How to plan a budget friendly trip to Manali

One of the most well-liked tourist spots in India is Manali. Everyone enjoys visiting Manali at least once in their lives. Whether on a lone quest for inner peace and adventure, a backpacking trip with your besties, or a honeymoon getaway with your significant other, Manali and its mountains will never cease to captivate you. The budget-friendly trip to Manali will ensure you get a taste of the area's well-known tourist attractions, and its friendliness will compel you to return. It is the most popular vacation spot for first-timers and regular tourists who frequently travel here use the Manali taxi service. Here is a budget-friendly travel itinerary for Manali.

Budget friendly travel option

By Bus: This is the least expensive and fastest way to get to Manali. The greatest time to take a bus is after 9 PM because you won't miss the light of day. An average state bus will only cost you Rs. 800, but you will have to make some compromises in terms of comfort. A Volvo luxury bus will cost you between Rs. 1200 and Rs. 1500 per person.

By Air: The closest airport to Manali, Kullu Manali Airport (Bhuntar), is reachable by direct flights at reasonable rates, and you can generally find discounts on flights. Since there aren't any commuting services like Ola and Uber in this area, you can rent a car in Manali when you get there to get to your accommodation.

By Rail: There is no direct rail that goes to Manali. Manali's closest railway station, Jogindernagar, connects the mountain town to several significant cities. You can also go to Manali by train from Chandigarh and Ambala. From the railheads, you can opt for either buses/taxi services in Manali.

Tips and tricks for an unforgettable budget trip to Manali!

Hostels staycation



When travelling on a budget to Manali, it is best to stay in hostels because hotel rates will be higher. You will get the opportunity to engage with other guests while staying at the hostel and be amazed by the cultural diversity and ethical standards. Any hostel stay would start at Rs. 250.

Food

To make your 3 to 4-day vacation to Manali on a budget more enticing and refreshing, you must try the local cuisine. You will pay INR 400 daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out these Manali specialities to awaken your taste buds: khatta, sidu, babru, trout, patande, bhey, aktori, and tudkiya bhat.

Rent a vehicle for travelling

One of the best options is to rent a bike because it is less expensive. Depending on the sort of bike, you'll pay anywhere from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1500 a day. Alternatively, you can pay between Rs. 1500 and 2500 per day OR about Rs. 400 for a one-way trip from Old Manali to New Manali from an affordable Manali taxi service (approximately 2 to 3 km).

Budget friendly tourist attractions for Manali trip

Mall Road



Manali's Mall Road is the busiest tourist destination for visitors to Himachal Pradesh and is frequently referred to as the city's centre. There is plenty to keep you busy for the day on Manali's Mall Road, which is well-known for its street shopping explorations and is bustling with a variety of activities.

Visit the Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple before continuing down the Mall road. It has the ideal fusion of architectural styles and vibrant tones to capture on camera. The main shrine's focal point is the Sakyamuni shrine. The Tibetan-style crafts on display are simply amazing, and they make the ideal gift that will fit the bill and not detract from your low-budget trip to Manali.

Winter Carnival

How about an affordable carnival? You're correct, of course! Winter Carnival is one of the best destinations for your inexpensive trip to Manali. Manali, one of the most exciting tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, gets ready to ring in the new year with aplomb and celebrations each year around New Year's Eve.

Himachal Winter Carnival is the event's official name and is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive and exciting cultural experiences. The Manali Winter Carnival, the biggest tourism occasion in Himachal, promotes regional culture and winter activities to draw visitors during the slow winter season.

Old Manali

The tourist path crosses the Manalsu River bridge into Manali's "Old Manali" neighbourhood to see a different side of the town. The village's unusual charm will make you feel like you've entered another world. Visitors, especially lone travellers, who frequently praise the city as a place to unwind and relax. Old Manali is among the best places to visit on a limited-budget trip to Manali.

The Jogini Falls

Jogni Falls, another name for this magnificent cascade, is located 7.5 kilometres from Manali's bus terminal and 4 kilometres from Vashisht Temple. From the Vashisht temple, a 1.5-hour climb will take you to the waterfall. The entire stroll is gorgeous, offering breath taking vistas of Manali.

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is one of the incredible places to visit in Manali on a tight budget and is located between Beas Kund and Solang Village, 13 kilometres from Manali. The adventure activities in the Solang Valley, such as skiing, river rafting, and paragliding, are truly unique experiences.

Temple of Vashisht and Hot Springs

This 4,001-year-old temple, which lies 5 kilometres from Old Manali, is devoted to the ancient Indian sage Vashisht, who served as Ram and Lakshman's guru. This temple is well-known for its hot springs, which are revered and said to have healing effects on the skin. Both men and women have their own private, Turkish-style bathing cubicles.

Temple of Hidimba

Three kilometres from Old Manali, in the cedar-covered Dhun Giri Forest, you'll find a historic cave temple constructed in 1553. It is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, a character in the Indian epic Mahabharata and the wife of Bhima. This temple is open every day from 8 AM to 6 PM, and there is no entrance fee.



Make sure to find a package deal for river rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, and so on, rather than a single one if you're feeling adventurous or wish to try some of the sports. When compared to paying for individual sports, package deals give you more for a lower price. Manali's lush green valleys and adventure sports will elevate your mind and soul and are worth every penny.

Note: The pictures in this article are courtesy of wikipedia.org and have been borrowed under the Creative Commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

Continue Reading...

9 Tips for Safe Low Budget Travel

Travel is a fantastic thing. It’s a great way to see more of the world, enjoy different cultures and experiences, and learn more about yourself and the world around you. But travel can be very expensive, and so it’s not something that we can all afford to do as much as we’d like to. The good news is that while you may not be able to go to the most popular or exotic destinations if you are on a tight budget, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy travel, without taking risks to your safety to save money. Here are some of the best tips for safe, low-budget travel.

