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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Eight popular tourist destinations from different parts of the world are discussed here; these seven countries are U.S.A., Australia, Canada, U.K., Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brazil. The countries discussed here can be used to envision similar traits for nearby countries which portray similarity in terms of demographics, weather and economy.
With a few exceptions it is seen that accommodation is the most expensive part even for a budget traveler.
Thankfully, there are other options which can help reduce the cost in most countries, which vary as per the destination. Transport system also differ significantly from one country to another and a good knowledge of the system can help travelers save on taxis which are the most expensive mode to travel in every part of the world.
Following are the key findings for every geography that was being explored.
U.S.A.
1.
Since the country is huge, using a Camper Vans when in group of 2 or more is most advisable.
This will not only save on your lodging costs, but will also cut down on your cost of meals, as most camping site will provide grills and other appliances for cooking.
2.
Unlike most countries fast food is less expensive than fresh food. This is to be kept in mind, when hitting the grocery stores for food shopping.
3.
Hostels and university accommodations are widely available, which is a good option for lone travelers.
Australia
1.
This is also a big country with a lot of camping sites available. So using a camper van will be useful, with the same advantages as mentioned above for U.S.A. There are also cabins available in the colder parts of the country.
2.
Most cities are located along the coastal regions, such as Melbourne and Sydney. These do not have many tourist attractions/monuments, and are more famous for their lifestyle. These are also very expensive cities, especially with the strengthening Australian dollar.
3.
Greyhound buses will be main source of transport for budget travelers. Trams within the city will be a useful for transport within the city.
Canada
1.
Canada again like the abovementioned countries will be best traveled through a camper van for groups of 2 or more. You can also camp in National Parks, and the cost of camping grounds can go very low in small towns if bargained well.
2.
Bed & Breakfast is a European form of accommodation, you can find in here, where locals use their homes as guest houses. Although, hostels will still be your cheapest option when traveling alone.
3.
Buses are good source of transportation, though you can also rent cars without an international driving license here, and can drive around for 3 months with no need for it. From October to
June, discounts are available on trains.
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
U.K.
1.
Lodging like most places in Mediterranean Europe, is most expensive, and this is someplace where travelers should look into the free accommodation options such as couchsurfing or House swapping if possible.
2.
Since the country is not very big in area, you can save on airlines cost, and travel around in trains and long haul buses called coaches. Passes such as britrail pass and the railpass are good to have when traveling.
3.
Big portions of Fish and Chips and eating ethnic food will be your best options for budget meals.
Eating in Pubs wherever available will cost you less than a restaurant.
Malaysia
1.
Asia in general is a cheaper tourist destination as compared to the Americas and Europe.
Therefore hotels will be a viable option even for budget travelers. Malaysia is also famous for its beach huts, which provide the solitude of the beach and a calm relaxing ambiance.
2.
The country is well connected through rail networks and several discounts are available for students, local and foreigner.
3.
Food is cheap and many local cuisines are worth looking into. Even the restaurants are affordable as long as you don’t go looking for international cuisines.
Singapore
1.
Unlike Malaysia, hotels can go very expensive in Singapore some even matching European standards. Thankfully, chains of hostels and lodges are available, though a review from other travelers is advisable.
2.
With one of the best public transportation in Singapore, it is easy and cheap to get around.
Though you may want to avail the option of taxis during peak hours and utilize the knowledge of local drivers about shortcuts.
3.
Street food provided by local hawkers is a good deal, also taking into account the hygiene factor.
Food courts and local restaurants are most advisable.
Hong Kong
1.
Your best option for lodging in Hong Kong will be YMCA network of hostels, which have far greater quality here as compared to other YMCAs around the world. There is also an option for service apartments provided you are planning a long stay.
2.
Buses, MRTs, and Ferries are the best way to get around in the city as well as to nearby islands which are in plenty. You will need to have a pass called the Octopus Card, to avoid the hassle of keeping exact change.
3.
To keep the meal budget in check, follow the same guidelines as for Singapore and you will be fine.
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Brazil
1.
While hotels have gone expensive, there are a number of other accommodation types available.
Some of these are Pousadas, Albeurges (Hostels), Fazenadas, and boat hotels.
2.
