How to Save Money While You Travel - Tips & Advice
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- www.woltersworld.com
Traveling can be expensive, but there are ways you can save money and not break your budget while traveling. We have come up with ten ways you can save money while traveling so you can extend your travels to more cities and even to have more days!
Filmed in Ravenna, Italy
Photographs, Content, Video, Audio and Content all Copyrighted by Mark Wolters 2012
if money does not matter, then it is a great place to go. lots of outdoor activities, good food, nice hotels, nice museums
Renting a car can be a money saver, but I was more referring to traveling within cities. If you are going to be driving around Ireland lets say then renting a car is definitely a better option.
And you are right about the off season times, but most all major cities still have full tourism services year round. The more beachy related ones though do shut down. Thanks for bring those points up! All the best! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words and I hope the advice can help you have a great vacation this summer!
Hostels, in fact, are always in the best locations. Book well enough ahead and get private room if desired. Also, one can grocery shop and cook in hostel kitchen. Another benefit is that you get to meet a variety of people. Don't think you'll feel out of place if you're not a twenty-something. Hostels get people of all ages.
You're the MAN, Mark. I do sooo enjoy your videos! Isn't it just great to have that child-enthusiasm for life, as a traveller?!! Your videos stir up the voyager in me too. Thank you!
cant say the best coffeeshops i am sure you will do fine when you are there :)
in switzerland the rafting is AMAZING and canyoning too. Interlaken is a big adventure tourism place in switerzerland where a lot of foreigners meet up
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the kind words
Many museums are free on first sundays of each month in Italy...
Thanks Mark for your travel tips You're so kind!!
Sure thing. We do do all these things to save money. It makes a big difference. I mean a week in paris with one meal a day from a supermarket saved us 350 euros (7 x 50 euros). it makes a difference. all the best and thanks for watching and commenting! hope you will subscribe!
Hi Walter you have a great video here. My favorite thing about you, is that you smile regardless of the weather and you summarize at the end.
Thanks for all the info. Tons of info.
Hi, a good tip about buying a couple of good souveniers than a lot of crap. Nowadays, I buy always a coffee mug, so it brings good memories in the morning when I'm drinking coffee :)
You have the best travel tips :D Thank you
Awesome Mark! Great tips. I use to follow some of them already. Now I know more. Thanks. See you in Stockholm :)
good things to keep in mind. thanks for the advice :)
Thanks a lot! Really helpful videos you made, I like most of them. I was planning to visit Switzerland, but you saved my money. keep on uploading. :)
Gour show has become one of my tops. You have become the Rick Steves of the general public, at least as far as travel tips go. Thank you for all of your guidance. I used so much of your advice while traveling the Wast Coast this last summer. Europe is in 2.5 years....that will be interesting.
I love your video's, you are a great speaker :-) I really like your tips, I love Europe so much and enjoy watching someone with lots of experience
shelley larose thanks shelley!
Great video, Wolter. 👍
Here’s another money-saving travel tip: Fly on a cheaper airline. Cathay Pacific is excellent. But it cost me over $1K to fly to Asia. So I flew on Asiana Airlines which cost me only $650.
thanks! I have done that before and yes I should have put something about that up there, find the "cheap/free" alternative :) all the best and thanks!
Nice Vid! Best advice for saving $ (and aggravation) is #8. Go in the off season. Attractions, hotels, queues and transportation costs are all reduced. The locals will also appreciate you more.
sounds good to me. Switzerland is fun just watch out for your budget :)
I am going back to Switzerland in May I love it and my boyfriend lives there. You right it is very very expensive
Love your videos. Thank you very much.
I stayed in a church in Switzerland, years ago on a mission trip.. it was amazing! I keep waiting on my Swiss friends to invite me back. Until till, learning how to travel longer and cheaper on the journey. Some day, I hope to make a video like this. These are some of my favorite videos. God bless you and family
Angela Cummings thank you angela! i hope you do get back soon! big travel hug to you and your family!
Love Italy! Also, I used to live in Switzerland....so expensive!
