Planning a trip this Christmas Holidays? Here's how to travel economically

Holidays are the best and the worst times to travel. Best because everyone is free of their daily routine and worst because of the same reason. At this time the demand for accommodation increases tremendously and suddenly everything becomes more expensive, crowded, and stressful.

However, all is not lost. If you plan early, travel can be made fun without burning a hole in your pocket. This includes keeping an eye on the following:

• Choosing a destination
  
  Choosing the right destination is the first step towards travelling economically. One must fix a budget and decide on the kind of experience desired. Clarity in these things makes it easier to compile a list of destinations that are within one’s budget and liking.
  
  Once the list has been made, prioritise and select a destination that gives you more value for your home currency. For example, the Indonesian island of Bali gives decent value against the Indian rupee while also being a scenic and a beautiful place for a holiday.
  
  Read more on budgeted foreign trips from India.
  
  Another way of making a holiday budget-friendly is by choosing places that are high on entertainment but score low economically. For example, Spain may not be in pole position if you consider its economy, but it’s a vibrant place to visit. This makes it an affordable destination offering a memorable travel experience.

• Getting there
  
  Booking flight tickets well in advance is the most basic way of getting a good deal. Six weeks in advance is an ideal time to book tickets in order to get discounted rates. But there are also other ways to get discounts and cheap deals.
  
  For a start, compare flight tickets prices on various web portals and choose the best deal. SmartBuy is one such platform that displays offers extended by merchants to HDFC Bank customers. It also facilitates comparison of airfare among various airlines.
  
  Booking through SmartBuy also ensures you get 10x Reward Points on your Credit Card or 10% CashBack on your Debit Card, along with a discount of Rs 200 on using the promo code ‘FLYHDFC Discount’.  So using such platforms can benefit you financially.
  
  While deciding the date and time of flying, choose a weekday over a weekend and low-traffic times such as mornings. This enables one to get tickets at lower rates. Excess baggage charges can be considerable, so always pack smart (and light) to avoid this avoidable expense.

• Staying there
  
  Accommodation forms a sizeable chunk of the vacation cost and should be handled smartly. Similar to flights, researching and comparing stay options through various web portals can help you find affordable options.
  
  For example, SmartBuy enables not only comparisons between various stay options but also provides discount offers from well-known merchants such as MakeMyTrip or GoIbibo. In fact, if you book through MakeMyTrip or Goibibo this season, you can earn No Cost EMI and 5% CashBack on your HDFC Bank Credit Card EMI*.
  
  An important thing to remember while booking hotels is that they define your comfort during the duration of your vacation. One must, therefore, choose a hotel or resort or Airbnb that is economical as well as comfortable, and not get swayed solely by discounts.
  
  When travelling with a group, one could check out vacation rentals instead of regular hotels.

• Managing expenses
  
  Everyone wants to look their best during the holidays, and why not? It is the one time when you can enjoy and make memories that last forever. Shopping for the upcoming holiday is fun. Thanks to online shopping portals, it can be affordable too. The one tip to keep in mind if you wish to shop in an economical way is to avoid putting off your purchases till the last minute. Planning and buying during discounts and sales is much more effective. And now with HDFC Bank Festive Treats, get 100+ offers on Cards, EasyEMI and Loans.
  
  Making a checklist of things required comes in handy while shopping – say, clothing and footwear that suit the weather and the landscape of the place you are visiting, prescribed medication, toiletries, electronic gadgets etc. This way one won’t overlook any necessities. Buying these at your holiday destination can be inconvenient as well as expensive.
  
  As you can see, a little research and planning is all it takes to have a great vacation – without breaking the bank!

Looking to plan your Christmas trip? Click here to get started!

* Terms & conditions apply. Debit and Credit Card approvals are at sole discretion of HDFC Bank Ltd. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.