I was recently offered the chance to go on a last minute trip to one of the largest cities in the U.K. and although I had managed to scrape together some spending money travelling was going to cost a small fortune or so I thought. Just by chance I had that morning been watching a money advice program where the concept of split ticketing was raised. Now this little life hack does take a little bit of time but can save you money and is completely legal and above board. It seems to only apply to train travel though so this is the only drawback.
So how do I do it I hear you cry!
Well it is simply a case of looking into which stations you will be passing through and rather than buying a ticket for the entire journey, splitting your trip into several parts. No need to change trains or disembark. This method can save you well over £100 on very long journeys but is almost always cheaper than the easy option of a single destination ticket. My other advice would be to look into any cashback offers or voucher codes too as these can sometimes save you a fair bit.
Tricks to fitting more in your case
We have all been there, sitting on our suitcase trying to close it with enough crammed in to last us a good few months not weeks! By over cramming our cases we not only risk with it weighing too much but could also cause it to split open as it is being transport from the airport to the plane and back again.
Vacuum bags are a great way to save space. Obviously many of us will not have access to a vacuum at our destination but you don’t really need one. Squashing the air out of the bag manually and sealing it will still save a lot of space. When doing this it is important to remember that although the clothes will take up less room they will still weigh the same, so be sure to have a set of scales handy to check you are still within your luggage allowance.
Luxury VIP Travel
If you are looking to get around in style then you may consider hiring a chauffeur. Many people book a chauffeur driven car for trips to and from the airport when they want to relax before their flight and not have to worry about contending with driving in heavy traffic. Many of these luxury travel companies have a large fleet of cars that can be used for luxury travel such as limousines.
It may be that you have some clients that you want to impress and book a chauffeur driven car to take you all to an exhibition or to a business location. With most companies you can expect reassurance that you and your clients will arrive on time. Often in the vehicles there are complimentary newspapers and bottled water or even champagne and alcohol. The drivers will treat you and all your guests as VIP’s at all time and will drive safely and on the best route possible to your destination.
Luxury coach travel
Many people are wrongly under the illusion that coach holidays cannot be luxurious. A good coach holiday can offer a number of great benefits and allow you to really relax and enjoy your holiday in comfort.
Most luxury coaches are equipped with reclining seats, air conditioning, ambient lighting and music and toilets to make your travel as comfortable as possible.
Not only can you expect luxury from your coach but also there is often a well-informed guide on board to talk to you about local points of interest that you may want to find out more about. They can give you advice on where to visit and also where not to visit and may even be able to give you discount vouchers to enter local attractions.
Coach travel is often a lot cheaper than booking a taxi or hiring a car and why stress about driving when you can let someone else take you around.
Packing for a holiday in the UK
If you are looking to go on holiday in the UK then you will probably already know that you can never guarantee the weather. This can make it difficult when it comes to packing as you have to try and pack for all types of weather no matter what time of the year it is.
When packing your case, try and take clothing that can be layered so you do not have to pack too much. You can of course take your summer dresses in hope that the sun will come out but you can also take cardi’s and jackets to allow you to still wear them even on a cooler day.
Try not to take unnecessary items that simply take up space but are not really needed. Many people try and take items for every eventuality but realistically, if you really needed something you haven’t got you could either manage without it or buy it when you are away. This may be a little different if you are going abroad where brands and shops may differ from what we are used to in the UK.
Travelling on a budget
Travel is sometimes essential and other times for pleasure, but it can be very expensive. Most of us want to try and save money wherever possible. Below are a few tips on how you can do this:
- If renting a car people often assume that hiring one at a weekend will be more expensive but this is often not the case and it can in fact be the opposite. With the majority of business travel done throughout the working week, prices can sometimes be hirer that weekend hires.
- Keep an eye out for special offers or coupons that may save you money on your travel costs. Free return travel, two for one deals etc can really allow a budget to spread further, just try and be flexible on the dates you can go.
- Don’t take unnecessary luggage – it may sound simple, but packing less will save on fuel costs and also airline additional baggage charges (if you are over your allowance).
All Inclusive vs Self Catering
There are often many choices to make when it comes to booking your accommodation for a holiday. Often the accommodation is picked based on location and rating but price is also a major factor for many people. The resort you chose may also over different board types. Usually these are self-catering, half board, full board and all inclusive.
Self-catering is the option that usually just provides you with your room. Drinks, main meal and snacks are not included in the price and sometimes even access to entertainment may be an additional cost.
All-inclusive is exactly what it says, your drinks (often local spirits, beers and wines), all meals, snacks and often onsite entertainment are included in the price. Drinks are sometimes only included in the price up to a certain time. This option will cost you more but means that you can spend very little when away as your food and drink is already paid for.
A holiday with a difference
If you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie and love to go on holidays that push you to your limits then you could try possibly one of the hardest challenges in the world. Mount Everest is located in Nepal, South Asia is the tallest mountain in the world with its peak reaching over 29,000 feet above sea level.
This climb is not for the faint hearted and you must be in great health and super fit to undertake the challenge. The climb can cost a massive sixty five thousand dollars but really I something that you will probably only ever experience once. The climb itself can take a number of days with regular stops on the way and unfortunately some trips have not always ended well.
On the climb you will be led by a group of experienced climbers who will have the route plotted out for you and will know the times and places you need to rest.