Can't believe this was posted 7 years ago and is still useful. This man, his wife and his gorgeous children have created a legacy. Going to places so we know what's up
Nice advice v helping to visit europe
Many supermarkets have ready made meals for sale. I was in Zurich (expensive, yes). I ended up purchasing some really decent sandwiches and beer (the beer was expensive) for a far more reasonable amount of money. The tip regarding off season travel is so true. In addition to being less expensive, there are fewer tourists around so the locals are far more relaxed and friendly. The service you get in your hotel tends to be a little better too...Again being a slower time for them. Being in Europe during the winter months is not as bad as it might seem. I was in Oslo New years day walking around in a leather jacket and a comfortable shirt not bundled up Chicago style. IT is not that bad.
great advice! We don't like to book things in advance because we typically never have a plan... but it is smart to consider costs of transportation when evaluating the price vs. location of your accommodation
I live in Switzerland - wonderful, but yeah, you're right.
@woltersworld Cool man, well thanks for the tips and stuff like that. Your videos are very helpful! And I subscribed to your channel so when ever you put up more tourism videos I'll be watching them.
thanks a lot
I actually lol'd when you mentioned Switzerland. Planning on taking my sister on her first trip and was just explaining we can't afford it. I spent 20chf on a pub burger meal last time there. Video shall serve as further reference :)
Great Tips!! I'd love to know more about how you've made a living out of travel! (I just found your videos, so perhaps you've already touched on this) ! Inspiring!
Thanks for all your videos that will make us help traveling in Europe in 2015.
I understand what you mean, but if you save 15 euros a day, after one week you have an extra day on your trip paid for. I do agree see everythign that you can because you never know when you will get back, but sometimes people do get burned out of seeing churches, museums, town halls day after day too. But yes, if you are going to "splurge" i would recommend it on going to more sights :) Thanks for wathcing and commenting! I appreciate it! Grazie!
Photos....love the integrity :)
Great video ! I usually buy those small fridge magnets :D my fridge is full of them and usually I buy different ones, not just the ones with a photo. Nice to look at them each time I use the fridge or cook.
Fridge magnets are super cheap -- I think they're a fun thing to buy too and every time you stop and notice one it brings back a nice memory.
I will put that on our next video and see how it works. If you enjoyed this video and the tips provided I hope you will subscribe as it would help us out a lot... too :)
Great videos (y)
Awesome
hahahaha i died at dont go to switzerland
Me too!
Yeah, and its totally truth. When I was in Switzerland I paid 12 Euro for a Kebap and a Soda, whereas in Germany I bought a very good salad, a Schnitzel with a portion of fried chips with an Orange juice for the same price.
Go to Norway!
Very true, however, Switzerland is wonderful. They do things so well, it's immaculate and it's classy. I was there 7 months ago and can't stop thinking about it. But I went to Europe (on a budget) 5 times before we had the cash (and real reason) to go there!
So honest, and so true. Do people actually get paid so high there, that things don’t seem forbiddingly expensive to them?
Supermarkets abroad are so fun! Plus it’s possible to get burnt out on restaurant food and just want some oatmeal, fruit, etc. it’s also cool to learn how different supermarkets are-will they bag my groceries for me? Do I need to bring my own bags? Are they open on Sunday?
Not to highjack here, but hand washing is a big one. I learned that lesson the hard way when the Cali Colombia Sheraton charged me 25 dollars to wash (and shrink) 3 black t-shirts. I now always tuck away some clothes pins and pick up a small bottle of detergent someplace and hand wash if necessary. I've found those 98 cent travel tubes of Caress makes a great, and I mean great shaving cream.
If backpacking use Eurolines buses and travel at night so you save a nights accommodation pay and bus stations in Europe are nearly always close to the city centre so you save on hassle of getting to the hostel. If you fly and use hostels ask the hostel for a pick up you would be surprised how cheap they charge and again you cut out the hassle of getting to the hostel. Ask the hostel for recommendations on restaurants and look for discounts on museums
Could I have your opinion on castles sight seeings? Price, time spent, location/far away from the general villages or towns.. Overall are they worth visiting in high numbers?
Great videos and thank you!