Traveling around is little tougher than most places as there is hardly a rail network, very little metro network and taxis as usual will be expensive. Buses are your best option, even if they are time consuming.
3.
Hunting for best bargains is most necessary for meals, as prices vary wildly here. Use the local markets and enjoy the street food.
There is a constant rise in the no. of tourist destinations. There are also some places which still are the favorites, despite their costs. The given infographic points out the major tourist destinations of the world and what is so famous about them.
Source: Forbes Traveler
While there are many tourist destinations available today, we have picked a few major countries of interest to demonstrate the savings that can be made as stated earlier. In the following pages we would look at United States of America, Canada, U.K., Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, Hong Kong and Singapore, and look at the local facilities available which can help you fit these tours into your budget.
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Accommodation
1.
Camping
Most major parts have camping sites available in the national parks. These will include a grill for cooking, space for tents, a communal toilet and a shower area. The rates can go as low as
5 dollars a night.
2.
University Accommodations
Many large universities have dormitory rooms available during summer and there is at least one university in every major city. You can avail a room and a shower for a very modest price.
3.
Youth Hostels
YMCA and YWCA have youth hostels in almost all major US cities, which include showers, sleeping room and at times a meal.
4.
Hotels
When visiting major cities, try staying in the neighboring areas. For example, while staying in
New York, the average cost for a hotel room in Times Square will be around $225, if you stay in Jersey the hotel rates can come down to as low as $124, and you can go further cheap by using city industry area where a room cost will be around $85.
A comparison of hostels vs. hotels is shown in figure 1 to give you an idea of costs involved in accommodation .
Accomodation Rates in USA
300
200
100
0
$125
$45
$100
$200
$155
$215
$30
$65
$23
$63
$86
$150
$19
$48
$92
$182
New York
City
Washington
D.C.
Los Angeles
Major US Cities
Miami
Beach
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 1 Cost of Accommodations in major US cities
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
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Transportation
1.
Airlines
USA is a country of great distances. Advance-purchases, round trip tickets with a Saturday night stay can reduce the cost of airfare.
2.
Bus
Bus may be your cheapest option to travel in USA, and they are easily available. Unlimited travel passes in seven to six day increments are available through Greyhound Bus Company. Special reduced fares are also available for students and international travelers.
3.
Train
The problem of long distance and cheap fares can be addressed through trains. They can be economical, but only for long distances. Amtrak, offers a 30 day unlimited pass for unlimited travel across America. They may cost from $300-$500, but if you are travelling long distances in short time, this may prove cheaper in the long run.
When traveling within the city a lot of options can be compared, this is done in figure 2.
Transportation within the city
$14
15
10
5
0
$2
$11
$3
$9
$5
$2
$10
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
New York City Washington
D.C.
Los Angeles
Major US Cities
Miami Beach
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 2 Cost of local transport in major US cities
Also to consider is the transport cost from airport to city, which can vary greatly as is demonstrated by figure
3.
Transportation from Airport to city
$80
80
60
40
20
0
$11
$48
$18 $17
$2
$7
$28
$2
$32
$19
Airtrain/Bus
Taxi
Shuttle bus/Metro
New York
City
Washington
D.C.
Los Angeles Miami Beach
Major US cities of Travel
Fig. 3 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in major US cities
Source: Price
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
1.
Fast Food
While elsewhere in the world fast food is more expensive than fresh foods, it’s the reverse in
USA. This is your cheapest option, with sandwiches, burgers and fast food restaurants offering fried chicken, Mexican Tacos, Greek Gyros, Chinese dishes, Japanese sushi, Bar-B-Que and many regional specialties. Large portions through value meals can be found, with breakfast going as cheap as 3 dollars to lunch getting covered within 5 dollars.
2.
Convenience Stores
These places offer snacks, pastries, cold coffees and similar which can cover your breakfast in just a few dollars.
3.
All you can eat buffets
This can be one place where from 7-10 dollars a lunch and within 10 to 15 dollars a dinner can be accomplished satisfying your hunger completely at the same time.
Figure 4 compares the budget meals across different cities in US to give you an idea of what your average meal would cost.
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
$5
$6
$10
$21
$6
$8
$10
$14
$32
$22
$5 $5
$7
$10
$4
$7
$9
$14
$30
$7
New York
City
Washington
D.C.
