Travel is becoming more and more affordable. Thanks to the rise of budget airlines, known in the travel world as low cost carriers, anyone can see the world, whether they are well-off or not. Budget airlines offer a no-frills travel service, and it is a good idea to read their terms and conditions carefully before you commit to using them. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a budget travel experience that is stress free, and free from unexpected charges.
Print Your Boarding Pass
If the airline you fly with offers online check in, use it. Not only will this save you a lot of time by saving you from having to queue up at the airport, invariably behind someone with 15 oversize bags and the strangest itinerary known to man, it could save you money too. Just remember to print your boarding pass before you fly home!
Pack Light
Budget airlines usually have strict baggage requirements – far less generous than legacy carriers. Find out what their rules are and make sure that both your cabin bag and your checked bag meet them. If they don’t, you could end up paying far over the odds to bring your luggage with you. If you know you will need to carry a lot, pay in advance so that you get a discount.
Feed Yourself Before You Travel
Low cost airlines don’t usually offer refreshments for free on the plane, at least not for shorter trips. So, make sure you are well-fed and have a drink before you get on the plane. Remember that you aren’t allowed to take liquids through security with you, but you can buy refreshments once you have passed security. So, finish your drinks before you check in, and grab something from the vending machines to keep yourself hydrated once you get on the flight.
Resist the Up-Selling
One of the biggest inconveniences of budget travel is the constant up and cross-selling that goes on. While you’re on the plane, be prepared to be barraged with advertisements for car rental, coach services, taxi services and more. If you’re a first time traveller and you have no idea how you are going to get from the airport to the hotel, accepting the sales pitch might be worthwhile in that it’s convenient, and offers you an easy mode of transport after you get off the plane. However, if you do your homework and book and airport transfer before you fly, you’ll probably save a lot of money.
If the above makes it sound like budget travel is a nightmare, don’t despair. Remind yourself that you have just traveled several hundred (or thousand) miles, and paid next to nothing for the privilege. You are getting to see parts of the world that your parents and grandparents would have had to save up for many months to enjoy, and you’re going there as a weekend trip. Enjoy this unprecedented access to affordable international travel, and remind yourself that the destination more than makes the journey worthwhile.
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