Let's say you already have your objective and you already done your research.
What's Next?
Remember my objective?
My objective: To visit a place where I could relax and eat nice food..Taipei..within my budget of SGD 2000, with my girl friend.
I have done my research, for the information on Taipei, please visit my blog.
Next, would be to ACTION!!
I assume you know the price of things in your destination from your research.
Action, means you take out your money or credit card and start booking your flights and accommodation.
This saying is most important, "The Early Bird Catches The Worm"
Prices for flights could be different by 50% or even more if you book early.
Accommodation price is less affected by booking early or late, but remember, they have limited rooms and popular hostels or couch will be filled very fast for peak season.
Example, I book my flight to Hong Kong for my previous backpack about 5 months earlier. It cost me RM540(USD 150) to and back. Before I went on board, I went to the site where I book, the price was RM1250 (USD 320). I saved 50% for booking early.
Another saying is,"Be at the right place, right time and meet the right person, then you can succeed"
Be at the right place,
1) in front of your computer, most of the time you can get a great deal through the internet.(visit my Backpacking Streamyx Blog, I recommend those that i used before there)
2) visit travel fairs, we have a lot of them here in Singapore and Malaysia. Sms Online & Easy deals they sell in the fairs are always 10-20% less than normal days.
Be at the right time
1) For budget airline, do visit their website about 6 months earlier than you trip and keep posted on their new promotions. Only when you think the deal is good, you buy.
2) For fairs, go on the end of a low peak day. Normally, the low peak day would be the first day, and afternoon..
Meet the right person
1) Ok...you don't meet anyone on the website...who knows..there might a automated system around to offer you more great prices..
2) For fairs, well the truth is...all the promoters give almost the same price, mayb 5-10% difference. But it's your luck on who you meet, so good luck!!
My experience,
I bought a Free & Easy package during the NATAS fair in Singapore, 5 months before my Taipei trip. The price was bout 15% less than outside stores and I went on the first day Antivirus Compare long before anyone finished work.The promoters were hungry for deals, thus I can ask more information and also get a good deal.
I have more accommodation tips on this post of my blog Backpacker's accommodation - Local Lodging.
Yeong Chow is a backpacker. I only travel by backpacking. I have visited Hong Kong, Macau and other places. Would be backpacking in Europe in 2010 and South East-Asia in 2011. As I learn more on backpacking, I would also write them into articles for others to view. My blog on backpacking tips is at Backpacking tips.
Please rate my article, so that I could learn and write a better article next time.