Avoid Peak Season

Peak season is a more expensive time to travel, no matter where you are going. Flights, accommodation, and even activities once you arrive are more expensive at specific times of the year. Peak times usually include school holidays, high summer, and Christmas. Traveling outside of these periods can be significantly cheaper, and even moving your trip forward or back a week can make a massive difference in the price.

Avoid Tourist Hotspots

Tourist hotspots are typically places that are popular with specific groups, especially families, or places with lots of well-known tourist attractions. Staying away from these is an easy way to save a fortune on everything from accommodation to eating out and getting around. Staying away from tourist attractions can also mean that you get a more authentic experience and a chance to enjoy the local culture because everything hasn’t been changed to suit tourists' needs and wants.

Do Your Research

Avoiding tourist hotpots is a fantastic way to save money. But, sometimes, the tourist hotspots are the safest areas. They tend to have good healthcare services, and plenty of help if you need it. If you are going to head outside of the most popular destinations, you need to prioritize your own safety. Before booking, do some research into the area, the accommodation, and anything else that you may need to stay safe, and don’t stay somewhere cheap if you are worried about safety.

Travel Light

Nowadays, when we book flights with budget airlines, hold luggage is rarely included. You might think that you are getting a great deal until you add luggage options. The best way to avoid these extra costs is to travel light, if possible, fitting everything that you need into a cabin bag.

Shop for the Best Deals

One of the best ways to save money on travel and related expenses is to look around for deals, instead of just buying the first thing that you see. Compare flights and accommodation, use cashback apps and services, and look online for things like luggage and accommodation. Never buy anything without looking for a deal, offer or discount first.

This is also true when you arrive at your destination. There will be many providers offering the same excursions, activities, and souvenirs. Make sure you shop around and compare prices, and don’t be scared to haggle a little.

Book in Advance

When it comes to booking accommodation, flights, or package deals, we can often make the biggest savings by booking last minute. But it’s still worth booking in advance, especially around Christmas and other times when there might be large sales. However, booking the activities that you want to do when you arrive is almost always cheaper if you can book them before you leave home.

Fly Midweek and at Night

The most popular and sought-after flights are at the weekend, during the day. Most people would rather avoid flying very early in the morning, or during the night if they can, and flying midweek can make booking time off work more difficult.

If you are in a position to fly during the week and don’t mind flying at night, this can be significantly cheaper. Just make sure you factor in travel to the airport, which can be more expensive during the night.

Cook Your Food

Eating out is a wonderful treat and one of the parts of travel that most of us enjoy the most. But heading to a local market and cooking your own food is cheaper, and a great way to learn more about local produce and learn a new recipe to take home.

Walk Everywhere

Another big expense can be traveling around when you arrive. Try to walk as much as you can, or if this isn’t possible, look at travel passes for local public transport.

Instead of seeing your budget as a setback, see it as an opportunity. When we travel on a budget, we often visit places we might not have thought of if money wasn’t a consideration. We meet more local people, we learn new skills, and often, we enjoy a more well-rounded experience. As long as you stay safe, traveling on a budget can be a glorious adventure.

Continue Reading...

Planning your Budget Trip: Travelling to India in 2021

Once the world got locked down due to the pandemic in 2020, travellers have had to stay at home and say goodbye to exploring the world. And that too for a significantly long time. But, things are changing. Now, adventure seekers who have been fully vaccinated can continue to explore the world… though there are some things that travellers have to keep in mind such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and may be paying a slightly higher price for some products and services. 

Tourism in India is on the uptick and many states have opened themselves to fully vaccinated travelers while offering them the safest of environments to explore the charms of this diverse nation. This opening of tourism channels is especially very appealing to budget travelers as discounts, upgrades and freebies are being offered all around and which makes it very affordable and incredible to visit India in 2021. Using any airline like Air India, you can safely land there and begin your fun exploration. Below are some handy tips to explore India in 2021 in a cost efficient and safe way.

Backpack



You have to pack your luggage as simply as possible. Lesser kilograms means that you don’t have to pay for extra baggage fees and it is much easier to carry around, especially on a hike or in cities that involve a lot of walking.

In addition to packing simple, you need to pack smart too. In addition to your main bag or suitcase, you need to have a small daypack. This daypack carries your essentials, valuables and documents and it should be on your person at all times. This allows you be super flexible with your travel plans, while it mitigates all theft and loss of belongings. You can simply leave your larger baggage in the hotel cloak room or at a friend’s place and travel for a short trip with just your daypack. May be, even go on a weekend motorcycle trip.

Food



India has a huge food scene with a wide variety of regional cuisines and yummy treats. While the world over knows some iconic Indian foods, the traveler to India will discover that each state has different specialties and they are all super affordable. You don’t have to look at high end restaurants and five start hotels for tasty and healthy food. Instead, one should look at street foods, traditional restaurants that locals throng to, food walks that are offered in many Indian cities and may be look at home cooked food in case you are staying at a homestay or if you have been invited to someone’s home.

Plan beforehand

In order to save money while you are traveling to India, it might be prudent to plan your itinerary in advance. Advance booking might get you some additional discounts. And the chances of you facing some additional expenses might be limited thus allowing you to enjoy your holiday in peace. 

Safe accommodation



Accommodation costs make up a significant portion of the travel costs of the budget traveller. Luxury hotels have increased their room rates in the post covid era. Even some mid-range hotels and homestays have hiked their prices. Guest houses or apartment rentals might be a better choice these days. They offer safety, freedom and they are cheaper these days. Many such properties can be found on AirBnB. Personally, I would recommend traditional homestays, backpacker hostels and Airbnb to budget travelers for a wholesome experience that doesn’t burn a hole in their pocket.

Use cards, digital wallets instead of cash

Pick pocketing is quite common in the busy areas of Indian cities. You could become a victim if you do not know how to handle your money in a busy environment. Credit cards and digital payment avenues such as Google Pay, Paytm or PhonePe come in handy as alternate sources of payments. In the post covid area, many shops and destinations across India have started accepting digital modes of payments.

