The point of saving is usually ticked off when you book your holiday. This is a mistake, because anyone who is now traveling again after what feels like an eternal pandemic will quickly notice that prices have not only increased in Germany. Eating out, sightseeing or other additional costs have also become significantly more expensive in the holiday regions.
You don’t have to be stingy on vacation, after all, the days off are one of the best times of the year. Nevertheless, you should be careful not to step into cost traps. We show you how you can save money on vacation without sacrificing your relaxation.
You set the course for a holiday without cost traps when you book. The most important questions are which destination you want to head for, how you will stay and when you will go on vacation. From minimalism to luxury, everything is included, pay attention to the following points when booking:
Our partner portal CHIP has tested various travel portals that will help you with planning and where you can play with the listed parameters. In this way you hold the strings for the booking and thus also the costs in your own hands. Also check the early booking discounts offered or take advantage of last-minute deals and other discounts. The great strength of the portals is the simple cost comparison paired with flexible booking. Travel deals like those currently offered by Amazon can also be really worthwhile.
The 9 euro ticket is a great way to travel cheaply in Germany. But that doesn’t mean that you have to spend the entire summer on the regional train. However, traveling to the holiday destination by train is a good idea right now. And if you are not driving to a really remote area, regional transport is the first choice.
But even if that’s too complicated, the 9-euro ticket can help. Before you drive to the airport and park there for outrageous money, it’s better to take the S-Bahn or U-Bahn. Alternatively, getting around by bike is a cheap option in many cities.
The cost devil is in many details, such as excess baggage for the flight or an expired passport. The airline will charge you for the extra kilos, which is often the case with cheap flights. Travel professionals swear by traveling with hand luggage only.
If you only find out at the airport that the necessary passport has expired, you can have a temporary passport issued shortly before. But of course it costs money, currently 26 euros, and is only valid for one year. Persons under the age of 24, on the other hand, pay 37.50 euros for a normal passport, which is then valid for six years. From the age of 24, the passport costs 60 euros and can be used for ten years.
Meals on vacation are also a big item or can become a big item. The current trend is that portions are getting smaller and food and drink prices are getting higher. So you don’t have to refrain from eating out with a sea view, you can also treat yourself to a more expensive menu on holiday.
But you can save if you don’t do it every day. Shopping in local supermarkets, small shops or markets can also be exciting. Sample street food and avoid tourist hotspots. Most restaurants a few streets away are already much cheaper. A good indicator of reasonable prices is when there are many locals sitting in the restaurant on holiday abroad.
There is usually not just one price to visit sights on vacation. Look for discounts for groups, school children, students, families or early booking. There are often travel guide apps with discount options or city cards. Alternatively, a visit to the tourist information is usually worthwhile. Even the printed coupon books are far from extinct.
Many cities also have free tours, and many museums have free days or offer deep discounts on admission prices once a week. It can therefore be worthwhile to check the prices for sights in advance and to make a plan as to when and where to visit. Concerts and other local events are also often free of charge.
The original of this post “Drastically reduce vacation costs – the day of the week is often decisive” comes from chip.de.