Los Angeles
Major US Cities
Miami Beach
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 4 Cost of different meals in major US cities
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Accommodations
1.
Caravan Parks
With the Australian outback region, caravan parks will be the most common and cheapest means of accommodation. They cost from $20 – $35 Typically $24 for 2 people for a powered site. If you are in for a long haul, then it is advisable to take up memberships from the main group of private parks such as Family Parks of Australia, Big 4, or Top Tourist Parks, which will allow you discounts of 10%.
2.
Cabins
Other options include taking up cabins, especially in cold areas. These would range from $40 to
$80. Most include cooking facilities, so you can cut on your eating expenses.
3.
Camping
This is the cheapest option and a spot will cost you around $10 to $20 per night if you have a tent or a car.
4.
Hotels & Hostels
There are options within hostels with which price varies in Australia. Typical cost is around $20 to $40, but private rooms with shared bathroom will take that cost within $65 to $100. For budget Hotels, the cost will be around $80 with a double room, private bathroom, TV and breakfast.
An overview of costs of Australian hotels and hostels is shown in figure 6.
200
150
100
50
0
$28
$60
$165
$118
$152
$26
$99
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Melbourne Sydney
Major Australian Cities
Hotel Three Star
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 5 Cost of Accommodations in major Australian cities
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Transportation
1.
Airlines
Many airlines offer last minute deals, if you are watchful you can strike a great deal with airlines.
Keep looking around and asking for discounts and you may find some.
2.
Buses & Trains
Train system is not very widespread in Australia, and mainly covers the east coast. Buses will be your best option to explore around, especially through Greyhound which offers passes starting from 107$ to $2500. There are other options for backpackers such as Oz experience, but the best way would be to drive around in Campervans. Rentals start at $45.
Local transport can be compared with the help of the given figures 6 and 7, which show costs of travelling within the city, and also from the airport to the city.
60
40
20
0
$54
$17
$4
$30
$14
Airtrain/Bus
Taxi
Shuttle bus/Metro
Melbourne Sydney
Major Australian cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 6 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in major Australian cities
Transportation within the city
15
10
5
0
$4
$11
$4
$12
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
Melbourne Sydney
Major Australian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 7 Cost of local transport in major Australian cities
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Meals
1.
Grocery Shopping
Eating in Australia can be expensive, so best way is to use the grocery stores. Since most bagpackers will either be camping or using a caravan, more often than not, you would have a kitchen.
2.
Accommodation Meals
Cheap Hotels, backpacker lodges and youth hostels can also provide inexpensive meals. So keeping an eye out would help.
3.
Timing of the meals
Like most places lunch would be cheaper than dinners, so make that main meal of your day. Also, it’s a good idea to stock up on snacks such as bars, crackers and butter, which can be used between meals.
Figure 8 can help you get an idea of the cost of food in Australia and also see why lunch would be your best option .
40
30
20
10
0
$38
$36
$9
$12
$15
$7
$9
$12
$17
$7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Melbourne Sydney
Major Australian Cities
Pint of Beer
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 8 Cost of different meals in major Australian cities
An overview of where the tourists are coming from and which places are more popular than others, is displayed in the following infographic.
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Sources: UNTWO, Tourism Research Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Accommodations
1.
Hotels and Motels
While hotels and motels are available across Canada, motels may be a better option as they mostly have kitchens You can expect to pay from $40 to $70. Although finding cheap accommodations during summer may be difficult.
2.
Bed and Breakfast
Here you will find private residences offering a room, with breakfast included. This is a great way to meet locals; however the prices start from $80 and can go over $200.
3.
Hostels
Canadian Hostel system has gone through major changes and the hostels here are now meant to appeal all ages. They can be a 2 bunk bed to 10 bunk bed rooms, with kitchen, lounge and laundry. Most will also have internet access, bike rentals and organized tours. As usual, they are cheaper than hotels.
4.
Camping and RVs
Campgrounds with picnic tables, cook shelters, showers and powered hookups are very common.
They can also be bargained with in smaller places, and you can get it for less than $10. National
Parks provide camping sites on first come first serve basis and will cost around $12.