Great tips! I think you repeating your list at the end was a good idea. "Tell 'em. Then tell 'em. Then tell 'em what you told 'em." My dad.
Nice video, mate. Really made some great points. One thing I learned quickly was the buses in Portugal and Spain are much cheaper than the trains. I was able to save almost 50 euros going to each town I was visiting. Also, the outdoor markets can save you some major euros. Bread and fruit only cost me 3 euros.
Cheers!!!
great video
dimetonn thanks! glad you found this one.
Hey your videos took over the whole travel thing on youtube proud of u)) may i ask what is your sources on money to afford all this ? and does youtube money enough for you if you are a solo traveler ?
Most supermarkets have deli sections with "Home-Made" meals. Whenever I travel, I go to the supermarkets. I can get really good local food For cheap. I've done this in Italy, Spain, Romania, etc. Yes, Switzerland is extremely expensive. I lived in Italy For 15 years.....the last 5 years in a town near the Swiss border. The Italian town was full of Swiss grocery shopping and going out to eat. The Swiss towns had a lot of Italian tourists but they just Walked around and didn't go grocery shopping or go out to the restaurants.
Oh I'm going to Switzerland, and it will be on a budget.
Try staying just outside Switzerland and commuting in daily, that'll save on housing. And buy your food in supermarkets outside and bring it in. That'll save on dining. France will work well for Geneva and Germany for Zurich. Look for free days to save on museums. And if you don't mind roughing it, take a commuter out into the country, walk outside town, and throw down your sleeping back in some lovely meadow.
You'll also need to find an inexpensive way to travel, either a rail pass or cheap buses. Overnight trains are a good way to get travel and housing together, as well as saving time. And many rail passes treat an overnight rail journey as a single day.
Years ago, I coped with how expensive Norway and Sweden were by taking advantage of my unlimited rail pass. One day, I saw Oslo and took an overnight train to Stockholm. The next I saw Stockholm and took and overnight train back to Oslo.
The souveniors remark had me 🤣🤣🤣
@terecave73 Yeah, same thing happened to me in Italy. Online would not work so went to station to get tickets and whamo full price. Which sucked because we had bought tickets online with trenitalia before no problems... Ugh. Thanks for wat watching and commenting.
Let add to this: when in London do not take a taxis, use the tube or London buses. If you are thinking of going from London to Scotland again use a bus, for if you book this 3 to 4 weeks before your trip it can cost as little as 1 pound, there offers like this on trips to all the main towns.
Note this just 1 way, but the train can cost you 45 times more, if you are going by train do not buy on the day, as this will be the highest cost.
with the breakfast it`s mostly the same in the states
Thanks. I hope they can help you save a few euros on your next trip. And the kids make up for my less than movie star looks :)
All the best!
Ahahahha! Yeah screw that still going to Switzerland! Worth it!
He's so right on souvenirs, try to avoid souvenirs shops and all those establishments for tourists, they sell sh*t. I went to Florence few months ago and wait 'till the last day for buying a souvenir, I wanted something relevant from that place, then I did some research and I realized that Pinocchio's author, Carlo Collodi, was born in Florence and I decided to buy a copy of "le avventure di Pinocchio" in a local library for only 9,99€ (11USD), a very nice one with a vintage look, for me it has way more value than a cheap pointless souvenir from a souvenir shop. Obviously, this is just my personal advice XD.
Over here in the US some (most?) of the cheap souvenirs are actually made in China.
So true. I was in Florence last july and found out Rossini was buried there so I got a score of The Barber of Seville from a music shop by the Piazza della Repubblica. More meaningful than any magnet made in china
Rafael Sakta ur souvenir sounds great!! I'll go to Florence this summer..could u pls tell me the address of this local library ?😀
After checking some local libraries I finally found the copy that I liked the most in an Italian library chain called IBS+Libraccio, in Via de' Cerretani, near the Piazza del Duomo, so yes, it's not exactly a local library exclusive from Firenze but from Italy. The copy I get was one with a pale green cover illustrated by Enrico Mazzanti. hope it helps you, Susanti.
@rafael sakta, many thanks 😀👍
I always stay in hostel mixed bedrooms ,and buy food in a supermarket..