Dressing consciously

It is best to dress like the locals so that you don’t stick out like a sore thumb and call for unwanted attention. While modern forms of clothing are quite common in major Indian cities, it might be better to dress conservatively in case you are visited rural India or if you have been invited to an Indian home or an Indian family event. Simple and comfortable local clothing will help you beat the elements while embracing local fashion.



Tips: Always stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. This will help you avoid any untoward incidents and allow you to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. And do remember to wear your mask in case you are in a crowd or in a confined public space. Socially distance yourself where possible.

Good Luck!

Continue Reading...

An Exciting New Way For You To Travel Big On A Small Budget

When I was growing up, my family hardly ever went on vacation. We took national trips once every couple of years. But before I left home, I’d never been abroad.

As soon as I started making my own money, I decided that that would change. I went away as often as I could, touring fantastic destinations I had always wanted to visit. And then, as my responsibilities grew, I began to understand why organizing trips was so hard for my parents.

Nonetheless, I have continued to travel, mostly by finding deals on cheap hotel rooms and using budget airlines. It sometimes gets uncomfortable, but I can never ignore the travel bug.

While looking for discounts for my last trip, I found a website called Roomer, whose clever concept is very exciting.

Taking advantage of the industry


Roomer bases its service on a simple premise. Hotel cancellations are inevitable, and they're bad for everyone. They happen so often, that they impact the entire travel industry. As many as 220,000 hotel rooms are cancelled every day - and that’s in the US alone!

This is why most hotels have frustrating “no refund” policies. But even though they don’t give refunds, they still lose out.

A large proportion of a hotel’s revenue comes from the money that patrons spend when they're already there. Food, drinks, entertainment, and service, are all factored into their gross income. When the patrons don’t come, that revenue is lost.

Roomer takes advantage of this fact, to make remarkable deals a reality.

A hotel-marketplace for cancelled rooms


When searching for hotel room deals, I came across Roomer’s hotel-marketplace. They had some crazy discounts there, on rooms of a very high quality. There were price cuts on reservations from 50% to 85%. Some of the highest cuts were on 5 star hotel rooms.

It works on the above premise. Since hotel bookings are non-refundable, people who have to cancel might as well try and offload their bookings, even if they have to take a huge cut. Roomer provides the platform to sell these bookings to bargain-hunters.

They post these reservations on their website, allowing potential buyers to search or browse for their ideal hotel room.

Avoid the logistics nightmare


Roomer is good for the travel industry because hotels want to be filled up. This makes the logistics possible. You may know how difficult it is to change the name on a reservation. With Roomer, that’s not something you have to worry about. They get in touch with the hotel, and organize everything - to the seller’s, buyer’s, and the hotel’s benefit.

If you're worried about sharing your credit card details with a stranger, you can rest easy knowing that all payment is done through Roomer’s secure system. You won’t ever give your details to the seller, or even know who they are.

And, if you ever need to, they're easy to contact. Any problems you may have are dealt with promptly. They're not scared to take on responsibility, and won’t fob it off on you.

Exclusive hotel deals


When you search for hotel rooms on Roomer, you'll find a range of options in almost any locations. This is partially due to Roomer’s mutually beneficial partnership with hotels around the world.

Since hotels want Roomer to succeed, they provide exclusive deals even on hotel rooms that have not yet been reserved. Therefore, you can use Roomer as a super-cheap bookings site if there are no cancellations at your destination.

The great deals, the ease of access, and the great customer service have contributed to Roomer’s rise in popularity. They're growing such a big fan-base that they were named one of USA Today’s top 3 travel websites/apps.

My dream destinations are now readily available  
It’s a lot easier for me to travel now than it ever was for my parents. I can find great deals all around the world, and the opportunities are endless.

Roomer provides a really exciting way to travel. It’s definitely worth it, and will be over and over again.

Continue Reading...

Subrosa Station: Comfortable Budget Hotel in the Sultanahmet Area of Istanbul

If you are a tourist to Istanbul, you are bound to stay either in the Taksim or the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul as they are close to all the key attractions. On my first visit to Istanbul, I stayed in the Sultanahmet area at a hotel called the Subrosa Station. I stayed at this budget hotel for 3 days and 2 nights and the below is my review of this hotel based on this recent experience of mine.

1) The hotel has great location. Situated just 200m from the Sultanahmet tram station and short walking distance to the Blue Mosque, Ay Sofya, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern, this place is close to all the main attractions of Istanbul. And since the tram station is located close by, all the other places are also easily accessible.

2) The hotel has comfortable rooms that offer heating/cooling, attached bathroom with hot water and great wi-fi.

3) The people running this guest house are great people who are always happy to answer the various questions that the travelers have. They also speak good English.

4) There are many restaurants near the hotel, but most of them are very expensive as they cater primarily to the tourists. If you walk a bit further, you will find authentic and cheaper local restaurants.

5) The hotel is also close to the grand bazaar area and the spice market in case you are interested in shopping.

6) If you have an evening bus, this hotel allows you to use their common room, wi-fi, toilets and also provide you with access to a luggage storage room.

7) In terms of access from the airport, you can do a combination of metro and tram (if you are coming from Attaturk airport) or get a bus (if you are coming from Sabiha airport)

8) Even though the hotel is located right in the middle of the busy area, it is awfully quiet in the night and ensures good sleep. The only problem is the early morning call for prayer, which you can hear almost from everywhere in Turkey.

9) The standard rooms cost about 40 Euros. They don’t offer breakfast or any other meal. But, they offer hot tea, coffee and water all through the day.

If you are looking for a good budget hotel in the tourist hub of Sultanahmet, you should give this place a try. It is simple, clean and comfortable.

Continue Reading...