Figure 9 compares hotel and hostel rates in major Canadian cities taken as sample to represent Canada.
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
$23
$48
$76
$130
Accomodation Rates in Canada
$140
$98
$118
$81
$55
$58
$21
$26
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
Montreal Toronto Vancouver
Major Canadian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 9 Cost of Accommodations in major Canadian cities
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Transportation
1.
Airlines
Canada is very well connected through flights and is a good option for fast travel. Two most popular airlines are AirCanada and WestJet. Westjet is known to be one of the most price efficient airlines in the world, and can come in useful for travelers working through a budget.
2.
Rail
One of the most common trains is the Canadian. While travelling through this mode is always cheaper than flying the frequency of the trains is low. Discounts are available for advanced bookings from October to June, which go up to 40%. For those who are less than 25 years of age or more than 60 years of age, an additional discount of 10% can also be availed.
3.
Bus
Greyhound serves across Canada and no reservations are necessary. It also provides pass periods of seven days ($275), 10 days ($345), 15 days ($415), 21 days ($455), 30 days ($515), 45 days
($575), and 60 days ($655) and allows unlimited travel west of Montreal. There can be promotional fares available, that one should look out for .
4.
Cars or RVs
Cars can be rented when in Canada, or you can even drive your car into Canada. For the first three months, your driver license will be valid, wherever you may come from. All vehicles are heavily discounted between late September and mid june, ranging from $30 to $200 per week. In summer, however rates go dramatically up. Expect to pay around $60 a day to start.
For transport within Canada, the following figures will help gain a measure of the costs involved.
50
$38
$47
$20 $29
Airtrain/Bus
$3
$8
$3 $4
$9
Taxi
0
Montreal Toronto Vancouver
Major Canadian cities
Shuttle bus/Metro
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 10 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in major Canadian cities
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
$3
$10
$3
$11
$3
$6
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
Montreal Toronto Vancouver
Major Canadian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 11 Cost of local transport in major Canadian cities
Meals
Cook
Meals can be expensive. The best way to save costs on meals will be to cook for yourself. Considering you are staying in hostels, motels or camping you will have cooking facilities close by.
The average cost of meals while you are cooking will come up to be $50 to $75 per week. For a per day expense on different meals of the day, refer figure 12.
Meal Expenses in Canada
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
$6
$8
$13
$27
$4
$7
$8
$12
$27
$4
$6
$7
$10
$23
$5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Montreal Toronto Vancouver
Major Canadian Cities
Pint of Beer
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 12 Cost of different meals in major Canadian cities
For someone planning a road trip through Canada, the following infographic should serve well a guide.
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Sources: Credit Card Canada
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Accommodations
1.
Bed & Breakfast
One of the more affordable accommodation types in U.K., where lodging is one of the most expensive in the world. These are self catering apartments which also provide breakfast as the name suggests, with an in home feel. Some of the companies which operate affordable cottages are base2stay, Royal Garden Apartments and Coastal Cottages.
2.
Youth Hostels
With over 200 hostels across Britain and Wales, the youth hostels association runs affordable, comfortable accommodations, and provides food at reasonable costs. They would typically cost you around $56 to $80 per night, and generally provide breakfast.
3.
Hotels
While staying in a hotel in U.K. is not for a budget customer, some of the hotels run guaranteed dollar rates, which can save you from exchange rate fluctuations. Some of these hotels are
Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments, Egerton House Hotel, 41 and the Milestone Hotel.
Figure 13 represents the cost of hotels and hostels taking into consideration two major places of interest in
U.K., London and Edinburgh
250
200
150
100
50
0
$220
$27
$80
$108
$15
$55
$90
$120
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
London Edinburgh
Major U.K. Cities
Hotel Three Star
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 13 Cost of Accommodations in major U.K. cities
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Transportation
1.
Airlines
Air travel is not a necessity in U.K., as most places are well connected through buses and trains.
For best deals you will have to look through the net, though discounts and cheap fares will have to be bargained and are rare to find. Also, this is one of the costs you may want to spare.
2.
