Saving Money on Senior Travel

If you have been inspired to have a wander  this needn't eat up your entire savings.
Travel discounts are not solely for the gap-year hostel crowd.

4 Tips will get you out and about for less.

• Travel off peak.

Visiting places during their off-peak or shoulder season (autumn or spring instead of summer) has many price benefits for travelers. Peak period like summer school holidays or national public holiday times are the most expensive.
The off-peak or shoulder season discounts often suit Elderly Travellers as they typically aren't trying to plan trips around work or school holiday schedules.
Another advantage of off-peak  is fewer crowds, think battling summer crowds in tourist resorts.
We were in Athens and  had had dinner in the same restaurant twice before this holiday (the food was fantastic , views gorgeous). The third time we visited we ordered the same meal as before but it was 10 Euro more expensive. We queried it. It was the second day of peak tourist season and all the prices rise. All the restaurants we asked said this was what everybody did.

A Tip- check in advance on the opening hours of museums and other attractions you have your heart set on, as some have reduced hours, or shut altogether, outside of the high tourist season.

• No set times.

If you arent on a tight schedule and have a flexible approach sometimes you can get a better deal if you are travelling a few days later or earlier.  Airlines also can offer you deals if they are over booked. Twice we have arrived at the airport and the airline has asked if anyone would like to give up their seats on the plane. Both times we accepted as we received great benefits like a 5 star hotel over night, meal vouchers, business class up grades, show tickets and cash.

• Not just flying

Getting from one place to another is not just flying from one destination to another, sometimes the journey can be the fun. Train, coach or ferry travel can be an attractive alternate to Airline travel.
 The train from Cairo to Luxor is an interesting part of any trip to Egypt, with views of towns and farms from the train windows. A Feluca or Boat from Cairo To Luxor a beautiful relaxing way to travel. (More on Destinations -Egypt)
We have taken the train from San Fransisco to San Diego because it was cheaper than flying and we were allowed far more baggage than a flight.
We took a ferry from Athens to Santorini for half the price of a flight.
Discount bus or coach companies.
We were in New York on a trip but thought we might like to visit Washington DC as we were fairly close.
I looked at flights then trains. A friend suggested a great alternative transport is discount bus or coach companies. We booked a ticket for $1 each, each way  from New York to Washington DC. So for $4 we went to Washington DC for 4 days. There are a few different ones, so search engine them.

• Senior Discount

Never book anything without asking if there's a special rate or price discount for seniors.
This is particularly useful for Hotel bookings as the senior discounts are not always advertised well (if at all). But be aware that sometimes the senior discounts are not the absolute lowest prices! Check any quoted discounts against other offerings (AAA, NRMA, Seniors Card, AARP, "best available" or early booking) that may be available.  Sometimes there is just a cheaper room on one of the hotel booking websites.

Travelling Tip -Dream places board

I have seen these used for other things, life goals, positive reinforcement and visualization.

I  have used one for travel.
I use it to help build the excitement for mum.
 She has it on the back of her toilet door. 
Every time she goes in there she thinks about the trip and wants to do a little more planning or research. 
Its also a great talking point when her friends come over.

We have been lucky and travelled so much that there are few place left on her list now.
She suggested it could change to a  'Been there -Saw that' board, she could put photos up of places shes been.




The easiest way to make a board that will keep you inspired and motivated for the trip
 

1 Start with a cheap cork board (or you could glue it to cardboard.)

2  Get brochures from travel agents about anywhere that might interest you


 


3 Cut and pin pictures on your board of places you want to go. Label the pictures in case you forget where in the world it is ! Add to it as much as you like.
Its your board.

4 Put it somewhere where you can see it and it helps build the excitement.