Mystic Jaisalmer: Budget Hotel close to Jaisalmer Fort

On my recent trip to Jaisalmer, I stayed at 2 places. One was a luxury property in the middle of the Thar desert and the other was a budget hotel located close to the Golden fort of Jaisalmer. This review of mine is about the budget hotel called ‘Mystic Jaisalmer’ where I stayed for 2 days and 1 night.

1) This hotel enjoys prime location. It is situated just outside the fort and all the tourist attractions like the Fort, the Havelis, the Bazzar, Gadisar lake and the Jain temples are located close by. A lot of people prefer hotels located inside the fort, but the drainage problem is actually destroying the foundation of the fort and hence is not recommended.

2) This hotel comes under the budget category and offers dormitory, fan cooled and air conditioned rooms. I stayed in a non-air-conditioned dormitory, which is comfortable with a fan, attached bathrooms and safety lockers. However, I won’t recommend this place during the hot summers unless the hotel owners make the dormitory air-conditioned. The dormitory costs INR 300 per bed, while the other rooms cost INR 600 and INR 1000 for fan-cooled and air-conditioned respectively.

3) The hotel offers free wi-fi and one that is comfortably fast.

4) The hotel has a roof-top garden restaurant that offers great views of the fort. It is also very breezy under the star-light night sky. The food though is not that special, but it is alright.

5) The hotel is fairly new and hence the infrastructure is very good and all the areas and rooms are very clean.

6) The people running the place are also very service-oriented and hence try to help the tourist as much as possible.

7) They also organize their own camel tours and night safari in their desert. It looks like they own another budget property or camp in the desert.

8) The only sad part is that this hotel is surrounded by filth like the rest of Jaisalamer city.

9) The bus station, train station and other restaurants are also located within walking distance from the hotel.

I would definitely recommend this hotel if they make all their rooms air-conditioned. Even otherwise, I would recommend for its good service and proximity to attractions. According to me, they make for a great budget hotel in Jaisalmer.

Continue Reading...

Zostel: International Quality Hostel Chain in Rajasthan

I love to stay in hostels because they offer comfortable budget accommodation through an air conditioned environment with safety lockers, great wi-fi, proximity to the tourist attractions and the ability to meet like minded travelers. On my international travels, I have stayed in umpteen hostels for a significant amount of time, but never came across good quality hostels in India till I came across Zostel.

Zostel is a hostel chain that runs hostels at Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India’s most tourist oriented state. Zostel offers quality and facilities that are on par with hostels across the world and at great budget Indian prices. On my recent trip to Rajasthan, I managed to stay for 3 days at their hostel in Jodhpur. This review is based on this recent experience of mine.

1) Unlike a typical Indian hostel, this one comes with international quality standards. Their beds, rooms, safety lockers and washrooms are all of great quality.

2) They are air-conditioned and offer great comfort in Rajasthan’s heat.

3) They have the concept of a central meet-up area where all travelers can meet, strike interesting conversations and share their stories.

4) Zostel offers free wi-fi like most international hostels. They even offer free laptop or desktop for those travelers traveling without their gadgets.

5) The one at Jodhpur is close to the airport, while the ones at Jaipur and Udaipur are located right in the heart of the city and close to all tourist attractions. Even though the Jodhpur hostel is close to the airport, it is still close to all the tourist attractions as the city is extremely small.

6) The people running the place share the love of travel and are great company for us travelers. They make sure all our questions are answered and if not, they guide us in the right direction.

7) The hostel at Jodhpur comes with a roof top view and sit out area. Between 8 pm and 9:30 pm, one can catch a good view of the lights at Ummaid Bhavan Palace from here.

8) They also offer tailor made tours for those who want a bit of planning.

9) Their washrooms are clean, airy and come with all necessary amenities.

10) And all this costs only INR 350 per person per night, which is just USD 6, which according to me fits perfectly into the world of budget travel.

I thoroughly loved my stay at Zostel – Jodhpur and would love to stay again with them at their Udaipur and Jaipur property sometime soon. If you are a budget traveler and seek the joy of hostels, I would recommend that you give them a try.

Continue Reading...

Hotel Norling: Comfortable Budget Hotel in Trongsa Town

Trongsa in Central Bhutan is a place worth staying for a couple of days as it offers a different view of Bhutan when compared to the typical valleys of the rest of the country. In a way, it is closer to East Bhutan than Central or Western Bhutan as it lies on a mountain rather than in a valley. While I was at Trongsa, I stayed in the town at a place called Hotel Norling. This review of mine is based on this recent experience of staying here for 2 nights and 3 days.

1) Hotel Norling is situated right in the heart of Trongsa town with good access to the restaurants, markets and other basic amenities.

2) It is also located at walking distance from Trongsa Dzong and T Dzong.

3) The rooms are modern, wooden rooms with a room heater, television, attached bathroom with running hot water and other basic, yet important amenities. The best part about these rooms is the beautiful view it offers of the mighty Trongsa Dzong. A cost of a room for one night (Indian rate) is INR/BTN 1200 for double occupancy.

4) The hotel is run by a family and the lady managing the day-to-day operations is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

5) The hotel does not have any internet connectivity.

6) Hotel Norling has an in-house restaurant that dishes out some great Bhutanese and Indian dishes from 7 AM through 10 PM.

7) The place is also very close to the taxi and bus stands.

The place is ideal for those who look to stay in the heart of town, looking for decent accommodation at a budget price and wish to be in close proximity to the main tourist attractions.

Continue Reading...

SNS Lodge: Comfortable Budget Hotel at Wangdi Bajo, Bhutan

Wangdi Phodrang, a town in Western Bhutan is known for its hydroelectric projects and red rice. It is also an ideal place to stopover on a journey from Thimphu to Trongsa while you explore Punakha enroute. I landed in this town after a trek along the river from Punakha to Wangdi. The town where all the tourist infrastructure is available is called Wangdi Bajo and that is where I stayed. I stayed just one night and one day at the SNS Lodge here and the below review is based on this recent experience of mine.

1) The SNS Lodge is possibly one of the better hotels in this small town.