Buses & Train
Advance rail tickets and long haul buses, also known as coaches, are the best budget travel option in U.K. Cheap coach fares can be bought from Megabus, also operating megatrains. For young people between the ages of 16-24 and for Seniors, discounts are available. There are also a couple of passes, the britrail pass, which allows unlimited rail travel throughout U.K. and the railpass which allows the traveler for set period of time for a set price.
For transport within the city and from airport to the city, the options with the costs are shown in figure 14 and figure 15.
80
60
40
20
0
$71
$8
2,06
$30
$6
Airtrain/Bus
Taxi
Shuttle bus/Metro
London Edinburgh
Major U.K. cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 14 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in major U.K. cities
20
10
0
$12 $13
$8
$2 Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
London Edinburgh
Major U.K. Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 15 Cost of local transport in major U.K. cities
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Meals
1.
Dine at a Pub
Most pubs will not serve food, but those which do will write that out on a chalk board, and can be very cheap with big portions of traditional meals such as - shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, ploughman's lunch, baked potatoes with fillings, sandwiches and snacks. The food, especially the
Sunday lunches, which are as filling as above will cost from $11 to $15.
2.
Going Ethnic
Try Chinese meals which will cost you around $10. You can also try the meal of fish and chips from the locals, they come in large portions and can be easily shared by two or more people.
3.
Lunch Packs
Guest houses from small places can offer lunches for cyclists and walkers, which may prove to be a good deal.
An overview of meals and costs is shown in figure 16.
$38
40
30
20
10
0
$8
$12
$18
6 $6
$9
$12
$27
London Edinburgh
Major U.K. Cities
5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 16 Cost of different meals in major U.K. cities
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Budget travel: Exploring Famous Destinations
Accommodations
1.
Hotels
The cheapest hotel would start from $8 and then go up to $100, considering a 1 star to 3 star accommodations. Unlike most places, it is advisable to prefer hotels over hostels in
Malaysia, if you are staying in the city taking into account the quality factor. Compared to Europe and North America, the hotels here would be cheaper, for the same quality of service.
2.
Hostels
Hostels are also an option for backpackers, with prices ranging from $3.53 to $8. These of course will be shared accommodations, and are probably the cheapest option when not using alternate means such as house swapping, volunteering for charity and couchsurfing.
3.
Beach Huts
Since Malaysia is better known tourist destination for its beaches, beach huts are an option most people look to avail. You will have to hunt around on the internet for best deals, and always make sure you get reviews of other travelers before choosing a place.
The place may not be the same as it seems on the internet.
A comparison of hostels vs. hotels ranging from one star to five stars is shown in the figure 17..
Accommodation Rates in Malaysia
$80
80
60
40
20
0
$6
$20
$45 Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
Kuala Lumpur
Major Malaysian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 17 Cost of Accommodations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Transportation
1.
Light Rail Transit
Kuala lumpur is very well connected through various rail networks, on being the light rail, which is the most punctual train of all.
2.
KTM Komuter
This rail has 2 lines and is less frequent than light rail since it covers larger distances than light rail. There are discounts available but mostly for students, or foreign students studying in Kuala
Lumpur.
3.
Bus
You can move around on Rapid KL buses around Kuala Lumpur for as low as $0.3, depending on the distance you want to travel. For tourists there are the Hop on Hop off buses, for which you can take a day pass for $12 and get on and off the bus anytime anywhere. A discount is available for groups of more than 5.
A comparison of transport modes from the airport to the city and within the city is shown in figure 18 and figure 19.
$28
Local Bus
30
$11
20
$3 Taxi
10
0
Shuttle bus/Metro
Kuala Lumpur
Major Malaysian cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 18 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1,5
2
1
0
$1
Kuala Lumpur
Major Malaysian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 19 Cost of local transport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
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Meals
Eating in Malaysia is comparatively cheap, and is hard to go cheaper than the local restaurants and food available at stalls. If you go to a restaurant which offers a lot of western dishes, the price may go up, but best way to eat around Malaysia will be to look for places where there are a lot of locals. The variety of cuisines available is good enough to satisfy most tourists, with a lot of local dishes which are a must one time try such as Satay, Roti canai, nasi lemak, tembikai jus or teh tarik. The food in Malaysia is a combination of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian and Malay cooking. A quick look at the figure below will give a clearer picture about the costs involved.