He's really not kidding about Switzerland. On the TGV from Paris to Geneva, the conductor told me "Ah, you are going to Geneva, the centre of the Universe. Now remember -- you must not say that Geneva is expensive. You must say that Geneva is VERY expensive!" and then he laughed and laughed.
My husband and I went out for a curry in Geneva. Two curries, two bowls of rice, two beers, $100 NZ.
@Explore94tv Same here. We only book a few of the definite travel days. The rest is by the seat of our pants
Hi, Mark. Thanks for the tips. You mentioned discounts on rail tickets. Are rail passes much of a bargain anymore? I used a Eurail pass years ago, and it was generally quite convenient. In fact, in one instance, I got on the wrong train in Italy -- an express train -- and instead of going to Siena from Florence, I wound up in Rome, AT NIGHT, with all my stuff in the hotel back in Florence. Fortunately, after a quick jaunt around the Colisseum, I was able to hop another train back to Florence, and got there safely the same night. That was twenty years ago. I don't know whether current rail passes are as convenient today, but my impression is that they are not. For example, reservations are always required for TGV or express trains, and there is often a surcharge. What can you tell us about this?
scmager once you are over 25 they don't (in my opinion) pay off as well. If you get a rail pass for a country or two where tickets are expensive like Germany or the UK then it might be fine. But look at what yo uwould spend for normal tickets there (and now you can order online early and get a discount) and then compare. sometimes it is worth the convenience and other times it doesn't. so a case by case thing, but I don't use them anymore
scmager As Mark already said, in some countries, they're still good value, if not for the price, than for the convenience, but not in all countries and on all trains, and even less, so if you're over 26.. Reasonably good idea because normal ticket prices are quite high and reservation is optional: in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. In France, it's still quite interesting as the surcharge isn't too high, but for Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe...: not interesting, buying your tickets locally is much cheaper, especially the domestic tickets. Only if you do a lot of countries, with lots of international tickets and classical trains, and you don't like the hassle of buying tickets every time (if you don't need a compulsary reservation, that is), a Pass might be worth the (extra) price.
by the way, Louvre is free on first saturday or sunday (dont remember exactly) of the month, regards!
+ziobleed Thanks again!
How early should I book hotels and trains to get a deal? I leave in 2 weeks.
Hello mate, i agreed with most point you listed in your video except 2 things :-
-number five ( Public transport ), I suppose renting a car is a good choice for traveling in Europe especially in Munich ( cheapest place to rent a car compared with other euro countries ) its not cheapest than public transport but its much fun than other, its cost around 30 to 50 EU depend on time you book it.
-number eight ( off season ), all i knew is the tourist facilities is start from 20-April until September.
Where do you find the money to travel so much? what is your job? how much do you earn? what is your salary? sorry my english is not perfect
valeu , boas dicas... ( great, good pic's)
lol its funny another traveler I'm subscribed to gave the same warning about Switzerland lol
@woltersworld Have you ever been to any of the coffeeshopes in Amsterdam? If so which one do you like best? And there's a raft thing I want to do in Switzerland it's on the river aare, and you can take a little raft from thun to Berne, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?
Neglect the big cities and stay at a bed and breakfast/hostel in the countryside. Avoid crowded tourist attractions like Venice. Do not walk around wit a lot of money. Ask locals for advice. Skip your flight when fully booked (you will be rewarded by the airlines). There are many many more alternatives.
But I have to ask WW. I am doing two days in Rome (first time, wish I could spend more than 2 days), then 4 days in Budapest (catch the last two days of the ceremonial Oktoberfest there. From there I want to see another city for two and position myself for my flight back to the States. I'm thinking either, Vienna, Zurich, or Barcelona (my rewards tickets are a big reason for the narrow list). I am big photographer buff and cultural buff and certainly not wealthy. Which would you recommend? I will be with a 22 year old as well.
Dear Mark,
I was wondering how much you typically spend on a trip. I'm a 21 year old single student and ever since watching your China video I've wanted to go there. How many thousands of dollars would you want to save up before spending a few weeks in China.
mark how much does a 2 week trip to Switzerland will cost in USD?