2) It offers all the amenities typically offered by a decent business class hotel, like clean room, hot water, room heater, tea/coffee maker, television, etc. And all this for INR/BTN 1200 per night for Indians.

3) They even provide free wi-fi.

4) The hotel is located right in the heart of this small town and hence all necessary amenities (taxi stand, restaurants, shops, etc.) are all located close by.

5) The hotel has an in-house restaurant that dishes out good food.

6) The reception and the rest of the hotel staff are very professional and helpful.

This is a great budget place to stay at Wangdi Bajo. Definitely worth the money and perfect for a comfortable stopover.

Continue Reading...

Travel Style by Country

During my days of backpacking travel, I have met fellow travelers from many countries across the globe. While I spent time with them, I got to know more about their style of travel and also got to hear their views on others. I even made some inferences on my own based on their travel mannerisms and demeanor. This post aims at articulating the travel style of a traveler by their citizenship. This is meant to be a delightful and insightful read and does not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments. There are always exceptions to the rule and this sample is purely based on the travelers that I have personally come across or have heard from other travelers. Hope it makes for an interesting read.

P.S. This sample consists of travelers who do backpacking, take tours, do middle class trips, take a luxury vacation, do off beat trips and more. Basically, the sample size is huge across a wide variety of travelers.

France
The French are daredevil travelers. They tread into the remotest parts on the planet without knowing any language except French. They simply expect everyone to speak and understand French.

England/Scotland/Ireland
They are well traveled, but need a watering hole every evening/night. They are more off beat travelers, but can get rough with a little bit of alcohol in them.

United States of America
Non-existent travelers. One of the superpowers to have the least number of travelers. The travelers that you see are worried about anything and everything they might face in their travels. Always look for comfort.

Canada
Unlike their neighbor, these guys love to travel and travel dirty. Don’t care much about comfort and travel for the experience.

Germany
Good travelers, but mostly travel by the book. Do not venture off the track much. They are very well mannered travelers though.

Scandinavia
Mainly one location travelers. They have two conditions for their holiday destination – it should be cheap and it should have lots of sunshine. Their holidays are fairly long, but their travels are fairly limited.

Netherlands
Good travelers, but not a lot of them get out of their comfort zone. But, there are a lot of Dutch travelers out there considering the fact that their overall population is less.

Switzerland
The Swiss are good travelers, but again, do not venture off the beaten track. They are very polite and love to be comfortable.

Japan
Very quiet travelers. It is next to impossible to get a Japanese to raise their voice. They are well traveled too.

China
Loud and rude travelers. Love to travel in humongous sized groups. Stick to their kind. A few young ones break the trend. Also, known to spend a lot of money in their travels. Obsessive about the mobile phone and social media.

India
Five Star hotel travelers. Love to take tour packages. Are more tourists than travelers. Good accommodation and good food is more important than the travel experience for them.

South Africa
They are the most worried about safety when they travel from a lesser safe country (South Africa) to a more safe country. Duh!

Australia
Love cheap destinations. Love the ocean and the surf. Possess immense appetite for beer and drinks. Are pretty well traveled too.

Spain
Louder than the other European travelers. Can also get a bit possessive and rough at times. Are known to do really budget travel and don’t mind getting dirty.

Russia
Love to stick to their own kind. Sometimes, they hate the other kind and they make it very apparent. Prefer coastal places with lots of sunshine.

South Korea
Surprisingly, a very fresh mode of travelers. They travel in small to medium sized groups, but are not as quiet as Japan or as loud as China. Speak better English and are very open to talking to strangers.

Eastern Europe
Travelers with a free style. Don’t worry about anything and travel with utmost freedom. Indulge in a lot of extreme sports.

New Zealand
Completely different from Australia and England. Go about their own business quietly. Love adventure.

Argentina
European style backpackers with a special flair about them. Make excellent companions for travel.

Brazil
Surprisingly, original travelers who have their own style.

Israel
Hardened travelers due to their military background. Also, known to break many rules while they travel.

Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia
Picnic travelers. Also, shopping travelers. May be, weekend travelers too. They wait for the cheapest price, fly to a destination, meet their friends, wine n dine in style and do some shopping. Then, they fly back home. Also, obsessive users of the mobile phone and social media.

Serbia, Venezuela, Egypt, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Mexico, Turkey, Philippines, Colombia, Chile, Lithuania, Algiers, Morocco, Peru You hardly see them traveling. But, they can be seen, albeit rarely.

Continue Reading...

Flying Low Cost in South East Asia

Low cost travel is currently one of the most trending things in the world of travel. It is a well known paradigm that precious dollars saved while flying can be used to fly more/longer distances and/or enhance your overall travel experience. But, there is hardly an information source on the web that allows you to book that best deal even though they say that they help land the best deals. Through a fellow traveler, I found a site called wegolo that compares low cost flights across the world, but even that doesn’t help me get the lowest flight rates. It is a pretty good site in its own right though. Hence, I had to devise my own method as I traveled across the length and breadth of South East Asia, one of the supreme low cost belts in the world.


I would talk to locals to figure out which airlines are good for which zones and then would subscribe to their newsletters, updates and keep track of offers on their Facebook and twitter pages. The end result is that I only paid above $50 and less than $100 for 3 flights and for the rest of all the flights that I took in my 9 month south east Asia trip, I paid below $50 and for some of them, I even paid as low as $11. And these prices include the cost of my check-in baggage. I spent a little bit more time on the web, but ended up flying 3 flights for the cost of one. According to me, my time was justified.

This post aims at sharing my learnings of which low cost airlines work out the cheapest in which country so that you can keep a track of them, follow their updates before you plan your next trip to one of the ten south east Asian countries.

Broadly across the board, there are 4 airlines that you should follow closely cause they give some insanely low prices. They are Air Asia, Tiger Air, Cebu Pacific Airlines and JetStar.