Meal Expenses in Malaysia
15
10
5
0
$3 $3
$5
$11
$5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
Kuala Lumpur
Major Malaysian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 20 Cost of different meals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Accommodations
1.
Hotels
Hotels are expensive deal in Singapore, even when compared to the western standards. Best way to get around this is to look for hotels in the surrounding area of the point of interest. The hotels would be cheaper, and with one of the best local transport network in the world, you can get to your destinations in minutes.
2.
Hostels
A few hostels have opened up in the past few years, which provide dorm rooms as well as private rooms at very affordable prices. A chain of hostels called “Beary Best” is gaining popularity among backpackers.
3.
Lodges
There are also lodges available for budget customers, which are very similar to hostels with bunk beds and internet facilities. This is another option to save money on your accommodation.
A comparison of hotels and hostels given in figure 21 will display the gap between hostels and hotels, and the expensive nature of Hotels in Singapore.
$142
150
100
50
0
$90
$13
$47
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
Hong kong
Major Hong Kong Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 21 Cost of Accommodations in Singapore, Singapore
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Transport
1.
Buses
The bus transport is majorly operated by SBS transit and SMRT, which covers most areas and are linked to various bus interchanges. The fare ranges from 67 cents to $1.58, taking into account the bus service after midnight is slightly expensive.
2.
Trains
MRT and LRT are two major rail networks. LRTs are mainly used to switch from MRTs to get to other parts of town. So far the network if LRT is not very widespread. These trains though are a good option to avoid the traffic even in peak hours.
3.
Taxis
Not the most economical method, but experienced drivers can take you places during heavy traffic by avoiding the routes which they would know will be jammed.
There is an Ez or a Nets Flashpay card available for $12 ($5 card, $7 value in it) which will make moving around easier. Transport costs and from the airport to the city via different modes can be compared through the following figures 22 figure 23 respectively.
40
20
0
$10
$27
$5
Airport express train
Taxi
Hong Kong
Major Hong Kong cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 22 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in Singapore, Singapore
$5
6
4
2
0
$0,3
Hong Kong
Major Hong Kong Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 23 Cost of local transport in Singapore, Singapore
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
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Meals
1.
Go Local
The best place to eat would be to look for places where the locals are eating. The hawkers in
Singapore provide great food at very low prices, without compromising on the hygiene. It is hard to get a better deal on street food than in Singapore.
2.
Food Courts
Another good place to eat will be the food courts found in malls. A lot of variety at very cheap prices will be available.
An overview of the cost of different meals of day in Singapore is shown in figure 24.
25
20
15
10
5
0
$23
$5
$6
$9
$3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
Singapore
Major Singapore Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 24 Cost of different meals in Singapore, Singapore
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Accommodations
1.
Hotels
Similar to Singapore, Hong Kong is no longer a cheap place when it comes to staying in the hotels. The rooms are expensive, and a lot of search is required to get to best deals. But if you really want to stay in a hotel, try looking for hotels outside the main island, you can look into the website www.hotel.hk. Avery efficient domestic transport system will make sure that distances don’t matter.
2.
Hostels
YMCA is among the best option when looking for hostels in Hong Kong. Its proximity to
Peninsula, a luxurious hotel, makes sure it is convenient to find, and offers the best location. The facilities are comparable to a 2 star hotel, and are unlike most YMCA around the world. To get even cheaper deal, one can use websites such as backpacker.net, where traveler’s reviews and information about other hostels and budget hotels can be found.
3. Service Apartments
If you are looking for a long stay, then service apartments are a good option to consider.
Although, these apartments will be available only for a minimum stay period which can range from 2 weeks to a month.
A comparison of hostels vs. hotels done in figure 25 should clear the picture about hostels vs. hotels.
$142
150
$90
100
50
$13
$47
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
0
Hong kong
Major Hong Kong Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 25 Cost of Accommodations in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Transport
1.
Buses
Buses are very cheap but come with a hassle of making sure you have exact change with you at all times for the fare. One way to avoid this however is to get an Octopus card from the arrival halls of the Chep Lap Kok Airport.
2.
Mass Transit Railways (MRT)
MRT travels along 6 lines to take people from Hong Kong to different destinations. Not only it’s fairly cheap, there are a lot of underground shops for snacks and coffee. Also, your Octopus card that you use for buses can be used here.
