15 Tips for Cheap Travel: #6) Doing Research Before You Go
This is the sixth post of the series “15 Tips for Cheap Travel.” You can navigate the rest of the series by going to the 15 Tips for Cheap Travel Index.
As part of your travel plans you now you have a destination, transportation, lodging and a budget. But, what are you going to do once you’re there?
The internet has a plethora of resources available to learn about things to see and do, places to eat, and event happenings. Here are some of the best online travel guides (in no particular order):
- Lonely Planet
- Fodors
- TripAdvisor
- VirtualTourist
- About.com Travel
- Sidestep Travel Guides
- Rick Steves
- Rough Guides
- LetsGo
- Frommers
As much as I love online resources, here’s nothing like an actual book. More than any other type of book I think travel guides should be borrowed from the library. Why? 1) You only need a travel guide for a few weeks while you’re at your destination. 2) Travel Guides quickly become outdated.
Typically when I go on vacation I bring two guides. I bring one with lots of words and descriptions like Michelin Green Guides
I use the wordy-detailed book the night before I go to a site so I can plan times and read all about what I’ll be seeing. Then I bring the visual guide to the site I’m visiting (like a museum) to see where the good stuff is. (Eyewitness guides have maps of museums and point out where the famous paintings are, so you don’t miss something “important.”)
Make sure you do some research before you go on a vacation. It will save you time and money. Get your books at the library and you’ll save even more money.
Tomorrow’s travel tip will discuss how to plan for while you’re away, including how to save on kid and pet sitting. Be sure to stop back!