Do you have one or can you do one on Miami? Cheap places to visit, things to do, culture?
+Marchay Grays nothing on Miami right now. we may have some things from florida later this year but not sure if we will get down to Miami sadly
@woltersworld what if budget/money doesn't matter to you but on a loose budget when it comes to going to Switzerland? You would recommend it huh? I'd love to go there one day for about a week or so. Thanks.
Ahh thanks man, and I'm going to buy a bus pass thing when I get there and it's like 275 euro and it's a 30 day pass and you can travel to 51 cities with it. And I'm going to be going to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland (even though you said not to ;)), Austria, Czech republic, and then Maybe Hungary, let me know what you think of all that and if you have any suggestions on changing anything.
Thanks for the tips! If you want cheap souvenirs, skip the snow globes and shot glasses and get a refrigerator magnet. They're small, they're not expensive, and you will actually use them when you get home!
Thanks for your advice.. I am planning to travel to Paris, but in your video about the 5 things love/hate about paris you have mentioned pickpockets in paris. I love to keep all my money in my shoulder strap bag and put all the money and my passport in a zip and I also lock the bag with a small lock and carry the key around my neck. I carry only what I am intended to spend on a day..What do you recommend? and pls don't say hotel safe..
subbed
Iceland is extremely expensive too!
#11 - dine and dash!!
This is great because next year I am going to London/Paris for 2-3 weeks and I only saved up $4400-$5000 which will be deducted by a $1000 considering airfare and what I have will only translate to around $2000 in pounds/euros.
OMG! Don't go to Switzerland..... that is so funny! I just came from Switzerland & it is quite expensive! Beautiful, but expensive indeed :)
I Watched your videos and many of your tips are spot-on! :)
Very nice and informative video. .Thanks for the job!:)
dfalchione thanks :) glad we could help
LOL Switzerland was so beautiful...
Ursula Milani Switzerland is seriously amazing gorgeous! but yeah... that whole expensive as heck thing does make it tough ;)
u have anything on scicily
I agree that Switzerland is expensive, but I would not miss it! Agree with you totally about #8, off season is much cheaper, AND there are almost no crowds or long lines. Gets dark pretty early in N. Europe, though.
Follow up- I agree with you about ALL of these, didn't mean to imply that I only agreed with #8. Also, you mention here not going into some places- so true! THE most over rated things in London are The London Dungeon and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. The Dungeon is not worth going into at all, would barely be worth it if it was free. Tussaud's was more impressive, but not worth the money.
Hey that's the city where i live 😍
Go to places where you know people if you can. Local people can save you money not only on living but they can take you places that are worth it. They know what places a re crowded and save you time as well.
Visiting locals is the best! They know all the secrets.
Mark, call me up the next time you're in Switzerland. I'll show you around and you'll see landscapes a normal tourist doesn't see. And I can show you how you get the most off this beautiful country for less money! :-) Take care
should I keep my passport with me all the time? I'm going to Paris and they say there are many pick pockets there. Is it safer to keep my documents in my room?
I would keep your passport hidden. Mark says to put your passport in the safe at the hotel. Have you considered a money belt?
When you say 'book early'. How early?
Nice video, I know that you are speaking about save money,
BUT
regarding n.6,
I want to say this: once you are paying like 1/2000 for a trip why save 50 avoiding a possible nice sight/activity?
11. Go to countries that are cheaper in purchase value. Places such as China, Mexico, Brazil and all of those places with lower purchasing power.
I like how fast you talk. Very efficient. I don't feel like your videos are filled with wasted time rambling. thank you
last time i heard the coffeeshops in amsterdam are not allowed to sell to tourists anymore. which doesnt bother me but i guess a lot of people are gonna be annoyed when they get there
You talk about buying paintings when traveling. How do you get them home without them getting damaged?
The thing about supermarkets is language barrier. I went to a supermarket in Holland and realized all the labels/instructions were purely in Dutch. So I just stuck to buying things that I knew what it was. Granted I was shopping for things that I could bring back to my home country not fresh produce, pastry, and meat.