Unless you’re driving your own car to a destination and using it for the duration of your stay, you’re going to need a plan for how to get from point A to point B. If you want to go anywhere, you need to budget for transportation costs. Consider your budget, and think about everything you want to do when you set foot in your new destination.
How Are You Getting to Your Destination?
If you need to get to your destination by bus, plane, or train, this is the longest haul of your travel. It’s going to be the most expensive transportation cost, making it one of the most important costs to economize. By booking your tickets as far in advance as possible, you’ll be able to secure the lowest cost. Some companies, particularly bus and plane companies, may have special fares for select days. Slightly adapting the length of your trip might help you save hundreds.
Make a List of Necessary Transportation
If you’re traveling to a rural destination, like for a camping or hiking trip, you might be limited to rental cars or car services because other forms of transportation may not take you that far. If you’re traveling to a major city, you might need bus or train (including subway train) fare. The kind of transportation you’ll need and the options available to you will vary by the nature of your destination.
Research and Compare Your Costs
Transportation costs vary from area to area. Places that are high volume tourist destinations often simplify fares and fare systems. New York City, for example, issues a one time cost Metro pass that allows riders unlimited access to both the trains and the buses. London utilizes a similar scheme with their Oyster Card, and Hong Kong has the similar Octopus card for flat rate long term travel. Research ahead of time to see if there’s a way to combine methods of public transport into a single cost.
If the area you’re going to visit has high cost fare, and you’re going to be traveling a lot while you’re there, consider renting a car. If there is a car sharing service, such as one that runs through an app, it might ultimately be less expensive to rely on carpooling or other sharing economy rides.
Investigate Short Term Solutions
If you’re willing to walk, that’s free. In some areas of the world, it’s worth the walk. You’ll be able to see and do more along the way, and all of that exercise might give you the license to try as much of the local food as you want. If you’re really looking to do some sightseeing, taking a walking tour of a city will allow you to see everything without spending a dime on transportation, and the people who go on these tours often get special deals from the local businesses. In the end, they nearly pay for themselves.
Alternatively, some major tourist locations offer rental bikes. You can use the bike for several hours for a low rate, and you’ll get where you’re going much faster than you would on foot. Bike tourism is becoming substantially larger as a business, and many major cities around the world encourage tourists to rent these bikes. See if your destination has a similar option.
They always say it’s about the journey and not the destination, but when you’re traveling, it’s a little bit of both. As long as you can budget enough for transportation and you’re prepared ahead of time, you’ll be able to enjoy the journey and the destination equally.
About the Author:
With her great interest in business, digital marketing and self-growth, Camilla Dabney supports Canadabiz.net as a Content Coordinator. Whenever not working, she enjoys spending her time traveling around the world, jogging and rock climbing. Feel free to follow her on her Twitter.