself is that do you need it? Ideally the logic is that the more money you spend, the more the more exciting experience you enjoy and the better time you have. But unfortunately that's not always the case. While some travel luxuries are definitely worth the money you spend on them, plenty of others are not. These aren't rip-offs or scams – they're simply indulgences or added extras that are supposed to make your travelling life more enjoyable.

But they're simply not worth it. For travellers looking to save a few bucks, these are the luxuries you can easily afford to miss out on.

Travel clothing

Trust me, you don't need travel clothing. I went to do the Kailash & Mansarovar yatra with a good sports shoe and proper insulation and wind cheaters. No fancy hiking boots, costly sun glasses and fancy head covers were ever required. Unless you're participating in a specialist activity, something like hiking or cycling or mountain-climbing, there's really no need for branded gear that comes from a travel store. Just wear the clothes you always wear: you'll fit in much better, and you'll save plenty of money.

Multi-lounge access passes

I've looked into a few of these passes, given I travel so often and I'm not a gold or platinum frequent flyer with any airline, and they just don't seem worth the money. This is what the usual deal is: you pay membership, you get a card, and you get access to a certain number of participating airline lounges around the world. The thing is, with most memberships you'll still have to pay per entry into the lounges, plus those lounges are nowhere near as luxurious as you're probably picturing, and pass holders will be the first to be knocked back if they're getting too busy. Airport all around the world are getting more and more customer friendly and instead of sitting in the golden lounge you can spend quality time in Changi admiring all the greenery and nature or Schiphol tasting the varied cuisines of Europe or Hong Kong enjoying the IMAX cinema!

Bottled water

Filtered, clean water sold in sealed bottles is a necessity in some developing countries of Africa and Asia. But in plenty of others it's not. You can drink tap water, the same as you do at home – there's no need to shell out $4 a pop for stuff that's been put in a bottle. You'll save money by avoiding an unnecessary cost, and save the planet by reducing single-use plastics. In many airports like IGI New Delhi and CSM Mumbai you can drink straight from the water fountains and with a little bit of practice you shirt won’t get wet either!

Rental car insurance

Rent a car is convenient but the insurance can be a trap. Doesn't matter what you choose on the website when you book, when you get to the counter to pick up your hire care you'll be upsold on the insurance. Do you want comprehensive insurance, they'll ask? With zero excess? It sounds tempting, but if you have travel insurance already, or insurance provided by your credit card company, you're probably already covered. No need to be insured twice. So being aware of your insurance status beforehand saves money!

The finest dining

The foodie that I am this is my weakness, but I have changed of late. I used to think that to sample the best food in the world, it was worth shelling out an insane amount of money every now and then. I thought you could justify spending  big bucks on an up-market Sushi restaurant in Tokyo but now I know that better sushi and of lot many variety are available at much cheaper rates and all you have to do is ask any local, preferably a student. Pizza is definitely different in Altrove and Ego Bistorot in Rome from what you get in Pizza Hut a few blocks away but smaller pizzerias like Mamma Roza and De Remo are equally good and much cheaper! Always rely on word of mouth to find authentic joints that cook local favorites with good quality ingredients and do not go for the flashiest neon sign on Times Square. 

Business class

I've been lucky to fly business class a few times, and it's a total game-changer. Everything is easier, from check-in to security to boarding to the flight itself. People address you by name. There's a bar to hang out at when you're bored. I've absolutely loved those experiences. However, could I justify paying for business class? When a corporate or a University pays for my ticket it is all right but would I consider spending five or six times the economy fare just to fly in comfort? No. I would rather plan another trip!

Choosing your seat

If you're travelling with your family, paying extra to choose your seat when you book an air ticket is annoying, but necessary. I book well in advance and choose the window seat as soon as I am allowed to book online. If you're travelling with a loved one or a friend you really want to sit next to on a flight that's likely to be crowded, it's also something you'll just have to do or else you may have to pay extra. However, for those travelling alone, particularly on short-haul flights, paying extra to choose your seat is just not worth it.

Excess baggage

Anyone who's looked into the cost of dragging a few extra kilos of check-in luggage along with them would already know how prohibitively expensive the fees are. It's cheaper to send your goods by air freight and meet them at your destination than pay to take them on board. If you have a full fare ticket the airlines will allow you 30 Kg on international and 15 Kg on domestic routes bur budget airlines may not allow you so much. So please confirm your baggage limits and stick to it.

Bellhop service

I am from Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, where having a few courtiers around is more style than comfort, even if they are holding only your umbrella and carrying only your ticket! But I must admit this style has not rubbed on me yet. It doesn't cost a lot to have a friendly bellhop drag your wheelie luggage up to your hotel room – maybe only a few rupees. But still, you have wheelie luggage. It's not really necessary to have someone else drag it.

Expensive resorts and hotels

Surely they offer value for money and if you are out on a vacation to relax and recharge your batteries go for them. With massage, spa, and Ayurvedic extravaganza you will return a changed person! But if you are out on a sightseeing trip stay in a comfortable hotel near the city so that you spend less on both your stay and commuting to your desired city attractions. 

City tours

If you don’t have the time then city tours with English speaking guides are fun. The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, the Vatican tour of museums and Sistine Chapel are all exciting. Better than that, and only if you have a bit more time in hand is the hop in hop out buses in Florence and London. Equipped with audio guide in many languages they give you a bit more time to explore. If however you have plenty of time and these tours don't appeal to you because you don't feel much of a sense of discovery when you have someone to lead you around a place, to point out the monuments and the interesting buildings and the sights you are like me. I like to wander or cycle. I like to stumble on things. I like to take my time. You're never able to do that with a guide on a day-tour and it will cost you far less!

Data roaming

This is a bad idea. Buy a local SIM card, if they're readily available, or rely on free Wi-Fi in hotels, bars and restaurants if they're not. Spending up big bucks on data roaming just so you can google things or check your Whats App, Facebook and Instagram in far-off places isn't worth it.

Emergency airport purchases

This is never a good idea. It doesn't matter how much you think you need that eye mask or that power adaptor or that bottle of water, you don't want to buy it at the airport. Save your money.

Foreign transaction fee

Before you travel anywhere, it’s a good idea to stop by the local branch of your bank and tell them where you’re headed. You’ll not only learn about foreign transaction fees (and how to avoid them), but also any concerns the bank may have about your using the card in your travel destination. If you plan to use a credit card overseas, make sure to get one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Bad exchange rate

One of the biggest money-wasting mistakes travellers make is waiting to exchange dollars for foreign currency until they arrive at the airport or at their destination. Airport kiosks, hotel desks, street vendors, and shops make extra money by charging an undesirable rate of exchange. Obtain currency from your bank or a currency exchange at home. If you don’t already have a debit card from your bank, get one so that you can withdraw cash from most foreign ATMs at a favourable exchange rate.

Raking up credit card debt

Remember, your credit card is for emergency. What I mean is if you choose to use your credit card to pay for a vacation (or a souvenir, or a meal, for that matter) and you are not able to pay off within a month or so once you get home you may be looking at a rather uncomfortable debt. Some credit card rates, not to mention penalties and late fees, can mean paying double for your dream trip over time.