3.
Taxis
Taxis as usual are the most expensive means of transportation in the city. Also, something to note here is that meter goes up every 0.2 km, which is much faster than most places, adding to the expensive nature of traveling through taxis.
4.
Ferries
There are ferries for moving around the different island which comprise Hong Kong. The ferries are cheap, although there is small price difference between the top deck and lower deck, the top deck being higher in costs.
In figure 26, and figure 27, the transportation cost from the Airport to the city, and transport within the city respectively, are graphically represented.
30
20
$10
$27
Airport express train
Taxi
$5
10
Express bus
0
Hong Kong
Major Hong Kong cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 26 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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$5
6
4
2
0
$0,3
Subway Ride/Local Bus
Taxi
Hong Kong
Major Hong Kong Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 27 Cost of local transport in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Meals
1.
Go Local
Very similar to Singapore, best places to eat would be where the locals are eating. You should also visit the Chinese bakeries which serve meat and pastries at a very reasonable cost.
2.
Accommodation Meals
If your hotel has breakfast or any other meal included, take full advantage of that. If you are staying in the YMCA, then try their tasty dim sums in the breakfast.
An overview of the cost of different meals of day in Singapore is shown in figure 28.
15
10
5
0
$14
$2,50
$4
$7
$5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
Hong Kong
Major Hong Kong Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 28 Cost of different meals in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Accommodations
1.
Hotels
Hotels in Brazil can be reasonably priced in the 1 or 2 star ranges. After that, hotels especially in city center at Rio de Janeiro can be very expensive. However if you are travelling off seasons that is from September to November, you may find a good bargain.
2.
Pousadas
These are guest houses with less facilities and services, and are therefore much cheaper.
3.
Albeurges (Hostels)
These are Brazilian hostels, which have grown in number in recent years. They would also offer breakfast and are cheaper than Pousadas.
4.
Fazendas
These are found in the wilderness, and are ranches with guest facilities. In smaller areas, there are
Hoteis fazendas, which are cheap ranches offering various activities such as swimming and camping. Similarly a boat hotel can take you places which you wouldn’t normally reach. It is useful to take in the scenic beauty and the wildlife.
A comparison of hostels vs. hotels done in figure 29 should clear the picture about hostels vs. hotels.
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
$20
$35
$60
$130
Hostel
Hotel One Star
Hotel Two Star
Hotel Three Star
Rio Di Janeiro
Major Brazil Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 29 Cost of Accommodations in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
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Transport
1.
Buses
Even for traveling across cities in Brazil, buses are the most recommended mode of transport.
They are comfy and cheap; the downside is that they would take a lot of time. One way to address this problem is the travel at nights and sleep in the buses. This way you can use the long hours and save on accommodation.
2.
Train
There are very few trains operating in the region. So finding a train to get from where you are and to your destination is a matter of luck and very intricate planning. However, not many people use these trains. In Sao Paulo however, there is a metro train system, and can help with the transportation.
3.
Taxis
Taxis will cost you around $6 for 3kms and as applicable everywhere is not a cheap mode of public transportation. But if you can’t find other means, and distance is long, they may be the only option.
Figure 30 and Figure 31; compare the costs of transportation from airport to the city and within the city respectively.
$37
Airport bus
40
20
0
$4
$18
Taxi to City center
Rio de Janeiro
Major Brazilian cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 30 Cost of transport from airport via different modes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
$6
10
0
$1,5
Rio de Janeiro
Subway Ride/Local
Bus
Taxi
Major Brazilian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 31 Cost of local transport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Meals
1.
Restaurants
While the main tourist spots will be expensive, you can still find a restaurant meal for as low as
$4. These places are not rare, but a little effort will be required to look around
2.
Local Markets
Buying fresh fruits from the local market, or gorging on street food is another option. You will obviously have to keep in mind the precautions when eating fast food, but there are good options available.
An overview of the cost of different meals of day in Brazil is shown in figure 32.
