Ultimate Budget Travel Guide

The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide

There’s a silver lining to the economic meltdown: Incredible deals abound as hotels, airlines and cruises compete fiercely for your travel dollars.

Peter’s latest book, Tough Times, Great Travels: The Travel Detective’s Guide to Hidden Deals, Unadvertised Bargains, and Great Experiences (Rodale, March 2009)
is a comprehensive guide on how to travel during these tough economic times. It will not only help you stretch your travel dollars further, but will increase the value of your travel experiences.

So in honor of Peter’s new book, we’ve compiled an exhaustive list of tips, features and videos to help you save money whenever, wherever and however you travel. So check out these links for help saving money on your next vacation.

When the going gets tough, the tough … travel. If they know how.

FLIGHTS

• Best Day of the Week to Buy Cheap Tickets
• Tip: Best Time of Day to Book Flights
• Cheap, “Secret” Intercontinental Flights for Asia, Europe and the Americas
• Finding Cheap International Flights
• Tip: Finding the Low-Cost Airlines
• Budget Carriers International
• Tip: When to Beware of Low Fares
• Looking Into the Fare Future
• Video: Secret Seats on Airplanes

OTHER TRANSIT OPTIONS

• Buses Keep on Truckin’
• Tip: Economical RV Travel
• Evaluating One-Dollar Bus Fares From NYC to DC
• Tip: Bikes on the Cheap
• Tip: Little Rental Car Fee Surprises
• Tip: Don’t Get Dinged For Rental Car Dings
• Video: Save Money While Getting Better Car Rentals
• Tip: Avoid Paying Second Driver Charges
• Tip: Saving Gas and Cash on Car Rentals

HOTELS

• Couch-Surfing: Sleep on the Cheap
• Sleep Cheap in London Despite the Currency
• Making a Home Stay Work for You
• Rooms (or Couches) on the Cheap
• 2009: The Year of All-Inclusive Vacations?
• Tip: Budget Accommodations in Asia
• Video: The All-Inclusive Resort: What’s Actually Included?
• Tip: Sleeping in Airports
• Tip: Live Like a King, Pay Like a Pauper
• Is a Bed & Breakfast Stay Right For You?

DESTINATIONS

• Where the Dollar Still Reigns: Cheaper International and American Travel
• Why Low Season Is Go Season For Budget Travelers
• Video: Making European Travel Cheaper
• Cheapskate Confessions: Japan on a Budget
• Cheap Travel: Work-Stay Programs Worldwide
• Tip: Getting a Free Local Guide
• Video: Inexpensive Adventures: Summer Mountains
• Tis the Season for Escaping to Europe

CRUISES

• Cruising 101: How to Choose, Book and Enjoy Your Perfect Cruise
• Tip: Save With Independent Shore Excursions
• Tip: Repositioning Cruises
• Video: Budgeting Help for Cruise Ship Vacations
• Barging Through Europe
• Tip: Cruise Ship Budgeting

MISCELLANEOUS

• Simple, Eco-nomical Tips from the Virtuous Traveler
• Tip: Save Money By Stopping Bills While On Vacation
• Rockin’ the Student Discount
• Top 10 Reasons for Travel Insurance
• Tip: Goodbye Booking Fees on Online Travel
• Tip: Learning a Language for Free
• Scam or Legit: Learn to ID Credible Travel Web Sites
• Tip: Internet Errors Can Mean Big Bargains
• Video: Credit Cards as International Bargaining Tools
• Timeshares 101: Tips on Buying and Selling Vacation Property