The other ones per country are listed below:

Thailand
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air, Jetstar, Cebu Pacific

Domestic: Air Asia, Tiger Air, NokAir, Orient Thai Airlines

Cambodia
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air, JetStar

Domestic: NA (only full service flights)

Vietnam
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air, JetStar

Domestic: JetStar, VietJet

Laos
International: Air As

Domestic: Lao Airlines (Full service)

Myanmar (Burma) 
International: Air Asia

Domestic: KBZ (Not necessarily budget, but one of the cheapest in Myanmar)

Indonesia 
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air

Domestic: Citilink Indonesia, Air Asia, Tiger Mandala, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, Batavia airlines (Don’t fly as they crash), Merpati Airlines (Don’t fly as they crash)

Singapore 
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air, JetStar, Scoot

Domestic: Not Applicable

Philippines 
International: Cebu Pacific Airlines, Air Asia (Zest Airways), Tiger Air

Domestic: Cebu Pacific, Air Asia (Zest Airways), Tiger Air, Air Philippines

Malaysia 
International: Air Asia, Tiger Air, Cebu Pacific

Domestic: Air Asia, MAS Wings, Firefly

Brunei International: Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, Tiger Air

Domestic: Not Applicable

For wikipedia’s list of low cost airlines by country, click here.

Continue Reading...

Hotel Baru: Good Budget Hotel in Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Most of the tourists visiting Banyuwangi come here either for Kawah Ijen or for the ferry connection to Bali. Whatever your travel options are, Banyuwangi is a great East Java town in its own right and while I was here I stayed at the Hotel Baru, an old and well known hotel located in the center of town. Below review is based on my recent stay there.

1) Hotel Baru started operations in 1918 and hence is a pretty well known landmark in the town of Banyuwangi.

2) It’s rooms are large and clean, but can do with some renovation. But, keeping in mind, its location and price, it is fairly ok. For 70,000 rupiah, one can get a economy room and for 90,000 rupiah, a standard room. The room includes a fan, 2 beds, a television and an attached bathroom with squat style toilets.

3) Free breakfast consisting of rice and/or bread is included in all rooms.

4) High speed free wi-fi is available in some rooms and in the hotel lobby.

5) The best part about the hotel is its well mannered and very knowledgeable reception staff. They are always eager to help you plan your trip to Kawah Ijen, Bali or other destinations and they don’t charge anything extra. In fact, some of the cheapest options in town are available in this hotel.

6) The hotel is close to many super marts and local restaurants (Warungs) that ensures you don’t have to walk too much for food and supplies.

7) The Karang Asem train station is only 3-4 kms away and the Ketapang ferry terminal is about 8 kms away, making it an ideal place for tourists in Banyuwangi.

8) The main highlight of Banyuwangi, Kawah Ijen is about 35 kms or 1 hour away. The hotel arranges ojeks (motorcycle taxis) and 4 wheel drive vehicles to take its customers to Kawah Ijen.

Even though this place is a bit old and needs some renovation, I think the reception and its location make it ideal for budget travelers and backpackers. The hotel staff speak English too, which is an added bonus.

Continue Reading...

Trains of Java, Indonesia: Perfect for Budget Travelers

A lot of budget travelers to Indonesia prefer to spend more time in the Java island when compared to the other islands mainly because of its superior public transport infrastructure and the ability to travel long distances for a very small price. Trains and buses forms the bulk to the public transport system while there are taksi (taxi), ojek (motorcycle taxi), becak (3 wheeler cycle rickshaw), bajai (3 wheeler auto rickshaw), angkot (mini van) and more. Out of these, the trains offer the most comfort and are ideal to commute long distances.

During my last 3 weeks in Java, I have taken the train 4 times. I took the Executive class from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, the Executive class again from Yogyakarta to Malang, the Economy class from Malang to Banyuwangi and the Bisnis Class from Banyuwangi to Surabaya. For me, all classes were comfortable even though each journey was a minimum of 6 hours.

The thing to understand with the trains in Indonesia is that the cost of the trains vary with train type and class type. The Executive trains are the fastest, but also cost the most. All the compartments on the Executive trains are the Executive class, which is the highest class. There are no sleeper berths on the trains in Indonesia. All of them are seat type like the airplanes.

The Executive class has individual seats with push back option, pillow, blanket, and lots of leg room (I am a 191 cm guy and I was very comfortable). The Executive compartments are completely air-conditioned. The Bisnis class is also air-conditioned, but the seats are shared and the leg room is slightly lesser. Pillows are provided upon request. There are 2 types of economy class. One is economy with AC and the other is Economy with fan. Both of them are shared seats with very less leg room. Pillows are provided in this class too, but for a price. The cost decreases as you move from Executive to Bisnis to Economy AC to Economy.

Most of the trains have an attached pantry car that serves food. In the Executive trains, pantry attendants come to take personalized food and beverage orders, but in other trains, they just sell the wares. In economy trains, local vendors get into the train at each station and sell the wares. All the train compartments have attached toilets that are always maintained very well. While most of it is squat style toilets, some Executive trains have WC style toilets too.

The Executive trains take the least time to travel between 2 destinations because they either don’t stop at all destinations or stop only for a very brief period of time. They also get premium treatment over the other trains. The economy trains are much slower, but they stop at stations where the Executive trains do not stop. They get much longer than the Executive trains to ply between 2 destinations.

The thing to keep in mind is that in Indonesia, the Executive trains leave from a different station, while the economy ones leave from a different one. To ensure you have a comfortable train journey, carry a jacket and/or blanket with you if you are traveling in an air-conditioned compartment. The trains in Indonesia love to keep the AC very cold. Also, buy water and food as required from a supermarket before entering the train. Even though food is available on the train, it may or may not be fresh and is slightly more expensive than the supermarket.

The best thing about the trains is the ease of booking. One can either book the tickets directly at the train station, online at Kereta API train booking website and/or book at the nearest Indomaret supermarket (you pay 7,500 rupiah more for using this option). Unless it is a holiday, you should be able to book a train ticket one day in advance. Sometimes you can also get the ticket at the train station just before the scheduled departure of the train.