$14
15
10
5
0
$3,00 $4
$7
$2
Rio de Janeiro
Major Brazilian Cities
Source: Price of Travel
Fig. 32 Cost of different meals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Total
Pint of Beer
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While the countries vary greatly at times in almost every way, there are few undercurrents which are common across. For example, hostels are the most value efficient means of accommodation. Increasing effect of social media in the form of websites such as CouchSurfing.org is providing a means of free accommodation across globe with the increasing number of participants. Taxis are the costliest means of transportation within the city, and buses and metros being the cheapest. Also, wherever a metro system operates, there are invariably passes available which not only save the hassle of dealing with foreign currency all the time, but in most cases will also save money further.
With more and more destinations opening up, there are a lot of options for budget travelers to explore.
Even after the economic crisis recently, tourism has seen better recovery than most industries across the globe. Given below is a graphical representation of the increase in tourism as observed by WTO.
Fig. 33 Total Tourist Arrivals and Tourism Receipts in USD from 1999 to 2010
Source: UNWTO 2011 Highlights
The rise in tourism displays that even after taking the economic hit, travelers have not lost their spirit of travel. They have simply moved to more economical ways to fit travel expenses in their deflated budget.
A lot of information is available on blogs from travelers when looking for very specific information on a very specific tourist destination. Hopefully, with more and more travelers now sharing their experiences on World Wide Web, budget travel will soon be a cakewalk for everyone.
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Sources: www.priceoftravel.com
http://www.cheaphotels.org
http://www.usatourist.com
http://www.westerncanadatravel.com
http://www.nomadicmatt.com
http://www.adventureswithdan.com
http://www.budget4wdtravel.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com
http://gouk.about.com
www.asiarooms.com
http://www.malaysiavacationguide.com
http://worksingapore.com
http://ezinearticles.com
http://www.brazilwanderer.com
http://www.budgetyourtrip.com
http://www.ehow.com
http://www.travel-budget-asia.com
http://www.webbloggirl.com/2012_04_01_archive.html
http://nickstravelblog.com/nicks-travel-picks/top-travel-infographics/ http://www.coolinfographics.com/blog/tag/travel http://www.creditcardscanada.ca/blog/infographic/the-great-canadian-road-trip-infographic/
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All the information presented in this paper, is a curated work comprised from data collected by various statistical organizations and companies related to the tourism industry. We do not claim to have collected any data and the info graphics and statistics based on which the charts of various types are made, are work done by the organizations/institutions which have been quoted in the sources and the links from where the information was collected has been accounted for in the Bibliography.
We do not claim complete accuracy of data and deviations from the given are possible. Flexiroam has made this paper for informational purposes and have tried to credit all the sources possible which could be traced back from the data. Any omission of the source is purely accidental and complete effort has been made to give recognition to every data source.
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FLEXIROAM is one of the world’s first discounted international roaming service provider. International travel has never been more popular, convenient and affordable than it is today, however staying connected while abroad has not caught up due to high roaming charges. FLEXIROAM provides a solution to leisure and business travelers alike to freely make and receive calls without the concern of costly international roaming bills.
In its effort to continually expand, FLEXIROAM provides this service across 200 countries worldwide and has enabled global travelers to save millions in roaming charges. With FLEXIROAM, it is now easier and cheaper than ever before to stay connected to loved ones or business associates wherever they are in the world. The organization continues its journey to revolutionize the international roaming industry by always providing the "The Cheapest Way to Roam”.
The figure below represents the geographical locations where the service is available, with red representing the countries whose users can avail of this service, and the service itself is available in 200 countries worldwide.
Since the inception of its services Flexiroam has saved its users USD 2.8 million as of 8th Nov. 2012.
Rapid further expansion is taking place, and soon more countries will be added to the list of Malaysia,
Singapore, Australia, Canada, U.K., Indonesia and India, where these services are already available.
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Contact Details
For international roaming solutions that cuts your bill to lowest possible limit, contact Flexiroam,
Website: www.flexiroam.com
Email: support@flexiroam.com
By Phone:
+61-8-89867117 (Australia)
+1-514-4001013 (Canada)
+852-369-31420 (Hong Kong)
+62-81-284009488 (Indonesia)
+81-3-45206303 (Japan)
+603-20540800 (Malaysia)
+65-31577333 (Singapore)
+44-161-3810001 (United Kingdom)
+1-213-2609135 (USA)
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