Continue Reading...

Tips to travel on a budget

How are you able to travel for such long stretches of time? Who funds your travels? What is your job? I want to do this too, but whenever I travel, my money runs out faster than I anticipate it to. These are some of the reactions my friends and fellow travelers have when they see me traveling for many months. I thought it was best if I wrote about some of the techniques that I use to sustain travel for long periods of time. These are tips based on my travels and from ideas that I have heard from other fellow travelers, but have never come to terms with using them. I have split them into ‘how to save money’ and ‘how to make money’ while traveling. I hope this list of tips helps you plan a longer holiday for the same budget.

How to save money while traveling?
1) Never take a tour, a package or buy some service from a travel agent. You are always going to pay his margin, which could take precious dollars away from your budget. Go to the agent to get an idea, but always book things on your own directly from the service provider.

2) Be ready to walk and walk long distances. Sometimes even with a heavy backpack.

3) Always take public transport. This is generally the cheapest form of commute all over the world. And when you book such public transport, book it directly with the train/bus/ferry provider.

4) Travel as light as possible. This will help you be very mobile and also help you save cost with these low cost airlines who charge extra for check in baggage.

5) Stay in hostels, dormitories and cheap guest houses. Not only does it help you save cost, it also allows you to meet like minded people. These places are basic, but are generally pretty sufficient for backpackers with all the basic amenities.

6) Try and eat street food as much as possible. Not only does it give you a local taste, it also helps you save on some money as street food is the cheapest in every country. If you feel street food is not hygienic or if your stomach is a little too weak, either cook your own food or find out some cheap, yet safe restaurant.

7) If you are traveling solo, always be mentally prepared to meet strangers, make friends with them and share accommodation with them in places which don’t offer dormitories or hostels. This can apply to men and women and helps both the parties save on the cost of hotel rooms.

8) Make a list of all the low cost airlines in the world and ensure that you subscribe to their offers and email updates. You might get some insane deals. Air Asia, Tiger Airways and Ryan Air to name a few have thrown some mind numbing offers in the recent past and below $20 flights are still common to even this date.

9) Make lots of friends during your travels. If ever they offer to host you in their house in their country, remember that offer and take it when the opportunity presents. Not only does it allow you to catch up with your friend, it also helps you get a local flavor without spending money on accommodation. You can always repay your friend in kind or host him/her when they come to your country.

10) Use Couchsurfing. A lot of people use couchsurfing to cut on the costs of accommodation. While, this is a great way to meet local people, understand the local culture from them and save on the accommodation costs, I have personally never done couchsurfing before even though I am a member. I have heard some good reviews from fellow travelers, though watch out for people that solicit sex with couchsurfers.

11) As much as possible, try and walk into a city and search for accommodation. Generally, this means walking a lot and finding out the cheapest hotels in town. If you book via the booking websites, you will always end up paying more unless they are running a special scheme, in which case, keep a tab on it. It is also smart to check in with other backpackers and travelers to get a quick idea of which area is the budget area and what kind of prices do they have. I have more or less done this always in my travels where I have gone to a restaurant, introduced myself to other travelers and understood the local hotel topology.

12) Carry a hammock with you always in your backpack. In case, hotels are sold out, it is high season and it is expensive or the accommodation is way above your budget, you can always put your hammock on the beach or in between some trees and  spend the night. This can sound scary to some, but it works out sometimes.

13) Try and avoid long day travel as much as possible. It is always good to do night travels as it will allow you to save the cost of accommodation while allowing you to cover long distances.

14) Always do research when it comes to financial transactions. Many banks charge a fee for international ATM transactions. Some banks charge lesser than the other, while in some countries, banks do not charge a service fee at all. Find out such banks and save on the service fees.

15) Always be ready to talk to fellow travelers. Everyone has interesting stories to share and some of them include some unbelievable tips. Learn from them.

16) Use free wi-fi as much as possible to stay in touch with friends and family. Most of the hostels, hotels and guest houses offer free wi-fi. If you don’t find such places, find a shopping mall, coffee shop or restaurant which offers wi-fi for free. Only take a local data plan only if you need to be connected always.

17) Buy a local sim card only if you have lots of local friends and you need to keep in touch with them. Else, avoid it.

18) At no costs, use a local phone to make an international call. They are always expensive. Use that local phone or your international roaming phone only in emergencies. Instead, use skype. Put credit in it or buy a country subscription and make international calls at local prices.

19) International Roaming is always expensive. See if you desperately need your international phone number. You can always buy a local one and share it with people who have to reach out to you.

20) Build your immunity. Drink filtered local water instead of bottled mineral water. A lot of cities provide filtered water. Ensure you always refill your water at such places. Water is such an important resource, but in many countries, bottled water is fairly pricey and hence can have a significant drain on your wallet.

21) While traveling, always keep some food and water with you. This will stop you from paying exorbitant prices for food and water while traveling.

22) Medical care is always expensive in any country you go to. Hence, always carry a basic first aid kit for small needs and go to a clinic, doctor or hospital only during emergencies.

23) Have a good travel and medical insurance plan with you that takes good care of you during emergencies. This will help alleviate all your stress during contingencies and emergencies.

24) Try and control your drinking and smoking in countries where it is too expensive. If you cannot control it, try the local beer/liquor and local cigarettes. They always tend to be much cheaper than the international ones which are imported. While doing this, beware of spurious products.

25) Keep your valuables safely with you and always on person with you or in safety lockers. Any loss will mean significant drain on your finances.

26) Stay flexible and ensure that you are able to change your plans at all times to save on cost.

27) Having a travel ATM card always helps. Depending on your country and bank, such cards do not charge any fee for international transactions. But, they might need you to keep large sums of money in your bank account. Every bank and country have their own clauses. Be sure to read them properly.

28) As much as possible, do not use your credit card to withdraw cash. You will end up paying significant interest to your bank. Instead, use your debit card and only spend the money that you have in your bank account and not what you don’t have.

29) Make sure you can sleep with noise and lights around you. If you cannot, then keep eye blinds and/or ear plugs ready.

30) Don’t shy away from leveraging your contacts and network in every country that you go to. Sometimes, these contacts are happy to host you or give you excellent local tips that might help you save some serious dollars. At the other extreme, don’t push them to the limits by staying with them for long periods of time.

How to make money while traveling?

1) Go on a working holiday and do some part time work. Some countries allow tourists to do part time work and get paid decent sums of money. Some countries like Australia promote working in farms.

2) Work part time jobs in the tourism industry in places where you can stay for long periods of time. These jobs can be bartending, waiting tables in a restaurant, managing the front desk of a hotel or be a hotel manager. Most tourist countries like expats who can speak many foreign languages. Keep in mind the rules related to your visa. Sometimes, this might be illegal as employment is mostly prohibited for people traveling on tourist visas.

3) Do a job that doesn’t require you to be in a specific location. All you might need is internet connectivity. These can be jobs in information technology or computers, media, design, journalism, writing and many more.

4) Maintain a travel and/or photography blog and make some advertising revenue from it.

5) Do writing and photography assignments if you think you can be a good photographer or a writer.

6) Take language translation assignments if you are good with the local language. Sometimes, you can become a guide if you speak the local and the international language. For example, take French, Spanish or Japanese lessons online in order to bolster your ability to find work in countries who speak these languages.    

7) Partner with a local and start a business: a hostel, a guest house, a dive shop, a travel agency, a travel outfit or something else that allows you to make money and also travel. Keep in mind that this might require some initial seed capital.

Continue Reading...

Hotel Ranmuthu–A good budget hotel on Colombo’s Marine Drive

It is quite a tough job to find a decent budget hotel in any new city. Everybody seems to entice you to stay with them and most of the reviews on the internet seem to be cooked up. Some bloggers help you find good places, but for that we end up spending quite a bit of time on online research. I came across Hotel Ranmuthu during my last backpacking trip to Colombo. I had never heard of this hotel before and did not have any time for an online review as it was a last moment decision to travel to Sri Lanka.

 
It was my van driver who recommended this place when I landed at the Colombo airport in the wee hours of the morning. Even though it was quite late in the night/early in the morning, the reception was very cooperative in helping me check the various rooms and spoke English well. This meant two of my initial hurdles were overcome. The price for the rooms here is between 1000 and 4000 LKR depending on Single, Double or Triple occupancy and AC vs. Non AC. Again, this fitted into my budget. I opted for a single Non-AC room as I was promised that there were no mosquitoes. And true to their word, there were no mosquitoes. May be, it was the lean season for the mosquitoes. But, generally, Colombo is known for its mosquitoes and that’s why most tourists opt for AC rooms or lather themselves in mosquito repellent cream. By this time, the tiredness had got to me and I crashed with not even an inkling of an idea of the specialities of this property.

 
It is when I woke up that I realized that Hotel Ranmuthu is a sea facing property. In fact, my balcony on the 5th floor offered me great views of the Indian Ocean and the beach railway line. And when I walked outside of the hotel property, I found out that I was very close to the main business district of Colombo. All the large malls like the Crescat Boulevard, cinema complexes, five star hotels, the marine drive, the city’s best restaurants, the Fort railway station, Pettah and most of Colombo’s prime sites are a short walk away. And since it is on the Galle road, one can easily find buses and Tuk-Tuks (3 wheeler taxis) to move around. I stayed at this hotel for 3 days and 3 nights and thanks to its prime location, walked across most of Colombo’s prime areas and relaxed watching the open ocean while I was at the room.

 
The only weak link about this place is the lack of an in-house restaurant. But, with so many restaurants a stone’s throw away, I never found it to be a problem. In summary, I would definitely recommend this place to a budget traveller. The rooms and attached bath and toilet are clean and I didn’t face a single problem. Only word of advice is don’t get offended by the old paint of the hotel exterior. The interiors are pretty decent. If you are interested to book your stay here, the contact numbers are 0094 11 2433986 and 0094 11 2433989. And the address is 112, Galle Road, Colombo – 3.

Continue Reading...

Glenfall Resort: Decent Budget Resort in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Backpackers and budget travellers searching for decent budget accommodation at Nuwara Eliya, the tea capital of Sri Lanka should give Glenfall Resort a try. The Glenfall resort property is located at about a 5 minute walk from the Nuwara Eliya main market and towards the Badulla road direction. The property is beautifully set amidst green surroundings and is a decently run place.

In terms of cost, this place is between 1500 LKR and 3500 LKR. A hard bargain should get you a good deal. Rates might be slightly higher during peak tourist season (Dec to Feb and Apr-May). In terms of facilities, the place has a library, helpful management and a restaurant that cooks pre-ordered meals. The rooms are very clean, offer quilts and running hot and cold water. Some rooms also have television in them.

Glenfall’s main asset is its proximity to the main market of Nuwara Eliya without the crowd and the noise. I stayed at this place during my recent backpacking trip and was very satisfied with my stay. Hence, would recommend it as a great budget accommodation option.

For those who wish to book accommodation at this place, please reach out to D G L Dasanayake, the owner of this place. The contact numbers are +94 522223182 and +94 522223364. The email id is glendid@sltnet.lk. And the complete address is No. 03, Glenfall road, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Continue Reading...

Featured on Cheap Cruises

My travel post on ‘Discount Caribbean Cruises’ has been featured on Cheap Cruises, a travel site providing cruise deals and other related travel information. My blog post features in their article ‘47 Articles About Cruising on a Budget’.

Any of you thinking on planning a budget cruise vacation will find their article helpful as it provides tips, tricks and ideas to find cheap cruise deals to exotic destinations around the world.

Continue Reading...